Replacing your windows can save you money on your energy bill, enhance your home’s curb appeal and potentially help protect your home. However, when it comes to selecting the right windows for your home it can become overwhelming given all the styles, materials and features to choose from.
Here is some window wisdom to take into account when choosing your replacement windows:
Tampa Window Style
While the style you pick may be decided based on looks, it is important to know the differences in the main styles of windows.
Awning Windows – These windows are hinged at the top and opened by tilting the window out from the bottom. As their name suggests, awning windows create the appearance of an awning when open. These windows are most popular in coastal areas and in bathrooms.
Slider Windows – These windows slide open from side to side and are an excellent choice when there is limited space outside to swing the window open.
Tampa Window Frame Materials
Wood Windows – Wood is both beautiful and had good insulating properties. However, the natural look of wood involves considerable maintenance. Besides periodic painting or staining, wood windows must be treated to protect them from moisture, movement, and rot.
Vinyl Windows – From high impact glass windows to energy-efficient, vinyl windows are versatile and durable. Vinyl is virtually maintenance free, provides excellent insulation, is reasonably priced, and looks great.
Wood Clad Windows – These windows offer the beauty of wood on the inside, with a vinyl coating on the wood frame outside. This offers the low maintenance that makes vinyl so popular, while giving the beauty and natural feel of stained or painted wood on the inside.
Coating and Glass
Recent advancements in technology have allowed windows to become tougher and more energy-efficient than ever. When choosing a replacement windows for your Tampa home it is important to take into consideration the hot sun and intense storms that we face here in Florida. That’s why window enhancements such as the ones listed below can be beneficial for your home.
Low Emissivity (Low-E) Glass – Low-E, or as we call it, Florida-E, glass refers to glass with a special microscopically thin, virtually invisible layer of material on the surface of the glass which acts to reduce the amount of heat that can flow through the glass itself. It also helps filter out those harmful UV rays.
Impact Resistant Glass – This glass is great for extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, because even if you attempt to break this glass with a baseball bat it may crack, but it will not shatter and spread glass shards all over the place. This helps protect your home from stray branches and doubles as a break-in deterrent.
Double Pane Glass – This type of window consist of two panes of glass with a spacer that separates them. The small space between provides extra insulation, which can be beneficial for energy-efficiency and reducing outside noise.
Installation
If your windows aren’t installed by a certified or professional window installer and secured properly in the opening, you might not get the savings or comfort you’d expect from your new windows. FAS Windows & Doors has an excellent reputation within the industry for providing and installing energy-efficient replacement windows that add beauty to our customers’ homes. For those who prefer to install themselves, we also provide material-only sales to contractors and homeowners.
If you’re ready to choose the perfect replacement windows for your Tampa home, give us a call today at 877-289-0825 or stop by our Tampa showroom to see full-size samples of the different product lines we carry.
Replacement Window Selection Guide for Tampa
FASWD 7/27/2016