How to Select New or Replacement Windows - a Full Guide

You’re typically only going to have to replace your home’s windows once. But how to select windows? 

You know they have reached the stage where they require replacement – you’ve had it with the air leakage, the drafts through your house, the condensation on the glass…  not to mention the detrimental effect they may be having on your home’s curb appeal.

In short, the replacement of your home’s windows is a good investment.  It’s usually a smart choice to replace all your windows at the same time, as a single project. 

So, here’s a full guide on what you need to know when you want to select new or replacement windows for your home.  There are quite a few factors to consider.  Read on.

What You Want from Your New Window Installation

Among the most important features you’ll want to get from your new window replacement project are:

Attractiveness – you want your new windows to look good, from both inside and outside your house.

Durability – your new windows should be tough, and perform well for years if not decades.

Energy efficiency – with today’s heating and cooling costs, you’ll want to install new windows that save on energy by reducing the leakage that forces both your furnace and air conditioner to work harder.

Ease of maintenance – you want your replacement windows to work all the time, and not take a lot of work on your part to keep them that way.

Security – your newly installed windows should be strong and able to minimize the chances for unwanted entry into your home.

These are some of the most important performance factors.  You may have others, specific to your needs, which may include your physical location, climate zone, types and sizes of your current windows, etc.

Types of Window Replacement – Installation Methods – Full and Partial

There are two ways you can go about your home window replacement, dependent on their existing age, construction and condition.  These are:

Partial Window Replacement

With this method, the existing window frame is left intact. Only the sash is replaced, along with the inner components attached to it.  This is typically a less expensive way to go, but again, depends on the existing frame and its compatibility for this approach.

Full Window Replacement 

If your window frame is damaged, or if it is excessively inefficient in terms of energy consumption – i.e. air leakage, etc. – then the only call you can make is to replace the whole assembly.  Of course, there will be more labour and material involved with this approach, but you also have more options with regard to styles, colours, and options with respect to your new window installation.

Glossary of Window Replacement Terms

Here is some of the terminology you will likely come across as research replacement windows for your home.  These all play an important role in what your final installation will look like, and how it will perform:

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – how much solar radiation is allowed to penetrate your window glass; it’s usually expressed as a fraction. SHGC is an indicator of how much heat is ultimately allowed into your interior via sunlight.

Air Leakage Rating (AL) – will indicate how good a window assembly is at preventing unwanted air flow in and out of the house through it.

U-Factor – is a measurement of heat loss, in this case, through your windows. The higher your window’s U-factor, the greater potential there is for energy savings.

Visible Transmittance (VT) – a measure of how much visible light is allowed to pass through a window glass.

Condensation Resistance – this is a measurement of potential condensation forming on the interior side of a window – the higher the CR, the less the chance of unwanted condensation.  The last thing you want is unwanted condensation on your new windows.

Replacement Window Style Considerations

You should know these principles when you want to select new windows. Your choice of window replacement styles should depend on your home’s architectural style, along with the existing window placement.  You should look for window styles that will complement the existing look of your home.  You may face some limitations with respect to window sizes and shapes if your current window inventory consists of oddball measurements, but there are a lot of choices out there for your consideration.  

It’s also important to match the window style to the room it’s placed in.  This could impact important choices in the window type that’s most appropriate, such as:

• Double hung window

• Single hung window

• Casement window
• Awning window

Climate Considerations for Your Replacement Windows

There are so many window designs and combinations out there, that naturally there will be some variation in overall performance. Find out, how to select windows taking into account climate. Obviously, there will be lower-performing window assemblies, and higher-performing ones, which will offer superior energy efficiency.  This becomes more important the more extreme your specific climate conditions happen to be.

It’s also important to note that operable windows – ones you can open and close – will likely be slightly less efficient than fixed window assemblies.  

Here are some other considerations that you might want to consider, depending on the climate conditions in your area:

Double hung windows – which have two sashes, can allow higher amounts of air infiltration into the home interior; this is less of an issue if they are of suitable quality.  Often, added components such as warm-edge spacers, and window glass that is triple-glazed can offset the issue.

Use of LoE glass – low emissivity glass which is specially coated to filter out heat from the exterior while retaining a suitable amount of visible light into the home.  It has become a popular and effective way of adding to energy efficiency without sacrificing aesthetics and style.  In our colder climate, LoE glass does an excellent job of keeping your home heat inside, where it belongs.  Conversely, in summer the treated glass helps slow the transfer of heat from the outside into your interior, as it reflects it back outward.

Concluding Thoughts Regarding Your Replacement Windows

You can see that there is quite a bit to consider for your window replacement project – style, design and overall performance, along with durability.  There are so many types of windows out there; it’s always a good idea to consult with an expert.  Tell CWR about your specific situation and needs, and ask about all the options available to you before making a final choice.  You may not be a window expert, but a CWR professional in this field will be – we can help.

We hope you’ve found this summary on how to select new or replacement windows informative. We welcome your questions and comments. Contact us.