Buying replacement windows for Calgary homes is a great opportunity for you and your family. By purchasing high quality replacement windows you can change the aesthetics of your home and save enormous amounts of money in energy heating costs during those cold Calgary winters.
You see, windows have a tremendous environmental influence on a house. They affect the amount of light entering a home as well as things like ventilation and home interior temperature. Windows also contribute to the aesthetic identity of your home and the ones you choose say a lot about your design eye.
If you’re shopping for windows in Alberta, Canada you should stop in at Boulevard Exteriors, Alberta’s foremost window and vinyl store and the premier windows and doors company in Calgary.
How to Begin to Choose a Window Style
From an interior design perspective, windows have an enormous influence on the look of a room. Think about the difference between the tiny windows you see in jails in old western movies. They convey a sad, minimal and cramped existence. Compare that to the large windows you see in a mansion, large and bright they seem to pull in light from the outside and claim it for the home.
Windows reflect the same sort of appearance for your home. Because they come in so many shapes, sizes, types and materials you can create an almost endless amount of options.
When first deciding to purchase windows in Calgary, you should think through a number of issues prior to stepping foot into a window store. Windows are a big purchase. If you’re replacing all the windows in your home you will likely end up spending thousands of dollars. It’s important to make the right decisions on a number of fronts. So how do you select the right windows for you? There are several criteria: budget, home’s style and window performance.
From a practical perspective, you need to think about the relative importance of ventilation and security and how easy the windows will be to maintain. From a design perspective you should decide, in advance, whether you want to emphasize the window as a focal point of the room or have it serve in a more practical, and subdued aesthetic manner.
Windows Types
Windows come in two main types, fixed or operable. Fixed windows are stationary units mounted within a frame. They’re great for letting in light and exposing views but provide no ventilation. The second type, operable, is the main type of window people think about when discussing windows. This article focuses more on operable windows.
There are several different types of operable windows:
Double Hung
The double hung windows are the most popular type of window. Double-hung windows have an upper, outside sash (glass portion) that slides down and a lower, inside sash that slides up. With certain types, the sash can be removed, rotated or tilted for cleaning. If only one sash slides, the window is called vertical sliding or single-hung. Below is a picture of a double hung window.
Horizontal Sliders: These work well at sealing in energy. They may have one or more fixed panels and one or more panels (glass portion) that slide in horizontal tracks. Only half of the total window may be opened for ventilation at one time. Below is a picture of a slider window.
Awning: An awning window is like a horizontal, top-hinged casement. It tilts out at the bottom, offering partial ventilation, an unobstructed view and reasonably good security. Below is a picture of an awning window.
Casement: Hung singly or in pairs, a casement window is operated by cranks that swing the sash outward or inward. It opens fully for easy cleaning and offers excellent ventilation because it can scoop in breezes. Below is a picture of a casement window.
Bay Window: A bay window projects out from the wall, either outwards or inwards. The bay window typically consists of three windows joined together. The center window is usually fixed, with operating double-hung or casement windows at the sides. and has a center window parallel to the wall flanked by two windows attached at an angle. The side windows are usually double-hung windows.
You can choose from any projection or degree of bays creating a beautiful view for your home. These windows tend to have a “grand appeal,” highly sought after by many home owners who have sufficient room. Below is a picture of a bay window.
Bow Window: A bow window projects outwards or inwards like a bay but has four or more windows joined together to form a gentler curve and a distinctive look. There are multiple options for both bay and bow windows: fixed glass (cannot be opened) or vented (can be opened) or a combination of the two. You can choose from any projection or degree of bows to achieve the desired look you have always wanted. Below is a picture of a bow window.