Window Placement

The placement of windows and glass doors on certain walls can determine the kind of natural light that enters your home, and even the temperature inside your home.

For instance:

• South-facing windows are well suited for comforting solar heat in the winter.
• North-facing windows do not typically bring in direct sunlight or solar heat but rather cooler, muted light.
• East- and west-facing windows tend to receive more sunshine in the summer than in the winter, potentially bringing uncomfortable solar heat gain.
• In general, all south- and west-facing windows are more susceptible to solar heat gain, depending on shading conditions such as trees, adjacent buildings, overhanging rooflines or awnings.

As noted above, all windows are subjected to solar heat gain and loss depending on direction, reflective surfaces or shading options. Always consider energy efficient factors when determining the placement and style of windows in your home. Energy efficient windows and doors will help your home stay comfortable year-round.

Read more: Learn about energy efficiency and the different types of ratings and terms.

Read more: Find the best product for your region by looking for the ENERGY STAR® label.

Door Placement

Both the climate and the direction your doors face play a key role in determining the lasting beauty of products. Proper protection for doors is crucial.

• Direction. Typically, southern and western exposures are harshest. Facing south, the door is subjected to sun from sunrise to sunset. Facing west, the door receives sunlight in the hottest part of the day.
• Door color. Color choice may affect how quickly the exterior of the door weathers in extreme climates. In general, darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors. Depending on the exposure and environment, other precautions (such as overhangs) should be taken to protect the door from the effects of the sun.
• Storm door considerations. A storm door provides additional protection for an exterior door in some climates. It shelters the door primarily from rain and wind, though a storm door with dual-pane Low-E glass will also block UV rays. In hot climates, adding a storm door may not be a good choice, as heat builds up between the two doors and can cause substantial damage like warping, color fading, and wood joint separation.

• Overhang protection. The protection you provide to your exterior door is a major factor in its maintenance requirements and longevity. An overhang, as shown, is a necessity to prolong the life of wood doors and is beneficial for steel and fiberglass doors, too. Overhangs protect the door's finish, minimize the need for refinishing and help keep the elements out of the home.

Read more: Review our Appropriate Protection guidelines to determine the correct overhang for your door.

Coastal and Humid Climates

Lighthouses are constantly exposed to the rigors of coastal weather — as such, they are great places to test the reliability of JELD-WEN windows and doors. After all, if windows and doors withstand the elements at lighthouses, they’ll perform in your home too.

Read more: Learn about JELD-WEN’s Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative.

Climates that are wet or humid can be a challenge, requiring more maintenance for windows and doors, including regular repainting and touch-ups. Windows that won't need painting, such as vinyl and wood windows with exterior metal cladding, are good choices. Hardware can also be damaged. For lasting performance including resistance to damage by sea air and harsh coastal conditions, choose coastal hardware for your windows and doors.

Another consideration in coastal climates is wood rot. JELD-WEN Wood windows and patio doors made with AuraLast® Wood are guaranteed not to rot for 20 years and offer superior resistance to moisture saturation.

Read more: Download our Coastal Selections brochure to learn more.

High Winds

In hurricane-prone regions, not just any window will do. During a severe storm, a broken window can affect a home’s structural integrity. Choose windows and glass doors that are engineered to stand up to the conditions. Look for optional features, such as
JELD-WEN’s ImpactGard® protection, that are designed to resist impacts from windborne debris and keep windows sealed and intact during storms so even if the glass cracks, the fragments adhere to the interlayer and the shards remain within the frame.

The added protection from ImpactGard® also helps reduce sound transmission, block harmful UV rays, and enhance home security.

Read more: Find JELD-WEN window and door products and building code information specific to your coastal region.