Replacing Your Windows: What to Know Before You Start

Give your Northern Virginia home a whole new look with a custom window replacement. Vienna, VA, locals trust Nova Exteriors to install their new windows because we draw upon decades of combined experience in the window business. Discover some of the things you should know before you start a window replacement project in Vienna, VA, from the team at Nova Exteriors.

Style

Before you start shopping for windows, take a step outside and look at your home. Try to envision what your home might look like with different types of windows and narrow it down to two or three options. Discover some of the most popular window styles below.

Picture Windows

Frame a scenic view of your yard with a large picture window! Consisting of a single piece of glass, picture windows offer an unobstructed view of the outdoors. However, picture windows do not open, so homeowners often install their picture windows in rooms that provide sufficient ventilation.

Casement Windows

The simplicity of casement windows allows them to open outward on hinges attached to the side of the frame. Homeowners should ensure that no obstructions exist outside their homes before attempting to open their casement windows. You will often encounter single and double casement windows, including casement windows installed adjacent to picture windows.

Bay and Bow Windows

You can create additional space in your home with bay and bow windows. Most people know how bay windows look. They protrude outward from the exterior wall, usually in the shapes of a trapezoid or rectangle. Bow windows also extend from a building. However, they consist of more windows than a bay window, so they create an arc. Both styles can add to your field of view.

Double-Hung Windows

The installation of modern, double-hung windows remains one of the most popular home improvement projects. Double-hung windows offer superior versatility because they have two sashes that move independently.

Many modern double-hung windows also prove easier to clean because the sashes also open inward, allowing you to clean both sides of the windows from inside your home.

Single-Hung Windows

Everyone has encountered single-hung windows at some point. They possess a single sash that slides up and down to open and close. In most cases, they open from the bottom. Single-hung windows may remain the most common type of window because 20th-century builders installed them in almost every home until the advent of double-hung windows.

Sliding Windows

Another common type of window, sliding windows open from left to right or vice versa. Oftentimes, sliding windows operate with two movable sashes so you can open the left side, right side, or a little bit of both. Homeowners often install sliding windows in bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens because they open easily.

Folding Windows

Most people have never seen folding windows because homeowners rarely install them. However, they offer a distinct style similar to folding doors and can open wider than almost any other window. Consider installing folding windows in any room that provides a fantastic view or requires more ventilation.

Hopper and Awning Windows

Hopper and awning windows belong in the same category because they are identical. Both swing open on a horizontal hinge. However, hopper windows open inward at the top, and awning windows open outward from the bottom, creating a glass overhang. You’ll find hopper windows in most basements and awning windows in almost any setting.

Safety

Homeowners should consider a handful of safety concerns when determining the type of windows they will buy. If you have children, you may wish to purchase windows that prove harder to open. Consumers with concerns about burglaries will need to find the most secure types of windows.

Child Safety

Windows that open outward pose the most risk to children because the momentum they generate to open the window sometimes carries them outside. If the window sits on the second floor or higher, it could pose a significant risk to toddlers and small children. Consider purchasing windows with child-safety features or buy some aftermarket safety devices.

Home Security

While picture windows will always remain the most secure type of window, most homeowners want all of their windows to open. Windows so small that no one can slip through will also keep your home safer. However, of the windows big enough for a human to pass through, the casement window proves most secure because its control lever remains indoors.

Energy Efficiency

Save the environment and keep more money in your pocket with energy-efficient windows! Modern windows have become so advanced that you can choose how much heat your windows transmit. You can select windows that allow lots of heat inside but let out very little. Aside from the energy-efficiency ratings of your glass panes, the frames will determine how much energy you waste.

Wood

For now, wood remains king of the insulative materials in the window business. However, wood requires the most maintenance and repairs. The window industry will continue to reformulate synthetic materials until one emerges that can compete with wood.

Vinyl

Vinyl windows perform almost as well as wood when regulating the temperatures inside your home. In recent decades, the popularity of vinyl frames has exploded due to their durability, affordability, and energy efficiency. Only aluminum performs better than vinyl when weathering harsh conditions for over a few decades.

Aluminum

One of the most trusted materials for quality window frames since the 20th century, aluminum frames stand the test of time. Resistant to rust and corrosion, aluminum will last for a long time with minimal maintenance. The one issue with aluminum window frames is that they can get bent, which sometimes affects their ability to function.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass window frames provide excellent insulation and withstand the elements with ease. Much like the fiberglass insulation used in walls and attics, fiberglass window frames will make your home more energy efficient. However, due to the manufacturing process of fiberglass windows, fiberglass repairs sometimes cost more than new windows made from other materials.

Nova Exteriors: Your Complete Home Solution

Give your entire home a facelift with high-quality home improvement services from Nova Exteriors. As the premier home exterior company, we perform a wide variety of professional services. If you need new windows in your home, our veteran installers can help you choose and install your windows in a snap. Call us at (703) 991-0063 for a window installation in Vienna, VA.

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