Vinyl Windows In Cold Climates

Windows for cold climates should combine energy efficiency with tough materials.

Vinyl windows in cold climates.

In cold climates windows often represent a significant heat loss because of their low insulative value relative to the other components of the thermal envelope. Using warm edge spacers reduce condensation caused due to extreme cold climate and also improve the u value of the windows. A window s u factor determines how good energy efficient windows are at preventing heat loss during the winter. The recommended value for window glass in cold climates is 0 55.

Some double hung windows in our tests are better than others at keeping out cold air or water. Instead of spending money on more expensive frame materials or lower u value construction that will offer diminishing returns southern homeowners should splurge on spectrally selective low e glass. To maximize winter solar heat gains high shgc and to minimize heat loss low u value. The ratings range from 0 14 to 1 20.

U value the recommended value for window glass in cold climates is 0 33 or less. Beyond these values there are other ways to increase the energy efficiency of your windows including. Looking for nfrc rated windows is one of the best ways of selecting windows. A relatively basic double pane gas filled vinyl window should provide sufficient cold weather protection for homes in this climate.

Yet windows can also improve our energy efficiency by providing valuable passive heat to a house. Replacement windows with a low u factor provide the best insulating value and higher resistance to heat flow. Low conductive foam filled fiberglass and vinyl. Need to know look at the overall scores in our window ratings then zero in on windows that excelled at low temperature wind resistance if your home is exposed to high winds and.

The coating is applied to the outside glass in warmer climates to reflect the sun s heat out and. There are a lot of very good options in zones 1 5 and beyond. They are also great for homes facing very noisy locations. What are the most important window technologies for cold weather climates.

Having an r value of 5 means that these windows have reduced heat loss from a u factor of 0 3 to 0 2. These highly insulating windows make them one of the most energy efficient windows on the market and they are ideal for cold and mixed climates. The windows are important but so is the installer.