Choosing The Best Windows For Your Home

If you’re in the market for a new set of windows for your home, you might be a bit bewildered by the incredible range of windows available to choose from. There are so many different styles from a range of different manufacturers, all designed for different purposes that it can be hard to make the right choice. We’ve put together some basic information to help you choose the best windows for your home and personal tastes.

Window Styles and Materials

The first thing you will want to consider is which style of window you want to install in your home. There are a number of commonly used window styles including single hung, double hung, picture, awning, slider, casement and bay. Each of these is well-suited to different purposes including simple aesthetics, providing ventilation or a great view of the outdoors. Single hung and double hung windows open from the bottom and top, respectively. A picture window is generally comprised of a single pane that does not open, allowing for a great view or additional light in your home. Awning windows open from the bottom and tilt out slightly, resembling an awning. Slider windows are designed to slide to one side when opened. A casement window swings open like a door and is operated with a crank that allows the window to be opened partially or fully. Bay windows typically jut out from the house and allow a wide view of the outside. Along with the style of window, you also have a range of materials to choose from including vinyl, wood, fiberglass and clad wood. Wood or clad wood windows are generally the most attractive style of window but consequently more expensive, while vinyl windows tend to be more functional than attractive, making them less expensive as a result.

Replacement Windows Or New Construction Windows

Another important consideration is whether you need replacement windows or new construction windows. The key difference here is that replacement windows can simply be installed into an existing window frame without any modifications to the frame. A new construction window is designed for installation in new homes and in existing homes where the frame needs to be rebuilt due to warping or damage. New construction windows are typically more expensive due to the extra labor involved in installing them.

Window Energy Efficiency

Your windows can significantly affect the energy efficiency of your home since they allow a good deal of heat transfer. Energy-efficient windows are designed to reduce this via a number of different mechanisms including multiple panes and reflective coatings. Depending on the climate you live in, you will want to look at each window’s U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient. The U-factor is a measurement of how much heat can leave your home through the window and the solar heat gain coefficient is a measurement of how much heat from the sun can pass through the window into your home. In most cases, you will want to select windows that have a very low U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient, since lower numbers indicate they are more effective. You may also want to look for Energy Star-compliant windows since these will have met federal energy-efficiency standards.

Installation and Maintenance

Choosing the right installer to install your new windows is also very important. Ideally, the installer you choose will have experience installing the type of window you have selected, ensuring that they can install it properly and ensure that the window frame is tightly sealed to prevent moisture intrusion. A replacement window is only as good as the installation. Maintenance is another important issue to keep in mind when it comes to new windows. Depending on the material you choose, you may have to stay on top of the maintenance in order to keep your windows in good shape, or your windows may require very little maintenance. In most cases, wood requires a good deal of maintenance to keep it in good shape since it is vulnerable to damage from the sun and weather, whereas vinyl is typically very low-maintenance. Depending on the manufacturer, you may have an extensive warranty that covers any defects or problems with the window, but it is important to research this before making a purchase.

Common Door Problems

The doors in your San Diego home will generally last for many years but they can develop a wide range of issues over time – either due to the way they were installed or other factors such as your home settling, humidity or even because your kids decided it was fun to try to ride on the door. We’ve put together a list of some common door problems to help you identify them and alleviate them if possible. However, we do recommend that any major door repairs or replacements be performed by a San Diego door company as they can ensure that your door will be repaired or installed correctly.

Sticking Doors

A door can begin to stick for various reasons including humidity which causes the door to swell over time. In most cases, the problem can be resolved by sanding or planing the spots that are causing the door to stick. The trouble spots can often be identified by marking the door with something such as lipstick that will rub off in the places where the door is sticking, clearly marking them.

Rubbing Doors

A door can begin to rub on the floor when it is opened or closed over time. If the floor is carpeted, this can eventually cause the carpet to wear down in that area. If the hinges are loose, this can be causing the door to sag, inducing the rubbing – you may need to tighten the screws. If this does not resolve the problem, you may need to take the door off its hinges and cut it down to size in order to make it fit correctly.

Squeaking Doors

The usual cause of a squeaking door is that the hinges need to be lubricated. Simply lubricating the hinges from the outside will probably work, but the problem will eventually return. In order to get the best results, the hinge pins should be removed completely and lubricated. The best way to do this is to use a hammer and screwdriver to drive the pin out of the hinge, then lubricate it as needed before placing it back into the hinge. Only one hinge should be removed at a time – otherwise the door could easily fall and rip the hinges out of the door or the jamb.

Door Won’t Latch

If the door isn’t latching correctly, the strike plate may be out of position. Typically, marking the bolt with lipstick and closing the door will mark the strike plate and indicate where it is out of position. You can then file the strike plate down just enough to provide clearance for the bolt and allow the door to latch correctly.

Door Is Drafty

If you have an entry door that you notice is drafty during the colder months, the door may need to be resealed. Recaulking the seams around the door is typically the first approach to resolving this problem – but you may also want to install a weatherstrip along the bottom of the door if there is a gap between it and the floor.

As always, any major door repairs should be handled by a professional San Diego door repair company – they can assist you with any issues you may be experiencing.

Common Window Problems

Your windows are normally a great addition to your home that bring in more natural light as well as providing a nice view of your yard and the surrounding neighborhood. However, when your windows aren’t working right, they can present some real problems for you – higher energy costs, letting in cold drafts, water damage or issues with keeping your home ventilated properly.

At Home Doors and Windows, we frequently get questions from homeowners about problems they’re having with their windows, so we’ve created this list to address some of the common issues you might experience:

My windows won’t open or close properly

A window not opening or closing properly can have many different causes but some of the more frequent reasons may include:
The window track requires lubrication. You can use a light oil or silicone spray to do this – it will lubricate the track without attracting more dirt or grime that can interfere with the proper operation of the window.

- You may need to replace the window hardware

- The house foundation has settled, warping the window frame. In this case, the window frame itself may need to be replaced.

I’m finding mold or water damage around my windows

There may be a leak in the frame or the caulking around the window that is allowing water to get in through the window. Inspect the window to see if the caulking is cracked or missing in places – you might need to recaulk. You should also make sure that all windows are closed tightly when it is raining.

My windows keep fogging up

Your home’s humidity may be too high. This can lead to other issues such as mildew over time, so it is highly recommended that you address the problem by using a dehumidifier or improving the ventilation in your home.

If you’re experiencing difficulty with your windows, call Home Doors and Windows today for assistance – we have over 20 years of experience in the industry and can help you with any issues you may be experiencing. We gladly provide free estimates on any window repair or window installation.

Energy-Efficient Windows

An excellent way to cut your energy costs this winter and during the summer is to replace your home’s windows with more energy-efficient windows. Home Doors and Windows is a leader in the window industry and offers a wide range of high-quality vinyl windows for homeowners – please contact us if you need help selecting new windows for your home or you have windows you would like to have repaired.

Why Get Energy-Efficient Windows?

Windows generally allow a lot of heat to enter or leave your home, which naturally increases your heating or cooling bills at various points of the year. Installing new energy-efficient windows won’t necessarily pay for itself immediately but you should see a drop in your energy costs right away and your home in general should be a lot more comfortable.

How Will Energy-Efficient Windows Help?

Windows transfer heat in and out of your home through 4 different processes: leakage, radiation, convection and conduction.

Leakage: The most common source of heat loss or gain – air slips through the cracks around the window if it is not sealed tightly.

Radiation: Heat moves through the window as infrared energy

Convection: The window pulls heat from the air surrounding it, which results in cool air sinking to the ground and causing a draft.

Conduction: The window passes heat directly through the panes.

An energy-efficient window prevents heat transfer through the window in a number of different ways. The most common design uses a double-paned setup with gas trapped between the two panes and a heat-reflecting coating on the outside of the window. The gas is usually argon or nitrogen, which don’t transfer heat very well and this combined with the double panes and low-E coating prevents a lot of heat coming through the windows either from inside or outside. Depending on where you actually live, you may find that a different design works better for your particular needs.

Which Energy-Efficient Windows To Buy?

Depending on the climate you live in, you will want to look at the window’s U-factor, which measures the window’s insulating capabilities – and the solar heat gain coefficient, which measures how much heat is allowed inside your home. Windows with a lower U-factor are ideal for colder climates but the solar heat gain coefficient should be higher. For a hotter climate, you will want to look at the solar heat gain coefficient instead – the U-factor is much less important.

Door and Window Services

Keeping your doors and windows in good repair is important for many reasons including the security of your home and to ensure that your home is as energy-efficient as possible. Home Doors and Windows has been specializing in home and window repairs for over 20 years and provides complete repair services to customers in San Diego, Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. To receive a free estimate on any window or door repair or installation service, please call us today. We service all major brands of doors and windows including Pella, Marvin, Jeld-Wen and many others.

Door Services

Home Doors and Windows repairs and installs both interior and exterior doors. Your front door is important as one of the first things people see when they come to your home – and it is a very common entry point for burglars. We can help you select a new door that not only improves your curb appeal but makes it much more difficult to kick in or otherwise damage. Interior doors help maintain privacy as well as blocking noise and light from traveling through your home, making it very important to keep them in good repair as well.

We fix rubbing doors, out-of-plumb doors, door weatherstripping, misaligned door plates and much more – call today to receive a free estimate on any service.

Window Services

If you’re experiencing difficulty with your windows or you would like to replace them, please call us for assistance. We have experience with a wide range of window-related issues including broken hardware, out-of-plumb frames, condensation and much more.

In addition, we also install new windows for homeowners. We stock a wide selection of excellent windows from the leading manufacturers and can make a recommendation based on your needs. Replacing your windows can noticeably reduce your energy costs over the long term by reducing the amount of heat that transfers through your windows – effectively keeping your home warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer and reducing the amount of energy required to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.