Windows are a way for a house to communicate with its outside environment. Windows let fresh air and natural light, as well as serving as a threshold for the house inhabitants to peer out to the world around them and their surroundings. Simply put, windows are one of the most overlooked aspects of the house during a planned home renovation.

If you’re going to remodel your house, then you might as well put renovating your windows into serious consideration. Few people have any idea how altering the way sunlight enters their bedrooms and living room could have a significant effect on their renovation project.

So here are 9 things you need to know about windows before renovating your old home.

1. Efficient windows, save money
A recent study shows that up to 25% of modern households’ energy bills are brought on by glazed doors, inefficient windows and leaky skylights. If you want to cut down on energy costs-which you should-go for airtight frames and windows with insulated double-pane glasses.

2. Filter outside noise
You can reduce the amount of outside noise by as much as 50% if you install double-pane windows with an inch of air between the panes. Of course the wider the space between the panes the more efficient it is in blocking out outside noise.

3. Let natural light in
In case you don’t know, a skylight allows in 30% more sunlight than a regular, similar-sized window.

4. Window shelf life
Most experts agree that the natural useful life of windows is about 20 years, give or take a few. But if you’re seeing draftiness and ice condensing regularly on the glass panes, it’s time to find a new replacement.

5. Grilles
For standard-sized windows, use custom grilles. Special grilles on the other hand don’t affect the window’s price tag. Consult with your interior designer about custom grilles and window prices.

6. Solid wood for window frames
Wood is a great insulator from all kinds of weather. But the downside is its costs and requires frequent maintenance. It is also susceptible to contracting and swelling, something you need to keep in mind when installing wooden window frames.

7. What about aluminum?
Aluminum is the exact opposite of wooden frames. Aluminum is cheap and affordable and requires the least amount of maintenance, though it is a strong conductor of both hot and cold weather.

8. Clad window frames
Clad combines the best features of both aluminum and solid window frames. It is a window frame made of wood wrapped inside an aluminum shell. So clad window frames are durable and easy maintain, yet don’t easily conduct heat and cold thanks to the wooden interior.

9. Last but not the least, vinyl
Vinyl wooden frame is low-cost and easy to maintain, but its color tends to fade over time.

That’s all you need to know about windows, more or less, when renovating your house. If you’re going to remodel your home, make the most out of it by renovating your windows at the same time.

Author Bio: Do you live in the Calgary area and looking to renovate your old home? Visit our website for more information on calgary home renovations. You can read more about our calgary home remodeling services or even request a quote directly from us, so please visit us at our website.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: calgary home renovations, calgary home remodeling