Assuming you’ve selected the type of window you want (double-hung, sliding, casement, bay, bow, garden, etc.), choosing the most desirable features is the next step. There are more choices than ever before. Modern replacement windows can be designed to be stronger, more functional, and more energy efficient. The best features to look for when window shopping include:
Cladding – Wood-framed windows may be clad in vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass. These materials protect the wood from the elements. They can also avoid having to paint the frame. You can choose from various interior wood types as well, including maple, pine, or oak.
Double/Triple Glazing – A double-glazed window adds a sealed space to slow heat transfer. This space may be filled with air or argon gas, which is an efficient insulator. With triple glazing, you can significantly reduce noise from outside, and see some improvements in energy efficiency, especially in extremely cold climates.
High Efficiency Coatings – Many windows are available with low-emissivity, or low-E, coatings that reflect heat of the glass. They allow in ample light at the same time. For homes in warmer climates, the coating is applied to the exterior of the glass. In colder climates, the coating is applied to glass facing inside a house.
Tilt-In Sashes – Single- and double-hung windows often come with tilt-in sashes (in fact, all our single-/double-hung products do). In addition to moving the window sash up and down, you can tilt it for cleaning or to adjust ventilation. Tilting sashes enable you to clean all a window’s surfaces without going outside.
Design Options for Window Shopping
Color – When it comes to material color, homeowners are often picky. What works for the exterior might not match the design of the interior, and vice versa. Window World of Boston offers a range of colors that accommodate your interior design, including various neutral colors as well as Forest Green, English Red, and Architectural Bronze. Interior colors range from wood texture patterns to white or beige.
Shapes and Patterns – A variety of patterns can be integrated to give your windows a distinct character. These include grid, diamond, and a variety of other patterns. Different shapes can be used to customize your windows as well, adding a new dimension to custom design.
Glass Type – These days, glass isn’t just glass. There is glass with etched patterns, including standard choices your window dealer may offer, and custom etched patterns. Privacy glass allows you to get natural light while obstructing the view just enough. Light is applied to different surfaces of the glass in different ways, distorting the view. The glass may appear frosted, grainy, or feature a range of other options (we offer acrylic block patterns and a choice of frame and grout colors).
Safety Glass – Tempered safety glass is in a league of its own when it comes to strength. It does not break like standard glass, which can shatter and leave holes in your window, and can withstand greater forces and impacts than ordinary glass. You don’t have to worry about jagged shards. When tempered glass shatters, it tends to do so evenly, without sharp uneven edges. It also shatters completely so no sharp glass edges remain in the window frame.Window World of Boston is the largest replacement window company in the United States. We deliver high quality products and services to customers in the Boston area from our Woburn, Pembroke, and Shrewsbury offices.
Contact us today to learn more about our window products and superior features, our financing options, and to schedule a free estimate.
