If your house is too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer, replacing your old windows can not only save you money on your energy bills, but it can also make you much more comfortable year-round. For seniors on a fixed income, reducing the expense of heating and cooling your home can make a big difference. And, older people have a harder time regulating their body temperatures, so it’s especially important for them to keep the indoor climate as normal as possible. Replacement windows can help do all that, plus add value to your home and increase its attractiveness.
How Replacement Windows Work
There are several basic types of replacement windows, with each style having its own special purpose. Almost all are double-pane. That means that there are two panes of glass with an airspace between them. Some are available with insulating gas instead of air between the panes, to reduce heat loss. Double-pane windows are much more energy efficient than their predecessor, the single-pane window. The glass used today is technologically advanced and coated to offer additional insulation as well. Wood, vinyl, composite and fiberglass are all used to frame replacement windows and the material you choose will be based on what you’re willing to spend. Premium vinyl windows have thermal properties that are far superior to aluminum, steel and stainless steel. This means there is very low temperature transfer into or out of your home. This helps keep you comfortable all year long.
How Replacement Windows Increase Energy Efficiency
Your home should be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Windows allow your home’s indoor heat to escape in the winter, and they let outdoor heat invade in the summer, making it difficult to keep your house at a constant comfortable temperature. The double-paned windows with airspace between them helps keep the outside window at the outside temperature and the inside window at the inside temperature. The specially manufactured reflective glass is coated with a film that reflects sunlight, instead of absorbing it. This ensures that heat stays in or out of your home, depending on what time of year it is.
Which Replacement Windows Are Best?
There are many types of replacement windows, including single-hung, awning, bay, bow, fixed frame, slider, double-hung and casement replacement windows. Shopping for them is no different than shopping for any other major purchase. Decide what you can afford, what looks good with your house, what’s the most functional for your home, and what’s the most energy-efficient. It’s also very important to get accurate measurements. There’s always a little leeway when you’re fitting replacement windows, and there are ways to make small adjustments, but the room for error is only about an inch either way. Professional installers will measure for you and take the hassle out of making sure your dimensions are correct.
Replacing Old Windows is Essential for Aging in Place
Replacement windows are a necessary component to any good aging in place plan. Not only will they make your home more attractive, more comfortable and easier to clean as you age, but replacement windows will make it much more energy-efficient, saving you money at a time in your life when it’s vital to conserve funds.
