There’s no bad weather. There’s only bad gear.
Perhaps you’ve heard this expression? Hopefully you didn’t hear it while freezing on the ski slopes, or soaked to the bone on a camping trip. If only you’d brought along that perfect raincoat, if only you’d sprung for the proper snow boots… you get the idea.
Now you’re looking at a replacement window project, and the choices are staggering. Choosing the right windows can be like choosing the right gear.
Knowing where you live — what style house, and what kind of climate — is going to make all the difference.
Let’s get out the map and take a little tour.
The Northeast corner of the map
This corner of the map has some of the oldest architecture in America, and those classic cape cods and colonials often feature double hung wood windows.
Our forefathers were smart cookies — wood is one of the least thermally conductive materials out there. A properly cared for wood sash window will last a long time, and is energy efficient.
Double pane windows can be helpful when dealing with the rough winters and hot summers. Low-E glass will allow the light to come in, but keep the cold out.
Below the Mason-Dixon Line
Porches are a big deal south of the Mason Dixon line — a rocking chair, a glass of sweet tea, and you’re all set up to enjoy the cooling breezes of a summer evening. Houses want to breathe down south, and double hung windows are just the thing to take advantage of the cross breezes.
Vinyl sash material works well down here, and you want to look for glass that takes the edge off of the solar heat gain inside the house. Low-E glass can reduce solar heat gain by as much as 70%. You don’t need to draw the curtains during the dog days — you can enjoy the light in your home on even the hottest days.
All across the vast Midwest
Those amber waves of grain are gorgeous to gaze out on. From across the wide vistas you can watch approaching rainstorms, and sometimes even tornadoes.
Casement windows are a great option. They seal them up tight when you see something coming, and you can wind them open when the windy breezes are welcome.
Temperatures in this region fluctuate, and the insulation of triple pane glass will cut down on energy bills.
You’ll stay comfortable from planting season to harvest to fallow times.
Down in the Southwest
The Southwest was settled in a hurry — our grade school history books tell us so, and so do the more recent building booms. This has resulted in some builder-grade window choices that just aren’t smart.
If your home features single pane windows, it’s time to upgrade. You want double pane or triple pane windows with good solar heat resistant glass. You’ll be very pleased with the impact on your monthly energy bills.
Up in the Pacific Northwest
The views in the Pacific Northwest are magnificent. It’s no wonder that architects in this region often choose big dramatic bay and bow windows. Sliding glass doors are another popular option — they let you step outside whenever you’d like and blur the lines between indoors and out.
Most folks in this region keep a raincoat near the door. Wet, cool weather is almost a constant, and a house that is properly dressed is a happy house. Vinyl windows hold up well to the moisture and Low-E glass will insulate you from the worst of the chill.
From sea to shining sea
We are a big country, and there are lots of options out there for windows.
Let the experts at Window Nation walk you through the whole process. We’re a national company who knows your community inside and out.
