You may not realize it, but your windows could be costing you money and putting your family’s safety at risk.
“Homeowners should do extensive research when selecting windows for their homes,” advises Ken Kubus, with Simonton Windows. “The right windows can defend against severe weather and potential intruders while increasing your home’s energy efficiency, so explore your options.”
Kubus offers these tips to anyone building a new home, or replacing windows in a cherished older home:
Protect Your Investment
Build for the future by giving your home an invisible security system. If you live in an area prone to active children or potential crime, order windows with tempered safety glass. Two panes of glass are adhered to a durable plastic interlayer, much like a car windshield. So, if a stray baseball hits a window, the glass will shatter, but broken pieces remain adhered to the interlayer, preventing glass fallout inside. The plastic interlayer is also puncture-resistant, frustrating potential intruders.
Weather the Storm
Are your windows doing enough to protect your family from inclement weather? Weather patterns in North America are in flux, so even if your windows seemed durable a few decades ago, that same glass may not do the job today.
No matter where you live, opt for products that have been tested and can tolerate repeated blows by a heavy object. For example, Simonton StormBreaker Plus vinyl windows feature double-strength glass that’s laminated and a frame that’s reinforced with steel, so they are able to withstand high winds and flying debris without the need for plywood or shutters. And houses constructed with Simonton ProFinish Brickmould 600 windows and doors with the SafePoint impact-resistant glass package don’t need to be boarded up before storms, ideal for any homeowner wishing to avoid this stressful task.
Beyond protecting your home and loved ones, there’s an added financial incentive to using impact-resistant glass -- some insurance companies will even give homeowners a discount for choosing this option.
Tamper Sound
Avoid sleepless nights no matter how heavily trafficked your street is or how loud your neighbor’s dog barks with laminated glass in your windows. Laminated glass, such as the SafePoint glass package, can lower sound transmission by 50 percent over standard windows. Check the product’s Sound Transmission Classification rating, which measures the ability of sound waves to penetrate walls.
Energy Efficiency
If you’re building a new home, do your research up front and select the best vinyl windows you can for long-term, low maintenance enjoyment. Energy efficient windows can significantly lower your bills throughout the year while keeping your interior comfortable. Opt for windows made of vinyl, which is an excellent insulator and request an ENERGY STAR qualified glass package for your area.
By investigating your options, you can find windows that add value to your home and give you peace of mind.
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