Aluminum Windows - The Most Popular Choice

By: James Newell

Are you looking for windows that are long lasting and require little upkeep? Then you may just want to consider aluminum windows. The main benefits are that they do not have to be painted and are long lasting working properly for years. You can choose the color, size and shape of these windows. They are also rather simple to install.

When you go to install aluminum windows, you have to be sure to thoroughly inspect the windows before hand to ensure they are free from any damage. You have to be sure that the size is correct along with making sure that it is the window that you selected in regards to color and design. The amount of experience of the installers is another matter that you should be aware of and you should know about the installation process as well.


Once the aluminum windows have been examined, the packing material is removed and windows are cleaned with a dry cloth. The locks are then fastened and sealed to ensure there are no gaps. A self-adhesive flash is adhered to the corners of the windows. Sill pans are then readied. The opening that the window is going in must be examined next to be sure the opening and sill are both square.

Once the aluminum windows are completely installed, there are still steps to take. Weep holes have to be free of any debris and sealants and should not be sealed at all. The installation has to be inspected to make sure there was no damage or flaws that occurred to the windows during the installation process.

Once all of the aluminum windows have been installed and inspected, you should make sure that all waste materials are removed from the area. You want to be sure to leave it clean.

Window Replacement: How To Information

By: James Newell

The house looks great but either you feel a draft or there is something that is not right when you look at it. It may be time to consider window replacement as a solution to your problem. Some research into the types of windows and the cost should be done before jumping into this project and you should also set a budget before hand, as this can get expensive.

Things to consider with window replacement:


� What is the reason you are replacing the windows?
� How many windows need to be replaced?
� Budget
� What type of window do you want?


When it comes to window replacement, the reasons will vary and they should be clear to you before you begin. Leaky windows can cost you a great deal in electricity cost; this problem may be fixable by weather stripping depending on the cause of the leak. If you want to change the look of the home completely then replacing the windows will help but you must know the look you want before hand.
 

Knowing the number of windows that have to be replaced will help in setting the budget for the window replacement. Every window will cost money so knowing the amount needed will help to figure the total in advance once you have done the comparisons of the prices.

The type of windows that you want will affect the price as well. There are numerous options when it comes to window replacement; a simple search will come back with hundreds of manufactures and styles to choose from with a wide range of prices available. The matter of what fits into the budget will depend on several factors and whether or not you decide to have them professionally installed.

Window replacement should be done carefully to ensure you are satisfied.

Why Windows Lose Heat

Before you learn how energy efficient windows can save money on energy bills, it's good to understand exactly how your old windows are losing heat energy. There are four ways that heat energy escapes out the window:
1. Conduction
When warm inside air hits the glass and frame of the window, heat energy is transferred molecule-to-molecule through the window material, gradually warming it up. When cold air from the outside touches the warm material, some heat is transferred to the air and carried away on the wind like soup getting cooler when you blow on it.
2. Convection
Warm air rises and cool air falls and this is as true in the space between the panes of glass in a double paned window as it is everywhere else. This transfer of heat from the bottom of the window to the top of the window means the bottom of the window is constantly cooler and is therefore drawing more heat from the air inside the house.
3. Air Leakage
Ill-fitting windows with bad seals and cracked caulking allow air to pass between the window frame, the glass and the wall. Since warm air will always flow into a region with cooler air, windows that leak will allow warm air from inside the house to flow out and be lost.
4. Radiation
Heat travels through the air from any hot source in the form of infra-red and ultraviolet radiation. This radiation passes through regular glass, heating air and objects on the other side. This means that windows act as large portals through which heat inside the house can radiate out.

When shopping for new energy efficient windows it is important to find out how they address all four methods of heat loss. The very best products can reduce your heating costs by hundreds of dollars a year!

Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association.