Choosing the Best Replacement Windows For Your Virginia Home
If you’ve already made the decision to replace the windows in your Virginia home, you are probably well aware of the energy and cost saving benefits replacement windows can provide. Perhaps it is time to replace your old windows because the glass is shattered. Or maybe the there are leaks and gaps in the aged window frame that are beyond repair. Or, quite possibly, your energy bills have gone up tremendously in the past few years due to the poor insulation quality of your old windows. No matter what the reason you wish to replace your current windows with modern energy efficient ones, it is important that you choose the right Virginia replacement windows for your home.
There are certain factors that you should consider when shopping for new replacement windows. It is important to understand the different parts of a window and their function to make an informed decision and a smart purchase.
Take into account how you would like your new replacement windows to open. There are windows that open with the use of a crank and windows that slide up and down on the sashes. Many modern replacement windows can swing open from the top inwards to allow for easy cleaning. Double hung windows are the most popular, with a top and bottom panel. Both panels should be able to slide up and down. Crank-style windows (or casement windows) are not as prevalent in today’s homes because they are cumbersome to open and usually not made with energy efficient glass and materials.
Once you have made the decision on the type of replacement windows you want for your Virginia home, you must next determine the way you wish to install them. If your home has had damage to the existing window frames – including mold, rot, warping and termite infestation – you should remove the entire interior trim and total window unit completely. You will have to replace all aspects of the window in order to get the most energy efficiency, safety and security from your new replacement windows. In other cases, you may not have to remove too much of the interior unit if the wood is in good condition. Replacing a window can be as easy as removing the old and replacing it with the new, as long as the interior structure is in sound condition and has not been subject to moisture or pest infestation.
You can also replace windows by doing a sash replacement. This keeps your existing window frame in tact, but adds new sashes so the updated windows can tilt outwards or inwards for easy cleaning. You can install energy efficient windows with double or triple pane glass into the new tracks and receive the benefits of new replacement windows without majorly renovating your Virginia home.
Talk to a window installation professional to discuss window replacement and installation options that are right for your home. Once your new windows are installed, your home will be better insulated with a modern look, all while saving you money on energy bills.
Changing Your Virginia Home’s Look With Vinyl Siding
Changing the look of a home’s exterior is much easier than it sounds, especially in Virginia. There are several different coverings now available in vinyl siding to replace other finishes on homes. Installing vinyl panels on the exterior gives a clean, fresh appearance. There are many colors and finishes to choose from and there is less maintenance and upkeep.
Finishes
Vinyl finishes come in a myriad of styles. They are molded to imitate the look of other finishes while sustaining the durability of vinyl siding in Virginia. Visitors cannot usually tell the difference from the street. Wood veneer is one of the most popular types of designs with wide and fine wood grain patterns available. Also notable are brick patterns. The deterioration of bricks and mortar are eliminated and replaced by a solid panel instead.
Replacements
Many homeowners making the switch to vinyl siding in Virginia are replacing another material presently covering the exterior. For one reason or another, the former surface is not performing satisfactorily or it is simply time for a change. Many houses built with wood or metal siding are not ready for a new surface. After several years, wood does not wear well, especially in damp climates on the Mid-Atlantic that are prone to thunderstorms, hurricanes and winter sleet storms. Stucco finishes frequently develop moisture problems and must be replaced. One durable solution is vinyl siding.
Colors
The most popular feature about this material is the wide variety of colors available. While the standard white, gray and tan hues are mainstays of every vinyl siding company’s repertoire, shades of medium blues, bright yellows and deep reds are easy to find. They dot many neighborhoods and give a splash of color on a mundane street. The color is now baked through and through on the paneling. In the event of a scratch on the surface, it will not peek through with another color from underneath. It will blend in instead.
Maintenance
Colored vinyl siding does not have to be repainted every five to 10 years like most other home exteriors. However, it does require some maintenance. The house should be hosed off or power-washed at least once a year. This helps to protect the luster and shine. It does not every have to be repainted ever. In the case where a homeowner decides they do not like the color of the paneling after several years or after buying a new home, it can be painted over to another color. At this point, it will need regular painting maintenance thereafter. Other necessary maintenance for vinyl siding includes inspecting the home annually or after severe storms for loose siding and openings in seams at the roof and gutters. Caulking may be necessary from time to time as well.
Benefits of Vinyl Windows in Your Virginia Home
Vinyl windows are the most popular in the industry today, and for good reason. Vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), offers many advantages over traditional wood-frame or metal windows.
Energy Efficiency
Vinyl windows are well known for their excellent insulating properties. Vinyl window frames have higher R-values than other materials. A window’s R-value measures its resistance to heat flow; a higher R-value indicates a more energy efficient window. Because the vinyl frame can be welded together to form a single piece of vinyl, the corners of the frame have an airtight seal. Vinyl windows will block heat from entering from your home during the summer, and will keep it from escaping in the winter, saving you money on heating and cooling bills.
Easy Maintenance
One of the great things about vinyl replacement windows is that they require virtually no maintenance. Unlike wooden frames, vinyl window frames never need to be sanded, sealed or repainted. The only regular maintenance is cleaning the glass, which can be done easily with normal household cleaners. Because the vinyl is colored during the manufacturing process, rather than coated with paint that can chip or fade, there is no need to worry about fading or discoloration.
Design Options
The properties of polyvinyl chloride allow it to be produced in nearly any color and molded into almost any style or shape. Vinyl is the perfect material for replacement windows because it can be easily retrofitted into an existing window space and colored to exactly match your home. Vinyl windows frames can even be given the appearance of wood, through a faux wood-grain finish.
Economic Value
Vinyl windows are a very economical choice. Vinyl replacement windows are available at very competitive prices; when you add in the easy installation, low maintenance, and energy savings, it is easy to see that these windows will save you money in the long run as well. Vinyl windows are also extremely durable, so you can expect to enjoy them for a long time before they will ever need to be replaced again.