Archive for December, 2009

Vinyl windows in general have several advantages over windows framed in aluminum, fiberglass, and wood. They’re energy efficient and easy to install and maintain. Great insulating ability means more heat kept in during the winter and more heat kept out in the summer. “Vinyl” windows are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which has a high R-value. R-value is a number assigned to a material indicating how well it insulates.

The higher the R-value, the better. In many cases, replacing existing windows with vinyl ones can produce a positive return on investment within a few years. Vinyl windows resist stains, mold, and scratches. The casing won’t fade or deteriorate from ultraviolet rays from the sun, making Earthwise windows last longer than aluminum or wood frame windows.

Earthwise vinyl windows are made to help you conserve energy and reduce heating and cooling costs. Because they block up to 75% of ultraviolet light hitting the windows, these windows make your carpets, drapes, and furniture more resistant to fading. Vinyl is an excellent insulator, and Earthwise windows are specially designed with insulating air chambers, making them an even more effective insulator. An added benefit of well-insulating windows is that they minimize sound transmission. If you live in the city, near train tracks, or on a busy street, this can be a great side benefit.

Thermoses and insulating clothing work because of air trapped in the spaces between layers of materials. But Earthwise windows take insulating a step further by insulating the space between the panes with Argon gas. Argon is six times as dense as regular air and therefore has low thermal conductivity. One of the noble gases, Argon is odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and monatomic, with low reactivity. It is the most abundant of the noble gases (which include Neon, Helium, Xenon, Radon, and Krypton) and therefore cost effective for uses like Earthwise’s use of Argon in thermal windows.

The Energy Star program was started by the U.S. government in 1992 and has been adopted by the EU, Taiwan, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and Australia. Any appliance or product carrying the Energy Star logo usually uses 20 to 30% less energy than what the federal standards require. Earthwise replacement windows are 40% more efficient than what is required under most national building codes. On average, a household spends more than 40% of its annual energy budget for cooling and heating costs, and installation of Energy Star labeled windows can reduce those costs by up to 32%.

Earthwise Double Hung windows with their Warm Edge insulating glass and Argon between the panes have a U-value of 0.34, which beats even the strictest Energy Star Requirement (which is 0.35 for northern regions of the U.S.)

But energy efficiency isn’t the only thing most people look for in windows. It is important that your house look good for many reasons. Most people take pride in having a house with great “curb appeal” even if they have no plans to sell their house. And most people enjoy the view of their yard and street, and want a clear view through windows that work with their house’s look.

Earthwise replacement windows have taken many steps to ensure that their windows look as great as they work. The sloped sill gently encourages water to run off, while the “soft curve” sash resembles wood window panes. And they are available in two flattering neutral colors: Linen White and Desert Sand.

Earthwise windows are designed with safety and security in mind as well. The tilt-in sashes make for easy cleaning and a larger escape opening for use in emergencies. The integral interlocking meeting rail passes the American Architectural Manufacturers Association Forced Entry Resistance Test, and the Cam Lock and Keeper draws the sash closer together for a positive lock. Standard vent latches allow for ventilation and security.

Vinyl windows have long been known for their energy efficiency. Earthwise vinyl replacement windows go even further than other energy efficient window manufacturers to make sure that you get every possible benefit that vinyl windows can provide. The spaces between panes are filled with Argon gas, which is a better insulator than plain air, and Earthwise windows exceed Energy Star specifications for energy efficiency.

Earthwise replacement windows have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, and they deliver beautiful windows that keep the climate inside your home as comfortable as possible while helping you keep energy costs low.

Sometimes windows need to be replaced. There are several possible reasons window need to be replaced, sometimes they break, and sometimes they just deteriorate with age. For whatever reason, it’s important that you get the right measurements so you can get the right windows. If you go through a company you will have to pay for all the supplies, time, and any other fees the company wants to charge. If you measure the windows yourself, buy the windows, and install them.

All you have to pay for is the cost of the windows and any supplies to put them in. It is important to know how to measure for the replacement windows, to avoid buying the wrong sized windows. If you buy windows that are too big you will end having to buy new windows, but if you buy windows that are too small you will either have to resize the sill or add padding. There is a good chance you have the old double hung wood windows. It’s important to be accurate to 1/16 of an inch. Getting the measurements is very simple, and should be recorded as width X height.

To find the width you measure from the top right to the top left corners. Make sure you are measuring from inside the recession created by the wooden stopper. Then measure around the middle, just above where the locking mechanism is, from left to right. Then open the window and measure the bottom from left to right, staying inside the wooden stopper. All three measurements should be the same, but if they are not, take the smallest one. It’s important to subtract 1/4 of an inch from the measurement, after all it’s easier to add padding then to make the window smaller.

Once you have measured the width you need the height. Some window sills have an outside downward slope to help with drainage. If this is the case, it is important to measure from the highest point on the sill. This time you measure from the top left corner to the bottom left corner, then the top middle to the bottom middle, and then the right top corner to the right bottom corner. It is important to include the 5/8 inch sill, and to deduct 3/16 of an inch from the whole measurement.

The last measurement you will need to make is for the thickness of the window. Most windows are either 3 1/4 inch or 3 1/2 inch thick. You can buy a new stopper for the inside the frame and install that, but it is easier to make sure you get the right thickness

Make sure to double check your measurements. There are several common mistakes, such as measuring from the outside of the 1/2 inch pocket that the window sets in. If you need to, open the window to take the measurements. Getting the wrong measurements will cost you more money. Another common mistake is not taking enough measurements. It is important to measure the height and width in three different places each. Most of the time all three measurements for each dimension will be the same.

If you are thinking about replacing the windows in your home, then you will be well served by learning more about Protector Windows.  Unlike single pane windows, these units come with three panes of glass, and other features that make them extremely energy efficient.  At the same time, they offer many other benefits that you simply cannot obtain when you make use of conventional windows.

Enjoy the Benefits of UV Protection

Chances are, you would never buy contact lenses or glasses without a UV coating on them. As you may be aware, UV light causes cataracts, as well as many other eye problems.  In a similar way, when this form of light hits your furniture, walls, and carpets, it cases fading.  Therefore, if you want all those special colors to look good for as long as possible, you will be well served by making use of windows with a UV protection coating in them.  Fortunately, Protector windows usually come with this coating.

Insulation Without Walls

Typically, many people would prefer to be outdoors because of the sunlight.  In fact, many people routinely become depressed during the winter months because the days are shorter.  On the other hand, large windows often come with a larger heating and cooling bill.  When you purchase protector windows, you can enjoy having insulated windows that will provide almost as much insulation value as the walls of your home.  If you choose windows that have gas filled layers, you will be able to enjoy even more energy saving benefits.

Therefore, if you want a large picture window in your living room, you can have one installed Without worrying about bigger energy bills.  You may even decide that you want to install larger windows in your kitchen, or other rooms that can be used for window gardens.   At the very least, when you use Protector Windows, you won’t need to constantly rely on curtains to trap heat.

Get Rid of Outdoor Noises

When you first move into a new home, it will take you some time to adapt to new noises.   Even though you may learn how to tune these sounds out, it does not mean they aren’t creating an impact on your unconscious mind.  Therefore, you will still build up stress and other problems caused by noises coming from outdoors.  By contrast, when you install protector windows, most of these sounds will never get through.  Without a question, you will enjoy true peace and quiet that will enable you to relax and enjoy your home.

Not so long ago, people began looking for new ways to lower heating cost Without sacrificing light provided by windows.  At the same time, researchers were also discovering that UV light causes damage to human health, as well as home decorations.  Today, Protector windows provide you with an opportunity to solve a number of problems.  In particular, you can enjoy their insulative and sound blocking properties.  If you do not need to wear glasses, you can also have peace of mind knowing that the light entering your eyes will not cause cataracts and other kinds of damage.

Spending the money on double-pane windows is a lifetime investment for your home. Double-pane windows improve the value of your home and will improve your annual household budget as well. When you have air leaks, in your current windows, you are spending money on energy that is heating or cooling the outside air, this will cost you a large amount of money in a year. You will also be adjusting the thermostat more in your home to keep it at the comfortable temperature you prefer.

Energy efficient windows such as the double-pane window are an ultimate upgrade to your home for any weather environment. You will be glad you made the decision for this investment when the summer sun is blaring through your windows for hours at a time.

The first thing you want to consider is the Solar Heat Gain/Loss Ratio or SHGLR. This is the measurement of how easy it is for temperature to pass through the glass of a window.  While shopping for windows you will want to know all the terminology and what it means. This will help you with knowing what you are buying.

The lower percent of the SHGLR the less amount of sun light than will go through the window. If your SHGLR is at 90% then there is a high amount of sun light that will be shining in your home.  Choosing a lower percentage is where you will be save money on your energy bill.

When you are shopping for new windows knowing where the sun hits your house is important, if the sun does not shine into your windows at all then you will not have to have a lower percentage of SHGLR. You may think about a higher percentage to allow the warmth from the sun in during the colder times of the year.

You may think that double-pane windows seam expensive or even more costly than other windows, however over a period of time it is worth the expense. You will be buying windows for your home for a lifetime. Most manufactures of double-pane windows offer a ten-plus year if not a life time warranty.

These windows are very energy efficient also, they will keep out the cold air in the wintertime and the hot air in the summer time. This will benefit your home with the swelling and the inside temperature will be easier to maintain. This will help save money on your energy bill and household repairs.

Spending the money for any home improvement can seem like a big deal however knowing that you can save money in the end makes it well worth it. If you do your research on your double-pane, windows and pick out the correct ones to fit your weather and sunlight environment you will surely save money in the end.