Cold Wet Winter Inside? Are Your Old Windows Letting the Winter in?

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

Today.com

Tired of a drafty house?

Tired of taping gaps around your windows?

Tired of winter already when it’s only January?

Can’t see out your windows?

Condensation dripping down your windows?

Tired of winter already when it’s only January?

The weather outside shouldn’t appear on the inside. If you’re constantly chilly the culprit may be your old windows. If your windows are letting the winter in - it may be time to replace your old windows. Inefficient windows leak cold air and moisture.

There are many ways to temporarily fix the problems, but the permanent solution to drafts and cold wet windows is to replace your old and leaky windows with new energy-efficient products.

Drafty windows or cold windows are chief among the reasons to replace windows. When you sit next to your window in winter it’s colder than the rest of the house and the HVAC system works overtime. Simply put, your old windows probably provide little to no insulating value.

Andersen 400 Series

Double-paned glazing with insulating argon gas eliminates uncomfortable, expensive drafts. Todays technology also includes warm-edge spacers and new weather stripping materials to further insulate. Understanding the SHGC (solar heat gain co-efficient) of the glass options, allows you to further control how much heat enters and leaves your home during the winter. For example, in our northern climate you can choose a high SHGC glazing, which means the window will reflect heat back into the home, collecting more solar heat, for your south facing windows.

Condensation or frost build up can naturally be worse in the winter when the outside temperature is below the dew point of the indoor air. Water or frost appears when warm moist air comes in contact with colder dry air.  Older single pane windows provide no insulation allowing condensation to form on the cold surface creating water droplets or ice on the glass. Even early double-pane windows with aluminum spacers can experience condensation. If this describes your windows, like the drafty or cold windows above, upgrading your windows to today’s technologies will make a significant difference.

Today’s windows are engineered differently. Frankly, the most important part of the window to resist condensation is that spacer that keeps the panes of glass apart and seals in the gas. Today’s spacers are made of less conductive stainless steel, U-shaped tin steel, and foam polymers. Low-E and glass filled glass panes reduce temperature transfer between the inside and outside. With improved window frame technologies as well, new windows are sure to significantly improve if not eliminate condensation woes.

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through another winter because winter is a great time to replace you windows. Come to our showroom to see replacement windows by Andersen, Marvin, Pella and more.

Single vs. Double vs. Triple Pane Replacement Windows – What You Should Know

A pane is a framed part of a window normally fitted with a thin glass or any other transparent material.
 

Single pane windows are very popular among those homeowners who treasure simplicity and the basics. Single window panes are very affordable, and will therefore not cause so much financial strain to those people who are operating on tight budgets.
 

They are also very easy to repair. A sudden crack will not be too big of a deal since the replacement procedure is quite simple and very easy to understand. All you need to do is to remove the remaining pieces of glass on the broken window, replace them with a clean sheet of glass and seal it with high quality putty. Remember - this should be left to the professionals!
 

Single pane windows are mostly suitable for use in garages and tool sheds. Due to their varied colors, the consumer has a wide range of options to choose from.
 

These windows are also very easy to maintain as only occasional cleaning is required. Sliding single pane windows allow a breeze to blow into your room - a blessing, especially during summer.
 

Single pane windows are not as energy efficient as double pane windows. This increases the energy bill since you will need to use heating and cooling systems during the summer and winter.
 

Some customers may prefer double pane windows as opposed to any other option. For instance; the window panes are very economical as well as efficient.
 

Research shows that double pane windows reduce energy usage by 24 percent in winter and 18 percent in summer – consequently reducing the size of the dent in the homeowner’s pocket book as the energy bill will be much lower. Its reduced energy consumption also means less burning of fossil fuels. This preserves the environment as there will be less greenhouse emissions. Double pane windows are also good noise insulators. This way, the residents of the home are able to have the much needed peace and quiet needed to relax and be comfortable.
 

Double pane windows do come with some disadvantages. For instance, they experience condensation on the inside. Their energy efficiency can also be compromised by just a small crack. Finally, in the unfortunate event that the windows are broken, perhaps by a rock flung while someone is mowing the grass, you will need a professional to come and fix the damage to possibly two panes of glass.
 

Another variety of replacement windows is the triple pane variety. It has got three layers; the middle layer is normally sandwiched by Argon or Krypton gas, or a mixture of both. This type of window pane is a more efficient insulator and more energy saving as compared to double pane windows. This results into a reduced energy bill. The pane also does not attract so much condensation on its interior as compared to its double pane counterpart.
 

Triple pane windows are, however, a little more expensive. They are also too heavy due to the extra pane, and this can result into adverse effects on the building, more so if it were not designed to withstand such weight.
 

In conclusion, any homeowner must carry out a cost benefit analysis before settling for any of the three types of replacement window panes.

Single Pane Windows vs Double Pane Windows

Choosing the right type of replacement windows can be a challenging endeavor due to the wide variety of windows available on the market. Besides that, you may find it challenging to choose the most appropriate window for your Chicago home. If you cannot pick the right one, you may end up spending a fortune and getting nothing in return. There are three common types of windows: single pane, double/dual pane, and triple pane windows. An older home or building is likely to have single pane windows. Newer homes are usually set up with single pane replacement windows. So why do most homeowners prefer dual pane windows over their single pane counterparts?
 

Single Pane Windows
 

The reason is that single pane windows are heavy consumers of energy. They suck energy ceaselessly. They consist of a single glass sheet that is fitted on a window’s frame. Since glass is a good conductor of heat, heat transfer will happen when there is a difference between the inside and the outside temperature. In extremely cold areas, where heating of a home becomes a basic necessity – there can be a lot of heat loss through single-pane glass windows. This often affects the insulation of a home and can add to the high monthly utility bills.
 

In terms of cost, single-pane glasses are less expensive than double pane windows. Dual pane windows are more expensive than single-pane windows. If you’re planning to have all the windows in your home replaced with dual pane glass, then it can turn out to be a significant investment. However, if you look at the long-term benefits of installing dual pane windows, you can discover that they are your best option because they help to minimize your heating costs. Moreover, you will enjoy better home insulation. 
 

Double Pane Windows
 

Double pane windows save money, energy, and can contribute to the improvement of your home’s value. According to the department of energy, energy loss through inefficient windows accounts for almost 25% of the annual heating & cooling bills. Fortunately, there are solutions available that can help you as a Chicago area homeowner to dramatically reduce that significant heat loss through windows.
 

Double pane replacement windows offer improved insulation for your home. Not only do they prevent loss of heat, but they also insulate your house against annoying outside noise.
 

Another good thing about double pane windows is that they are available in a wide variety of colors, finishes, shapes, designs and styles. You can choose to buy aluminum, vinyl, or wood window frames depending on your preferences and budget. Now that you have an idea about the difference between single pane windows and double pane windows, make an informed choice so you can save your hard earned money.

Single, Double, or Triple Pane Windows for Chicago Homeowners

Since the greater part of the window is made of glass, choosing the right window that can dramatically improve your energy efficiency at home is paramount. There are three main types of replacement windows namely: single, double and triple pane windows. Double and triple pane windows are made with layers of glass. The layers are usually filled with gas, such as krypton or argon to improve insulation.
 

Single Pane Windows
 

As the name suggest, a single pane window has only one glass pane that is attached on the window’s frame. Glass is a good conductor of heat and tends to allow the transfer of it. During winter seasons, when heating your home becomes a necessity, there can be substantial heat loss through single-pane glass windows. However, single pane glasses are less expensive than their double and triple pane counterparts.
 

Double Pane Windows
 

If you are thinking of ways to save money on heating and cooling costs, one of the available solutions is replacing all single pane windows with double pane windows. As already mentioned, this is a significant investment, but you will benefit from reduced energy bills, increased safety, a more comfortable house, and an increased value of your property.
 

As the name denotes, double-pane windows have two panes of glass in every single window. There is a small space between the panes of glass designed to increase insulation. Generally, an inert gas such as argon or krypton is filled to the space left between the panes of glass to further boost the insulation. As a matter of fact, double pane window could be as much as 50% more energy efficient than its single-pane counterpart.
 

Triple Pane Windows
 

Triple pane windows are said to be 80 to 90 percent more energy efficient than single-pane windows. If you live an extremely cold climate, opting for a triple pane window rather than double pane windows is a prudent decision. In terms of cost, however, triple pane windows are more expensive than single and double pane windows. Even with their cost, they will provide you with maximum comfort and an energy efficient home.
 

With three layers of glass, triple pane windows prevent heat loss or gain through the window. The panes also stop UV-rays from penetrating through the glass to protect your carpet, curtains and furniture from fading.