As you know, windows are the eyes of your home. And if these eyes are old, saggy and unattractive, your entire home will suffer because of it. However, you also need to combine style with energy efficiency if you are interested in saving money on your energy bill. There is no point in paying hundreds of pounds for fancy new windows if their energy efficiency is no better than an old single pane window. We know that double glazed windows are the best possible solution to the issue of new windows but there are UK homes that still prefer old fashioned alternatives.
Sash windows are seen as elegant and stylish and have been around for centuries. In fact, there are sash windows surviving from 1670 so at least we know they are durable! You will still see sash windows on Georgian and Victorian style homes as well as on old fashioned bars and restaurants. Problems with these kind of windows include their susceptibility to wood rot and the fact that the sliding mechanism has a propensity to break, leaving you unable to open or close the window. Sash windows are also prone to shrinkage when exposed to severe weather conditions.
UPVC windows are a cheaper and more energy efficient alternative to sash windows. As well as keeping heat in during the winter and keeping it out during the summer, UPVC windows are also easy to clean. Compare this to sash windows which are in constant need of maintenance. UPVC windows have a high ‘R’ value and they will never rust or corrode. You don’t have to paint them and they last for 20 years or more.
You need to avoid any form of wooden window but if you look at tens of thousands of homes in the UK, the wooden window frame is alive and well. Think of all the problems associated with sash windows and subtract the aesthetic quality and you’re left with something of a mess. Wooden windows will shrink, warp, bend and rot. They need paint, varnish and lots more TLC. Any energy efficiency gained is lost when the frame shrinks and allows all the heat out in any case.
Aluminium windows have become popular as well and are one of the new breed of windows. Oddly enough, one area where aluminium windows fall down is their lack of energy efficiency. They are great conductors of cold and heat so they are often used in commercial buildings. Aluminium windows are three times stronger than UPVC windows and they are also relatively inexpensive. They are brilliant for reducing external noise and can be decorated and made to look attractive.
Although aluminium windows buck the trend of new windows by being less energy efficient than they should be, it is certain that the days of the old fashioned wooden windows should be long gone. They offer too many problems and are far too expensive for the service they provide. Too much effort is required to keep them in good shape and they don’t offer tight enough security to boot.
