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Discover Which Window Style is Right For You!

If you’re planning to have new windows installed for your home, the window style is a crucial consideration. The residential window styles available for installation are abundant, giving you many options to weigh. Before you schedule your window installation, learning more about the available window styles can ensure that you know which window style is right for your home and budget. 

Here, we’ll learn all about the top window styles for modern homes. All of these window styles have varying pros and cons, which can help you narrow down the list. 

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows feature horizontal sashes that slide from side to side. This is different from conventional windows, which slide up and down. 

The main benefit that sliding windows provide is a clear view of the outdoors without obstructions. This window design is simple and clean, providing an ideal look for those who want plenty of natural light in their homes. Sliding windows are also extremely easy to operate, making them a smart choice for homeowners with dexterity concerns or for installation in hard-to-reach areas. 

The key drawback of sliding windows is that the outside of them is difficult to clean. Since sliding windows can’t be tilted for convenient cleaning from the inside of your home, as other window designs can be, you’ll need to put some extra effort into maintaining this window style. 

Bay Windows 

For a classic yet eye-catching window design, bay windows are a stellar option. This window type is made up of three windows connected to create a more expansive window unit. Bay windows are set at angles so that the unit extends out past the walls of your home. This creates the effect that you’re closer to the outdoors, and it adds a bit of extra space inside any room. With that extra space, you can install seating, storage drawers, or any other moderately-sized fixture that will benefit your home. 

Bay windows provide a high amount of natural light, additional space, and a unique style point for your home. However, bay windows are a comparatively pricey window design option, and they can develop structural problems if improperly installed. This is why it’s crucial to enlist the help of an expert team for window installation. 

Double Hung Windows

Double hung windows feature an upper and lower sash. These two sashes, stacked vertically, can both be moved up and down to open the window. Double hung windows look very much like single hung windows, but both sashes can be used to open the window. With a single hung window, only one of the sashes can be moved. 

Convenient operation, affordability, and color options are among the top benefits of double hung windows. Since double hung windows are a highly popular residential window design option, you can typically find them in the broadest range of colors. That said, double hung windows do create a higher risk of air leakage than other window types. This is because the windows aren’t as airtight as other models, creating the possibility of a leak as the window ages. 

Awning Windows

Awning windows aren’t the most popular residential window choice for window installation in Minneapolis. However, this window type offers a striking look with singular functionality, making it the best option in specific applications. 

Awning windows have hinges at the top of the sash. From this hinge, the window opens outward, away from the home. With this design, which opens from the bottom, homeowners can protect their homes against water damage while keeping the window open in a rainstorm. The rain will fall onto the open window, then flow down and away from your home. 

Since awning windows open outward, they’re typically a good choice for upper levels of a home. Installed on a lower level, an awning window may obstruct patio space and other features outside your home. Additionally, awning windows can be difficult to keep clean. Since these windows open outward, reaching the pane that faces outside can be tricky to reach.

If you’re considering installing new windows or replacing your windows, contact Superior Windows for window installation services. Our expert team will help you select the perfect window style for your home and budget.

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Categories Blog

Three Easy Ways To Prevent Window Damage in Your Home

The windows are a key fixture in your home. Window damage can cause serious headaches for home and business owners, so it’s important to protect them and avoid the expense of a premature window replacement.

Proper installation and maintenance can help you avoid many types of window damage. However, since the exterior of your windows is directly exposed to the elements, some types of window damage can occur despite professional window installation and ongoing maintenance. Here, we’ll discuss the main types of window damage and what you can do to prevent them. 

Main Types of Window Damage

Condensation

While condensation may seem harmless, it can have a big, negative impact on your home’s windows. Condensation can form on your windows when water in the gas form reaches a surface at a lower temperature than the air around it. The lower surface temperature causes the water to change from the gas form into the liquid form. 

Window Damage From Condensation

Condensation can eventually cause drops of water to flow downward, reaching the window frame and even your home’s walls. This moisture creates the risk of water damage, including mold development, water stains, and rot. 

Preventing Damage From Condensation

To prevent condensation on your home’s windows, you’ll need to raise the temperature of the windows so that moisture in the air doesn’t solidify when it reaches the surface of your windows. To do this, you may need to open the curtains so that the warm air in your home raises the temperature of the window glass. Getting a dehumidifier in your home can also prevent high amounts of moisture in the air that can lead to condensation. 

If you do notice condensation on your windows, make sure to wipe it off with a soft cloth. This will stop the droplets of water from flowing downward and off of the glass. 

Warped Frames

If you own a home that’s on the older side, you may have windows with wooden frames. While wooden frames can be beautiful, they also present a unique set of challenges when it comes to window damage.

With fluctuating weather conditions, wood expands and contracts with the changes in temperatures. As time goes on, this will cause wooden window frames to warp. Warped frames not only look askew, but can also diminish the structure of your windows and may lead to further damage. 

Wood window frames may also become warped if water seeps into them and freezes. Water expands when it freezes, meaning that the wooded frame may crack. Cracked window frames create the risk of further water damage. 

Preventing Warped Window Frames

Unfortunately, wooden window frames are bound to expand and contract with changing temperatures outside. So, if you’re struggling with warped frames, you’re probably facing a window replacement. When you replace the window, you can choose a more durable frame material so that you don’t have to deal with warping in the future. 

Drafty Windows

Draft windows are not only a pain, but also a liability to the energy efficiency of your home. With drafty windows, your HVAC system will use more energy than is necessary to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This will ultimately lead to higher utility bills each month.

Preventing Drafty Windows

Drafty windows are often caused by poor installation. When windows are installed properly, it can lead to gaps between the window frame and the window itself. Air can then leak in and out of your home through this gap. So, one of the best ways to prevent window damage is to hire a trusted company for your window installation. Keeping up with window maintenance can also ensure that gaps are identified and addressed early on. Caulking and sealing the windows is also a strategy for preventing air leakage through your windows. 

Window Damage Prevention Maintenance

For all types of window damage, proper maintenance is an excellent preventative tactic. Taking proper care of your windows through regular cleaning, lubricating the window tracks, inspecting for damage, and promptly repairing the damage will prolong the lifespan of your windows. 

To schedule a window replacement or installation, contact Superior Windows today. Our expert team will protect the lifespan of your home’s windows.

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Categories Blog

Choosing a Window Contractor – 6 Things You Need to Know

Choosing the right window contractor is absolutely essential. Proper window installation is essential to the longevity of windows in Minneapolis. Windows that are poorly installed won’t have the durability to hold up against the elements. Plus, windows that aren’t installed correctly tend to cause air leakage, leading to higher energy costs. 

If you need replacement windows, your choice of contractor will impact how your new windows look, operate, and hold up after years of use. The window contractor that you opt to work with isn’t a decision to take lightly, and there are many factors to take into account. 

For optimal window performance, you’ll need an experienced, trained, and qualified window contractor. Your experience throughout the window installation process should be a pleasant one, with clear communication and friendly service throughout. 

As you seek out a company to complete your window installation project, look for the following qualities:

Licensed, Insured, and Bonded Window Contractor

Before you settle on a window contractor, ensure that they’re licensed and insured. By having a license, a window contractor proves that they have the basic skills to complete the job and will comply with the building codes in your area. 

In addition to a license, your window contractor needs to be insured. The contractor’s worker’s compensation insurance protects you in the instance that a team member gets injured on the job. The liability insurance offers financial protection if the contractor damages the window during the installation process. With an insured contractor, you wouldn’t be responsible for the cost of the damaged window in this case. 

Bonded window contractors will cover the cost of window installation services from a new company if their work is poor. Additionally, they’ll cover the cost of hiring a new window company to complete the job if their company goes under mid-project. These scenarios aren’t likely to happen, but the risk is always there. So, look for a window company that’s licensed, insured, and bonded. 

Excellent Customer Service

Insight into the quality of your experience with a window contractor will be the customer service, right off the bat. If you’re able to quickly and easily get in touch with a customer service representative to get more information, it’s a sign that the company is organized. If the team is friendly, helpful, and straightforward, it’s another indicator that the company prioritizes its customers. 

No False Claims

These days, with the breadth of advertising that consumers are exposed to every day, companies have the ability to mislead. So, don’t simply trust the advertising materials put out by a window company. Follow up with them to fact-check their claims. If any of the advertising is misleading or not backed up by fact, seek out a different contractor. Making false claims is a poor business practice and a sign that the company isn’t up to scratch. 

Transparent Bids

Bids from potential window installation companies provide helpful information. The bids should be clear and comprehensive. Be wary of hidden costs, such as a disposal fee. Should there be any part of the bid that isn’t clear to you, be sure to ask the company about it. It’s also worth it, at this point, to ask about warranties, as a warranty can protect your investment in new windows.  

Window Contractor Certifications

Certifications from large manufacturers are a great sign that a Minneapolis window contractor is an expert in the field. Training and expertise in specific window products come along with certifications, meaning that most of the top window companies will have them. 

Clean-Up

While many assume that cleaning up after a window installation project is a given for professional contractors, you may be surprised at the range of quality in window services. While you’re vetting for a window installation company, ask them about their clean-up process and how they’ll handle your old windows. This will give you an idea of what you can expect after the windows are installed, as well as offer a sense of the company’s professionalism. 

With a skilled, conscientious team, Superior Windows is ready to complete your window installation project. Contact us today to learn more about our expert window services. 

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Categories Blog

Four Reasons To Choose New Energy Efficient Windows

Many homeowners today are seeking out ways to make their homes more energy-efficient. New energy efficient windows installation is a great way to optimize the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems. In addition to helping keep your home’s living spaces at a comfortable temperature, new windows will make your monthly energy bills more affordable. 

You can maximize the benefits of window installation by choosing energy-efficient windows. There are many options available when it comes to eco-friendly windows, which we’ll cover below. 

Why Choose Energy Efficient Windows?

Energy Savings

Energy efficient windows are a smart choice for homeowners all across the U.S. For both new homes and homes that have long been established, energy-efficient windows are capable of significantly reducing home energy costs. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save from $126 to $465 per year by simply installing double-pane windows to replace single-pane windows. If your home is currently equipped with double-pane windows, you can still save between $27 and $111 by having them replaced by energy efficient windows. 

Less Sun Damage To Interior Home Items

Besides energy savings, energy efficient windows have a few other benefits worth noting. One key perk ones with the low-e coatings on many energy efficient windows. This coating will significantly prevent sun damage to the items within your home, including carpeting, furniture, and photographs. 

Quieter Living Spaces

Energy efficient windows are also excellent at blocking out noise from outside. You’ll notice that your home is far quieter and more peaceful with double-pane windows. 

Higher Home Selling Price

If you sell your home in the future, energy efficient windows will bolster the selling price. In fact, you’ll likely get back much of the cost of the window installation when you sell your home. Energy efficient windows raise the value of your home and are an attractive feature to modern homebuyers. 

The bottom line is that you’ll benefit from adding energy efficient windows to your home with window installation services. But, we understand that your budget is important, too. We recommend finding the most energy-efficient windows that find within your price range. Rest assured, this investment will pay off over time in energy savings. 

What Affects Window Energy Efficiency?

There are many factors that can impact the energy-efficiency of your home’s windows. These include:

Proper Installation

To ensure that your windows are energy-efficient, always work with a skilled Minneapolis window installer. Improper window installation can lead to air leakage in and out of your home, forcing your HVAC system to work harder. Additionally, if your windows are poorly installed, water could seep into your home the next time it rains, snows, or hails. This may cause costly damage to your home and would require a full window replacement. So, make sure to get it right the first time by choosing a reputable contractor. 

Window Glass

There are multiple window glass options available to you. But, dual-pane glass is far superior to single-pane glass when it comes to energy-efficiency. This is because dual-pane glass is highly insulative. Additionally, choosing to have argon gas added in between the two panes of glass will significantly cut down on the transfer of heat in and out of your home through the windows.

Frame Material

The material that you choose for the construction of the window frames will affect the window’s energy-efficiency. The main options for residential window frames include:

  • Fiberglass

Fiberglass offers stellar insulation and holds up amid temperature fluctuations. 

  • Wood

Wood is also an insulative material for window frames, and it offers low conductivity. This means that it will prevent heat and cold from transferring into your home from the outside. 

  • Vinyl 

Vinyl window frames are energy-efficient and very low-maintenance. This makes them a common choice for window replacement projects in Minneapolis. 

Boosting The Efficiency of Your Current Windows

If your budget doesn’t currently allow for brand-new windows, or if your current windows are in good shape but simply aren’t as energy-efficient as possible, there are still options at your disposal. Take the following steps to boost the energy-efficiency of existing windows:

  • Add caulk to gaps or cracks in the windows, then weatherstrip them. 
  • Consider energy-efficient window treatments. 
  • Apply solar control film to the windows. 
  • Install exterior shading for the windows. 

Contact Superior Windows today for trusted Minneapolis window installation services.

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