Suburban Windows, Siding, & Roofing Blog

The Importance of Window Placement in Your Home

     If you have ever looked at a wall in your house and wondered "Why isn't there a window there?" then you are not alone. The importance of where your windows are located in your home is often overlooked and sometimes not properly thought out. Here at Suburban Windows & Siding we have a lot of customers who ask if its possible to install a window opening where there is currently not one.
     We always encourage homeowners that a window can be installed anywhere in their house for a few important reasons. Proper window placement encourages good ventilation, which lessens your dependence on air conditioning in the summer. It can also minimize heating costs in the winter by providing adequate solar heat gain. Window placement can also effect your furniture and carpeting because overtime fading can occur from damaging UV rays. When it comes to choosing replacement windows, it is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. Each section of your home might actually require a different type of window.

Facing South: To calculate how many windows should be installed, south-facing windows' square footage should be 8% to 12% of the finished floor area(cumulative). If you have energy efficient windows, such as Heat Mirror, then the total glass area could increase up to 10-15% without overheating your home. The Heat Mirror replacement windows help to heat up your home in the cold, frosty winter, but prevent it from entering in the humid summer.
Facing East & West: Use low solar heat gain, or low-E, coatings for all around energy efficiency. East-facing windows should have a 4% ratio of finished floor area to glazing area; west-facing windows should have 2%.
Facing North: Windows on the north side of your house should also have a 4% ratio of finished floor area to glazing area.

Roofing Choices for Energy Efficiency

    

    Roofs seem to be a singularly overlooked element that can make a significant difference in a home's efficiency. Why do roofers always offer dark-colored shingles? Pulling that solar heat into the home might be a good solution for really cold climates, but for most homes, light colors are a better choice because they reflect heat, making it that much easier to cool the interior of a home during warm months.
     Reflective finishes can be applied to some roofing surfaces to reduce roof and interior temperatures. Reducing the temperature of a black asphalt roof helps protect the asphalt from deterioration and also reduces the need to cool the building, thus saving energy and reducing carbon emissions related to the structure.
     If you apply a radiant foil barrier under the roof, it will direct the sun's hottest rays away from the home, considerably increasing efficiency. The same technology helps keep heat in the home during winter months. Radiant foil barrier material costs about 10 cents per square foot before installation; it's an inexpensive fix that makes a big difference in your energy bill. Using the foil requires a vent to carry the deflected heat away from the home. Ridge vents along the top roof line with screened vents under the roof overhang work well with or without the barrier to move breezes up through the roof area and keep hot air from stalling over the house.

Tested & Approved: The Importance of a Good Housekeeping Seal

     Here at Suburban Windows & Siding, all of our replacement windows carry the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. Since 1909, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute have been evaluating products to determine whether or not they perform as promised so that they can earn the Good Housekeeping Seal. In 1902 the Good Housekeeping Experiment Station began testing products and accepting advertising for those that met it's approval.
     The purpose and mission of the Institute was to serve the needs and interests of the homemakers and homes of the United States as no other institution of its kind ever had. The facility included a model kitchen, a domestic science laboratory, and test stations where the work was to be conducted under practical household conditions. Any product that withstood the investigation and experience of the Institute staff was eligible to be included in the newly developed list of "Tested and Approved" products to be published in the magazine. Twenty-one consumer products were listed in the issue and included various household appliances, such as a washing machine, refrigerator, gas range, and an electric iron.
     In 1941, Good Housekeeping magazine took a major step forward and decided to guarantee that if a product didn't perform as advertised in the magazine, legitimate complaints would be taken care of by replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price to the consumer. This change added to the recognition and merchandising value of the original Seal of Approval.

       For more information about the Seal of Approval, please contact us at suburbanwindows@gmail.com.

10 Ways to Make your Home Energy-Efficient this Summer

 

 1) Energy-efficient windows incorporating advanced technologies like low-E glass coatings, gas filler between layers, and composite framing materials keep heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. For information on Suburban's most energy-efficient replacement window, The Heat Mirror, click here.

2) Vinyl siding on exterior walls saves money on installation and maintenance; fiber cement siding is termite and water resistant and warrantied to last 50 years.

3) More durable roof coverings such as steel and fiber cement reduce the frequency of roof replacement. Lighter colors absorb less heat, reducing cooling costs in warm climates. 

4) Selecting more efficient, correctly sized heating, cooling and water-heating equipment will also save money on your energy bill.

5) Incorporating passive solar design features like large, south-facing windows helps heat the home in the winter and allows for increased natural daylighting. 

6) Covered entries at exterior doors help to prevent water intrusion, reducing maintenance and enhancing durability. 

7) The energy-efficiency of refrigerators and freezers has tripled over the last three decades because they have more insulation, advanced compressors, better door seals, and more accurate temperature controls. 

8) Foundations should be as well insulated as the living space walls for efficient home energy use and enhanced comfort, particularly if the basement is used as a family room or bedroom.

9) Tree preservation reduces landscaping and future energy costs and helps provide winter wind breaks or summer shade. 

10) Recycled plastic lumber and wood composite materials reduce reliance on chemically treated lumber and durable hardwood for decks, porches, trim, and fencing. 

How Can Energy-Efficient Windows Work for You?

     To understand how a window can help you save energy in your home, you need to understand  how an energy-efficient window actually works. The concept is really quite simple: an energy efficient window slows down the rate of heat loss between the inside and outside of your home. Because energy moves from warm to cold areas, your window becomes a magnet. In the winter, the warm air inside the house tries to move outside to the colder air; in the summer, the warmer air outside tries to move inside. The air goes to the windows because they are less efficient than most other parts of the house, including the walls, floors, and roof. The air will successfully get out through the window cracks, openings in the frame, or right through older single-pane or poorly insulated double-pane windows. Even in well-sealed windows there is still some energy (heat) transfer through the glass since the glass conducts heat via conduction.
     Energy-efficient windows include modern technologies to reduce air flow and heat loss. These technologies include glazing, low-E coatings, low-U values, and gases such as krypton or argon between panes. These efficient windows protect you from the chill in the winter and keep you cool in the summer. In addition, they will also reduce that dreaded condensation inside your windows. How well an energy-saving window performs depends on the construction of the window frame and the spacer material that separates the individual frames of glass inside the pane and the glass itself.  

      *For more information about Suburban's Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows, please click here.

The Importance of Window Frames and Sashes

     The energy efficiency of your window doesn't only depend on the glass you have installed, even if it is a triple-pane or gas-filled energy efficient window. In case you aren't familiar with the structure of your window, the sash is what holds the glass and the frame is what holds the sash in place. The frames and sashes on all your windows are also exposed to harsh sunlight and climate changes and if they are made of wood or metal, air flow can increase over time leading to higher energy costs.
      Windows and their sashes can be made from aluminum, wood, a combination of wood and vinyl or aluminum, or solid vinyl. Wood is the oldest type of frame, has moderate insulating qualities, and needs the most maintenance of the three types of windows. It's usually found in older homes and needs to be maintained by painting to prevent damage from moisture and insect infestation.
      Aluminum windows are durable and the least expensive, but they need a "thermal break" to prevent the transfer of heat through the frame. Pre-finished aluminum clad wood windows are similar to wood windows, and have the recycling aspect of aluminum, but don't need as much maintenance as wood.
      The American Chemistry Council states that vinyl window frames require three times less energy to manufacture than aluminum frames, and using vinyl window frames will save the United States nearly 2 Trillion BTU's of energy/per year. BTU's are short for British Thermal Unit's, which are a basic measure of thermal heat energy. Vinyl windows are excellent in terms of energy efficiency and require little to no maintenance over time. They have an excellent combination of durability, cost, insulating value, strength and aesthetics. For more information,click here.

How to Save Energy This Summer: Locate Air Leaks in Your Home

     Did you know that the potential energy savings from reducing drafts in your home may range from 5-30% per year, and your home is generally much more comfortable afterward. First, check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Next, check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical Outlets
• Switch Plates
• Window Frames
• Baseboards
• Weather stripping around doors
• Fireplace Dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall or window-mounted air conditioners

     Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. You may also wish to consider replacing your windows and doors with newer, high-performance, energy efficient ones such as the revolutionary Heat Mirror replacement window (click for more information).
If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test:

1. First, close all exterior doors,windows, and fireplace flues.
2. Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters.
3. Then turn on all exhaust fans (generally located in the kitchen and bathrooms) or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.

This test increases infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect. You can use incense sticks or your damp hand to locate these leaks. IF you use incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you use your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool to your hand.

 

 

What is Heat Mirror Insulated Glass?

    Heat Mirror technology is a low-E coated film product suspended inside an insulating glass unit. The result is a triple unit with two airspace's without the weight of triple insulating glass and with far superior insulating and shading performance. Heat Mirror was introduced over 15 years ago and marked the beginning of the technology that applied microscopic metallic coatings to window glass components. This technology suceeded in producing more energy efficient window glass and launched the popularity of Low E coatings in modern window glazings. Heat Mirror is a film-based technology where by a thin film coated to retard heat transfer is suspended between two pieces of glass and sealed into an internal glazing unit.

    When Popular Science Magazine chose the 100 Greatest Inventions as a milennium-year special, only 5 appliances made the list. Along with the air conditioner, stove, washer and refridgerator, they listed a product they called "one of the more dramatic advances": Heat Mirror Windows. It helps conserve fuel, save money and provide year round comfort in both commercial and residential buildings. Heat mirror film can turn your window into a sophisticated climate controlling appliance, able to block heat transfer through the glass, achieving energy performance from your windows nearly 10 times that of single pane glass and 5 times that of ordinary dual pane glazings...And it knows what season it is; retaining radiant heat in the winter and repelling it in the summer. Heat Mirror doens't stop there. It effectively blocks over 99% of UV radiation from the sun which prevents fading of furnishings, carpet and drapes, and also reduces sound transmission for a quieter home. 

Suburban Windows & Siding is an exclusive Heat Mirror dealer, for more information please contact us! 

Simple Steps to Protect Your Family from Lead Paint !

     Recently the Federal Government has taken cautionary steps for any Lead-based Paint renovations, repairs, and painting in the home improvement industry. Here at Suburban Windows & Siding, we have been certified for lead safe renovation, repair, and painting work in pre-1978 housing and in child-occupied facilities where work can or will disturb lead-based paint. Homes built before 1960 are more likely than homes built after 1960 to contain lead-based paint and are also more likely to have deteriorated paint surfaces due to age. In addition, concentrations of lead in paint were higher prior to the 1950's when paint companies began to use less lead in paint they manufactured.                            

We think it is important to bring our fellow homeowners up to date on this new policy with any information that may be useful if your home can potentially contain Lead-Based Paint. 

If You Think Your Home Has High Levels of Lead:

• Don't try to remove lead-based paint yourself.
• Regularly Clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces.
• Wipe soil off shoes before entering house.
• Get your home checked for lead hazards.
  
• Be careful about peeling or chipping paint.
• Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
• Don't use a belt-sander, propane torch, high temperature heat gun, scraper, or sandpaper on painted surfaces that may contain lead.
• Don't try to remove lead-based paint yourself.  
• Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovatin.

The Facts About Lead Paint Exposure and Prevention

     In case you haven't heard the news, as of April 2010, Federal Law now requires that contractors that are hired to perform renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Federal Law also requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating 6-square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than 20-square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects in housing, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978.
      Lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. Projects that disturb lead-based paint can create dust and endanger you and your family. Lead dust comes from deteriorating lead-based paint and lead-contaminated soil that gets tracked into your home. This dust may accumulate to unsafe levels, then normal activities in the home move that dust from surfaces, like floors and windowsills, into the body. The key to protecting yourself and your family from lead-based paint exposure in a home renovation, repair, or painting job is to hire a certified contractor. For more information about lead-based paint in your home renovations please feel free to contact Suburban Windows & Siding, we are certified in Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting.