Sunrooms, though beautiful and fun for spending time together, have not always been the most comfortable rooms in the house. The secret to a comfortable sunroom is the installation of the right kind of windows. If you’re a homeowner who would like to make your sunroom a better place to spend time, these tips will discuss the hows and whys of replacing your windows.
Why Does Your Sunroom Need Special Windows?
Without the right kind of windows, sunrooms can get very, very hot, especially in the middle of summer. Traditional single-pane windows without any special coatings allow UV rays to enter the home, thus allowing heat gain to increase the temperature in the house.
Sunrooms that are attached to the rest of the house can increase the temperature all throughout the house. By creating excess heat, sunrooms can make it difficult to control the temperature in the rest of the house.
Special windows are helpful in sunrooms for more reasons than temperature. Sunlight can be surprisingly damaging. Over time, sunlight can cause floors to fade and upholstery to deteriorate. Without special windows, sunlight can cause serious problems, leading to the premature replacement of furniture and necessary flooring repair.
What Type of Windows Are Best for Your Sunroom?
You can keep your sunroom in good condition by installing windows that offer UV protection and insulation against outside temperatures.
Insulation
Windows have different kinds of insulation. Multiple panes of glass create a barrier that can prevent heat transfer from outside the home to the inside of the home. This also prevents the loss of warm air inside the sunroom during the winter, so the sunroom can be used all year round.
Two panes of glass may be the most common option; however, some homeowners choose to install triple-pane glass. Though more effective than double-pane glass, triple-pane glass is also bulky, heavy and more costly.
In addition to multiple panes of glass, homeowners also have the option to fill the space between the windows with gas. These products are usually filled with a gas called argon, an odorless and nontoxic gas that helps create an additional barrier which prevents heat transfer.
Special Coatings
Special coatings like low-E coatings and tintings can block UV rays, preventing them from entering the home during the summer. In winter, low-E coatings also prevent warm air from inside the home from escaping through the windows.
ENERGY STAR Windows
Of course, the best windows are ENERGY STAR models. These windows are rated by the US ENERGY STAR program and, when installed throughout the house, are known to lower residential utility bills by as much as 12 percent annually.
How Can You Decide Which Options Are Best for You?
Since there are multiple types of coatings and windows with two or three layers of glass, some homeowners can have a hard time deciding which option is best for their home. In this case, consult with a window professional.
Your window installation professional can discuss your priorities with you, including budgetary concerns and biggest sources of discomfort in your current sunroom. With this information, he or she can help you decide which windows are right for your needs. Your window installer can even show you windows in a showroom that can help you decide which will look and perform best in your home.
Where Can I Find Information About Windows and Sunrooms?
If you want more information about energy efficient windows in sunrooms, contact a professional window installer in your area. At JFK Window and Door, we help homeowners by answering their questions and giving them information about windows. Contact us today to find out more.
