What’s New in the World of Windows and Doors

“Windows and doors are critical to a home’s functionality due to the myriad of purposes they serve,” said Christopher Wittmann, Master Certified Remodeler and Senior Sales Associate with Callen, Inc. in Muskego. “It’s well established that installing new windows and doors will drastically increase a home’s energy efficiency, thus reducing energy costs, as well as enhance curb appeal. In addition, they can also create a more comfortable indoor air environment, enhance the quality of air you breathe inside your home, and improve home security.”Modern windows and doors feature various advancements, such as superior thermal insulation properties, low-E glass coatings, multiple glass panes, advanced sealing technology, and smart technology.“An excellent window and patio door material is pultruded fiberglass, which is known for outperforming vinyl and wood in terms of insulation properties,” Christopher said. “Windows and patio doors made from fiberglass not only provide outstanding thermal insulation benefits and maintain their structural integrity in virtually any climate, their traditional profiles and styles also provide beauty in any style of home.”“In windows, low emissivity (low-E) glass is a thin, transparent coating used in modern window manufacturing and is applied to the glass panes for the purposes of maximizing energy efficiency and filtering infrared and ultraviolet light, which is known to damage flooring, furniture, and other household furnishings over time,” said Christopher. Depending on the time of year, the coating works to reflect warm or cold air back into the home in order to help maintain a consistent indoor air temperature. “So, whether it’s the middle of winter or the peak of summer, you can rest assured that low-E glass is working to keep your home comfortable year-round,” he said.Modern window designs also typically consist of windows that feature two or three panes of glass with argon or krypton gas – a colorless, odorless gas - that sits between the glass panes to help enhance the insulation properties by minimizing heat transfer. “Purchasing windows with the correct components or layers of protection based on where you live will help to improve a window's longevity as well as enhance home security and soundproofing qualities,” said Christopher. “While performance values of a triple pane window will show better results on paper than double pane, it’s a bit excessive for the Wisconsin zone. Around here, the best return on investment is a double pane window with argon gas.”For entry doors, two excellent materials are fiberglass and steel. Both types consist of a polyurethane core, which is designed to further increase thermal insulation properties. In fact, the insulation properties of fiberglass or steel doors with a polyurethane core are four times greater than that of doors made from wood.Front doors and security often go hand in hand, which is why modern front doors come equipped with enhanced locking systems. Smart deadbolts are a prime example. “They allow homeowners to confirm the lock status of their door from anywhere they can connect to a Wi-Fi signal because a smart deadbolt can connect to your smartphone or smart device via an app,” Christopher said. Some systems even allow homeowners to add or delete codes from the comfort and convenience of their smart device.“From thermal insulation properties to smart technology, modern windows and doors feature advancements that not only save you energy and money, but also enhance aesthetics, create a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment, and provide improved home security,” said Christopher. “Be sure to keep these benefits in mind when you’re in the market for new windows and doors.”For more information or to arrange an initial Design Center consultation, call Callen at 414-867-2207 or visit CallCallen.com.