Have you ever wondered why your energy costs increase in the winter?
One reason for those more painful bills might be that you’re using more heat. Still, you also use air conditioning during the summer, so that seems like it should break even.
The real secret behind your bills sneaking higher and higher? Your windows.
If your windows or window frames aren’t in good shape – or they’re made from the wrong materials – you could be in for an expensive winter.
One simple way to tell if your windows are costing you a fortune? Walk by when they’re closed and see if you notice a slight breeze or a dip in the temperature. If so, you might want to consider upgrading your windows for the winter.
For a century, Johnson Lumber has been serving Anne Arundel residents in helping to build, remodel, and redesign their homes. That includes the latest advances in windows and window frames so you can stay warm without paying extra.
With plenty of experience in window improvements and window replacements, we’re taking a moment today to share a few tips. Read on to find out more about improving your home’s windows for the winter.
How To Assess Windows For The Winter
Start With Windowpane Construction
Is your home where you’ll be for a few years, but not for the long-term? Then double-pane windows could be the best option. Not only are they more energy efficient than a single-pane window, they are more cost-effective than triple-pane.
If you don’t have any plans to leave your home, then investing in those triple-pane windows is a smart move. They’ll be more expensive up front, but they’ll lead toward savings on your energy bill over time.
Now, what makes triple-pane windows such an efficient solution? It starts with the little-known fact that the majority of your home’s heat is lost through the glass of your windows.
What sets double- and triple-pane windows apart is they create a crucial gap between the panes, separating your home’s heated air from the cooler outside air. From there, certain windows work to reduce the glass’s conductivity by injecting a gas like argon into the air pocket.
With a less conducive window, the heat from your home is not so easily transferred outside, meaning you’re not paying to constantly reheat your home.
Check The Window Frame Construction
Now that you have a clearer idea of how window panes affect your home’s heating, let’s talk window frame construction. The type of material used to construct your window frames also has an impact on how well your house retains heat.
Metal Frames – Not Ideal For Winter
Metal window frames are excellent since they are sturdy, light, and essentially maintenance-free.
Metal may be a good conductor but its drawback is that it’s a very poor insulator. The heat these metal frames receive from the inside of your house goes straight through the metal frame and into the outside air.
Wood Frames – Better For Winter
Wooden window frames are a delight because they give your windows – and your home – a lot of personality.
Wood also aids in insulating your home because, unlike metal, it is a poor conductor of heat. Wood also has its downsides. When compared to other materials, wood is more prone to deterioration and weathering. This means they need routine upkeep and/or replacement.
Fiberglass Frames – Most Efficient For Winter
Fiberglass frames are convenient for a number of reasons. For one, they can be produced to accommodate windows of specific shapes and sizes. They are also better insulated than metal window frames, and more durable than wood ones.
Due to their capacity to retain argon gas, which aids in insulation, fiberglass frames are a homeowner’s go-to when it comes to creating energy-efficient windows.
How To Upgrade Your Windows For The Winter
We at the J.F. Johnson Lumber Company work with Marvin Windows and their Doors’ Essentials range of products.
This product range, which was formerly known as Integrity All Ultrex®, uses a unique, patented fiberglass. The end result is a stronger, more reliable, and more resilient product than vinyl windows or even regular glass.
Windows from Marvin are double-paned as standard, with Low E coatings and argon-insulated gas. Combining these two results in one of the most energy-efficient window options available.
Johnson Lumber Can Help
At Johnson Lumber, we have invested a lot of time in establishing strong connections with reliable manufacturers and installers. See what our customers have to say about us.
To find out how we can improve your home’s window situation, both for this winter and for the future, get in touch with us today.
