Choosing the Best Energy-Saving Windows in San Diego

When installing new windows, knowing what to look for is essential. It can help you benefit from energy efficiency, improved comfort, and a higher selling price for your home. Also, the best choices often depend on the window’s purpose, your personal style, and your budget. Taking into account a few considerations will help you find the right energy-saving windows for a San Diego home.

Here are a few window features to look at:

Number of Panes

Older windows typically have a single pane or just one panel of glass. Double-pane windows have two layers of glass. Between them is a gas that resists heat transfer. Conditioned air is more effectively kept inside and you’re less likely to feel a wave of cold near the window. Triple-pane windows provide an upgrade, as they have three layers of glass and an extra gap of air/gas.

Low-E Glazing

An invisible coating, Low-E can be applied on the inside or outside of the glass pane. Methods differ depending on the window manufacturer. Low-E is thinner than the width of a human hair and efficiently reduces heat transfer. It can even reflect sunlight, which is ideal in the sunny conditions San Diego is known for. Infrared and ultraviolet (UV) light are blocked, preventing heat buildup from the sun and issues that UV light can cause, such as faded carpets and furniture.

Filler Gas

As we’ve seen, energy efficiency isn’t all about glass. Energy-saving windows usually have argon between panes, which is denser than air and increases the window’s thermal efficiency. These windows also block out noise. If you need a window that’s even more efficient, the space can be filled with krypton gas that’s denser than argon.

Frame Type

There are lots of frame materials to choose from. Each has pros and cons but style, durability, and affordability are often deciding factors. The most common frame materials include:

• Wood: Provides natural beauty and is easily sized, shaped, and painted. Wood is also long-lasting and is an effective insulator; it can dampen noise as well. However, initial costs are high and wood is susceptible to insects, pets, warping, rotting, and other issues unless well-protected. 

• Vinyl: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) frames are airtight and efficient. They require little maintenance and are easy to clean. Despite the limited color options, vinyl is also UV-resistant and will not corrode or rot. It can last up to 20 years; meanwhile, it’s less expensive than wood to install.

• Aluminum: Lightweight and strong, aluminum can support large windows. A narrow frame allows for a more expansive view, while baked-on finishes allow for a choice of designs. However, aluminum can corrode when exposed to saltwater.

• Fiberglass: Reinforced glass fibers and resin create a strong, durable material. Fiberglass can imitate wood and its foam-filled core makes it highly efficient. It’s also low maintenance, not damaged by moisture, and withstands heat very well (making it great for energy-saving windows in San Diego).

Window Style

There’s a wide variety of window styles. They include single-hung windows that have just one opening pane and one fixed pane. However, double-hung windows can be operated by opening the top half down, sliding the bottom half up, or both. They tilt out easily for maintenance.

Casement windows attach to the frame on the sides and swing out to the side. No support beams block the view. However, a pair of operating panes that meet in the middle can be ordered. Awning windows are a variation of this style and open up and out, so you can open the pane to get a breeze, even if it’s raining. They’re often installed near countertops and furniture. 

Other styles include picture windows (fixed windows) that cannot be opened. Yet, they provide a large, unobstructed view. There is no visible frame. Meanwhile, multi-pane windows can consist of numerous individual small panes of glass or a large pane with a grid insert to mimic the look of multiple panes. Bay windows consist of a group of three panes that protrude from an exterior wall, while bow windows do the same with four or five panes in a more rounded shape.

Location

Regional conditions can affect what materials are most efficient in a certain area. Some materials are more suited for homes in hot, humid climates, while others are more effective where it’s cooler. Speak with a professional to determine which energy-saving windows in San Diego are most suited for your home.

Contact Window World of San Diego

No matter how well-built and designed a window is, nothing will guarantee energy efficiency more than quality installation. Window World of San Diego can assist with all your exterior remodeling needs. Also as doors and siding experts, we’re able to install windows that improve efficiency, curb appeal, and quality of life. Our visualizer helps fine-tune your home improvement project. You can also obtain financing through the Window World Credit Card program. 

To learn more about your options and our energy-saving window products, including double-hung windows, sliding windows, casement windows, and more, call 760-230-8909 today.