Choosing Replacement Units For Windows

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There are times when windows are beyond repair and must be replaced. Replacing a window is a challenging do-it-yourself project particularly if you are working alone. A window replacement company may bot charge very much for installation when you buy the windows from them. Before you shop for new windows, it pays to understand basic window terms:

• Cladding is a protective material, usually vinyl or aluminum that encases exterior wood frames to prevent decay and the need for painting.
• Muntins or mullions are the wooden horizontal and vertical trim pieces that divide the sash into small sections called lights. In older windows and in many of the more expensive modern replacement windows, the lights are separate panes and the muntins that hold them project on the inside and outside of the sash. In newer moderate-priced windows, faux muntins are a one-piece snap-in cosmetic feature, often plastic, installed only on the inside sash over a single large pane.
• Double and triple thickness windows are separated by slim, hollow spaces filled with inert gases. The gases substantially reduce heat flow, an important advantage in maintaining stable temperatures in the house and boosting energy efficiency.
• Low-E glazing is a term used to describe the ability of glass to block ultraviolet radiation as emitted in the form of sunlight. The low emissivity of some modern window glass is achieved by the addition on an invisible metallic coating, either on the glass itself or on plastic film in the sealed air space between double-glazed windows. It also reduces color fade in interiors and protects sensitive skin from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light in climates where full-strength sun is a concern.
• R-values and U-values are U.S. Department of Energy rating terms used by the building industry to describe relative heat conductivity and resistance of windows and other materials. In identifying R-values, know that the higher the number, the better the insulation rating. For U-values, the opposite is true: Lower numbers are better.

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