Let In the Winter Sunshine With the Best Windows for Cold Weather

Learn more about the right insulation, window frames, and glass panes for your cold-climate home

One thing you can say about the people who live in the Mason City area, we’re no sissies when it comes to living with cold weather. We know how to dress for it, drive in it, and even enjoy it for recreation. But when we come home and close the door on the blustery breezes, we don’t expect to endure cold air and drafts inside our home.

Windows can be a big culprit when it comes to inviting in the cold. The result makes us shiver and pumps up our energy bills. If you think it’s time for window replacement, you want to get solid information on the best windows for our cold Mason City climate.

Here are a few things to consider as you search for an energy-efficient answer for your home.

A few facts to know about winter window insulation.

Maybe you’ve already noticed condensation between your window panes in the morning. This can be a sign that the thermal seal on your window has been broken or compromised. Or maybe you’re feeling a draft around the frame.

Now’s the time for new ENERGY STAR-qualified replacements. ENERGY STAR ratings are specifically based on the climate of the area of the nation where they are used. When you select an ENERGY STAR window, you know it’s made for our Northern Mason City climate.

There are a lot of other factors to consider as you select your replacements. Getting to know a few cold climate window facts should help.

What to know about window frames in cold climates.

The window frame consists of three parts — the sash, the sill, and the perimeter — and any one of these parts can be a place where heat escapes if the frame is aging or in bad condition.

The sash is the part of the window that moves up and down or side to side. The sill is the bottom section that usually juts out from the frame. And, of course, the perimeter is the outside edge of the window. Check around all these areas to see if you feel cool air creeping inside your home.

When you consider window replacements, it’s important to choose a window frame material that is best for cold climates. Vinyl-clad, wood, fiberglass, or composite frames can be good choices. Be warned that aluminum frames are never a good choice in colder choices since it does not hold heat well. All the other choices are cold-weather friendly, although fiberglass can be more expensive.

Even the best window frames can’t keep out cold weather if they aren’t properly installed, sealed, and caulked. Having a team of trained window replacement professionals do the job is the best way to get the most satisfaction and energy efficiency from your new windows.

What to know about window glass in cold climates.

Never consider a single-pane window in a cold climate. They simply can’t hold in heat. Always select a double or triple pane that is made with low-E glass.

What is low-E glass? It’s glass that has been specially treated with a very thin metallic coating that is formulated to filter certain types of light into your home. This sunlight will help warm your home in winter.

Between the double and triple panes in windows, you will often find argon or krypton — dense gasses that provide excellent insulation. Argon gas (the kind used in Window World windows) is an odorless, nonreactive gas that is both extremely high in density and low in thermal conductivity for year-round comfort.

Another feature to look for when choosing windows for a cold climate is a very low U-factor along with a relatively high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). U-factor indicates how well the window prevents heat loss. In northern climates, the required U-factor is greater than or equal to 0.27. SHGC measures how much the window blocks solar radiation. In cold climates, you want a higher SHGC rating that will allow for more natural heat from the sun.

The last feature to look for is the R-value — the performance of the insulation between the panes. In northern climates, windows should have an R-value of 13–21.

Winter may be the best time to replace windows

Naturally, winter is the time when leaky, drafty windows become a top-of-mind issue, but it is often also a good time to have windows installed by professionals. Remodeling businesses are often less busy during the winter months and are available to get the job done in a timely fashion.

If you use the professional installation services of Window World of Mason City, you won’t need to be concerned about cold air entering your home during installation. Window World does one-for-one installations, meaning each window is removed and replaced one at a time, so there’s no long period of cold exposure.

There’s no time like the present to begin saving on heating bills. There’s plenty of cold still to come. And replacement windows will also save on your AC costs next summer.

Your friends at Window World of Mason City will be happy to discuss the specifics of the best window replacements for our climate. We’re happy to provide a free in-home consultation and quote. From ideas to installation, you can depend on Window World’s more than 25 years of experience. Let’s talk today.