Doors and Windows for Your Home

Nothing makes a more dramatic statement about your home than does the selection of windows and doors.  While interior renovations such as kitchen or bath remodeling may yield stunning results, they are seen only by your guests.  Windows and exterior doors are seen by all who pass your way, and their visual impact has the potential to literally make passers-by stop and stare in wonder and admiration.   Stunning exterior windows and doors can be expensive, but they can significantly benefit the overall value of your home.

Since installing doors and windows is a task to be undertaken only by the highly skilled homeowner, most of us secure the services of professional window and door installation companies.  Choosing the right contractor is critical, as there is a dizzying array of available window and door styles and configurations and you want to be sure you get honest and accurate advice about what will best meet your needs.  While many homeowners simply call someone into their homes based on recommendations from friends or relatives, there is a better way to get started.

Instead of relying solely on the recommendations of a window and door installer, you can first educate yourself as to available options in both the construction and technology of windows and doors.  This is not a process of turning yourself into an expert but rather of learning enough of the basics to be able to intelligently evaluate and compare options.  As an example, when you begin your homework on windows and doors you’ll learn that today’s manufacturing technology allows them to be made of materials other than wood.  Windows and doors can now be constructed of solid PVC vinyl material, fiberglass and composite materials, aluminum and vinyl covered wood, and solid steel.

Some installation companies do not offer products in all these varieties.  If you are meeting with a someone whose company does not offer wood windows and doors, he or she is unlikely to point out to you one of their key advantages:  they can be painted in any color you want, over and over again.  So if you have a flair for distinctive exterior paint colors, vinyl or aluminum clad windows is not the best choice for you.

You’ll also learn that window and door glass has different insulating properties.  Australia uses a WERS (Windows Energy Rating Scheme) which includes specific measures of insulating efficiency.  It is not necessary to understand the technical details, but it can be helpful to understand the basics of two numbers:  the Uw value and the SHGC.  Don’t panic, these are easy to understand.

The U value measures how well the window keeps heat in your house.  Window glass with low U values allows more heat to escape than windows with a higher U value.  The SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) measures how much heat your home will gain from the Sun.  If your home faces an open field where the sun will be beating down on your windows all day, a high SHGC means your summer air conditioning bills may be as dramatic as the appearance of the windows!  If you live in an area where winter cold is more important than summer heat, you might want windows which will allow the sun to warm your home.

These are just two of the many examples of benefits you will derive from researching doors and windows before you buy.  The Internet is a good place to begin to learn the different styles and configurations of windows and doors available, as well as some of the technical specifications and advantages and disadvantages of different types of construction.  Home Decorating magazines available at your local library are a good source for getting a feel for the appearance of different window styles.  A visit to a Door and Window Outlet Showroom allows you to visually inspect different construction types and styles.  A little self-education can result in informed consumers who know both what to look for and what to avoid.