Are your windows aging? Is your A/C bill going up, or maybe they don't open properly? There are a plethora of reasons why you need replacement windows. If you're thinking about getting new windows, how do you know what types are best for your home? We've provided a complete buyer's guide on how to choose the right windows for your San Diego home. Window manufacturers are improving the quality of windows with better materials and advanced technology.
Choosing the Best Windows for Your Home
Choosing replacement windows can be quite stressful for a homeowner because your choice will affect you and your home for many years to come. There are many window options available on the market to fit any budget and style of home.
Start by selecting the types of windows you want. Once the window type has been chosen, the material of the window is next. Each material has its pros and cons. It's also imperative to know what you need for your home, the design function for each window, and your budget.
In San Diego, windows must withstand high temperatures, strong winds, heavy rains, and saltwater coastal conditions. Choosing the window material that can withstand the climate where you live is important; otherwise, you'll need to repair or replace them often.
It's imperative to take your time when choosing the new windows for your home. Getting it right will increase the value of your home, improve its appearance and make it more energy-efficient.
Selecting the Frame Material
The windows’ frame can be the perfect complement to your home's style and functionality, whether it be traditional, Victorian, or modern. There are six primary materials that windows frames can be made of. They are wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, wood-clad and composite. Each frame type has its advantages and disadvantages that you need to compare and consider.
Wood
If you're looking for natural beauty, then wood is the material to choose for your windows. It is a popular choice among San Diego homeowners for many reasons. Wood gives your home a traditional appearance.
Wood is the most natural material that can be made into many sizes and shapes. Here are the main pros and cons of wood material you should consider:
Pros:
- It can be painted over or stained to match any decor or complement existing colors
- Wood is sturdy and gets harder over time for long-lasting performance.
- Provides a great sound barrier and dampens outside noise
- It doesn't allow much condensation as other materials
- Wood offers greater insulation to keep homes cool in the San Diego weather
- Provides better aesthetics, especially to traditional homes, and enhances the value of a home
Cons:
- Vulnerable to insects and pests, especially termites
- Susceptible to warping and rotting from weather conditions
- They require more maintenance such as painting, caulking
- staining and cleaning need to be done regularly.
- Higher initial cost than other materials, but they will last a lifetime with the proper care.
Vinyl
Vinyl window frames are composed of PVC, which is used in many household items. There are pure virgin vinyl and recycled vinyl materials. The primary difference between the two is cost and durability. Pure vinyl lasts longer and is stronger than recycled vinyl; however, it's also more expensive. The durability and quality of vinyl framed windows have greatly improved, making them an excellent choice for frames.
Pros:
- Vinyl window frames are extremely energy efficient. If windows are manufactured with Low-E glass, the energy efficiency increases. Vinyl window frames are airtight, so they don't let air escape when closed.
- Vinyl requires little to no maintenance. It's easy to clean using common household cleaners, and there's no need for painting or staining.
- Vinyl's UV-resistant properties prevent corrosion and rotting.
- Expect a lifespan between 15 to 20 years.
- Vinyl is typically less expensive than other materials, like wood or fiberglass.
- Lightweight and simple installation process
Cons:
- Less design flexibility since vinyl can't be painted, making color options limited.
- Vinyl isn't made of natural products, so recycling is difficult.
Aluminum
For modern homes, aluminum windows can be a good choice. They offer a sleek look and require less upkeep than other frame materials. Aluminum is lightweight yet very strong and can support large expanses of glass. With this advantage, your home can feature large window spaces providing more natural light into your living spaces.
Pros:
- More affordable than wood windows.
- A flexible option provides a customized fit and unique shapes due to aluminum's easy manipulation.
- Aluminum is a durable material that is easy to install and lightweight
- Available in baked-on finishes and repainting isn't necessary.
- It offers a narrow frame enabling more glass area and better views.
- Not susceptible to insects or pests
Cons:
- Aluminum does not hold up to heat very well, making it a poor insulator and the least energy-efficient material.
- Moisture can form inside aluminum windows.
- Aluminum can be prone to corrosion if your home is near saltwater and air.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass windows have gained tremendous traction in recent years. Their reinforced glass fibers and resin makeup create a durable and strong material that requires little maintenance. Fiberglass can imitate the look of wood windows, giving them enhanced aesthetics.
Pros:
- Fiberglass is the best insulator among frame materials due to its foam-filled cores, making it very energy-efficient.
- Low maintenance material that is resistant to flaking, peeling, and fading. No need for repainting.
- Moisture will not cause molding, rotting, or corrosion.
- Frames are thinner with the fiberglass windows due to the stiffness of the fiber-reinforced resins.
- Fiberglass doesn't contract, expand or warp. It can withstand hot temperatures making it great for San Diego weather.
- Versatility. Manufacturers offer the option of having real wood over fiberglass for a warmer aesthetic.
- Eco-friendly. Fiberglass frames are completely recyclable, lessening the environmental impact.
Cons:
- The cost of fiberglass windows is higher.
- There are fewer color and hardware options to choose from, making it harder to customize.
- Because fiberglass is a rigid material, installation can be difficult and take more time than other options.
Choosing the Window Panes
The glass package of a window is a crucial component, especially for saving energy. Windows that are low cost and low quality don't have the necessary technologies to lower energy bills throughout the year, especially for the sunny San Diego weather. It's important to understand the aspects that create an energy-efficient glass package, which includes:
- Dual and triple pane glass: Replacement windows usually come in two options of glass panes---dual and triple pane. Dual-pane is the standard choice which includes two panes of glass with airspace in the middle. Triple pane glass incorporates an extra pane of glass and additional airspace. It offers increased energy savings and enhanced sound-blocking capabilities.
- Argon gas is an invisible, odorless gas that is much denser than air. This gas is filled between the panes, usually in found dual pane windows. This gas fill helps to boost the thermal efficiency of the window.
- Krypton gas is an invisible, odorless gas that is denser than both argon gas and air. It is one of the best options for creating an exceptionally efficient replacement window.
- Low-e glazing: Low-e is an invisible coating thinner than the width of human hair. It's applied on the inside or outside pane of glass, depending on the window manufacturer. Low-E helps to reduce heat transfer in the home. For sunny San Diego weather, it reflects sunlight back outside and prevents it from heating up the home like an oven.
The combination of these technologies plays a vital role in how the window will save your home on energy. If you install replacement windows without these technologies, you likely still pay a fortune for your A/C unit.
Deciding on the Window Style
There are many different configurations, sizes, and shapes of windows available on the market, and each window type serves a different purpose. It is difficult to narrow down the different choices that you have, as there isn't a "superior" window choice; it simply depends on
- What you might need the window for
- Your personal style
- Your budget.
Here are the different types of windows you might choose and how each is typically used. This way, you'll have the knowledge you need to choose the best type of – or combination of types of – windows to include in your new or next home.
Double and Single Hung Windows
A double-hung window is one that you can open either by the top half down or sliding the bottom half up – or both! These types of windows can usually tilt out for easy maintenance and cleaning. Double-hung windows are one of the most common windows types, and they usually come with screens on the outside. Similar to the double-hung window, the single-hung window has only one operating pane, typically the bottom one, with the other pane being fixed. Single-hung windows are less common than double-hung ones.
Casement Windows
Casement windows swing out to the side in order to open. They are attached to the frame by side hinges. As a result, there are no support beams within the window or anything cutting the view in half. This means viewers have a completely unobstructed view of the outside when the window is open.
Also, casement windows can be arranged as a single operating pane or a pair of panes that meet in the middle. They can be used by cranking or rotating mechanism that cranks the window open or using a locking lever that you release to push the window open. These window types may be accompanied by a solidly fixed window pane on the right and left of the main window, although installations do differ.
Awning Windows
A variation of the casement window style is the awning windows. They are usually popular in areas where it rains often. Because of its up-and-out opening, homeowners don't have to decide between letting the rain in or restricting the airflow through their homes. Awning windows are typically found in basements as well.
They are most commonly installed in areas of the home where countertops or furniture might impede window access. Casement and awning windows generally allow for less air leakage when closed. That's because the sash closes by pressing against the frame like a door, creating an airtight seal. As a San Diego homeowner, you'll enjoy lower energy bills.
Picture Windows
Picture or fixed windows provide an unchangeable outside view. This means they are fixed and can't be opened. These windows can offer the perfect view, especially if you live off the coast.
These types of windows don't have any visible frames or breaks. They offer an unobstructed view of whatever is on the other side and usually a rectangle or square shape with only a glass pane. You can opt to install picture windows on their own or to other, more ornate window types, depending on your individual style preferences.
Multi-Pane Windows
Multi-pane windows, also called "divided-lite" windows come in two options: true divided lite, in which individual small panes of glass are held together in one plane separated mullions and divided lite, where the window is one large pane of glass with a grid insert to make it look like a set of multiple of panes. These types of windows tend to dampen sound, keeping the peace and quiet of your home. They are highly energy-efficient can provide you with a better night's sleep – especially if you reside near a crowded street or near a train station.
Bay Windows
Bay windows are known for creating a soft "nook" in the home, perfect for reading in a cozy chair or admiring the view. Bay windows usually protrude from an exterior wall on your home's ground floor. They are a group of windows, angled so that they are built "out" of the home. A center window and two side windows complete a "semi-circle" at about 30 to 40 degrees.
Because of the craftsmanship required to properly install a bay window, they are more expensive to install than other types of windows.
Bow Windows
To the untrained eye, bow and bay windows may look exactly the same. However, there are very subtle differences that separate the window types in both cost and function.
A bay window is designed with three angled panes, while a bow window has four or five. Bay windows have more flat panes and angular lines, while a bow window features a much more rounded shape.
Bow windows also have the advantage of being able to be wrapped around the corner of a home. This forms a small "tower" shape on the outside of the home while offering a cozy nook inside. You can enjoy a more continuous view of the outdoors.
As far as cost is concerned, bow windows are typically more expensive than bay windows because of the number of panels involved.
The Winner: Dual-Paned Casement Vinyl Windows
Now that you've read through the options, you might be wondering what the best option is for Sunny San Diego? For most homeowners living here, we recommend dual-paned casement vinyl windows. The dual-paned glass provides greater energy efficiency and sound dampening to keep the air in your house and prevent it from escaping. Furthermore, the vinyl frame material provides a clean and modern look while being cost-effective, easy to maintain, and energy-efficient. Lastly, casement windows offer a nice touch of elegance without obstructing any views. There you have it!
If you're looking into replacing your existing windows, consider a trustworthy window replacement company. At US Window and Door, we're the go-to window installers in San Diego. With decades of experience, we can provide recommendations on the best windows based on your home and your design goals. Book a free in-home estimate, and we'll help you get set up the windows you've always wanted.
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