Why would anyone install windows in a basement? If you have single-paned steel basement windows in your home, you've probably been staring at them and asking yourself this very question.
The answer is obvious: you wanted to let beautiful natural light into the basement so it doesn't look like a dungeon. Of course, as steel basement windows rust, corrode, jam shut, and fall apart, they're hardly an attractive addition- even if you are getting more light through holes in the rust. With a humid basement on one side and a damp, rainy environment on the other, steel basement windows don't stand a chance. In just 5-10 years, they're usually in need of replacement.
If water is filling up your window wells or collecting outside of your basement windows, then they're likely to let in more than just sunlight. This water can leak in through the cracks and run down your basement walls, leaving an unsightly puddle in your home and possibly damaging possessions stored nearby.
While rainwater is coming in, heat from the basement is going out. Single-paned steel windows have an R-insulation rating of 1, which means that they stop only 50% of heat from passing through. This is an expensive drain on your home's energy! In fact, the US Department of Energy has reported that energy bills can be saved by 30-40% simply by sealing all windows in a home in cold climates. And of all the windows in a home, drafty, single-paned basement windows with heat-conducting steel frames are the least insulated of all!
If your basement windows need replacement or you're remodeling, the best option is to install double-paned vinyl windows. Unlike steel-framed windows, they will never rust, rot, or corrode. Additionally, they won't need to be repainted, and they'll continue to look beautiful for many years to come.
Best of all, vinyl double-paned basement windows are much more energy-efficient. Vinyl will not easily conduct heat out of your home, and the airspace between the two basement window panes adds insulation. A top-quality vinyl double-paned basement window will have an R-insulation rating of 3, which is three times the insulation rating of single-paned steel windows! Your investment will begin to pay back for itself as soon as it's installed in your home.
Basement Systems provides their dealers across the United States, Canada, and the UK with energy-efficient EverLast basement windows and SunHouse basement window wells Their vinyl double-paned windows have a Low-E rating and are designed with crystal-clear glass that gives your basement a brighter, more cheerful look. They slide open and closed smoothly and will never rust, rot, or corrode. And because they can be removed easily from their frame, they're easy to clean and double as an access point for sliding in long objects or boards into the basement.
Whether you need basement windows or anything else for your basement or crawl space (including a basement waterproofing, sump pump, basement remodeling, dehumidifier, or crawl space vapor barrier) Basement Systems has a locally-owned and operated contractor in your area. All estimates and consultations are free and come with no obligation. The basement is an entire floor of space in your home, and - make the most of it!
Jacques Bouchard
Basement Systems
Articles. Below are a number of articles relating to shutters, blinds, window treatments and interior design. Can help your up..
Showing posts with label Basement Windows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basement Windows. Show all posts
Steel Basement Windows - A Two-Way Street
Wood Or Vinyl Replacement Windows - Which is the Better Buy?
When it is time to purchase wood or vinyl replacement windows and doors, it can be difficult to decide between the two options. Several factors go into purchasing the right items for your home -- color, design, efficiency, and budget. You will need to find a style that meets these needs in order to make the right choice for your home.
Benefits Of Vinyl Replacement Windows And Doors
If you are looking for a style that is relatively low maintenance, vinyl replacement windows and doors are the perfect solution. Because the color is right in the material, there is no scraping, painting, or sealing. This means there is no more climbing on a ladder to bring your home back up to par. These are also considerably more budget friendly and they come in a variety of different types, colors, and designs.
You can purchase basic types if money is an issue, or you can get highly efficient and artistic versions to match the architecture of your home. Lastly, they are easier and faster to install. Manufacturers make this style at a faster rate and have added features into the basic design to make them relatively easy to install correctly.
Benefits Of Wood Doors And Windows
If you are looking to sell your home in the near future, you may want to consider the higher aesthetic value of wood items. These have more options and often fit in better with a home's design. In fact, buyers often look for this feature. If you have a historic home, you may find that this style fits in with the exterior look and feel of the home. Wood is more energy efficient than vinyl varieties. When it gets extremely cold or hot outside, the frame will remain relatively the same temperature indoors. As an added benefit, they are also more effective at keeping out sound.
Cons Of Vinyl Replacement Windows And Doors
The inefficiency of vinyl is one hurdle you will have to get over. New styles are more efficient as advancements in their design have improved this significantly. You may also want to consider the overall look of vinyl windows in your home. For historic homes or designs that require a bit of added comfort and warmth to their look, vinyl isn't the only option. To solve this, look at some of the more innovative design styles such as those with mullion bars running through between the panes.
The Cons Of Wood
Wood doors and windows do often look better, but beauty does have its price. The biggest downfall to this style is the added maintenance they require to keep them looking their best. This starts from the moment they are installed. They will require regular maintenance on a regular basis from that point on. Most of these styles will also require you to seal them off on a regular basis to ensure they hold their level of energy efficiency. In addition, this style has a higher price tag.
Purchasing wood or vinyl replacement windows and doors will keep your home efficient and beautiful. You just need to ensure that whatever choice you make is the right one for your home.
Christine O'Kelly is an author for Custom Order Online, a leading online replacement windows and doors retailer. They provide high quality home repair supplies and customer service for items such as flooring, doors, and vinyl replacement windows at an affordable price.
Benefits Of Vinyl Replacement Windows And Doors
If you are looking for a style that is relatively low maintenance, vinyl replacement windows and doors are the perfect solution. Because the color is right in the material, there is no scraping, painting, or sealing. This means there is no more climbing on a ladder to bring your home back up to par. These are also considerably more budget friendly and they come in a variety of different types, colors, and designs.
You can purchase basic types if money is an issue, or you can get highly efficient and artistic versions to match the architecture of your home. Lastly, they are easier and faster to install. Manufacturers make this style at a faster rate and have added features into the basic design to make them relatively easy to install correctly.
Benefits Of Wood Doors And Windows
If you are looking to sell your home in the near future, you may want to consider the higher aesthetic value of wood items. These have more options and often fit in better with a home's design. In fact, buyers often look for this feature. If you have a historic home, you may find that this style fits in with the exterior look and feel of the home. Wood is more energy efficient than vinyl varieties. When it gets extremely cold or hot outside, the frame will remain relatively the same temperature indoors. As an added benefit, they are also more effective at keeping out sound.
Cons Of Vinyl Replacement Windows And Doors
The inefficiency of vinyl is one hurdle you will have to get over. New styles are more efficient as advancements in their design have improved this significantly. You may also want to consider the overall look of vinyl windows in your home. For historic homes or designs that require a bit of added comfort and warmth to their look, vinyl isn't the only option. To solve this, look at some of the more innovative design styles such as those with mullion bars running through between the panes.
The Cons Of Wood
Wood doors and windows do often look better, but beauty does have its price. The biggest downfall to this style is the added maintenance they require to keep them looking their best. This starts from the moment they are installed. They will require regular maintenance on a regular basis from that point on. Most of these styles will also require you to seal them off on a regular basis to ensure they hold their level of energy efficiency. In addition, this style has a higher price tag.
Purchasing wood or vinyl replacement windows and doors will keep your home efficient and beautiful. You just need to ensure that whatever choice you make is the right one for your home.
Christine O'Kelly is an author for Custom Order Online, a leading online replacement windows and doors retailer. They provide high quality home repair supplies and customer service for items such as flooring, doors, and vinyl replacement windows at an affordable price.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)