The need for replacement windows in the Southern US is driven by the climate's effect on the exterior of the home, deteriorating the finish of all exterior materials, especially single pane wood windows. These selection tips are based upon our experiences remodeling and renovating homes.
Historically homes in the Southern states have been of the traditional colonial style. The long standing term often used to describe a southern home was "five, four, and a door", of course this meant five windows on the front upper facing façade, four equal sized windows below and then the front door. This type of architect and the many thousands of homes that followed used a window style known as the double hung window, with some fixed non-operational windows mixed in. A homeowner wanting to improve the energy efficiency, comfort and noise level in the home, the major choices for replacement windows can be divided into three material categories:
- Wood Windows:
Maintain the original architectural feel, look and design of the home
Able to exactly match the paint or stain both inside and outside of the home
Want the look and feel of wood
- PVC- Vinyl Windows:
No maintenance- this window type never needs painting
Weather-tight and very dimensionally stable do not change shape with temperature extremes
Improve the energy efficiency of your home
- Wood Clad windows:
No maintenance exterior with colors can be closely matched your existing exterior colors, trim or siding
Can paint or stain the interior to match your home's décor
Want the look and feel of wood
- In Place Sash Replacement System
The most cost effective way to deal with replacing existing windows that rattle, leak in air, dust, bugs and may be rotting is to use an in-place sash replacement system. In our renovation and remodeling experiences this system is a very cost effective noninvasive way to achieve the improvements desired in efficiency without breaking the bank. The sash replacement systems available today should be installed by a qualified contractor experienced in house framing, trim carpentry, moisture intrusion prevention techniques, exterior siding replacement, and overall project management skills.
- Glass type
All windows sold today are as a minimum double paned, and have special glass called Low-e. The space between the two panes of glass is often filled with Argon gas. Other exotic gas are offered at a higher cost, but the combination of Argon and Low-e coating is the most cost effective solution for renovation of windows in the Southern U.S.
The final choice for your home should be based on your budget, your homes architectural appearance and paint or stain consideration. Any of the three materials available today will provide many years of lower energy bills and comfort when properly installed by a remodeling contractor.
About this Author
Lon Kole is a new house construction expert in Atlanta Remodeling, Atlanta renovations, Atlanta new home building. Having started in the construction management field as an on-site construction builder, Lon has seen it all. Problems with house today are most often traced to poor construction techniques employed by Atlanta Homebuilder. See his continuing series of House problem and at fixes at http://www.Kcibuilt.com
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