Like a front door, windows are utilitarian but can also add a lot of personality to a home. They let in warmth and light and allow us to see out into our neighborhood.
There are several different styles of windows, such as single-hung, double-hung, casement, slider, etc., and different materials they can be made out of - wood, vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, composite, or a combo of those (e.g. wood-clad windows which are wood inside and a different material outside). Your home might have a combination of various styles and different materials.
While the type of maintenance for each window style varies a bit, most window materials are maintenance-free, except for wood. As you know by now, wood needs maintenance, especially when it’s exposed to Mother Nature's elements. Wood can warp, rot, and attract insects.
At its basic level, a window is a hole in your exterior wall. A hole that can 1) let moisture in and 2) let heat escape. Those factors can impact the stability of the exterior wall (moisture can rot the wood structure) and your utility bills. Both are potentially bigger issues than the ability to open a window for a bit of fresh air.
Yes, windows are important, and they do affect the value of your home. They should easily open and close, yet not contribute to high heating and cooling bills. From a maintenance standpoint, make sure you’re not just focusing on the ability to open and close the window or to look through it. Also, pay attention to the area around your windows so you can avoid high energy bills or a major (aka expensive) moisture issue.
NFRC Window Label
If you're shopping for new windows, there will be a sticker on the window that helps you compare the energy efficiency of different windows. The main ratings to evaluate are the U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. There are a couple of other ratings, but these are the main ones. For a complete explanation, visit nfrc.org.
- U-factor or U-value is a measurement of how well the window insulates. It’s the inverse of R-value (the measurement used with insulation). With R-value, a higher number means better insulating properties. But with U-factor, the lower the number, the better it insulates. A U-factor of 0.25 (a good window) has an R-value of 4.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (for low-e coating) is a percentage of the amount of heat and UV the window reflects. So, U-value is a measurement of the heat a window lets in, and Solar Heat Gain is heat that a window reflects.