|
Want an instant
face-lift for your home’s tired appearance? New windows or
a new siding treatment may a solution.
New windows could go a long way toward reducing your energy bill,
improving your home’s security as well as its appearance,
and making the home more comfortable during winter and summer months.
Certain window types can also reduce fading – of carpets,
wallpapers, artwork and even woodwork - within the home.
New siding - whether you select wood, vinyl, cement, brick
or stone – will update your home’s appearance and,
depending on the type selected, reduce the amount of maintenance
needed. Vinyl, cement and brick siding never needs painting, which
can be a bonus for some homeowners.
There are a number of things you should consider when checking
out the latest in window and door treatments, according to the
Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), a trade organization.
What kind of visual statement do you want to make? What kind of
material do you want the window to be made of? How much light do
you want to have enter the home?
Windows will naturally bring daylight into the home, but with today’s
advanced construction technology and plethora of new designs, it
is possible to bring even more light into the home, without compromising
energy efficiency, or allowing ultraviolet light in, which could
fade your carpets and artwork.
Allowing even more light into the home can be a good thing, according
to studies, which have shown that natural daylight is a benefit
to those who live in the home. Those who are deprived of natural
light can experience headaches, fatigue, and even illness.
A U.S. Department of Energy study on windows in today’s homes
also has found that the percentage of glass in a typical home has
increased by 25 percent over the past two decades, and yet a homeowner
can still maintain energy efficiency with the use of new technologies.
Some architects and designers – and even homeowners – will
take this into consideration when choosing south- or north-facing
windows, for example. Specially designed south-facing windows may
provide solar heat protection, while north-facing windows may be
better suited to a design that will insulate and then reflect heat
back into a room, according to the WDMA.
Windows also provide significant character to a home, and architects
and designers are using these stylish new looks in windows, as
well as doors, to make bold and attractive design statements.
Before setting out to select new windows, consumers should look
for window manufacturers who make and sell energy-efficient products.
You will want to know the window’s U-value, which is a rating
for how much thermal energy is allowed to be transmitted through
the glass; its sound transmission class rating, which is an indication
of its exterior sound reduction capabilities; and its UV rating.
Check to see if the windows you are considering can withstand the variances of
weather in your area, as well. Do you live in an area that experiences fog, higher
levels of rain or even snow? The window you select will be different from the
one for a homeowner who lives in a desert climate with extremes of temperature.
While many windows are constructed of wood, they can also be made of fiberglass,
metal and vinyl. Vinyl windows are popular in residential areas because they
are easy to maintain.
When it comes to siding, the sky is the limit. It comes in a wide variety of
styles, colors and materials. For help in selecting which treatment suits you
and your home best, consult with a siding expert.
A trained window representative can also help you sort out all the many kinds
of windows available.
- For more information, contact America’s Vinyl Exteriors at (888) 858-4888.
|
|
America's
Vinyl Exteriors
|
