Choosing Quality Replacement Windows
Written by: Jeff Todd | Date: Tuesday, 16th March 2010

Choosing quality replacement windows can be difficult and expensive, unless you are aware of your options. Owning a home involves maintenance, and replacing old windows that are either too unfashionable for your new decor, or else allowing too much heat to escape from your home, is one of the more common and popular home maintenance projects.

Many people consider vinyl replacement windows as a means of saving energy and reducing their carbon footprint, and there is a wide range of styles, colors and materials of construction from which to choose. Let's consider here the single and double hung style of window. These are the traditional style of sash window, where they slide vertically up and down in their own tracks, frequently using sash cords that are counterbalanced with a weight.

The construction usually consists of two almost equally sized sets of window frames, each containing from one to several panes of glass. With single hung windows, only one of these frames slide up and down, while two are able to do so with the double hung windows. Which you prefer is your choice, although the latter are generally the more expensive of the two.

Many people have had windows of this design replaced with casement or sliding windows, because in the past they have been difficult to clean. However, modern double hung windows can tip or swing inwards for ease of cleaning from inside your home, and because of this their traditional and clean lines are becoming increasingly more popular again.

Both single and double hung replacement windows are available in a range of materials, from the traditional wood to vinyl and aluminum. They are double glazed, and removable grilles can be used to change their look. You can purchase replacement windows with grills of various designs so that they can change the look, both of the windows and of your home. Since these are removable and interchangeable, you will be able to do this regularly, and so never become bored with the appearance of the windows.

You can switch from the normal single pane of glass top and bottom, to a Colonial style with the appearance of multiple panes, and even give them a stained glass look with special grilles in various styles and shades together with colored clear stick-on plastic or even colored glass. The range of designs is limited only by your imagination.

As a replacement for older windows, single or double hung windows can save you energy: perhaps not as much as the better sealed casement windows, but certainly better than those they are replacing. Many people prefer this traditional style of window to casement, even though the latter have been the most widely used style since before the Civil War.

If your home is currently fitted with single hung or double hung windows, and you intend to fit replacement windows of a similar design, you will get all the help and advice you need from your window contractor. They will help you to choose the right size, color and material of construction to suit your intended decor, both internal and external because the frame colors can be different inside and out. And they won't forget your budget, so that you will be completely satisfied with your new look without burning too large a hole in your wallet.