Home Windows More Energy Efficient
Installing energy efficient windows will help you minimize the cost of cooling, heating and lighting in your home. It will cost you for buying energy efficient windows but in the long term, if you look at it this way you actually save more. Cheap windows could only run up more costs on you and less efficient. Here are the steps on how you can install energy efficient windows for your home.
You will need:
- Window frame
- Insulation
- Multipane glass
- Shims
- Hammer
- Caulking gun
- Prybar
- Safety glasses
- Measuring tapes
- Utility knife
- Screwdriver
- Nails or screws
- Level
Steps:
- First, check out your heating and cooling needs and prioritize what you want from your windows. Your local climate and the direction that the windows face will become the factors that influence the choice of which energy efficient windows that can be used around your house.
- Then, make a rough measurement of the window area of your house before purchasing any materials. Remove any old caulking by using your utility knife if you want to replace a window. Decide of what kind of windows you will install. Double-hung windows are the most popular but they can be leaky. Windows which are more energy efficient are casement and awning windows which can be installed with good compression seals.
- You want to choose windows that are higher on the score of resistance to heat flow. The resistance value are determined by the type of glazing material, the numbers of layers of glass, the thermal resistance of frame and spacer materials, the size of air space between the panes of glass and the tightness of installation.
- If you prefer low maintenance and less conducive to heat loss windows, choose a frame material like vinyl or fiberglass. Choose multipane windows with argon and krypton gases between the panes. They will actually transfer less heat than air. You should also use nylon, foam and insulation materials for spacers between the glasses in the windows. Choose a special glass that will decrease solar transmittance instead of clear glass.
- When you have all of your materials, check the measurements to make sure that the windows will fit. Remove the glass from the window frame and set the frame in the opening. Make sure it is leveled on the bottom and plum on all sides. Then, use a self-adhering waterproof membrane to seal the perimeter of the opening. You should strip off any metal flashing and plenty of caulk before replacing the glass. Screw or nail the window into the existing wood. Seal the gap between window and frame using foam or fiberglass.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5462727_build-energy-efficient-windows.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/memotions/263216082/
