Renovating your windows means improving your comfort while making an aesthetic choice. But it is also the best way to gain luminosity, improve your home’s insulation, and reduce your bill. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of our best advice on how to choose your window.
1. Insulate first
More airtight, difficult to close, and damaged over the years. An old window is up to 15% of the heat of a home that is lost. If it is not the most important heat loss item (the roof and the walls come before in the list), it is nevertheless important to be interested in it, especially when you want to insulate your home better.
Apart from the obvious savings in heating costs, opting for high-performance windows guarantees greater comfort since high-performance glazing eliminates the cold-wall effect and improves acoustic insulation. It is adequacy between the nature of the joinery on the one hand and the performance of the glazing on the other hand. To decipher the performance of a window, several elements must be taken into account.
The joinery has a classification called AEV: A for air permeability, E for waterproofness, and V for wind resistance. It is also important to pay attention to the insulation performance of the window and the glazing. You must choose windows with an insulation coefficient of 1.8 or less to receive financial aid. Another criterion is solar transmittance, which expresses the window’s ability to transmit the sun’s heat.
The closer the number is to 1, the more the sun’s rays heat up through the glass. Finally, we can add the light transmission factor between 0 and 1. The higher it is, the more natural light the window lets in. Although a little complex, these concepts are nevertheless useful for deciphering the performance of windows.
2. Choosing the right glazing
Should you choose single, double, or triple glazing? Unless you can’t do otherwise, because the frames can’t support heavy or thick glazing, for example, you should ban single glazing, whose thermal performance is very poor. The classic double glazing comprises two glass walls enclosing an air space.
With a window with reinforced insulation, the layer is filled with gas, and each glass is covered with a thin layer on the air layer side that prevents heat from escaping. On the bill, this means 10% less heating. It is thus up to three times more insulating than traditional double glazing and four times more efficient than single glazing.
Finally, triple glazing is based on the same principle as IRV, combining three panes of glass and two gas strips. The thermal performance is improved. On the other hand, light penetrates less into the home than with double glazing. In addition, because of the additional glass, these windows are heavier than others.
3. Choose the right material
I’m looking for ease. PVC is the star of the window. It is the most common material. This is not surprising, as it has a number of advantages. The first is the price, since a classic window starts at about a hundred dollars for the entry-level. Perfect for renovation, it can easily replace wooden windows, for example, and offers good resistance in time. It does not fear UV rays or deformation, does not rust, is recyclable, and requires no particular maintenance.
It offers good thermal and acoustic insulation. However, in terms of aesthetics, it does not compete with other materials because of its “plastic” effect and the limited number of colors, even if manufacturers are developing ranges and material effects. Also, check with your city hall and your property manager before making any changes to ensure that you can use PVC in your home.
I prefer aesthetics. If you are not comfortable with the look of PVC or if it is not feasible for your home, other solutions, such as wood, are possible. Wood is the best answer for those who want a traditional-looking window with a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Its durability is warm and elegant due to the nature of the species or treatments, and its thermal and acoustic insulation excellent.
But it requires a little maintenance (a coat of stain or paint every 10 years) to keep its appearance. It is also more expensive than PVC or aluminum. I want performance and quality. To avoid having to choose between the comfort of aluminum and the aesthetics of wood, manufacturers have come up with a mixed window that combines the two materials.
Both provide excellent thermal and sound insulation and require no maintenance since the wood part is placed inside the home, while the aluminum is placed outside. There are also PVC/aluminum models on the market. The major disadvantage is the price, since this type of window, still not widely used, is the most expensive on the market.
Looking for help?
Founded in 2008, Interlayer Solutions specializes in the distribution of premium quality glass lamination products. Their products are not only great for their storage capacity but are also versatile, durable, and resistant to several elements. They also offer technical support and training to companies and individuals seeking to learn more about the latest technologies in glass lamination.
Their team is always at your service to provide cost-effective solutions that meet the requirements of your project. They also operate throughout the USA and supply products across the globe. So, what are you waiting for? Give them a call today or visit their website for more information on their products and services!
