Windows and doors are an important aspect in the exterior aesthetics of your home and can make a significant improvement in your home’s curb appeal. With so many options and varieties to choose from, many homeowners are overwhelmed by the window and door selection process. Here are some important things you should know to source the best windows and doors for your home.

Window and Door Casing Materials

Older homes are commonly fitted with windows comprised of wood casing. While wood-framed windows offered a more affordable solution for older homes, the modern standard for window and door casing in most cases is vinyl. Vinyl window and door casing is the preferred standard as they offer higher energy efficiency, greater structural integrity, and they are much more resilient to the harsh effects of the environment, maintaining their original appearance much longer than wood window frames, with little to no maintenance.

Window Panes

With older homes, single-paned windows is also a commonality, meaning the window is comprised of only one layer of glass. The new standard for windows is double-paned glass and some homeowners with high efficiency on their list, choose triple-paned glass. The extra layers of glass provide a stronger barrier against the exterior environment, reducing noise pollution and increasing the energy efficiency of your home.

Window Glaze and Coating

Most modern window varieties offer window glaze and coating options to deliver further improvements on energy efficiency as well as elevated design, privacy and improved security. Window glaze and coatings can also help reduce your environmental impact, with “Low-E glass” and some varieties that actually use natural solar energy absorbed through the glass to help heat your home, offering you cost savings in the long run.

R-Values

R-values play an important part in a window or door’s energy rating. The R-value refers to the window and door’s resistance to heat transfer through the material. The higher the R-value, the higher the window or door’s resistance to heat, and the more energy efficient it will be. R-values for windows can rate anywhere from R-2 to nearly R-7, with a higher rating offering better heat resistance and insulation. Triple-paned windows and those treated with solar guards to defend against incoming heat and sunlight will provide the best insulation and energy efficiency for your home.

TriLink Builders is a trusted, professional residential home builder serving the Calgary area. In order to source the best windows and doors for your home, TriLink works with Supreme Windows here in Calgary as its exclusive window and door supplier. To learn more about the windows and doors available or to discuss incorporating elegant, energy-efficient windows and doors into your home building project, contact TriLink Builders today. At TriLink Builders we provide our Clients with our builder pricing which in turn means great cost-saving options for you!

We’ll be at the Calgary Renovation Show coming in January 2017 at the BMO Centre Stampede Park January 13 – 15.  Visit us at booth 221, we’d love to meet you!