Greetings Googlewastaken! Having faced this chore myself, my primary
advice to you is to consider thermal pane windows that drop down for
easy cleaning and then explore the manufacturers' product guarantees
on energy efficiency and vacuum seals. You want to choose windows
that best insulate your home *and* you want to choose a company that
stands behind its product.
"But windows also differ in terms of the features they offer
high-performance glass, or the way the window tilts in for cleaning,
or the material they are made of, for example," said Lou Manfredini in
an article from MSNBC located at http://www.msnbc.com/news/777638.asp.
Manfredini also offers a checklist to assist the purchaser. He
suggests (paraphrased, except in quotation):
*discover the rating of the window by the National Fenestration
Research Council or Energy Star organizations
*discover what professional associations the installer is a member of
that relate to their business
*ask if the installer/company will provide you with a few customer
names so that you may contact them and query if they are pleased with
the product and installation
*what are the workmanship *and* the performance guarantees they offer?
*"Can they explain their installation procedures so you understand the
process and how it will affect you while the work is being done?"
Manfredini also notes that there are varying prices of replacement
windows. So, if you are planning on reselling the home at some time
in the future, consider the investment to be an upgrade for your
property.
Some companies you may want to consider for the purchase of windows
are:
Anderson
http://www.andersenwindows.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1
Hurd
http://www.hurd.com
American Integrity
http://www.aintegrity.com/
Thermal Windows, Inc.
http://www.thermalwindows.com/resident.htm
And many more manufacturers may be located at
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/world/products/materials/windows/
where they are listed with live links to their sites.
For general education on thermal pane windows, I would suggest you
read "Choosing a Well-Insulated Window" at
http://www.energyguide.com/info/window2.asp and "Thermal Replacement
Windows" at http://www.servicemagic.com/windows_and_doors/thermal_replacement_windows.html
and, from The Window Place, "How to Choose a Window" located at
http://www.thewindowplace.com/howtochoose/howtochoose8.html
If you wish to peruse scientific study of thermal pane windows, the
site at http://www.bso.uiuc.edu/publications/ offers various studies
conducted on their energy efficiency. Also, please see the study
"Measured Impact of Advanced Windows on Cooling Energy Use" at
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/pf364/
There are so many different designs, colors and cleaning options, that
I warn you - you are on a quest that will be full of information! lol
However, the better you equip yourself with the facts, the better
decision you will make for the look and energy efficiency of your
home.
Should you need clarification of any of the information I have
provided, please utilize the "Request A Clarification" feature and I
will be happy to conduct additional research.
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