Whether you are building a home or remodeling your current one, new windows should be chosen intentionally. After all, they are a long-term investment that enriches your lifestyle now and boosts resale value later, if you decide to sell.
When deciding on new windows, consider their function in each room as well as your priorities when it comes to natural light, fresh air, outdoor views, cleaning, and ease of use.
Read on to help clarify your vision and desires to help narrow down your search for the perfect windows for your lifestyle.
Steps to Choosing Ideal Windows
1. Define your vision
Take time to dream a little before you clarify your vision for your new windows. Think out of the box about maximizing the opportunity you have to breathe fresh life into the spaces in your home with window replacements. Look at your options and create a vision board of your favorite window ideas.
2. Decide your priorities
Look objectively at your lifestyle and how you use each room before assigning which window shape and style will fit best.
- If outdoor living is a must in your life, build a delightful transition from your home to your backyard with a well-designed sliding glass door that allows natural light to flood your interior space.
- Your open concept kitchen and great room deliver opportunities to showcase views of the outdoors with a stunning and stylish row of casement windows, or a picture window that captures a vista you want to feast your eyes on daily.
- Perhaps a cozy reading nook tucked away in your master bedroom is what you crave. Indulge by adding a bay window with hidden storage for your favorite reads and cozy pillows to sink into on a relaxing morning.
- Your priorities should also include practical things like a small, frosted casement window in your bathroom to increase ventilation.
3. Take your cues from your home’s architecture
Your home’s architectural design should be taken into consideration while deciding on window styles that will enhance its aesthetics.
4. Select the style that will serve your purpose best
Some popular window types include:
- Casement windows – Featuring clean lines and minimalist looks, these windows allow for uninterrupted views and an abundance of ventilation. They’re ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and on both sides of a picture window. They also work well in groups, delivering a sleek option for living spaces in modern homes.
- Double hung windows – Popular double hung windows are versatile, complementing a wide variety of architectural styles. Their tilt-in feature makes them easy to clean, and they offer delightful breezes because their bottom sash can be raised while their top sash is lowered.
- Picture windows – These fixed windows may not open, but the views they offer set them apart from other window styles. Their expansive glass adds a distinct design to your space. They work perfectly in, but aren’t limited to, modern and contemporary homes.
5. Choose your materials
Investing in durable fiberglass window frames that are 8 times stronger than vinyl means you’ll have window frames that deliver enduring protection from moisture intrusion, UV rays, wind and rain—while resisting wear and tear over the years.
Vinyl frames are a cost-effective solution to the need for new windows, but they are vulnerable to warping and damage.
6. Go with energy efficient features
According to the Department of Energy, heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Look for ENERGY STAR rated windows and save on utilities.
- Double- or triple-pane windows with argon gas between them deliver energy efficiency that will lower your utility bills consistently.
- Select a low U-factor (the rate at which a window conducts non-solar heat flow) for better thermal resistance in colder climates.
- Choose a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC is the amount of solar radiation admitted through a window).
Optimal Installation for Your New Windows
The ideal windows for your home must be installed with accuracy so you can enjoy their high performance for their lifespan. At Lakeside Renovation & Design, our in-house team installs your windows with precision.
We take time to educate you on how windows can best serve your needs. Learn more about how our window installation services can help you achieve your remodeling dreams and enhance your lifestyle.