April 20, 2022
Homeowners are always searching for ways to give their home a green makeover, whether you have a home in Seattle, WA, or Honolulu, HI. Eco-friendly home materials can boost your home’s energy efficiency while using a sustainable source. If you want to add more environmentally friendly features to your home, one improvement you can make is having eco-friendly windows installed.
Eco-friendly windows are the perfect way to implement the green mindset, whether you’re sourcing the materials from a sustainable source or better insulating your home year-round. To help you get a better idea of your eco-friendly window options, we reached out to experts to explain how replacing your windows may benefit your home in the long run.
Eco-Friendly Window Features
There are several factors and materials that can make windows more efficient than others. Let’s look at some of the features to keep in mind as you look to upgrade your home’s windows.
Dual-Pane Windows
When it comes to energy efficiency, getting dual-pane windows is a must. Dual-pane windows contain two panes of glass separated by a space of air or gas that help significantly slow down the transfer of heat or cold. With less heat and cold transfer through your windows, the need to constantly rely on your HVAC system will go down, thus reducing your electric bills. – Energy Core
Low E Glazed Windows
Low E glazing is a coating technique put on the outside of the window. “The high-performance glazing on windows is a vital component that plays a significant role in the energy efficiency of a window. Modern windows feature 3 layers of energy-efficient glazing that helps use less AC to save cooling costs on hot sunny days. This insulates the windows, improves the energy efficiency of your home, and helps save money on your energy bills.” – Select Home Improvements
Even Your Window Frame Can Be Environmentally Friendly
Consider what materials you’re choosing to frame your windows. Here are a few options you might have: wood frames, aluminum frames, composite frames, and vinyl frames.
The most eco-friendly and sustainable option is wood frames. You can source wood frames that are locally harvested and certifiably sustainable or find companies that use reclaimed wood. However, wood warping can occur, so make sure these frames are well manufactured.
Another eco-friendly alternative is composite frames. These frames are made of wood shavings and recycled plastic. Additionally, choosing a composite frame will give you the wood aesthetic you’re looking for without maintaining a wood frame.
Choosing the Right Eco-Friendly Windows for Your Home
A wise investment in eco-friendly windows begins with knowing key terms such as u-factor, visible transmittance, solar heat gain coefficient, and air leakage. High-performance windows designed using scientific knowledge are durable, weather-tight, and reduce the home’s overall energy consumption. Extreme weather events and changes in average seasonal temperatures call for windows with multiple panes, inert gas fills, and non-conductive frames. – The Window Source
Eco-Friendly Means Energy-Efficient
Ecological windows are primarily energy-efficient windows. A high level of thermal insulation guarantees less energy used to heat the house. Therefore, if we want to make an environmentally-friendly choice when buying windows, we should first pay attention to the thermal insulation parameters. – DAKO Windows
Consider Replacing Your Windows
One of the easiest ways to help ensure your home is eco-friendly and energy-efficient is by upgrading old and outdated windows. Many older windows are made with clear glass or single panes that don’t insulate or block harmful UV rays. Upgrading to dual-pane, energy-efficient, high-quality glass windows can make a world of difference in regulating the temperature in your home and saving on heating and cooling costs. – Hometime Windows
Installation Counts
The best advice we can give for a homeowner when investing in eco-friendly windows is to choose your installation company wisely. Each window company can sell you similar products, and manufacturers will each have products that meet eco-friendly standards. The differentiator in keeping your windows eco-friendly over a lifetime is correct installation. – Cal Coast Windows
Eco-Friendly Window Treatments
Choosing eco-friendly windows is smart for your home and your budget. Pick a window that is custom built to your home to prevent infiltration of energy loss around your windows, along with the right glass package suited to your climate. In Arizona, for example, our triple-pane window will eliminate over 93% of the heat, resulting in lower energy usage, less energy waste for our customers, and cooler homes in the summer. – Lei Home Enhancements
Vinyl Windows
When looking for new or green window replacements, vinyl windows are a terrific budget-friendly and eco-friendly option. Vinyl windows help insulate your home effectively, which is great for utility costs.
Double Glazed Windows
Double glazed windows are double glass windows filled with argon gas, which helps to sufficiently insulate your home. These windows have become the standard for new and replacement windows.
Triple Glazed Windows
A triple glazed window contains either three layers of glass or two layers with low-E film suspended between them. Triple glazed windows are high insulation performance – especially in colder climates.
The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Windows
There are many benefits of eco-friendly windows to consider. From helping
decrease your electricity and heating costs, less maintenance, and muffling outside noise, the benefits of installing eco-friendly windows are endless.
Consult with an expert on the best windows for you. Getting the right windows can benefit your home long-term and impact your daily energy usage. Also, you can always ask additional questions related to sustainability and where the materials are sourced. If green home products are what you’re looking for, finding a window company thinking outside the box to provide customers with eco-friendly windows is worth checking out.