When you need new windows for your house, your first inclination might be to go to your local hardware store. However, you’ll quickly find out that the options there are limited. To get the best value, you are better off going to a professional for custom windows built explicitly for your home.
Choosing custom windows over the standard, run-of-the-mill ones that come from big box stores is often a better decision.
By going with the former, you have a more comprehensive selection of materials, shapes, designs, styles, and craftsmanship – so you can find one that complements the architecture of your home.
While it’s always tempting to save a little bit more money by buying cheap, it’s not still the best idea – especially for home features.
Windows, in particular, are often an overlooked component when updating a home.
Custom Windows: An Investment That Goes Beyond
Fortunately, more and more homeowners recognize the value of going for high-quality custom windows – bringing in massive investment that goes above what homeowners can imagine.
Home windows do more than make us feel comfortable and protected inside our homes. They let in natural light and fresh air. On top of that, they are an integral piece of design element that elevates any property’s aesthetic.
Windows Tailor-Made for Your Home
Nowadays, homeowners can get windows that meet their needs, match their design preferences, and fit in their existing window openings. The answer is getting custom windows for their residence.
When it comes to choosing custom-made windows, you will need to work with a professional window installer. This is to ensure that the project is done right. You wouldn’t want to cut corners when it comes to enhancing the features of your home.
Thus, it’s essential to employ the services of an experienced and professional home windows contractor.
Pay Attention to the Material
There are several essential components to building a custom window made, especially for your home.
However, choosing the right material is a crucial first step.
The three primary window materials are vinyl, aluminum, and wood.
Each of these materials has its own strengths. One does not necessarily surpass the other.
It will depend on what your needs and preferences are and a host of other factors.
Which material will work best for your home?
Let’s go over each type and see their benefits. Hopefully, this will help you choose the perfect custom-made windows for your house.
Aluminum Windows
A more affordable yet durable material compared to wood, aluminum windows are a popular pick among homeowners.
They won’t expand, rot, or warp when exposed to moisture. You don’t have to worry about mold when you have this type of window.
If rusty bolts were the only issue, aluminum windows would be okay. Despite this, it’s not always the case. There are flaws present with aluminum windows that make them not that viable to many.
For instance, dents and dings are familiar with aluminum windows. If you live in an area with heavy winds and hail, you probably shouldn’t go for this type of home windows.
Also, if you’re looking for energy-efficient home windows, aluminum is not the best option. You would most likely end up with higher energy costs if you have aluminum windows in your home.
Your heating and cooling system would have to work harder and utilize more power just to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your house. In the long run, this setup ends up costing you more in utility bills.
While it’s durable, aluminum doesn’t really get top marks when it comes to aesthetics. If you compare it to wood, aluminum would most certainly lose that category.
Thus, after improving your property’s curb appeal, this type of window material may not be the most suitable choice for you.
Wooden Windows
As we mentioned above, wood is always going to be the “pretty” choice of material. And why not?
Wood, with its beautiful, timeless, sophisticated, and elegant aesthetic, appeal to many homeowners. Windows made of this type of material radiate an air of classic charm.
However, maintenance and upkeep are not going to be easy for wood windows. For starters, wood doesn’t hold up well to moisture.
Expect to see rotting, warping, or swelling when you have wood windows. If you live in a place with humid summers and a lot of rain year-round, wood windows won’t help you as much.
Also, with exposure to moisture comes mold growth. As you know, mold is hazardous to your health. That’s an important consideration when deciding to go for this type of material.
We’ve mentioned maintenance and upkeep, which is essential if you have wood windows. If you do not consistently stain and paint wood windows every three to five years, they will lose their luster. They won’t be as durable as well.
All the maintenance costs will add up. Therefore, if you’re not willing to shell out the money needed for the upkeep of wood windows, you might as well choose a different type of window material.
Vinyl Windows
We have saved the best for last. Vinyl windows, in fact, combine the beauty and charm of wood and the durability of aluminum. On top of that, vinyl windows fare the best when it comes to energy efficiency performance.
While wood and aluminum custom windows can be made with either double or triple pane glass, vinyl is in a league of its own.
It’s built with foam to elevate its insulation capacities.
The insulated foam prevents the cooled or heated air from leaving your home, which helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house.
Ultimately, this feature tremendously helps your energy-saving efforts.
Like aluminum windows, vinyl is quite resistant to moisture. However, unlike aluminum windows, vinyl doesn’t rust.
When it comes to maintenance and upkeep, vinyl is not as demanding as wood windows. The clean-up, which you only need to do occasionally, is easy as can be.
We’ve mentioned that homeowners gravitate towards wood because of its beauty. Vinyl, in actuality, can replicate the look of wood – without the costly upkeep of wood windows.
Vinyl windows can be customized to meet your design preferences. They come in an array of wood grain finishes and shades.
On top of that, the colors are “cooked” and “baked” into the windows. This feature lets you not worry about any fading or discoloration.
The Best Energy Efficiency Custom Windows
When you get custom-made windows, you are taking the right steps toward an energy-efficient home. For instance, selecting vinyl custom windows equipped with insulation features already significantly improves your home’s energy usage.
You can also choose from double or triple pane home windows, filled with gases for maximum energy efficiency performance; that’s not an option with standard windows from hardware stores.
Your Favorite Style and Color Applied to Your Home Windows
To enhance your property’s curb appeal, the windows must complement the décor of your home – both inside and outside.
That’s very unlikely to happen when you install store-bought home windows.
Vinyl custom windows are the best choice for total customization to suit your design needs and preferences.
Additionally, the window style you choose matters just as much.
Just because you have casement windows or double-hung windows installed does not necessarily mean they can’t be different from the replacement windows you are planning to get.
With customization services from a professional windows company, you can have a vast array of window style choices.
Here are some of the popular home window styles.
- Double Hung Windows
- Casement Windows
- Awning Windows
- Picture Windows
- Sliding Windows
- Bay Windows
- Bow Windows
- Hopper Windows
- Architectural Windows
- Garden Windows
Custom Windows Give You the Exact Size and Measurements You Need
With standard, ready-made home windows, you don’t have control over the sizing of the product.
Thus, it’s common to get wrong size windows with an improper fit and loose seal.
When you have gaps between the windows and the openings, you compromise your house’s energy efficiency. You are putting more stress on your heating and cooling system, which will lead to higher energy bills.
You can avoid all these issues by ordering custom windows from your local professional windows installation company.
These companies typically offer a free estimate. Once you request an estimate, they will send a contractor to measure the window openings in your home.
This allows the contractors to assess your needs and come up with the best-recommended custom product for you and your home.
Personalize the Hardware Down to the Smallest Detail
When you buy ready-made, run-of-the-mill windows, you cannot incorporate customizable components to the product. These items include specialized locks or window grids. You’re left with the standard product with no option for upgrades.
On the other hand, custom windows give you complete personalization control down to the smallest detail.
Whether you want to add locks, glass style, grids, change up the color, or whatever customization you want to, you can personalize your home windows as long as it’s feasible.
If you want to have the most creative freedom without compromising functionality and energy efficiency features, custom windows are the way to go.