The Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area is known for having bitterly cold winters. If you hate high heating bills and the uncomfortable drafts that come from your windows, you may be interested in upgrading to the best windows for colder climates. Here are the qualities to look for in replacement windows that are designed to keep the cold out.
What Makes Windows Good for Colder Climates?
It’s wise to choose windows, not just for their good looks and operating style, but for their ability to function well in your climate. Here are the features designed specifically for making windows more efficient in the winter:
Insulating frame material: The conductivity of a window frame affects its energy efficiency. Any material you prefer—from fiberglass or vinyl to wood or aluminum—can be efficient in cold weather as long as it’s constructed correctly.
Multiple panes of glass: Single-pane windows are not effective for insulating homes in cold climates. Double- and triple-pane windows are much more efficient because they slow heat transfer through the glass and reduce energy losses as a result.
Gas in-fill: The efficiency of any double- or triple-pane window increases when you fill the gaps between the glass with argon or krypton. These invisible, inert gases are denser than air, so they slow heat transfer with maximum effectiveness.
Warm-edge spacers: All multi-pane windows require spacers to keep the glass a consistent distance apart. When spacers are made of non-conductive materials, they reduce condensation and help slow heat transfer more effectively.
Low air infiltration rate: When air leaks in around a window frame, it lowers the temperature in the house and raises your heating bills. To minimize this, look for replacement windows with an air infiltration rate of 0.3 cubic feet per minute (CFM) or less.
Low U-factor: The U-factor determines how effective a window is at preventing heat loss. Look for ratings as low as possible (down to 0.14) for the best insulation.
High solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): This rating ranges from 0 to 1. In colder climates, a higher SHGC is beneficial because it allows the sun to heat your home naturally in the winter. You can counter this effect in the summer by drawing curtains over south- and west-facing windows in the afternoon.
Low-E coating: This feature is beneficial in both hot and cold climates, though its function differs depending on where it’s installed. When added to the outer side of the innermost pane of glass, it conducts heat back into your home, so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
Storm windows: Installing storm windows in the winter adds an extra pane of glass to improve thermal efficiency. You can remove these in the summer to restore ease of operation.
Whether your priority is to keep your home warmer in the winter or cooler in the summer, Weather Shield gets the job done. This top-selling window brand strikes the perfect balance between summer performance and winter efficiency for better home comfort and lower energy bills all year round.
Install Windows for Colder Climates in DC, MD & VA
Quality Window & Door can help you find the perfect windows for your Maryland, Northern Virginia, or Washington, DC home. Whether you opt for Weather Shield or another brand, we’re here to help. Our non-proprietary selection of high-end windows gives you access to many of today’s most trusted manufacturers.
I have been working with this company for many years, trusting that if problems were to arise with a product, Quality Window would find a happy outcome for the customer. This has been the case!!
Mike Hudson is a thorough and profesional sales representative, always willing to patiently take a call and mitigate doubts and concerns. John Poulos offers amazing customer service. Always prompt and communicative. The liaison between company and client could not be in better hands!!
Thank you.
scarlet narciso
Great company that backs their product. We built a new house and Quality Window & Doors was the subcontractor for our Weathershield windows and doors.
Wayne and Noe came out to service a broken handle on our 16' Weathershield sliding door. We were technically beyond the warranty period but they repaired the handle for free. They also took the time to go around and adjust our other exterior doors to make sure they were well aligned now that the house had settled a bit. Wayne was a real expert and got all the doors adjusted and working perfectly!
Tucker Jones
Excellent products and service. The install went well too! Would definitely order from them again.
John Fu
Great service. I highly recommend Quality Window and Door for information, purchasing and service. I have used this firm for a number of years both as an architect and as a client. I've always been very satisfied with their products and service.
McCain McMurray
We are thrilled with our new windows and door! Excellent job from estimate to completion! The install team was fantastic and I loved that the lead installer was also present during the initial measurement phase. It took a few months for the windows to arrive so it was really nice to see a familiar face for the install and he knew exactly what to do! Highly recommend!!
Brenda
Quality Door and Window did a fantastic job at a reasonable price.in installing 23 replacement windows, including the combination of two windows into one larger picture window. Highly recommended.
Daniel Leach
QWD is a first rate company. The staff from product selection, estimate, showroom, measurement and installation were professional and highly competent. The installation crew paid attention to detail and went through great lengths to ensure our satisfaction. I love the new windows and I recommend them without reservation.
Sal Golub
Have relied on QW&D for all my window and door needs for over 25 years. I know I can count on their expertise and responsiveness.
The Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area is known for having bitterly cold winters. If you hate high heating bills and the uncomfortable drafts that come from your windows, you may be interested in upgrading to the best windows for colder climates. Here are the qualities to look for in replacement windows that are designed to keep the cold out.
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