Posted by James Desmond on Wed, Jul 21, 2010 @ 11:34 AM
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.
Posted by James Desmond on Fri, Jul 16, 2010 @ 12:32 PM
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.
Posted by James Desmond on Fri, Jul 09, 2010 @ 12:17 PM
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.
Posted by James Desmond on Thu, Jul 01, 2010 @ 01:08 PM
10 Ways to Make Your Home Energy-Efficient
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.