For new homeowners who are looking for ways to invest in their property that will not only improve their standard of living but also add durable valuable to their house, is to turn to window and door replacement.
While outfitting your home with new windows and doors requires significant up-front capital investment, it is one of the most durable improvements you can make, one that immediately transfers into increased resale value. And for those who opt to replace old windows and doors with new, energy efficient models, the benefit isn’t just a more pleasant living space and improved curb appeal: it’s also a significantly lower heating bill.
If you are thinking about upgrading your windows and doors, however, there are a few things you need to bear in mind. Window and door quality ranges widely, and finding the right option at the right price is impossible if you don’t know what to look out for.
To that end, here is a short guide to familiarize you with the latest energy efficient window and door technology:
Look for the R-Rating
The R-Rating is a measuring system designed to inform consumers about how much insulation a product offers. For example, a simple pane of glass offers a very low R-rating: only 0.03. The best energy efficient windows, on the other hand, come with much high R-ratings. The EcoSmart glass provided by companies like EcoTech Windows and Doors, on the other hand, provide an R9 rating which far surpasses CSA standards.
Triple-Glazed Windows
Triple glazed, or triple-pane windows, provide three layers of protection against the elements. They are currently the most advanced form of insulated window available for residential buildings. Many triple-glazed windows also benefit from having the air pockets between panes filled with an insulating gas like argon to provide an even more impermeable barrier to cold outside air.
Foam-Filled Frames
Window efficiency isn’t just about glass — the frame matters, too, and windows with foam-filled frames ensure that there are no cracks, gaps, or weak points where cold air can get in.
Look for Energy Star Approval
Finally, one of the best ways to make sure that what you are buying meets modern industry standards of efficiency is to look for the seal of the Energy Star program. The Energy Star Seal guarantees that the product you are buying exceeds current regulatory standards.
Owning your own home has long been a great way of building equity, and investing in improvements that will make your house worth more, in the long run, is one of the best ways to spend your money — especially if it means making changes that will improve overall comfort and liveability.
If you are thinking about replacing your windows and doors, make sure you purchase high-quality energy-efficient options that will contribute to the value of your home for years to come.
