Energy efficiency of vinyl windows

There are many different kinds of energy efficient window options. Low-E insulating glass, double- and triple-pane windows and tinted insulating glass are among the most energy efficient options for a sunny climate.

Find out how much energy efficient windows could help save you money and help protect the environment. If you're wondering whether replacement windows are worthwhile, consider all the ways you can save money on your replacement.

Benefits from tax credits and rebates, energy savings, improving the resale value of your home, less time and money spent on maintenance and convenient cleaning are among the chief reasons to replace your windows.

Energy efficiency, reduced noise and curb appeal are chief among the key benefits to replacing your windows. Learn more about how replacement windows can represent an investment in your home. Vinyl windows from Pella are low maintenance and can look great for years. Vinyl is an affordable yet quality material making it lighter on your wallet. Study commissioned by Pella, You are now subscribed to Pella offers and inspiration.

There was an error saving your information. Find a Showroom Find a Showroom Find. Your Preferred Showroom. Request Consultation. Call Now. Glass Glazing Single-pane window glazing can help seal out the weather -- including those harsh temperatures -- and help you maintain a cool and comfortable home climate.

Customized with You in Mind Pella windows and doors are made specifically for your home because one size doesn't fit all. If you decide to replace your windows, you will have to make several decisions about the type of windows you purchase and the type of replacement you will make.

You may have the option of replacing the windows in their existing frame; discuss this option with your window retailer and installer to find out if it will work for you. You will also need to decide what features you want in your windows. You will need to decide on the following:. Visit the Window Types page for more information on all of these options. In addition to choosing the window type, you also need to consider design, energy use and labeling, warranties, and proper installation.

Then review ratings on the energy performance label from the National Fenestration Rating Council NFRC to find the most efficient windows for your needs. Learn about energy performance ratings for windows to understand how to read the labels and energy-use information. The Efficient Windows Collaborative offers a selection process for both replacement windows and windows for new construction.

Learn more about energy performance ratings for windows. But will energy-efficient windows do the trick? That being said, they still do! Given that technology and innovation have had a long time to advance since then, those savings might even be higher today than back then.

That being said, how much energy you save can be affected by a variety of factors. To assess and compare the overall window properties, look for an NFRC label. Improving the thermal resistance of the frame can contribute to a window's overall energy efficiency, particularly its heat loss rate or U-factor. There are advantages and disadvantages to all types of frame materials, but vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and some composite frame materials provide greater thermal resistance than metal.

Although very strong, light, and almost maintenance free, metal or aluminum window frames conduct heat very rapidly, which makes metal a very poor insulating material. To reduce heat flow, metal frames should have a thermal break -- an insulating plastic strip placed between the inside and outside of the frame and sash. Composite window frames consist of composite wood products, such as particleboard and laminated strand lumber, and some are mixed with polymer plastics.

These composites are very stable, they have the same or better structural and thermal properties as conventional wood, and they have better moisture and decay resistance. Fiberglass window frames are dimensionally stable and have air cavities that can be filled with insulation, giving them superior thermal performance compared to wood or uninsulated vinyl.

Vinyl window frames are made of polyvinyl chloride PVC with ultraviolet light UV stabilizers to keep sunlight from breaking down the material.

Vinyl window frames do not require painting and have good moisture resistance. The hollow cavities of vinyl frames can be filled with insulation, which makes them thermally superior to standard vinyl and wood frames. Wood window frames insulate relatively well, but they require regular maintenance, although aluminum or vinyl cladding reduces maintenance requirements. Metal clad wood frames may have slightly lower thermal performance.

In most windows the most important decision regarding energy efficiency is the selection of the glazing. Based on various window design factors such as window orientation, climate, building design, etc.

For more detailed information about glazing options visit the Efficient Windows Collaborative to learn about the specific properties and efficiency of different glazing options. While single glazing is common in older buildings, virtually all new efficient buildings use double or triple glazing units.

The "insulating glazing units", or IGUS, are available in a wide range of properties based on the type of glass selected, the coatings on the glass, the gas used to fill the space between the panes, and the spacers that keep the glazing separated.