Summer is a great time to dig in and start fixing things up around your home. Investing in replacement windows can add value to your home, added beauty, and can also help save you money in energy costs. Double paned windows are three times as efficient as single paned windows. There are many great varieties to choose from and selections for every budget and décor.

Generally people think of windows as being square, can include grids, and come in either wood or vinyl. So picking out windows for your home should be a piece of cake, right? Well it can be with the right information and research, but the choices are a little more varied than most people think. Do your research ahead of time to make the most well informed choice as to what windows will be right for your project.

Window types include fixed, single, hung, double hung, casement, slider, and awning. There are also single paned, double paned, and tempered windows. Tempered windows are made of glass that resists shattering. These type of windows can be required in areas where a person might accidentally fall through the glass such as in a bathtub, along stairs, a window seat, or where a door opens towards a window. Research for yourself the different types of windows available by visiting websites of well known manufacturers. They will have photo galleries, technical information, and resources for finding local dealers.

Next you will have to decide between wood or vinyl windows. Questions to ask yourself might be, will wood hold up in this climate or need constant maintenance, what is the difference in the cost between wood and vinyl windows, and will a contractor charge extra for installing wood or vinyl windows.

If you are seeking energy efficiency, double paned or double glazed glass windows are the way to go. Like a storm window they create insulation by adding an extra pane of glass to create an air pocket. Glass alone is not an insulator, but an air pocket is. Unlike storm windows there is no loss of heat along the frame which makes double paned windows more energy efficient. The air pocket in these types of windows often has a drying agent to absorb moisture and often comes with a reflective coating to increase the insulation. The down side of these windows is that if they become cracked, perhaps by a stray baseball, it is necessary to have them replaced.

Prices can vary greatly between quality vinyl or wood windows. Factors that will effect your cost include size, the larger the window the more expensive, if the windows you choose have window grids which increase the price of the package, whether you go with standard white windows or choose a color that would increase the price, or if you get mulled windows. Mulled windows are two windows that are built together to create a larger window. These type of windows usually come with an extra charge. Also if you choose to have a transom window installed, which is a window either fixed or operable which is placed above a larger window, it can be a bit more expensive. These types of windows are generally used for decorative purposes.

As a rule, picking out windows that come in standard sizes, colors, and options can significantly decrease the price of your window package. When you choose your windows you are not only choosing the style that you like, but also choosing a specific design and function. Picking a professional installer is the final step in completing your vision for your home. Choose someone knowledgeable who you can trust to help you through the process. Make sure that your window installer is licensed and bonded and comes with good references.
If you are looking for a window installer, Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. is a free service to homeowners. We can put you in touch with a licensed contractor that is both bonded and insured. While homeowners are ultimately responsible for who they choose to work on their home, Five Star Consumer Referrals prescreens its contractors through the California Contractors State License Board and checks their references.

For more information please contact Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. at
(949) 305-5900.

--
Shannon Shimizu
Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc.
Orange County Contractor Referral Service