The Complete Guide to Vinyl and Aluminum Replacement Windows
Having windows that are in good condition can help your home feel more comfortable, prevent leaks, and save you money on your energy bills. While windows can last for decades, even high-quality ones need to be replaced eventually. When it’s time to replace the windows in your home, it’s important to choose the right replacements. These new windows should offer the best in terms of quality, energy efficiency, and more. The following information on vinyl and aluminum replacement windows can give you an idea of what is available on the market.
Types of Windows You Will Find in the Southwest & Western United States
When you live in the southern part of the US, your home should have windows that keep as much heat out as possible. Otherwise, your home can end up feeling hotter, especially in summer. This means you have to run your air conditioning more often, leading to higher electric bills. In northern areas, this isn’t as much of a concern due to milder summer temperatures. When it comes to window types for homes in the southwest & west, aluminum replacement windows and vinyl replacement windows are the best options.
Aluminum Windows
Aluminum windows offer the best of both worlds with a lightweight yet durable design. These windows tend to cost less than other types, such as fiberglass or wood. Their durable design also means they last longer and need less maintenance over the years. With aluminum windows, you don’t have to spend much time maintaining them as you would with other materials. Their lightweight design makes them much easier to install, resulting in a faster installation process. These windows also have narrow sightlines that won’t block views from inside your home. Their lower insulation quality is a benefit in hotter climates since they don’t hold as much heat. This helps your home stay cooler when it’s warm out.
At The Window Depot, we offer high-quality aluminum windows in Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico. These windows help homeowners maintain a comfortable and cool interior when outdoor temperatures are hot. With these aluminum windows, you can count on having lower energy bills, even when temperatures soar into the 90s and up. Since aluminum windows last so long, you also won’t have to worry about needing to replace them any time soon. These cost-effective windows are a great choice for homeowners.
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows provide a number of benefits as replacement windows, including durability and affordability. These windows have frames that are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a material that’s resistant to water, heat and UV rays. Although Tucson and other areas of Arizona don’t get much rain overall, having water-resistant windows can still be helpful. When it does rain, you won’t have to worry about leaks or mold growth due to moisture. Resistance to the sun’s UV rays helps ensure that your new windows last longer. Exposure to UV rays can cause other window materials to deteriorate over time. Being resistant to heat means vinyl windows won’t let much of it into your home from outside. This lower amount of heat transfer makes it easier to keep your home cooler without relying as much on air conditioning. Vinyl windows are also easy to maintain and have a low risk of damage. Other benefits include being available in a wide range of colors and having soundproof qualities.
The Window Depot carries a large selection of vinyl windows that are suitable for many homes. These windows can help make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable, especially during summer. With a high amount of durability and low maintenance, vinyl windows can be a smart investment for homeowners. In fact, your new vinyl replacement windows can even boost your home’s value.
What Your Windows Do for Your Home
Your windows play an important role in your home by allowing natural light in, providing security and protecting your interior from the elements and pests. Having plenty of natural light can give your home a more cheerful atmosphere and boost your mood. With durable windows in place, you’ll also get peace of mind knowing that your home is secure from intruders, pests and weather. Windows can also add aesthetic value to your home by enhancing its appearance. High-quality replacement windows can block noises from outside, providing a quieter home interior.
When choosing window replacements for your home, look for Low-E windows. These windows help ensure that your home has better energy efficiency and a cooler interior. Low-emissivity or Low-E windows have a special coating on the glass. This coating reflects a higher amount of heat while also letting in plenty of natural light. Low-E windows reflect the sun’s heat, keeping it out of your home when it’s hot outside. With this type of window replacement, your home can stay cooler in summer. When outdoor temperatures are cooler, these windows reflect heat inside your home. This helps keep heated air indoors for a warmer interior, so you don’t have to run your furnace or heating system as often. Overall, Low-E windows help your home maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the year.
At The Window Depot, we stock high-performance Low-E windows and patio doors. These windows and patio doors can fill your home with the sun’s natural light while keeping its heat out. With Low-E windows in your home, you can use your air conditioning less often in summer and your heating system less often in winter. This helps you achieve a comfortable indoor temperature and lower heating and cooling bills.
Materials Windows Are Made Of
Windows can be made from different materials that affect their appearance, safety, and other factors. When choosing windows for your home, you might need to decide between clear windows or obscure windows. Tempered windows might be needed in some areas for safety purposes. Low-E windows provide improved energy efficiency for all homeowners. Knowing more about each of these materials for windows can help you make the right choice for your home. Keep the following in mind when comparing window replacement options.
Clear Windows
Clear windows provide unobstructed outdoor views through transparent glass. These windows are the most common kind in homes. Clear glass can be used in double-pane and single-pane windows. Different kinds of treatments are also available to help improve the performance of clear glass windows. Homes typically have clear glass windows in kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and other main areas. These windows let in a high amount of natural light while ensuring clear views of your surroundings outside. You might choose clear windows in order to enjoy views of the sky, mountains, desert, trees, or other natural elements.
The Window Depot offers many options for clear replacement windows. Whether you want an aluminum or vinyl frame, you can find clear glass options for any room in your home. Our selection of clear windows includes different styles and colors to choose from. These windows can brighten up your home and ensure plenty of light during the day. With Low-E coatings and other options for clear glass, you can also save on energy costs.
Obscure Windows
Obscure windows offer natural light and more privacy than clear glass windows. These windows have a raised pattern or texture, which prevents clear views of your home interior from outside. You might choose obscure glass for windows in areas where you want more privacy, such as bathrooms. With obscure windows in your bathrooms, you can have natural light without having to worry about anyone being able to see inside. You might also choose obscure glass for windows near your home entrance, such as decorative windows near your front door. This prevents people from being able to see inside your home from the street or sidewalk.
At The Window Depot, we have multiple options for obscure glass windows. These windows are available in different textures or patterns, which can add aesthetic value to your home. Different levels of textured or obscure finishes are offered, depending on how much privacy you need. Our high-quality obscure windows can light up your home while providing dependable privacy in bathrooms or near entrances as needed.
Tempered Windows
Tempered windows provide safety in case the glass breaks. Other windows shatter into sharp shards or pieces when they break, which can be highly dangerous for people and pets. Tempered glass, or safety glass, is made in a way that causes it to break without shattering to reduce the risk of injuries. Instead, this glass breaks into duller pieces. Patio door glass and windows that are close to doors should be made of tempered glass. Tempered glass should also be used in windows that are bigger than 9 square feet, such as picture windows. Local building codes also require tempered glass in windows that meet other conditions, such as being located close to shower or tub drains.
The Window Depot has tempered glass options available for replacement windows. These windows offer a high degree of safety from severe injuries if glass breaks. When you need patio doors with tempered glass, you’ll find many options to choose from. We have different sizes of patio doors with tempered glass available for your home.
Low-E Windows
Low-E windows help homeowners save money on energy costs without losing any natural light. With this type of coating on your replacement windows, you can easily keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Whether you’re getting clear glass for your kitchen windows or obscure glass for your bathrooms, you can choose Low-E coatings. With the right Low-E rating for your new windows, your home can become much more energy-efficient. Homeowners might not need to worry as much about Low-E coatings that keep as much heat in as possible in winter. However, it’s important to have Low-E coatings that keep as much of the sun’s heat out as possible in summer.
At The Window Depot, we know how much of a difference Low-E windows can make in homes. We have a wide selection of replacement windows available with Low-E coatings on them. Choosing these for your home can help you save significantly on your cooling bills.
The Two Different Types of Window Pane
Window panes come in two different types known as single pane and double pane. Single pane windows have one pane of glass. Double pane windows have two panes of glass with space in between. Single and double pane windows offer different qualities and benefits, so it’s important to compare them before choosing any for your home. Keep the following information about these window pane types in mind.
Single Pane Windows
Single pane windows have a single pane of glass. These types of window pane offer a high amount of affordability since they typically cost less than double pane windows. They are also lightweight, making it easier for your walls to support them. Single pane windows are available in a wide range of styles as well.
Double Pane Windows
Double pane windows have two panes of glass, which can cost more to install. However, these windows provide better insulation and soundproofing due to their double glass panes. They usually have a type of trapped gas, such as argon, between the panes. This gas helps improve their insulation properties, resulting in lower energy bills. With more glass in these windows, you can expect to hear less noise from outside.
The Window Depot can provide you with the right window pane type for your home. We have many options available, especially for double pane windows. When you’re looking for an energy-efficient window pane option, consider our double-pane replacement windows for your home.
What The Window Depot Does Best
The Window Depot offers the largest inventory and the best prices for replacement windows in the Tucson, Phoenix, El Paso, Albuquerque, and National City area. Since 2002, we’ve been providing homeowners with high-quality window options at affordable prices. These lower costs come with top-quality service. Our window experts can help you choose the best window replacement for your home. Depending on your budget, style preferences, and other factors, we can make sure you have the ideal windows for natural light and a comfortable interior. You can browse our window options online to get an idea of what we have to offer. When you’re ready to purchase windows, you can do so online and pick them up at one of our locations. You can also visit any of our locations for additional assistance before choosing your new windows.
You’ll find an impressive selection of replacement windows at The Window Depot. From vinyl windows with clear glass to aluminum windows with obscure glass, choose from a wide range of options. We have many styles and colors available to suit your home. We offer tempered glass, double pane windows and Low-E window coatings as well.
New Window Technology in 2022
Each year brings advancements in window technology. What kinds of new window technology are available in 2022? Advancements this year focus on how to make windows smarter. With the increasing use of smart technology in homes, it was only a matter of time before windows were included. Smart windows, also known as switchable glazings, have the ability to adjust properties as needed. For example, these windows can modify the amount of heat that comes through from the sun. Some are also able to adjust the amount of natural light that comes in through glass.
Different types of switchable glazings are being explored for windows, such as electrochromic and photochromic. Electrochromic windows can turn from clear to dark just by flipping a switch. Photochromic windows adjust tinting based on light changes, such as increasing tint to block glare. Thermochromic windows change properties based on heat, while liquid crystal windows can change from transparent to opaque as needed.
What to Look for in an Installer
When you get new windows, it’s important to make sure they’re properly installed. This involves choosing an experienced window installer for your home. The window installation process can be complex, depending on the types of replacement windows you purchase. When you need to choose an installer, make sure you read through reviews and recommendations. These can give you an idea of how skilled and experienced the installers are. You should also make sure your window installer is licensed, bonded, and insured. When you have window installers come to your home, get a written estimate that breaks down the costs. You should aim to get up to three estimates, so you can compare different installers before choosing one. Ask for references from installers as well, and make sure you go over the contract before hiring an installer. This helps ensure that you hire expert window installers who will correctly install your replacement windows.
If you're ready to explore your options for replacement windows, contact The Window Depot today. Our experts can guide you in choosing the perfect windows for better energy efficiency and a comfortable home interior.