In the event of a hurricane, windows and doors can be among the last lines of defense between you and heavy, potentially deadly winds. Choosing the best possible windows can make the difference between preservation and destruction for your home. Additionally, energy efficient windows are not only eco friendly by saving energy, but friendly to the environment by saving money. So: what exactly should you look for when choosing windows for your latest improvement project?
Hurricane-Resistant Windows: What To Look For
Did you know that there are windows in existent that can resist Category 5 wind conditions? In recent years, impact resistant window technology has progressed to surprising level. By undertaking a window resistant window project, you could save yourself thousands in potential property damages, not to mention the physical protection you?re guaranteeing yourself and those who live in your house. Wind resistant windows of good quality can resist winds up to 200 miles per hour, and you don?t have to sacrifice the look you want for the quality you need. Wind resistant window options are not limited to one type; the three main options you can choose from are aluminum, vinyl, and wood. So if you?re considering impact resistant windows, don?t worry about them looking industrial or unpleasant. You can be protected without anyone even knowing that?s what your windows are for!
Energy Efficient Windows: How Can They Help You?
Inefficient windows can cost the average home up to 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy. Part of this is due to the amount of heat some windows absorb, and the materials they?re made up of. Window awnings alone can cut down summer solar heat gain by 65% of south-facing facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows. Additionally, windows that are Energy Star-qualified can lower energy bills by 7 to 15%! In the long run, an energy efficient window project can save you more money that it initially costs, and can be just as aesthetically pleasing as inefficient windows, if not more so. The differences are subtle, just as they are with hurricane windows; you?re not at all sacrificing style for substance, but instead merging the two.
Additional Benefits
Potential additional benefits of installing windows that go beyond the bare minimum are many. Noise reduction can be accomplished through the right windows. Furthermore, certain windows let in so much natural light that the need for electrical lighting, particularly during the daytime, is minimized. Your windows doesn?t have to be one thing or the other, instead fulfilling multiple needs and accomplishing several different jobs at once!