When you choose replacement windows and doors, focus on three things: how well they insulate, how they hold up to weather, and how they look on your house. Windows and doors make an impression on everyone who visits or passes by. They also keep the interior secure and comfortable, and they affect your monthly heating and cooling bills.
Here are the factors to weigh for each.
How to Select the Right Replacement Windows
Start with energy efficiency
When looking at vinyl replacement windows or any other type, energy efficiency should be a primary focus. Energy-efficient windows reduce how much you rely on your furnace or air conditioner, and that can mean significant savings on utility bills.
Look for frames and glass that prevent air leakage. In winter, cold air stays out and warm air stays in. In summer, the opposite happens.
Look at the frame and the glass
Vinyl is an excellent insulator. It is also durable, good looking and easy to maintain.
For the glass, you can select windows with two or more panes and an insulating gas sealed between them. Glass with a low-E coating reflects heat, which helps keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer.
How to Find the Right Door for Your Connecticut Home
Pick a material
If you want to replace your front door, the first decision is the material. Entry doors are made with wood, steel and fiberglass. All three are durable, but they differ in how well they stand up to harsh weather and temperature swings and in how much maintenance they need.
Check the insulation
A door made of multiple materials with a thermal break between the layers does an excellent job of insulating the entryway. Look for a durable frame that will prevent drafts as well. Adding one of our storm doors in front of the entry door gives it another layer of protection from the weather.
Choose a style
The number of options can feel overwhelming at first. You can install a solid door, or one with glass panels that let in natural light and let you see what is going on outside. Think about the architecture of your home and your own preferences. Our post on things to consider with a new entry door goes into more detail.
Should You Replace Windows and Doors Together?
You do not have to, but there are reasons to plan them together. Choosing colors and styles at the same time makes it easier to give the front of the house a consistent look, and you only need to schedule one project.
If the budget does not allow for both, start with whichever is causing the most trouble. A front door that lets in drafts or windows that no longer open properly are good places to begin.
Get an Estimate for Replacement Windows or a New Front Door
Aladdin offers durable vinyl windows and front doors crafted with wood, steel and fiberglass. To explore your options and get a quote for your home, send us a message or call (203) 776-9996.