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Advantages of Storm
Windows
Most homeowners desire lower energy bills, but often the path
from to savings is littered with poor design. Anyone who has
gone shopping for ways to lower those bills has most likely
run up against a common dilemma: buying new energy-efficient
windows can be extremely expensive. The alternative, however,
is to invest in storm windows – a category not exactly known
for its handsome appearance. Thankfully there are some simple
ways to get your hands on storm windows that are as attractive
as they are effective, offering the best of both worlds in an
affordable package.
What are storm windows? The term refers to self-contained,
fitted windows which go over your additional windows to give
your home an additional layer of insulation. Although not
every model is considered gorgeous to look at, often you can
find a nice compromise between form and function if you
educate yourself about the materials involved. These days
storm windows come in everything from aluminum to wood,
ensuring you are never without good options to match any home.
Storm windows also come in a variety of window pane materials
as well, including at least one good option to suit any
budget.
The reasons to make an investment of this sort are manifold.
Most commonly cited, of course, is that fact that storm
windows can lower your power bills considerably. It’s hardly a
secret that homes lose much of their vaunted climate control
through windows, and older homes can easily sacrifice up to 25
percent of that energy from single-pane windows. When you add
storm windows, you can significantly reduce the amount of heat
and cold lost to the elements – some studies have put the
number above 30 percent. Savings like this will quickly
accumulate and eventually even provide seed money to do
further repairs, if you desire.
Of course when you save energy, you are also preserving
something equally important: comfort. Older windows tend to
create pockets of hot and cold air in your home’s meeting
spaces, effectively turning an evening at home into a
minefield of fluctuating temperatures. One of the great assets
of storm windows is that they release heat far more slowly
than traditional windows, giving all the air time to blend and
mix more effectively. Some homeowners report their homes
suddenly felt larger after adding storm windows – a byproduct
of the fact that many rooms suddenly became far more livable
from wall to wall!
Another nice thing about storm windows is that they do more
than regulate temperature in the home – most varieties also
block the sun’s UV radiation. If you have valuable furniture,
delicate curtains or flooring made of natural material, you
may have noticed just how damaging UV rays can be over time.
Although glass is generally considered UV-opaque, older and
thinner windows often let a significant amount of this
devastating radiation into the house. The result? Faded fibers,
damaged artworks and floors that preserve shadows and images
long after the sun has set. With good storm windows, you can
reverse this trend and keep out everything but visible light,
extending the life span of your favorite items by a matter of
decades.
One final advantage gets top billing in the name itself,
however: storm protection. In addition to the many ways such
clever products can make your life comfortable, storm windows
can also save your life. Most of the best storm windows are
designed with shatterproof Plexiglas or plastic that can
withstand tremendous punishment. If you live in an area that
is prone to hurricanes or there is any risk of an errant
branch finding its way to your home’s façade, having a solid
storm window in place may offer the best protection you can
get. Even if you are in the habit of taping up your windows
when gale force winds arrive, these sturdy and reliable
products can spare you from the fear and uncertainty of a
major twister.
Do some homework on the many varieties of storm window if you
want to find a match for your needs. From interior and
exterior models to multi-pane versions and more, the market
for storm windows is nearly as big as the market for windows
themselves,
How to Choose a Window
Contractor
Choosing a window contractor means knowing something about the
process of installation and how it affects your home's
security and energy bills. Too many window contractors
nowadays offer cut-rate bargains that sadly end up costing you
more money in the years to come, proof positive that you get
what you pay for. Thankfully, a wide array of accreditation
firms now offer an easy way to make your decision better
informed.
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is widely
regarded as the most reliable governing body in this industry,
certifying and labeling countless window types to ensure the
products meet some basic thresholds. A number of consumers
find further comfort in Energy Star labels that protect your
home from air conditioning and heat loss throughout seasons of
extreme weather. The point, as with all windows, is to save
money and secure your home from the elements without
sacrificing a dazzling view.
Once you've educated yourself about NFRC and Energy Star
labels, it's important to work with window contractors who can
speak the same language. Different types of windows confer
different benefits, so be sure to ask about pane strength and
latching mechanisms before you commit to any choice. The best
window contractors in most cities can usually explain issues
such as these clearly and concisely.
Choosing window contractors effectively is easier than it used
to be thanks to the rise of the Web. From basic tips and
tricks through the exigencies of proper installation, you can
often find some outstanding information with just a few clicks
of the mouse. Even if you just want to compare the available
window contractors side by side, it has never been simpler to
get a second opinion.
That said, the easiest way to choose window contractors is
with gut instinct—look around your area for the professionals
whose work you admire. Often by checking a few credentials and
looking at some prior work you can gain a far better sense
than you would with a few phone calls alone. From there all
you need to do is get everything in writing and you can have
new windows to enjoy within a matter of weeks.
Is it Time to Replace
Your Windows?
Wondering if it's time to replace your windows? You're in good
company. Every year, many thousands of homeowners hit the Web
in search of better information about window installation and
repair, and most of them end up finding the answers they need.
The truth about windows is that this entire industry gets far
less mysterious once you understand how it works.
The key to any successful home-improvement job is working with
window contractors who can get the job done quickly. From very
basic single-pane jobs through more complex insulated windows
in hard-to-reach places, talented window contractors can
usually make sense of your options. A few quick conversations
and you should come away with an estimate, a schedule and a
good sense of exactly how the finished product will look.
Many window contractors offer this kind of information
quickly, though you may want to watch out for those that
don't. Although window contractors as an industry take pride
in good communication, occasionally you will run into some who
may harbor plans to gouge you for money. Needless to say, the
surest way to protect yourself against predatory tactics such
as these is to work only with window contractors who put
everything in writing long before they go to work.
Get all the details squared away and you should be able to
expect fast and effective installation. Depending on what kind
of window you want and how unorthodox your home's architecture
is, it's not unusual to have everything from the window panes
through security mechanisms installed within an afternoon.
Fast work such as this usually comes in within budget, which
may be why so many homeowners would rather work with window
contractors than roll the dice with a freelancer.
Look around the Web for window contractors in your area and
you may be astonished at the number of choices you have. With
a little research and a few basic interviews, you can have
your home looking brighter, cleaner and safer in a matter of
days.
Questions to Ask a
Window Contractor
Working with a window contractor and don't know where to
begin? The truth about this work is that although it looks
complex on the outside, many of the steps involved are
exceedingly simple. That means with a little education you can
often join the process and manage every aspect of the
installation to your own satisfaction. It all starts with good
communication.
Working with window contractors usually requires that you know
something about the job, so you may want to avail yourself of
better resources early on. From the basics of framing through
double layer jobs and glass types, understanding precisely
what your home is getting can be a source of comfort. Better
still if you're working with window contractors who are happy
to answer your questions as the process moves along.
The first question you want to ask window contractors of any
stripe is how long the job will take. Although work such as
this generally doesn't involve plumbing or wiring, it can get
exponentially more complicated as you add in motion sensors
and other security measures. That means you may be in for a
longer process if the job itself requires protecting your home
on several fronts.
Budgetary concerns represent a common complaint as well,
particularly on jobs whose original schedules have been
abandoned. Get that estimate in writing and you can generally
expect far more efficient work from the professionals you
retain. Although most window contractors aren't out to take
your money, it only makes sense to get everything down on
paper long before any manual labor begins.
One important question many homeowners seem to forget is
whether the new windows can be counted on to reduce their
electric bills. This industry has evolved considerably over
the last few decades, and today many of the proprietary
materials used by window contractors offer substantial
insulation throughout the summer and winter months. Work with
window contractors who keep an eye toward green concerns such
as these and you may see a reduction of 30 percent or more on
your next power bill.
Window Treatment Trends
New trends in window treatments are constantly entering the
market. What are the latest styles for dressing up your
windows?
1. Puddled drapery panels. This type of drapery is so-called
because the fabric settles onto the floor almost like a
puddle. A very lavish and opulent style, it's still a popular
choice in many homes. Stick to smaller "puddles" of 3-5 inches
so your room doesn't look overdone.
2. Long drapes. More and more households are ordering drapery
that flows all the way from the top of the ceiling to the
floor. Many people choose this style to make windows look
larger and more grand.
3. Wide stripes. A new trend in window treatments. This look
is easily reproducible - all you have to do is adapt your old
curtains by adding different colors of fabric.
4. Tailored shades. Clean, sleek lines are the new wave of
window treatments. This type of window covering adds a modern
look to windows - Roman shades in particular are gaining new
ground in the design world.
5. Two-tone drapes. These work especially well in
monochromatic rooms. The top part of the fabric is made of a
heavier material in a lighter color, while the lower half is a
delicate fabric in a darker color.
Contrasting borders. Spice up a tired looking curtain by
adding a bright, contrasting border. This will make the
windows stand out more and is a good way to incorporate other
elements of a room into the window treatment.
Forget about matching. You don't have to use the exact same
treatment on every window in a room. In fact, as long as
colors and other elements of the treatment are coordinated,
you can use 2 different treatment styles on different windows.
Stripes. Another new trend makes it easy to add some vivacity
to plain drapes. All you have to do is attach some stripes to
the design and your room will look like a million bucks.
Custom curtain rods. For windows that boast unique
architectural features, such as curves, creating a curtain rod
to highlight such features is the perfect way to keep a room
looking interesting and out of the ordinary.
These are just some of the exciting new trends in window
treatments you can expect to see in designer homes over the
next few years. |
