Replacement windows Los Angeles, CA, matter because air infiltration is the leading cause of heat loss from your house. It can your energy bills to shoot up when the temperature dips in winter. Because of this, it is important to choose windows that perform best against air infiltration.
Luckily, homeowners have tons of options to choose the different types of windows that suit their specific needs. While choosing a window that prevents air infiltration, don’t forget your house interior design and your ventilation needs.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what exactly is air infiltration.
What is air infiltration?
As the name suggests, it is air leakage through unsealed joints around the windows. It can cause significant heat loss during the winter. Every window has the ability to reduce air leakage through gaps in or around the window. It is usually described by the Air Infiltration value.
As fixed windows have no moving parts, they are the most energy-efficient ones. On the other hand, you need to consider how operable windows perform against air infiltration.
Below, we have discussed three of the most popular operable window types.
1. Casement Windows
As compared to other types of operating windows, a casement window is better at stopping air infiltration. Such a window has a tight seal around the entire sash. Because of its locking mechanism, a casement window creates a consistent compression of the weather stripping. As a result, it performs best against air infiltration.
Do you want to achieve the look of a double-hung window? All you need is to add a simulated check rail to a casement window. It will give the appearance of a double-hung window from the street.
2. Double Hung Windows
Double-hung windows are very popular for traditional and modern farmhouse-style houses. These windows are energy efficient at the same time. But, double-hung windows are less airtight because they lack the same locking mechanism that seals around the entire sash. If there is no need for ventilation from the top sash, you can consider a single hung window. It reduces air leakage to a great extent.
3.Slider/Glider Windows
Sliding windows, often known as gliders, are also one of the best options against air infiltration. Glider windows can perform very well just like double-hung windows. However, these windows are not equipped with a check rail or sill interlock. For that reason, they might be susceptible to air infiltration. Sliding windows are among the least expensive type of windows. So, they will continue to be a popular type for a range of projects on a tight budget.
Final Remarks: Choosing the Right Type of Windows
It is vital to select the right type of window. Casement, double-hung and slider windows are some of the popular types. These windows can perform perfectly against air infiltration.
As discussed above, every window has its unique performance characteristics. So, you need to choose a window that suits your budget, needs, and lifestyle. If you’re having any trouble in choosing the right type of replacement windows Los Angeles, CA, throw us an email.