While rising Wisconsin temperatures are always something to celebrate, that doesn’t mean you want to experience the heat all the time. After a day spent out under the blistering sun, there’s nothing better than relaxing in the cooling comfort of your home—if your windows allow it, of course.
Your windows play a major role in determining the temperature of your home in the summer, as they’re designed to keep cold air in and heat out. However, if you find that your house is stuffy and uncomfortable during the warmer months, regardless of how much you crank the air conditioner, it may be a sign that you need to replace your windows. Read on to learn how replacing your old, outdated windows with new ones can make a huge difference in keeping you cool.
How Do Replacement Windows Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer?
Increased Energy Efficiency
Technology is constantly evolving, and the same goes for the technology within the window world! No longer are windows simply panes of glass that keep the elements out. Modern windows come equipped with tons of design features that increase energy efficiency, thereby keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Let’s unpack exactly what window features create these energy-efficient qualities:
Low-E Coating
The “E” in low-e stands for low emissivity, and is a multi-layer coating that is on the interior pane of modern replacement windows. It is colorless, odorless, and thinner than a single human hair! The coating gives windows the ability to reflect heat, as opposed to absorbing it. (It also minimizes the amount of UV rays and infrared light that passes through!)
This reflection means that less heat is coming through the window, insulating your property against rising temperatures and putting less strain on your air conditioner. In older windows, heat is able to simply pass right through your window pane, warming your house in the summer and causing UV damage to your furniture and flooring. With a low-e coating, the heat is reflected back outdoors.
Gas Fill
It may sound strange, but we promise, it’s innovative! In modern replacement windows, there is a layer of gas located between the glass panes. The gas is odorless and colorless, and is denser than air. Typically, most windows have a type of gas known as Argon between them, and this gas works as another layer of insulation.
The gas in the windows prevents the transfer of heat from the outside world into your home. When combined with the low-e coating, your house stays significantly cooler in the summer. As an added benefit, it also reduces noise!
Multiple Glass Panes
They say the more, the better, and this phrase rings especially true when it comes to window construction. If you want to keep your home cool in the summer, then you want your windows to consist of multiple panes of glass. Before the 1970s, single-pane windows were standard (until we discovered all the insulating properties that come with multiple panes). That means if you live in an older home, your window panes are likely letting lots of heat in!
Modern replacement windows are typically made with two, but sometimes up to three, layers of glass. In between these layers is typically the Argon gas fill that was mentioned above, and combined, these layers do a lot to stop heat transfer in its tracks.
Window Tint
Another benefit of replacement windows that helps keep your home cool is the factory-applied window tints that are available. These tints are a film that blends seamlessly into the windows and isn’t prone to fading or peeling over time. They block UV rays, reduce sun glare, block heat transfer, and even aid in privacy! They’re not always a popular option due to the fact that they can affect the amount of natural light coming into your home, but they are helpful for added cooling.
Insulating Frames
Oftentimes, one of the quickest ways your home heats up is through warm air sneaking through outdated window frames. Window frames come in a variety of different materials, and each has its own unique insulating properties.
Most modern window replacements are made from vinyl, fiberglass, or composite frames, which are ideal for reducing heat transfer in the summer, while most older window frames are made from wood or aluminum. Vinyl frames, the most popular option, are typically designed with multiple chambers or foam insulation, which adds lots of insulating properties that older frames just don’t have. (They’re also easy to maintain and require little to no maintenance!)
Tighter Seals & Construction
Over time, window frames can become loose and drafty, and the sealing around windows can start to degrade as it battles the sun, UV rays, and other elements. This allows heat to easily enter your home, making it nearly impossible to get comfortable in the summer. That’s where a window replacement comes in!
A window replacement means tighter seals and overall stronger construction. Your windows are snug, their frames are flush against your home, and the sealing is fresh and ready to withstand anything that the summertime throws at it. All of this combined works together to keep your home cool!
How to Tell if You Need Replacement Windows
Oftentimes, your home is giving you obvious signs that you need replacement windows well before you even notice. When deciding whether or not to get replacement windows to keep your home cool this summer, take inventory and see if you notice:
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- Increased energy bills: If your older, less-insulating windows aren’t working properly to keep the heat out, you may notice that your energy bills are rising, especially when it comes to cooling! Don’t waste money running your air conditioner all day—invest in replacement windows, which will save you money over time on bills.
- Fading: Your possessions are important, which is why you don’t want them fading or discolored due to UV exposure! If you notice that your furniture or flooring is starting to look less vibrant, it may be time to consider getting replacement windows that better block those harmful rays.
- Drafts: If you notice that air is getting in, then heat is definitely coming along with it! You can test to see if your window is drafty by holding a lit candle up next to it. If the candle flickers around the frame, then air is coming in.
Contact Us to Save Your Summer
Don’t let outdated windows make you uncomfortable this summer! Contact the team at Standard Windows & Doors for replacement windows today. Our team of experienced experts will answer any questions you may have and recommend what window options would work best for insulating your home.
