Are your aging windows not delivering what you need from them? Windows can make your home lifestyle a lot more pleasant—especially when you opt for the right features for your goals.
Fortunately, today’s replacements offer a mix of elements so you can choose what matters most to you.
Here are 8 essential features to consider as you shop for replacement windows.
8 Features to Consider When You’re Upgrading Your Windows
With years of serving Chicago area homeowners to guide us, we’ve seen that these 8 features offer great benefits. Think about what matters most to you so you can compare replacement windows more easily.
1. Great Views and Natural Lighting
A key reason people get new windows is to improve their natural lighting while enjoying bigger views of the outdoors. A number of features can help you achieve this goal.
Look for:
- Thin frames — The thinner the frame, the larger the pane—and more glass equals brighter lighting and better views. Fiberglass frames are stronger and therefore thinner than other materials.
- Larger window styles — Bigger windows give you greater light and more glass. If you want a room to have both, consider picture, bay, and bow windows.
2. Better Airflow and Air Quality Indoors
Inhale, and breathe in some fresh air—sounds appealing, doesn’t it? Homeowners love how replacement windows create an airier, more comfortable living space.
Look for:
- Crank handles — Ensure hard-to-reach spots enjoy better ventilation with casement and awning windows that open with a convenient crank.
- Large sliders — Slider windows have large sashes that can open right-to-left or left-to-right, giving you lots of fresh air.
- Double-hung sashes — These windows open both at the top and the bottom, which can help air to circulate through your house.
3. Simple Upkeep
Today’s new windows are designed to offer easy maintenance, and that’s a good thing—because who has time to do complex upkeep?
Look for:
- Lasting materials — Fiberglass is the longest-lasting of window materials, as it is strong, resistant to the elements, and unlikely to warp or break.
- Between-the-glass blinds — These built-in shades are tucked between panes, so they don’t gather dust and dirt. They’re easy to clean and cut down on indoor allergens.
- Tilt-in sashes — If your house has a second story, window sashes that tilt in make it a breeze to clean the outward-facing glass without the risk of climbing a ladder.
4. Safety for Children and Pets
Keeping your loved ones safe and sound is of utmost importance. Fortunately, today’s choices make it easier than ever to keep children and pets securely inside.
Look for:
- Built-in blinds — Eliminate the danger of loose blind cords that pets and young ones can get tangled in by opting for windows with shades that are between the panes.
- Double-hungs — Since children and pets can climb out or fall out of panes within their reach, install double-hungs. These windows can stay closed at the bottom, while the top sash is opened for fresh air—firmly out of little ones’ reach.
- Privacy glass — Tinted or opaque glass limits what outsiders can see inside your home—a handy feature for bathrooms and bedrooms where privacy matters.
5. Break-in Prevention
Safeguarding your property against intruders is a must—and new windows can offer many features that boost home protection.
Look for:
- Shatterproof glass — Different treatments can make it harder for the panes to be broken, as well as less likely to produce dangerous shards if a breakage occurs.
- Strong locks — Say goodbye to aging windows that don’t lock properly! Replacement windows today offer a variety of strong lock features.
- Security sensors — Add to your house’s protection with built-in, smart home security sensors that alert you to danger.
6. Noise Reduction
While no house can completely shut out the sounds of the outdoors, your windows can do a lot to give you a more peaceful interior to relax in.
Look for:
- Glazed glass — Triple-glazed windowpanes muffle outside noises such as traffic and airplanes, keeping your inside rooms quieter.
- Triple panes — If cutting down on intrusive sound is a high priority for you, windows with three panes offer superb noise reduction.
7. Eco-friendly Energy Efficiency
Green living is on many homeowners’ minds—and for good reason! Being environmentally conscious can help you lower utility bills and maintenance costs while you help care for the planet.
Look for:
- Gas fills — Double- and triple-pane windows have an inert gas (either argon or krypton) between the panes to add insulation value.
- Low-emissivity (Low-E) panes —This thin coating reflects the sun’s UV heat so less of it gets inside your house—meaning your air-conditioning doesn’t have to run as hard.
- Energy-efficient ratings — Look at a window’s label to see if it has an EnergyStar® rating, which lets you know it performs well at keeping homes efficient.
8. Charming Style Highlights
Replacement windows will give a boost to your property’s appearance automatically simply because they look new. But optional features can add to style too.
Look for:
- Style-first designs — While double-hungs and sliders are practical and nice-looking, styles like bays, bows, and picture windows level up the look of any room.
- Specialty shapes — Need to accent a special spot on the wall? Choose a window with a custom shape.
- Stained glass — Level up your style with stained and tinted glass designs.
- Grilles — Match historic windows or create unique texture with grids (aka, grilles) attached to the panes.
Get the Ideal Features with Gorgeous, Lasting New Windows from Siding & Windows Group
Your windows should offer beauty, durability, and performance, so you can fully enjoy your home. If your windows lack needed features, new windows can help—and so can our team at Siding & Window Group!
Our experienced professionals will walk you through the styles, materials, and features available with superior brands such as Marvin, Pella, Alside, and Kolbe windows (we install them all!). Learn more about how we provide window transformations you’ll appreciate for your Chicago area home.
