Buying a Window, Door or Skylight.
Choosing the right window, door or skylight can be a complex process with lots of variables and information to sort through. Not only is there curb appeal to consider, but maintenance and energy efficiency are important for your well being.
If your window replacement is for a Southern exposure you may want to consider an ENERGY STAR® rated product with Low-E glazing. On the other hand a Western facing front door without an overhang is going to be punished by the elements and require regular maintenance. And these are just a few of the things you’ll consider prior to making a purchase.
With that in mind, we’ve asked our experts and put together some of the best advice on buying a window, door or skylight.
How to Choose a Window
What to consider when buying windows
Windows provide light, ventilation and a view outside. Energy efficient windows help control heating and cooling as an integral part of a passive solar home design. Installing new energy efficient windows will enhance the look of your home and improve your personal comfort while controlling the noise of the city.
If you are planning windows for new construction it’s important to select, orient and size glass to minimize solar heat gain in the summer and maximize it in the winter.
Style & Function
There are basically six window styles to choose from; Single- and Double-Hung, Casement, Sliding or Glider, Fixed or Picture Window, Awning (opens bottom), and Hopper (opens top). Generally when choosing a window the way a window looks and functions should be in keeping with the architectural style of your home and your personal taste.
Double-Hung
A common window design where both sashes slide vertically in a double-hung window and only the bottom sash slides upward in a single-hung window.
Casement
Hinged at the sides and opening outward, casements generally have a tight seal because the sash closes securely by pressing against the window frame minimizing air leakage.
Sliding
Also known as a slider, this window type opens horizontally. In a single sliding window only one sash slides horizontally and both sashes slide horizontally in a double sliding window.
Fixed / Picture
A large picture window is great for enjoying a spectacular view or keeping an eye on the kids in the backyard. Fixed panes don’t open, they are airtight and come in many shapes and sizes.
Awning
Hinged at the top and opening outward at the bottom. Awning windows have a tight seal because the sash closes by pressing against the frame.
Hopper
Hinged at the bottom and opening inward at the top. Like awning and casement windows, the sash closes by pressing against the frame forming a tight seal.
Fixed windows can be used in combination with other window styles should your design include a wall of windows or you require room ventilation.
Materials
The type of material used in the construction of the window frame determines how the window will perform, how long it will last, and how it looks on the inside and outside. Frame materials in use today are wood, fiberglass, aluminum and vinyl. Keep in mind each material insulates differently and contributes to the overall energy efficiency of the window.
Some window manufacturers use a combination of materials, like a wood interior for appearance and a fiberglass exterior for durability and low maintenance. Exterior cladding is also available for wood and some vinyl windows, providing additional protection from the elements with virtually no maintenance required.
- ENERGY STAR® Rated Windows
- - Help reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
- - Deliver savings on energy costs.
- - Provide more personal comfort.
- - Windows create less condensation.
- - Furnishings protected from sun damage.
Features
Features and upgrades can add that custom look or personal touch to any window project. You can bring out the best of a window design and add curb appeal by adding grills or divided lites. And your choice of hardware can provide ease of operational use and compliment your décor. Upgrades can also include glazing options, exotic wood species and finishes from prefinished to primed and ready to paint.
With so many things to consider when choosing a window or patio door, it’s nice to know that our window and door experts are familiar with the products we carry and are just a phone call or email away.
Architectural Style
This open floor plan kitchen takes advantage of the natural light provided by the double-hung windows. Divided lights on the upper sash of the window mimic the glass cabinet doors and the wood finish is in keeping with the Craftsman style.
Multi Slide
This modern residence features two multi slide window wall systems in the bedroom forming a corner. Window wall systems can slide or fold to open, allowing for more natural light, ventilation and views with floor to ceiling access to the outdoors.
Sliding French Doors
This kitchen off the deck features maximum light, good ventilation and optimal views. Three sets of sliding French patio doors were combined with fixed transom windows to create a wall of windows that compliments the style of the home.
Visit our Windows & Patio Doors page to learn more ... Windows & Patio Doors ▸
Products with the Energy Star® label tell you the product is energy efficient. Products with the NFRC label help you compare between energy efficient products by breaking down a products energy performance.
Use Performance Ratings to help determine Energy Efficiency
NFRC Label
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is an independent organization responsible for establishing benchmark performance ratings for energy efficient Windows, Doors and Skylights.
The NFRC Certified label allows consumers to compare energy efficient products across the board by measuring and rating the U-Factor, Visible Transmission, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and Air Leakage.
U-Factor
The U-Factor measures how well a product can keep heat from escaping from the inside of a room. The lower the number, the better a product is at keeping heat in.
Range: 0.20–1.20
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how well a product can resist unwanted heat gain. The lower the number, the less you’ll spend on summer cooling.
Range: 0–1
Visible Transmittance
The Visible Transmittance measures how well a product is designed to effectively light your home with daylight. The higher the number, the more natural light is let in.
Range: 0–1
Air Leakage
The Air Leakage measures how much air will enter a room through a product. The lower the number, the fewer drafts you’ll experience.
Range: ≤ 0.3
Moving Glass Walls
Big doors or moving glass walls are a popular home improvement option for Bay Area living. Not only do they blur the transition between indoors and outdoors, they also create a large open space for entertaining family and friends.
From the inside full height windows provide more natural light, ventilation and views, even if it’s your backyard. The large expanse of glass and narrow frames create a contemporary look with options for frame materials, hardware and energy efficiency.
With your choice of operating styles, moving glass wall systems can either slide and stack, or fold open like an accordion. Depending on the opening, folding doors hang from a track for effortless movement, fold out of the way and require a header sized to support the span and the door. On the other hand stacking doors or multi slide panels roll on heavy duty hardware and stack on the side of the opening or stack inside a pocket within the wall, creating a seamless transition between in and out.
Whether you slide or fold, we are here to answer your questions and help you select the perfect moving window wall system for your opening. Regardless of home improvement or new construction there is a solution for creating a new space for your lifestyle and we have options to show you.
Visit our Moving Glass Wall page to learn more ... Moving Glass Walls ▸
How to Choose a Door
What to consider when buying an exterior entry door
When buying an entry door there are a few things we feel you should consider before making a purchase. Entry doors tend to get lots of wear and tear, especially if you have a big family, so it’s important to look at construction and finish. Also the effects of weather and your exposure to the elements, with or without an overhang, can play a big role in how long the door will last and how much annual maintenance it will require.
Energy Efficiency
Entry doors tend to be better insulators than windows and there are fewer of them so your energy savings may be less than you think. Fiberglass doors typically have energy efficient cores and provide more insulating value than wood doors.
ENERGY STAR® rated doors generally have tighter fitting frames that prevent air leaks and models with glass have double-pane insulating glass to reduce heat transfer.
The takeaway, doors are a small part of the exterior surface area of your house and heat loss in general comes from around the door and not through it.
The front door is what you see when entering your house and maybe you want to make a statement or enhance the architectural style.
Wood Doors
Exterior doors are generally made from wood and can provide that high-end look and solid feel when you open and close. Wood doors are traditionally built using stile and rail construction, in a variety of hard and soft woods, including Walnut, Cherry, Pine and Fir. Wood is resistant to dents and scratches can easily be repaired. Wood doors however require regular maintenance depending on their exposure to keep them looking sharp.
Wood doors are also available FSC® certified and ENERGY STAR® rated should your project require LEED points or green building certification.
Fiberglass Doors
A good choice for most entry doors is fiberglass because they look and feel like wood and resist the elements for any exposure. A fiberglass door is durable, resists wear, does not expand or contract, and uses a core material for strength and insulation. Doors come with a smooth surface or an embossed wood grain texture in an assortment of styles. Fiberglass doors are available pre-finished in some great colors or can be painted or stained, and require very little maintenance.
If you are looking for the look of wood, there are a variety of doors available that actually mimic the look and detail of real wood doors without the maintenance of wood.
Door Hardware
There is a wide selection of door hardware available to bring design and function to your front door. Choose from the traditional knobs, levers and pulls for that hand-feel to deadbolts, locksets and electronic locks with the latest in welcome home technology.
In keeping with the style of your home, manufacturers and foundries provide a range of customizable solutions in architectural styles and finishes to fit your budget. From stamped metal to hand forged brass assembled by craftsman one at a time, your door hardware says a lot about you.
With family members coming and going, you may want to look into the latest in keyless entry systems and electronic locks that use a keypad, touchscreen or cell phone to control entry.
Visit our Exterior & Interior Doors page to learn more... Exterior & Interior Doors ▸
Low-Emissivity or Low-E insulating glass helps reduce energy consumption while keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In summer Low-E glass reflects the sun’s energy preventing it from transferring heat into your home, while in the winter Low-E glass reduces heat loss by reflecting it back into the house.
Low-E coatings are invisible, microscopically thin layers of metal or metallic oxide applied directly to the surface of the glass to control heat transfer through insulated glass. Windows with Low-E coatings perform very well in colder weather (U-Factor) and have enhanced performance in summer (SHGC - Solar Heat Gain Coefficient).
When choosing windows the U-Factor is the insulating quality that keeps you warm in cold weather and the lower the number the better the window is at keeping heat in. The SHGC is the reflective quality that keeps you cooler in the summer by keeping solar heat out and the lower the number the better the window is at blocking the sun. How much light a window lets in is the VT or Visible Transmittance and the higher the number the more light you will see.
How to Choose a Skylight
What to consider when buying a skylight
Skylights can be a wonderful addition to your home, filling a space with natural light or adding ventilation and dimension to any room they are installed in. There are a few basic types to consider and each one may serve a different function in your living space.
Venting Skylights
An operable skylight will vent a bathroom or any room of hot stale air that accumulates near the ceiling and provide fresh air by creating airflow within your home. These skylights can be manually operated with a rod or a crank, or solar powered with electric options available so all you have to do is flip a switch to open or close. Automatic sensors can also be incorporated to trigger the skylight to open and vent when it’s too hot and close when it starts to rain.
Fixed Skylights
Fixed skylight can change the character of a room by adding a sense of spaciousness and natural light to a dark interior. Keep in mind the type of light shaft used will determine the type of light entering a room — flared provides the most amount of light while straight will add drama. Excess light can be controlled by adding a screen or louvers, and some skylights are available with built-in light filtering blinds controlled by a solar powered push button or manual operation.
Energy Efficiency
Skylights are rated just like windows for energy efficiency and manufacturers use various technologies like heat-absorbing tints, insulated glazing, and Low-E coatings to control heat transfer and UV radiation to reduce fabric and floor fading. In general the skylight size should never be more than 5% of the floor area in a room with many windows. We will work with you to determine what your options are to maximize daylighting and passive solar heating potential.
Glazing
Skylight glazing is either glass or plastic and your choice will depend on expected performance and your budget. Plastic glazing is usually acrylic or polycarbonate and is the least expensive and is less likely to break. Plastic surfaces tend to scratch easily and they may become brittle and discolored over time. Skylights using glass glazing are generally more costly and have the added advantages of durability and lack of discoloration with age.
Visit our Skylights & Solar Tubes page to learn more ... Skylights & Solar Tubes ▸
Hassle-Free
Estimate
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Our Millwork professionals will work with you to come up with the best solution to fit your project while keeping with the architectural character of your home, lifestyle and budget.
Whether buying for new construction, renovation or replacing those double-hungs, you’ll get a Hassle-Free Estimate based on your project with no obligation.
ENERGY STAR® is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
