How to Improve Your Home With Replacement Windows April 1, 2014 Replacement windows can improve your home in more ways than one. They affect the appearance, energy efficiency, and maintenance of your home. Improved appearance means higher curb appeal and overall home value. Improved energy efficiency means lower bills and a more environmentally friendly home. Lower maintenance also means that you don’t have to spend as much time or effort keeping your windows beautiful. There are a lot of different types of windows to choose from for your replacement windows. Here is a brief overview of different options available to help you decide which windows are best for you. Check the U and R ratings of the windows. The U-factor is the window’s efficiency rating in terms of heat conduction. The lower the U-factor, the more efficient the window. The R-value is a measure of the window’s insulating capability. The higher the R-value, the more insulation it will provide. Ask about glazing. You’ll be better off with windows that offer double gazing no matter where you live and you might want triple glazing if you live in a severely cold climate. Glazing adds multiple layers of insulation to your windows and will improve the R-value. Gas-filled windows, which have gas between the panes, will also improve the R-value. Ask about low-E coating. This coating further boosts the window’s insulating properties and will noticeably improve the comfort inside your home. It will help hold in heat during the winter and block heat from entering to keep you cooler during the summer. For ease of cleaning you want to get windows with tilt-in sashes. This will allow you to clean both the inside and outside of the window from within your home. No ladders will be needed to reach the second or third story windows, and this increases safety as well. Look into the various materials used for the windows. Depending on the climate in your area, some materials will be better than others. Platinum Home Renovations will help you determine what types of windows are best for your home and your needs. Give us a call today for a no obligation free quote at 1-416-609-0102 and take advantage of our 38% off offer good until March 5th.