Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Replacement Windows in San Mateo
How do I know if my home needs new windows?
Answer the following questions in order to determine if you need new windows:
- Are your windows hard to open or close?
- Do you feel drafts or detect air leaking around the windows?
- Do your windows rattle on windy days?
- Is your home always too hot in summer or too cold in winter?
- Do you find excessive condensation on the interior of your window panes?
- Are your old wood frames rotting?
- Are you paying too much for energy to heat and cool your home?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, the time has probably come to consider replacing your windows.
How can I tell if my windows are energy efficient?
Today’s windows include a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) rating on the labels. This will tell you the U-factor for the window, which is a measurement of the window’s resistance to heat and cold transfer. For the highest efficiency, look for the lowest U-factor to indicate the slowest rate of heat flow for the best insulating quality.
What is a double-glazed window?
A double glazed window has two panes of glass with several millimeters of space between them. The air that is trapped between the panes provides insulation that considerably reduces the heat loss experienced with single pane windows. This results in substantial savings in energy costs that will pay for this window feature in time. Double-glazed windows also reduce outside noise and increase security, since they are more difficult to break into.
I keep hearing ads claiming that new windows pay for themselves. Is this true?
If your home has older, single-pane glass windows that no longer properly seal, then the answer is yes! According to the United States Department of Energy, the average home loses as much as fifty percent of its heating and cooling efficiency through the windows. Your climate control costs can be as much as forty percent of your total energy usage. This means that the replacement of old windows with Energy Star windows will start saving considerable money on your energy bills, from the moment the installation is complete. These savings will indeed pay for those windows in time. Replacement windows will also increase your property value as a major improvement feature when it comes time to sell your home.
