Tips on How to Choose Your Home's Windows and Doors

Besides contributing to your entire house's architectural look, windows and doors are also responsible for making your home comfortable. They bring in the outdoors to the house by allowing you to view the outside, invite natural lighting and warm sunlight in the house, and give your home security. 

If you want your home to have a new look or increase its value by changing your windows, do not just buy any windows. Some factors will help you choose the right replacement windows and doors for your home. North Tech Windows and Doors compiled the following tips to guide you.

1. Think About the Location of Your Home

The direction your house is facing will determine how much impact it will get from the sun. This contributes a lot to your home's heating and cooling. A combination of a good orientation of the house and energy-efficient windows and doors will maintain the house's right temperatures during winter and summer. 

If your house is facing east, you will be hit by the morning direct sunlight, while the houses facing west are struck by the afternoon sun. Your contractor will help you select the right windows and doors, considering the orientation of your home. To block sun heat from getting in the house, you can shade the windows during summer, which will also help retain heat in the house during winter. 

The function of the room also matters. The windows you will install in your living room are not the same as those of the washrooms and kitchen. The living room will require large windows for ventilation and lighting, while bathrooms need small windows to provide a little ventilation and more privacy. 

2. How Much Noise Comes From Outside?

People who live in a noisy area like near the airport, railway station, or industry know how much noise can be annoying. When renovating, consider purchasing windows and doors with soundproofing. They will help to keep your home quiet by absorbing the indoor and outdoor noise. Get ones with noise-reduction glass to shield your home from noise. Don't only work towards making your home look good. Make it feel comfortable too.

3. Choose Windows That Match With the Interior and Exterior

When selecting a window, consider the color combinations of the outside and inside the house. You can decide to match the color of your frames with the walls or choose a color that combines well with the one on the wall. You can also make your windows match with the interior of the house. This will create a significant experience in your home and bring a better feeling. 

4. How Much Ventilation Do You Need?

The living room will need more ventilation than the kitchen and bathrooms. Knowing how much ventilation you need in a room will make it easier for you to determine the type of windows you will purchase. Most homeowners choose to install operable windows in rooms. You can also install fixed windows with a combination of operable windows for ventilation. Fixed windows are preferred in homes facing the ocean or a beautiful garden to invite the outside view in the house. 

5. Consider the Styles of the Windows

Window manufacturers Edmonton make varying styles of windows. The common ones include:

a. Awning Windows

They are suitable for ventilation. These windows open outwards to provide ventilation and lighting. Awning windows are most preferred in areas with a wet climate because they prevent rainwater from entering the house. They can be combined with other styles like picture windows.

b. Bay Windows

These windows are large, and they allow a lot of light into the room. They protrude outwards, forming a bay shape, and they make rooms look bigger.

c. Casement Windows

They have a hinge on the top and bottom, and they open outwards like a door. Casement windows provide adequate lighting and ventilation to the room. They close tight to provide energy-efficiency. Since they have an uninterrupted pane of glass, they give an unobstructed view.

d. Double-Hung Windows

They are a common type of window manufacturers Edmonton make. These windows have two sashes, and both of them are operable. Since the sashes tilt, this makes the window easy to clean. They are also energy efficient.