Boston Window and Door Replacement Companies

For windows, homeowners can select from many frame materials, including metal, composite, fiberglass, vinyl, and natural wood frames. Weighing the pros and cons of each material is essential to making the best choice for your home. For example, composite is highly durable, but it has higher up-front costs than some other options. Metal frames are low maintenance, but they must be specifically designed to mitigate the heat conduction that is metal’s natural tendency. Materials may also come in combinations, as with aluminum-clad wood frames. There is rarely one perfect choice, but relying on the expertise of a Best Pick™ window company can help you make sense of your options.

In addition to choosing frames for your new windows, you’ll need to choose between single-, double-, or triple-pane glass. Generally, windows with more than one pane will have better energy efficiency. To further increase a window’s insulating properties, the space between panes can be filled with an inert gas, or the surface of a pane can be modified with coatings to reduce the amount of heat that travels through the glass. Most products with advanced energy efficiency come with a higher price tag, so this is another opportunity to get feedback from a Best Pick™ window expert about which of the available technologies will work best for your immediate budget and your long-term savings.

When it comes to exterior doors, products made of insulated steel, fiberglass, or composite provide better protection from heat loss and gain and also require less maintenance than wood doors do, but none of those materials can completely mimic the appearance of a natural wood door that appeals to many homeowners. With doors made entirely of glass or that include a lot of glass in their design, it’s best to buy one in which the glass has the same kinds of properties as energy-efficient windows, such as a heat-reflective coating or multiple panes filled with gas.

Keep in mind, though, that you can see your long-term savings on heating and cooling costs quickly fly out of even the most energy-efficient window or door if the product is not installed correctly. Draft-causing gaps or structural damage to your home can readily occur with a poor installation. So if you’re interested in replacement windows or doors, give a Boston Best Pick™ window and door installer a call.