Are Triple Pane Windows Worth the Upgrade?

Did you know that window heat gain and loss contributes 25 to 30 percent of residential energy use for heating and cooling?

If you wonder why your energy costs are soaring out of control, your windows may be to blame. From double pane to triple pane, more window choices exist than ever before.

For colder climates or those that see extreme weather, triple pane windows may represent the smartest investment. Read on to learn more about triple pane windows and if they’re the right option for your home.

Double Pane Windows

To understand the advantages of triple pane windows, it’s important to know a few things about double pane windows first. Double pane windows are also referred to as double glazed windows. They reduce heat loss by upwards of 50 percent over single pane windows.

When fiberglass frames are used, this heat loss reduction increases even more. What’s more, double pane windows are priced anywhere from 15 to 40 percent cheaper than triple pane windows depending on the manufacturer.

A crucial element to the performance of double pane windows is the spacer. The energy efficiency of the window decreases when the spacer is either too small or too large.

Some double pane windows are filled with an inert gas such as krypton or argon. What advantage comes from the inert gas? It can increase the window’s overall efficiency.

Double vs Triple Pane Windows

Triple pane windows come with all of the advantages of double pane windows and more. But they are also more expensive. That means, more time will pass before you see a return on your investment.

Depending on climate and other factors, they may still prove the more prudent purchase. Why? Triple pane windows can increase your home’s energy efficiency by upwards of 20 to 30 percent.

They also improve your property’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-value because they are more energy efficient than double pane windows. Additional benefits include greater protection from outside noise. They are also more resistant to condensation.

The Triple Pane Window Advantage

Whether to opt for double or triple pane windows depends on a number of factors. These include your property’s climate and what you’d like your windows to do. For example, if you live in a temperate climate without condensation issues, then double pane windows may be the better choice.

But if you need help with condensation, noise reduction, or live in a climate that warrants extra measures, triple pane windows may be your answer. While they cost more, triple pane windows pay for themselves in the long run.

Call the Experts

Interested in learning more about triple pane windows? Still not sure whether or not they’re best for your needs? Windows represent a major investment, so don’t settle for guesswork.

Instead, choose a company with a proven track record and years of experience installing top-quality windows.

At Chicago Window Guys, we bring more than 25 years of window installing experience to the table. Check out FAQ page for answers to your questions. Or, contact us today so that one of our window experts can guide you to the right windows for your home.

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How to Pick the Best Energy Efficient Exterior Doors for Your Home

Whether its to lower our monthly electricity bill, make our homes a bit more Earth-friendly, or both, we all want to be more energy efficient.

You can change out your light bulbs, and install ceiling fans, but you could still be wasting energy by missing the biggest culprits in your home. The real problem could be your doors and windows.

Luckily, there is a way to combat this problem — by replacing your exterior doors with energy efficient ones.

While picking an energy saving doors can be tricky if you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We’re here to help.

Here is everything you need to know about finding the best energy efficient exterior door for your home.

Material

When picking out any features for the exterior of your home, it can be tempting to pick style over functionality.

But this isn’t a problem with energy efficient doors.

It is possible to find a stylish front door that will also keep your AC inside, the trick is picking the right materials.

Fiberglass Composite

The lighter and more durable option in energy efficient doors is the fiberglass composite door.

Fiberglass doors get their energy efficiency from a dense polyurethane foam core.

There are several different versions of fiberglass doors available, giving homeowners more freedom. These doors can come in different textures, allowing homeowners the option of painting or staining them.

It is also possible to get them with a faux wood grain texture. So you can give your home the aesthetic benefits of a natural wood door with the energy efficiency of a fiberglass one.

On top of that, fiberglass doors are resistant to dents and rust.

Steel

Steel doors are not only energy efficient they’re also super durable and can add to your home’s resale value.

While there aren’t as many different textures available, steel doors can be painted and come in several different styles.

Best of all, steel doors can also be very energy efficient. Like fiberglass doors, steel doors also feature a thick foam center which can help keep outdoor temperatures out of your house.

Steel doors also often come with magnetic weather stripping. This feature will hold the door shut in place, ensuring that no air can leak out between the door and the doorframe.

Installation

No matter how energy efficient your door is, having the proper installation makes all the difference.

Most doors come pre-hung within a doorframe. Before installing it, make sure the door fits snugly in its frame. While your new door should swing easily, it should also have a tight seal.

Applying foam caulking around the doorframe will ensure that no air leaks into your home from around the door frame.

While you can install a door yourself, the best way to ensure that the final product is energy efficient is by bringing in a professional team.

Selecting New Energy Efficient Exterior Doors

Your air-conditioning is not likely to slip through solid walls, but a house without any entrance points doesn’t make all that much sense.

Having the wrong exterior doors can cause your home to bleed power by letting your heating and cooling out, which in turn causes you to have to crank up your thermostat to keep your home comfortable.

Energy efficient exterior doors can be an excellent way to lower your energy bills and your carbon footprint — if you know how to pick one.

Looking to replace your exterior doors, or want to make your home more energy efficient? We can help you with that.

Contact us today, and we can assist you in finding and installing the best and most energy efficient doors and windows for your home.

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What Types of Window Frames Are There and Which Kind Should You Choose?

When it comes to windows, you should be thinking about the frames long before you start thinking about the glass.

Window frames are the backbone of windows, and they can make the difference between a decent window and a window that will last over a decade. Besides, you have to know the type and size of your window frame before you can get any glass.

If you don’t know what types of window frames there are, give this quick window frame guide a look.

Vinyl Window Frames

This type of window frame is made of polyvinyl chloride (or PVC).

But don’t worry, this frame doesn’t look like normal PVC pipe. It’s straight, flat, and shaped like every other window frame. Once it’s filled with glass, you’ll hardly notice it’s the same stuff used to make plumbing pipes.

Vinyl frames are also inexpensive, and they do a good job of insulating your home.

What Else You Should Know

Though they’ll look like normal window frames, they definitely won’t look like they’re made of wood or other, more common materials.

Vinyl window frames aren’t as strong as other window frame materials, so they may not be very durable.

Wooden Window Frames

Wooden frames are traditional, long-lasting, and durable. They also bring an aesthetic appeal to the home many people enjoy. If you maintain these frames, they can stay in good condition and do their job for a long time.

What Else You Should Know

These frames cost a lot of money, and they take a lot of maintenance. Wood is always at risk of rotting or weathering if they’re in the right climate conditions.

You’ll also need to keep the frames painted. If you don’t, the moisture levels in the wood can change, causing the frames to expand and contract more than usual.

Aluminum Window Frames

These modern window frames are long lasting and strong. If you’re going for a sleek, contemporary house, aluminum window frames are the way to go.

You don’t have to do much to maintain these types of window frames, and if you don’t paint them, your workload goes down even further. The aluminum won’t mold, rot, or wear out in the sun.

What Else You Should Know

These frames are expensive (though maybe not as much as wooden frames), and to top it off, they aren’t efficient. They don’t keep outside temperatures from getting into the house as well as other window frames, so you may see your energy bill go up with aluminum frames.

Fiberglass Window Frames

Fiberglass frames don’t take a lot of work, and they’ll last a long time. These frames resist weather changes better than wood, PVC, aluminum, and any other material.

On top of that, fiberglass makes a good insulator, so it will keep the temperature levels inside your home controlled and comfortable.

What Else You Should Know

Fiberglass can be a bit underwhelming. Even when painted, some people think it doesn’t have the same appeal as other window frames. Fiberglass can also cost more than wooden frames in some cases, which cause many people to choose a cheaper alternative.

Types of Window Frames: What’s the Best for Me?

This all comes down to where you live, what kind of budget you have, and how much work you’re willing to put into them. Remember, things like wood wear out faster than aluminum or fiberglass, so if you aren’t willing to maintain your window frames, you may want to choose something else.

Need some help deciding between all the different types of window frames? Make sure you take a look at these five tips about choosing new windows for your home.

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