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Why You Should Invest in Custom Windows

When you need replacement windows, one of the first places you might check is your local hardware store. You’ll find out very quickly that your options are limited and there’s a high probability you won’t find what you want. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get custom windows built specifically for your home?

You can! Getting windows that fit in the window opening, meet your needs and look great is much easier than you think. The key is to get custom-made windows for your home.

custom windows

Custom windows are a specialty of Feldco. We measure your windows and go over style, hardware and color options with you to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want. Don’t believe us? You will after reading this article and learning why it’s one of the best investments for your home.

Choice of Window Material

There are many different components to creating the custom window of your dreams but choosing the material they’re made from is step one. There are many different window materials but the big three are wood, aluminum and vinyl.

Each one has its own set of strengths but which material is best for your home? We’ll go over each option in greater detail to help you choose the perfect replacement windows for your home.

Wood

In the past, many homeowners gravitated towards wood windows for one reason: they look pretty. Wood windows give off the aura of elegance and sophistication. However, as time has passed, we’ve learned a thing or two about their maintenance which has made wood windows a lot less appealing.

For starters, wood absorbs moisture so it’ll swell, rot and warp if not avoided. This can pose a major problem because the Midwest has humid summers and faces a lot of precipitation year round. This can also cause mold problems in your windows which is bad for your health.

Not only do wood windows suffer when facing moisture, but over time they will lose their luster. They’ll need to be painted and stained regularly. Suddenly, wood’s strength becomes one of its biggest weaknesses.

Maintaining wood isn’t cheap. Painting and staining every 3-5 years will cost you a pretty penny and if your windows warp or rot, you’ll need to replace them sooner than you’d like. This isn’t even taking into consideration the massively high initial cost of getting wood windows to begin with. They’re much more expensive than aluminum or vinyl.

Aluminum

Aluminum windows are much more durable and affordable than wood windows. They won’t warp, rot or expand when facing moisture so you don’t have to worry about mold.

However, moisture is still a problem for aluminum windows. If the bolts and screws that hold your windows together are exposed to where, they will begin to rust and take away from the overall look of your windows.

If rusty bolts were the only problem, aluminum windows would get a pass. However, that isn’t the case – they have many other flaws which hold them back. Denting and dinging are common problems for aluminum windows. With hail and heavy wind being normal in the Midwest, Mother Nature can take her toll on your new windows.

Most importantly, aluminum windows are the least energy efficient option of the three. Aluminum conducts heat so in the summer, your windows become hot to the touch. This absorbed heat can transfer throughout your entire house – especially if all of your windows are made of aluminum.

Not only will your house become uncomfortable, but you’ll end up spending more money on your electric bill trying to combat it. Your air conditioner will face more stress and will have to use more power to try and reach your desired temperature. This can end up being rather expensive.

In the end, aluminum doesn’t have the same beauty as wood windows. You won’t be boosting your curb appeal at all with aluminum and that might be a major turn off for you.

Vinyl

If you want the low-maintenance of aluminum, the beauty of wood and the most energy efficient window available, vinyl is the best option. These windows were made specifically to face Midwest weather.

vinyl windows

While all three options offer double and triple pane glass, vinyl takes it to a whole new level. The frames of vinyl windows are foam insulated which further prevents heated and cooled air from escaping your home. The house becomes air tight making it more comfortable and saving you money on your energy bills.

Much like aluminum, vinyl windows don’t absorb moisture. Unlike aluminum, however, there’s nothing that can rust on vinyl windows. With the exception of an occasional cleaning, your vinyl windows pretty much take care of themselves.

Remember the major benefit of wood windows was being beautiful? Vinyl can replicate that without all of the hassle of maintaining wood windows. They come in many different colors including wood grain finishes. Since the colors are baked into the windows, you’ll never need to worry about them fading either.

You Can Get the Exact Size Window You Need

Choosing the material isn’t the only benefit of custom windows. You’re able to get the perfect size to fit your window opening. This is extremely important because having gaps between the wall of your home and the window frame allows outside air to get into your home and hurt your home’s energy efficiency.

Many hardware stores offer standard sizes and don’t have many options. Choosing one of these runs you the risk of getting the wrong size. This can all be avoided by getting custom-made windows.

Window Hardware is an Option

When you choose a cookie cutter window from a hardware store, you forgo the ability to add customizable parts such as window grids and special locks. You’re stuck with whatever they have and you better like it!

The better route is to get custom windows. You have complete control of the hardware for your windows. Whether its grids, glass style or locks, you’ll be able to customize your windows down to the smallest detail.

Get the Perfect Style and Color You’d Like

Being able to customize your windows to complement the color of your home is important for improving curb appeal. When that’s taken away from you, it could be rather difficult. While wood and aluminum have limited options, vinyl gives you complete control of customization.

The style of your window matters as well. Just because you have a double hung or casement window doesn’t mean it can’t be different with your replacement. You can get whatever style you want because they can be made to fit your window opening.

You have many window style options, including:

  • Double hung windows: open from the top and bottom. Easy to clean and control air circulation
  • Casement windows: open away from your home using a hand crank giving you the ability to control how open you’d like your window
  • Sliding windows: easy to open and perfect for hard to reach areas
  • Awning windows: open from the bottom away from your home creating an awning effect. This allows you to open your windows no matter the weather outside
  • Hopper windows: open from the top into your home. Perfect for a basement or areas close to the ground
  • Picture windows: inoperable windows that give you the best sight lines
  • Bay windows: 3-lite window that’s composed of a picture window flanked by casement or double hung windows on each side. It creates a window seat as well
  • Bow windows: a 3-5 lite window that’s made up of any combination of picture, casement or double hung windows. Like a bay window, it creates a window seat inside
  • Architectural windows: uniquely shaped picture windows. They come in many styles including circle, semi-circle, square, horizontal rectangle and octagon
  • Garden windows: a box of windows that extrudes from the facade of your home. Made for growing plants and herbs year round

You’ll Know Your Windows Are Energy Efficient

One of the benefits of getting custom windows is you can further improve your home’s energy efficiency. For starters, choosing vinyl windows over wood and aluminum already improves your energy efficiency because of the foam insulated frames.

You’ll also have the option of getting double or triple pane windows. When you get a cookie cutter window, you get whatever they have because you have no choice. Getting custom windows allows you to choose how many panes of glass you get and whether or not it’s filled with argon, krypton or mixture of the two gases.

custom window with foam insulation

You’ll know how these facts will effect your window because you’ll be able to see the change in u-factor, solar heat gain coefficient and r-value. These measurements help determine the energy efficiency of your windows. We have written an article about each one and you should check them out.

The Value of Your Home Will Increase

When it comes to selling your home, custom windows have a higher value. Hardware store windows don’t have the same look and feel as custom-made windows because they weren’t made with the same level of care – they were mass produced.

Every decision made with custom windows was carefully thought out by the homeowners with the help of a hired professional. In the end, you know you’re getting a higher quality product.

Custom Windows Make Your Home a Lot Better

Custom windows are a better investment for your home than hardware store windows. Since they’re not mass produced, you have complete control over the material, hardware, style and colors. Your home will look great, be more energy efficient and have a higher value due to this decision.

Feldco windows are custom made for each and every homeowner. We meet with you, measure your window opening and discuss what would be best for your home. You’re getting the perfect fit every time (literally and figuratively). Get a free quote now and see why over 400,000 homeowners have trusted us.

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