How to Choose the Right Window

We know that planning a new home or renovation can feel overwhelming at times. Windows come in a huge variety of types, with many options for style and energy efficiency. We can help you narrow down your choices to what you really need and take the stress out. Below is a checklist of 15 things to think about when shopping for windows.

Checklist

1. Material Type. The most common materials used for windows are vinyl, wood, clad-wood and aluminum. For wood, nearly 90 percent of the market is pine, which can be stained to look like many species. Other species available from JELD-WEN include fir, alder and mahogany. To choose the material that will work best, homeowners should consider the architectural style of their home along with energy efficiency, budget and maintenance requirements.

In general, Custom Wood Windows offer the most design flexibility. Primed wood can be painted in any shade and cladding comes in many color choices. However, increasingly versatile vinyl can appear quite similar to many popular wood moulding styles and can blend with classic architectural styles. Aluminum is typically selected for contemporary homes in warmer regions.

View Windows by Material: Aluminum, Vinyl, Wood

2. Energy Efficiency. A combination of factors contribute to the energy efficiency of windows. Wood and vinyl reduce heat transfer and help insulate. Look for Low-E glass, a special glass coating designed to reflect infared light, keeping heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. Low-E also reflects ultraviolet light to protect interior furnishings. Dual glass panes insulate much better than single panes. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label, which means the window will meet the efficiency requirements for your particular region.

3. Type. Casement, awning, single-hung, double-hung and sliding windows are available in many shapes and sizes, including radius and geometric, and combination units. When choosing the type of a window, first consider practical factors such as how it opens, then consider aesthetic options such as how it will affect the curb appeal of your home. Picking the right opening method may depend on whether there are obstacles, such as furniture or plants, on either side.

4. Budget. In general, wood is more expensive than vinyl or aluminum, and may require more maintenance. JELD-WEN also offers different pricing scales within its window lines – from Custom and Select, to more modest, Standard options. When it comes to budget, consider the long term value beyond the initial purchase price. Energy efficiency and a longer warranty can all help save maintenance and replacement costs over time. Resale value is also a key consideration – beautiful, more efficient windows are a big selling feature.

5. Maintenance. In the past, wood has required more maintenance than vinyl or aluminum. In fact, vinyl is virtually maintenance free. However, for homeowners that want real wood with less maintenance, JELD-WEN has spearheaded a number of innovations. Windows with AuraLast The Worry-Free Wood^® feature a proprietary process that protects the wood against rot and termites, all the way to the core. Cladding is an aluminum “cap” that covers the exterior of some wood window and comes in an array of different colors. It never needs painting, and the interior side can remain un-clad to display the natural beauty of wood. We estimate that nearly 90 percent of our wood windows are sold with cladding.

For the glass, our Wood Windows come with optional Neat^® glass that has a layer of titanium dioxide and reacts with the sun’s UV rays (even on cloudy days) to break down and loosen dirt. This allows rainwater to easily rinse away grime. A thin layer of silicon dioxide lets water disperse evenly and evaporate quickly, which greatly reduces spots.

View Windows by Maintenance: Aluminum, Vinyl, Wood

6. Replacement Solutions. If you are replacing your old wood and aluminum windows, then vinyl is the most popular choice today. The easy-to-install pocket replacement window made popular in vinyl is now available in reliable AuraLast The Worry-Free Wood. Our wood and clad-wood double-hung pocket windows are designed for installation into existing window frames. The process is simple, quick, and preserves more of the home’s structure, which is especially important to historic buildings. Experienced DIYers who replace existing windows with pocket windows or sash replacement kits can save as much as 60 percent on material, time and labor costs when compared to traditional window replacements.

View: Vinyl, Wood Windows

7. Climate and Geographic Requirements. Wet, humid, hot, severe storms, salty air – different climates have different needs when it comes to the material and glass choices for windows. Other factors to consider include privacy, sound control, home safety and issues such as moisture or termites. In particular, residents in coastal zones that experience hurricanes may need to meet strict, local building standards. We offer a variety of options to meet any standard in the country.

8. Optional Features. Add style and functionality to your windows with a variety of optional features, especially for our Custom Windows. For example, for screens, JELD-WEN offers integrated Phantom Screens^® Technology that allows the screen to roll up and out of sight when not in use, as well as UltraVue™ and BetterVue™ screens which is a finer mesh that allows for better views.  Hardware finishes and wood species preferences are important to consider for wood windows. Vinyl window options include adding grilles between the glass (GBGGBGGrilles Between the Glass) and rollaway screens. By ordering these options as part of a new window package you can saved money and avoid costly add-ons later.

9. Reliability. Warranties are important: proper installation and following the manufacturer’s specific maintenance requirements are a must to maintain warranties and keep windows looking and performing beautifully for years to come. JELD-WEN offers an industry-leading 20-year warranty on its wood windows built with AuraLast The Worry-Free Wood, 10 years on aluminum windows, and a limited lifetime warranty on energy efficient, low maintenance vinyl windows.

Read About our Warranties

10. Accessibility & Safety. We offer a variety of window types, handles, cranks and locks that are ADA compliant or recommended for home owners with limited mobility. If you have small children, then you may want consider the distance between the bottom of the window and the floor, especially on upper stories, If you are a Do-It-Yourselfer, then be sure to research local building codes, which may have additional requirements, before planning your project.

11. Privacy. JELD-WEN offers a variety of textured and tinted glass for windows that provides privacy while still allowing natural light to enter. Clear glass can still be private with optional blinds between the glass now offered for many of our vinyl patio doors. Given that the blinds are thermally sealed between clear insulating glass, this option provides healthy home benefits as they require less dusting and reduce exposure to allergens. They also help reduce fading of interior furnishings and increase energy efficiency. Available with clear insulating glass only.

12. Noise reduction. JELD-WEN ImpactGard^® protection also offers benefits beyond severe storm protection. Sound transmission is reduced. Compared to a single pane of glass that has a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of around 27, an insulated laminated glass unit can achieve an STC rating of up to 35, which has the ability to block even loud construction noises. Even without laminated glass, there are other options for reducing sound transmission with insulated replacement windows.

13. Security. Consider glass strength and the locking mechanism. Most JELD-WEN windows meet forced entry test requirements. Other technologies such as Low-E glass use thicker double strength glass, which is twice as resistant to breakage compared to single strength glass. Our vinyl windows with the MAG-Lock^® have a locking mechanism with a tamper-resistant design that is easy to operate with one hand, locks automatically when shut, and can’t be seen from the outside, which offers additional protection. ImpactGard protection, made for extreme weather conditions, also provides added security.

14. Termites. Termites can be found in nearly every state in the nation, causing billions of dollars worth of damage to buildings and homes. Choose a material specifically designed to prevent insect damage, such as JELD-WEN Wood Windows with AuraLast The Worry-Free Wood, or vinyl or aluminum windows.

15. Green Building. In addition to energy efficient windows, JELD-WEN offers windows made from sustainable materials, such as Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI^®) certified wood. Green building also encourages home builders and owners to take advantage of natural process for heating and cooling. When planning your windows, consider which direction they face to maximize use of sunlight and shade.

You can reduce your reliance on air conditioning by taking advantage of natural air currents. Hot air rises, and cool air sinks. If you have double-hung windows, open the top sashes on the sunny or warmest side of the room, and the bottom sashes on the cooler side: this will create a cross-breeze. The same principal may be applied to different floors in your house. Open the top floor windows on the hottest side of the house, and the bottom floor windows on the coolest side. Ceiling or window fans can also help, and still use less energy than air conditioning.

Additional Information

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