Discovering Windows

You now know from our last posting that replacement windows can save you 20% or more on your energy bills. But wait, there are even more benefits.  New windows can also improve your home’s appearance, comfort and re-sale value. In fact, window replacement has proven to add more value than many major home improvement projects and typically comes with an ROI of 70% or more. So don’t make the mistake of overlooking your windows when it comes to adding to that all-important curb appeal of your home.

Your Home is Your Sanctuary!

Here are three ways to ensure a comfortable home has privacy and safety using window glass.

1. Obscure (“Frosted”) window glass is perfect for your bathroom. It lets in plenty of light to boost your mood, yet provides the privacy you need to feel safe. Obscure door glass for entryways into your home does the same, but also comes in various texture patterns and colors to add style and grace. It can be translucent, permitting light to pass through but diffusing i t for privacy. Or it can be semi-opaque, allowing very little light to pass through for even more privacy.
2. Tempered glass is the epitome of safety for the sliding door onto your deck and for side lights, the windows next to your doors and doorways. It is extremely strong, and if it is broken, it breaks into small pebble-like pieces with no sharp edges.
3. Laminated glass, two or more panes bonded together with plastic or resin, is great for reducing exterior noise. Most noise comes into homes and buildings through the windows. While exterior noise can never be totally eliminated from any interior environment, the bonding material between laminated panes has a superior noise dampening effect for a quieter experience. And, laminated glass can prevent intrusion (even bullets and bomb blasts) if necessary, and still beautify your home.

Let the sun shine in?

Yes, there are places you do want lots of sunlight to enter your home.  Skylights are a good way to do this. They brighten up your home and can make a big difference in the way your rooms look and feel. They come in venting and non-venting models, but before you buy the venting type, give some thought to how you’re going to reach them and where you’re going to keep the long-handled rod needed to operate them. You can save some money if you buy the fixed unit model. And just like window glass, they are available with laminated panes, tempered glass and tinted coatings to control UV and heat penetration. Even though they do come with tinted glass, you might want to consider buying the less expensive clear glass to let in the most light and then use shades or screens for heat and light control.

Don’t want a big hole in your roof? Missing rafters? And worse yet, what do you do if you have a truss-supported roof?

Solution = Tubular Skylights.

Tubular skylights capture natural light with low-profile roof lenses outside and “tunnel” it just about anywhere inside your home. They are less expensive and don’t present the installation challenges of the much larger skylights. Skylight tubes let you switch off your lights during daylight hours and save electricity while reducing the carbon footprint of your home as well. Besides, you and your family will reap the benefits that natural sunlight brings to your health and well-being.

Interested in learning more?

Our professionals at AROCON Roofing and Construction can help you create an individualized solution for your home.