Choosing energy-efficient windows comes down to a handful of features worth understanding before you shop. New windows are a great way to save energy in your home. They minimize heat loss in winter and reduce cooling costs, and they also protect carpets and furniture from harmful UV rays. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo and NFRC ratings when comparing your options.
Choosing the right window replacement solution will have a direct impact on your energy bills and increase your home’s value. Some options include clad-wood windows for a classic aesthetic and triple-pane windows with argon gas to enhance insulation.
ENERGY STAR Certified
ENERGY STAR certified windows can help save homeowners energy costs year-round, and can also increase home value if they’re ever sold in the future. These windows are designed with Low-E glass and argon gas, which slows heat transfer and keeps living spaces comfortable and efficient.
Clad-wood windows combine wood interiors and aluminum or vinyl exteriors to provide a timeless look with durability. They’re highly resistant to weather fluctuations and come in styles like Colonial grid patterns for a classic aesthetic. These windows are low-maintenance and offer excellent insulative properties, making them a strong option for Murray, UT window replacement projects. They also often come with a transferable warranty, which makes them a smart choice for homeowners who may decide to sell their homes in the future.
Low-E Glass
Low-E glass windows are all the rage, and they can save homeowners money by keeping them comfortable year-round. However, not everyone understands what they’re all about and how they work.
The low-emissivity coating allows a little solar heat to enter the home in winter, but it also reflects a significant amount of infrared radiation that would normally escape through the window. The result is that your home stays warmer without increasing your energy costs, while also preventing UV light from damaging your furniture, carpets, curtains, and artwork.
Most Low-E windows come as double-pane windows, using argon or krypton gas in the insulating space between the glass panes. The clear, scentless gas slows heat transfer and reduces condensation and frost between the window panes, while also minimizing air movement to help keep windows warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The result can be a meaningful cut to your heating and cooling bills.
Spacers
The spacer is the small strip of material that sits between the two panes of glass in a double- or triple-pane window, keeping them precisely separated and sealed. Older “warm-edge” spacer designs conducted heat readily, creating a weak point where condensation and frost could form along the edge of the glass. Modern insulated spacers are designed to reduce that thermal bridging, which improves overall window performance and helps prevent the fogging or seal failure that can develop over time in older or poorly made windows.
Composite Window Materials
Composite window frames blend wood fibers with a durable polymer, offering strength and weather resistance that exceeds standard vinyl. These materials resist rot, mold, mildew, and water damage, and can last several decades with very little maintenance. They typically cost more than vinyl windows, but the added durability and lifespan can make them worth the investment for homeowners planning to stay in their home long-term.
Choosing a Qualified Installer
Even the best window is only as good as its installation. A poor install can lead to condensation, fogging, and seal failure regardless of how well-made the window itself is. Choose a local company that understands Murray’s climate and your specific needs, and ask about their experience with the specific material and glazing you’re considering — whether that’s wood-framed windows for a traditional appearance, aluminum-framed windows for durability, or clad-wood windows that combine the two.
Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows Starts Here
Murray Window Replacement can help you choose the right energy-efficient windows and ensure they’re installed correctly the first time. Contact us or call (385) 786-6447 to schedule a consultation.