It’s time to do something about those older residential windows. Along with making sure you hire professionals who can take care of the Edmonton window replacement, there’s the need to choose the best replacement windows. Doing so ensures that you’ll get decades of reliable performance from them. As you start to weigh the options, keep the following four tips in mind.
Tell the Contractor What You Do and Don’t Like About the Old Windows
The contractor who will handle the replacement window installation is one of the best resources you could tap into. Tell the professional everything that you like about the current windows. That may include the fact that you like the general style, one or more of the features were great when they worked right, and the number of panes happens to let in plenty of light.
At the same time, point out anything that you don’t like about the current windows. Maybe they’re hard to keep clean, or the amount of maintenance is getting to be more than you can handle. Whatever is not to your liking, rest assured the contractor will have some ideas of how to avoid them with the new windows.
Be Open to Going With a Different Window Style
Most home designs allow enough flexibility to accommodate more than one window style. In fact, there may be several styles that would work equally well for your house. It pays to explore those and see which ones would be more to your liking.
For example, you may love the idea of going with windows with sliding sashes rather than the types that move up and down. Did you know that sliding windows can also include a tilting feature? Think of what that would mean in terms of being able to clean the glass with greater ease.
And Different Materials
The fact that the present windows are made with wood doesn’t mean the new ones have to follow suit. There are plenty of options for vinyl and aluminum windows to consider. There are plenty of all these windows made in Canada, so you won’t be limited to only a few style options.
The contractor can help you compare the merits of each option for window materials. It won’t take long to figure out which one offers the right combination of benefits and confirm that the window style you want is available in that material.
Always Check the Energy Star Ratings
Do confirm the Energy Star rating for any windows that you choose. A superior rating means that the windows provide more protection from the elements. You’ll also find that it takes less energy to maintain the desired temperature indoors.
This is especially helpful during the summer and winter months. Even on the hottest summer day or the coldest winter night, the indoor temperature will be to your liking. Best of all, the quality of the windows means it will take less energy to maintain that temperature. You’ll see the difference every month when your utility bills arrive.
Remember that new windows are a major investment in the home. Ask plenty of questions and weigh all the choices carefully. With the right decision, you’ll enjoy those replacement windows for a long time to come.
