In the case of windows, the choice is both cosmetic and functional, with different types of cladding available as well as the option to upgrade to a more efficient style.

For some time now, dual-paned, vinyl-clad windows have been the standard in new home construction. Today, more and more builders are moving to more efficient products, such as Energy Star-labelled windows and doors, which benefit not only the environment but the homeowner’s pocketbook as well.

Building a new home is a sometimes gruelling series of decisions – to upgrade or not to upgrade, colour selections, floor plan options… making a smart decision can be tough when all the choices seem so overwhelming. When it comes to windows, as with other components of your home, there are a few basic criteria to go by – most importantly cost, efficiency and aesthetics.

Though different home builders offer different standard specifications, standard windows in new homes tend to be vinyl-extruded, dual-paned windows, although Energy Star-labelled (High Performance) windows are showing up more often as a standard. The difference between the two? The former consist of dual-glazed, clear glass while the latter consist of low-emissivity (“low-e”) coated glass with argon gas. Energy Star-labelled windows also feature “Warm Edge” spacer, energy efficient sash and frame materials, structural reinforcement and quality weather-stripping.

Perhaps most importantly, states Scott Keelan, marketing manager of Gienow Windows and Doors, “Energy Star-labelled windows have been performance tested to meet or exceed internationally
recognized standards.”

The vinyl window arose as the standard because of its low maintenance needs and the “need for high performance window components,” Keelan says. Vinyl windows with an Energy Star label offer these same advantages, along with the added bonuses of a doubled R-value (from R2 in the non-Energy Star windows to R4 in high-e windows), reduced heat and UV damage from the sun, and reduced condensation.

While the monetary savings gained from these features cannot exactly be quantitatively measured, there is no doubt that over the years, the homeowner will see a reduction in heat loss through the windows in the winter, as well as a reduction in UV damage to their furniture, flooring and art, thanks to the UV protection which high-e windows offer. According to the US government’s Energy Star website (http://www.energystar.gov), heat loss can be reduced by at least 20 per cent and fading of interiors by approximately 75 per cent compared to conventional windows. The argon gas within low-e windows does dissipate somewhat over time, though exact amounts are not known. However, says Keelan, under normal conditions you can expect the argon gas to perform for about 20 years.

“Low-e windows are good to invest in upfront, as they pay for themselves over time,” says Randi Wagner, design consultant for Cardel Custom Homes, adding that it is cheaper to have them installed during construction than to pay to upgrade later. She estimates that it costs a couple of thousand dollars to upgrade to high-e windows in an average new home. Homebuyers are springing for this initial cost more often. “Green is becoming more of a priority for people,” says Wagner.

Energy Star windows are graded by zone across North America, according to the average annual Heating Degree Days, a measure of temperature. The grading system takes into account a thirty-year average, and factors in the length of the heating season and the need (or lack thereof) for air conditioning within the home. Calgary lies in Zone B, the second mildest zone in Canada. The government recommends that if you live at a significantly higher elevation than the rest of the zone, you should buy windows and doors graded for one zone higher than that of the surrounding area.

Keelan points out that homebuyers don’t usually shop around for their windows. Generally, he says, buyers tend to accept what their builder offers as standard. It’s not until you get into a much higher-end market that buyers start to consider their window options more carefully.

One situation that calls for special consideration when it comes to windows is an impressive view. “In houses with lots of views, people want to invest,” says Wagner.

Another concern in high-end homes is the look of the windows. A buyer who is investing in an expensive home will most likely want the warm look of metal-clad, wood windows. These windows feature a low-maintenance exterior with black, aluminium cladding, and a wood interior, which is higher maintenance than the interior of a vinyl window. Metal-clad, wood windows also come with a substantially higher cost. The main benefit of these nice-looking windows is aesthetic – which, if it really matters to you, may be very worth the heftier price tag.

New home builders are generally willing to price and install any window their suppliers carry, so the homebuyer’s budget is the only limit. For owners of older homes, who may be renovating or looking to replace the existing windows, vinyl windows offer ease of installation in addition to the afore-mentioned benefits.

In general, Keelan believes that vinyl, Energy Star-labelled windows are the best option for most buyers and owners. “It’s easy advice to ensure you’re getting a good-quality window – a golden rule for the consumer,” he says. “Buying an Energy Star labelled window would be the safest bet for overall performance, lack of air and water infiltration and overall durability of the window.”

“Owners should insist on high efficiency and low maintenance.”

No matter what type of window you choose, Wagner says that given the amount of time new homeowners tend to spend in a home before moving, replacement of windows is not something owners need to worry about. Even if you plan to be in your new home for the long haul, “windows should last as long as you live in your home.” NL