Replacement Windows | Home Window Replacements | Window Quotes, Estimates, & Bids

Window Replacements -- A Great Home Improvement Option

Updating the exterior of your home with replacement windows is more involved than just ordering twenty windows. It is important to think about style, material, and the type of glass that will be complement your home and which windows will provide the greatest safety and cost savings. There are many options when it comes to your home window replacement. It is therefore very helpful to have as much information as possible when deciding to replace your home windows. While it may be tempting to do it yourself, it is important to note that replacing your home windows yourself is a moderate to difficult home improvement project that can involve structural and framing aspects of home improvement. Using a professional replacement window company or installer for your replacement windows should be considered, unless you or someone you know is experienced at installing your particular type of replacement windows.

Often consumers are wary of replacement windows and turn to professionals to determine whether replacement windows is a good idea. Getting advice from other professionals such as realtors, accountants, bankers and energy experts about how replacement windows can help you save time, energy and money is another way to help you in your decision process. Asking friends, neighbors that have gone through similar replacement window experiences is yet another resource. For more information, see our article on How to Choose a Replacement Window Installer.

Window Replacements - Styles, Types and Materials

There are many different types of window replacements available today, such as bow and bay, gliding, picture or transom, awning, double hung, casement, and skylights. In addition to these standard operating types, there are specialty windows, which are stationary windows with curved shapes or angles other than 90 degrees.

Windows also come in a variety of materials – wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl replacement windows. For years wood was the most common frame type, but in recent years vinyl and fiberglass have become popular as well. In fact, wood is slowly evolving into the "handsome," high-end choice for window frames. Wood is natural, beautiful, and renewable. The other materials are growing in popularity, however, in part due to the fact that they are easier to install and maintain.

In addition to all these options, you must also think about whether you want insert or full-frame window replacements. Here is a brief overview of some of the more common types of replacement windows and materials.

Replacement Windows - Operating Types

Awning Windows - Awning style replacement windows are your best choice if you want to boost your ventilation options. They are often described as the window that can let fresh air in while keeping the rain out. » Read more on awning windows

Casement Windows - Casement windows open like a door. They are hinged on one side and latch close on the other, and are opened by a crank. They are that rare type of window where the entire window opens, rather than only one half as you might get with a slider. They let in a lot of light and offer wider views, but the cranking action means they experience more wear-and-tear and sometimes the mechanical parts break. The edges are also exposed to the weather more, especially the top edge. However, they do offer the best ventilation because they direct the most airflow in the room. Screens are on the inside of the window. A real advantage of casement windows is energy efficiency; all four sides boast compression-style weather stripping. When closed, it is sealed on all four sides rather than the two sides of a gliding or double-hung window.

Double Hung Windows - Many people are very familiar with these types of home replacement windows. A double-hung window has two sashes, an upper and lower, that slide in separate grooves. You can open the lower half, or the top half, and one or both sashes tilt in for easy cleaning. Usually they are made of wood, but today many are also made of aluminum or vinyl. Double hung windows add a touch of elegance and the opportunity for a classy, traditional look with the choice of a rounded top. They are good window choices next to walkways or porches, as they don't take up any exterior space. Like gliding (or slider) windows, double-hung windows only seal on two sides, so aren't the most energy efficient.

Replacement Window Frame Types

Aluminum Window Frames - Aluminum was really the first non-wood replacement window, and they were very popular in the 1950s and the next few decades. Aluminum windows are very strong, don't have to be painted, and are highly effective at noise reduction. As a metal, however, they are good conductors, which isn't exactly a benefit. In fact, they conduct heat approximately 1,000 times faster than wood or vinyl.

» Read more on aluminum windows

Wood Window Frames - Once the most common type of window material, wood is now more expensive and has become the elegant and environmental choice for many. Natural and renewable, wood requires staining or painting and some maintenance. Wood is also prone to warping, termites, and rot. To minimize maintenance, some manufacturers clad the exterior side of wood windows in vinyl or aluminum. Wood composite frames, made from wood fibers and plastic resins, are another option. They have wood's look and durability and plastic's easy maintenance.

» Read more on wood windows

Vinyl Window Frames - Vinyl windows are a great choice because they are cost-efficient, and easy to install and maintain. Color choice is somewhat restricted, although some manufacturers now offer more color options through surface treatments and coatings. Even with wood veneer laminates, they are sometimes difficult to match with existing woodwork. They are lightweight and strong. Vinyl windows are also poor conductors of heat and cold, making them very energy efficient. They are also resistant to rust, rot, and termites. Insulated vinyl frames (the frame's hollow cavities are filled with insulation) are more expensive, but offer better thermal performance than standard vinyl and wood frames.

» Read more on vinyl replacement windows

Fiberglass Window Frames - Fiberglass frames are highly stable and in fact much stronger than vinyl frames. Fiberglass frames are about three times stronger than aluminum and nine times stronger than vinyl. They are easy maintenance, come in many colors, and like vinyl resist cracking and corrosion, etc. Fiberglass frames do not warp or twist during installation. Because they are made of 60% glass, they contract and expand similarly to the pane itself, extending the life of the window. Like vinyl frames, they have air cavities, which, if insulated, can provide better insulation than standard vinyl or wood frames. Fiberglass frames are more expensive than vinyl.

» Read more on fiberglass windows

Composite Window Frames - Composite material is a mixture of substances, in this case ground-up vinyl with sawdust or wood chips, with epoxy as binding agent. Some manufacturers use recycled plastic or vinyl to make their composite windows. Composite windows are strong, and resistant to wear-and-tear. They are thermally similar to wood, but are resistant to rot, warping, and insects, as well as heat and moisture. They are dimensionally stable and feature low rates of air leakage.

» Read more on composite windows

Once you settle on a window type, there are still many decisions to make. You'll have to decide whether you want inserts or full frame replacements, and whether you feel confident enough to install them yourself or you should hire an installer. In any case, making the decision to replace your windows and make your home more energy-efficient is a wise and rewarding decision.