Whether you’re building a home from scratch or replacing existing windows, you’re going to come across different options, from an awning window to a ventilator window. And, yes, there are more than 10 types, including those installed on the roof. This begs the question: which option is best for your home? What factors do you need to consider to make a great decision?
Architectural Style
Windows come in different designs and styles, and what you choose should complement your home.
- Use your home’s architectural style as a guide in choosing the right window. There are window patterns that work best for traditional and colonial architectural designs, for example.
- Consider the era or historical period when your home was built. A home built during the Victorian era only deserves ornate windows with intricate detailing.
- The materials used, from the frame to the hardware, should match the home’s architectural style as well.
Privacy and Natural Light
The right window should offer a balance of privacy and natural light, which depends on your personal preference and where the window will be installed.
- Think about the level of privacy and light you want in each room. While you dream of waking up to a great view from your bedroom, for example, a wide glass window may not be the best option if your bedroom faces the street.
- Your home’s orientationwill also dictate how much sunlight goes into each room and the kind of window to install. Choose a window that lets as much sunlight in without the heat or causing the upholstery to fade.
- You may need additional features to maintain privacy and control natural light. This is especially true if you want floor-to-ceiling glass windows installed.
Climate
Windows are one of the things that are considered when preparing a home for seasonal weather changes. You check whether they need weatherstripping or recaulking. Certain windows are designed for specific climates.
- If you live in areas with colder climates, a window’s thermal properties matter more than anything else. You want to keep the heat inside your home rather than have it escape through windows with poor insulation performance.
- To maintain your home’s warmth during winter, the windows you choose should have multiple glazing layers, insulated frames, and warm-edge spacers.
- Windows with solar-control glazing or low-E coatings are recommended if you live in a warmer climate.
In addition to the above, consider a window’s water-resistance, air infiltration, and acoustic insulation. The data you gather will point you to the right product.
Maintenance Requirements
Beautiful windows don’t stay beautiful by themselves. The more windows you have to clean and care for, the more energy and time you’ll have to spend.
- Always consider a material’s specific maintenance needs before you make a choice. Between wooden and fibreglass frames, the latter is low maintenance and more resistant to rot.
- Consider your lifestyle and the time you can allocate for cleaning and maintenance. Some materials, such as wood, will require more frequent cleaning and even an annual refinishing.
- Certain designs will dictate the amount of care needed to preserve them. Hopper windows, for example, are more challenging to deal with because of their inward-opening mechanism, making it difficult to reach both interior and exterior surfaces.
- Windows on upper floors or in areas with limited or challenging access will be much harder to clean.
With all these factors to consider, it would help if you listed them according to priority from highest to lowest. Architectural style is a given, considering that you don’t want your windows to look out of place. Then, decide which matters more or less to you: privacy, natural light, climate, and maintenance requirements. With the help of experts from Rylock, you can have the window that works best for your home while ensuring your priorities are taken into account.
