A Guide To Window Hardware

A Guide To Window Hardware by Charles Mohaney

A variety of materials are available in window hardware. You
have several options in terms of energy efficiency and design.
Your personal preference, the climate and the style of your home
will help you choose the right material for your house.


Types of Window Hardware Wood

Wood has been the most common material used in window
construction for generations. Wood is the easiest material to
work with, either for a professional or a homeowner doing a DIY
home improvement project. This material is most often used in
custom work and intricately detailed designs. You have a wide
range of options for painting and staining to fit every
decorating need. This material is also very good in terms of
energy efficiency.

The only downside of using wood is the maintenance needed. You
will need to re paint or stain often. The peeling not only looks
terrible, but will cause the wood to rot, if not maintained
properly over the years. With good, regular maintenance, wood
windows will last a long time.


Steel

Steel is most often found in older homes and basement windows.
It is rarely used in newer homes because it is not very energy
efficient. The heat from your home can easily escape through the
frame of these windows. In addition, regular maintenance is
needed. You must repaint steel regularly, or it will rust. Steel
is a very durable material and is still used in hurricane storm
shutters.


Aluminium

Aluminium is nearly as durable as steel. However, like steel, it
is not very energy efficient and allows significant heat loss.
This material does have one benefit over steel. It doesn't
require the frequent maintenance. The color of aluminium is
baked on and a variety of colors are available. Repainting is
not necessary.


Vinyl

Vinyl is an inexpensive and durable material for windows. In
addition, vinyl is fairly energy efficient. In addition, vinyl
windows are maintenance free. They don't need to be painted.
Vinyl is colored straight through, so you won't ever see chips,
scratches or peeling. A variety of colors are available to match
your home's decoration.

The biggest problem with vinyl is that it can look cheap. There
are vinyl products that are made to look like wood, but the
effect isn't very good. They still have a plastic look.


Fibreglass

Fibreglass is a fairly new material for window construction. It
is very durable and energy efficient. When insulated properly,
it is one of the best in terms of energy efficiency. There is
little heat loss with well insulated fibreglass windows. You
will pay for this efficiency. These windows are among the most
expensive. Things to Consider When Choosing Window Hardware
Consider the climate where you live. If you live in a hot
climate, you want to keep the heat out and the cold air in your
home. Look for windows with a lower U value.

If you live in a colder climate, you want just the opposite: to
keep the cold out and heat in. Heat loss is a major problem in
cold climates and you'll want to prevent this both through the
frame and the glass. Choose energy efficient material and
insulate it well. Consider insulated glass, which adds to the
energy efficiency of the window. These products contain two
layers of glass with argon gas in between the layers.

When replacing windows, consider the design of your home. You
want the windows to match the architectural elements of your
home. Make sure the material you choose fits in with the time
period of your home. You won't want wood, Colonial style windows
on a modern Contemporary home.

Article Source: A Guide To Window Hardware