1. Frame

Wood is a popular choice for homeowners who want to preserve the heritage look of their homes. However, wood is prone to rot, which isn’t good news if you’re looking for a long-term solution. As an alternative, people have switched to composite materials like Fibrex®. The strength of wood and the low-maintenance features of vinyl are combined in this product, giving you the best of both worlds.

2. Coating

Low-emissivity (or low-E) glass is a special coating that blocks specific amounts of ultraviolet rays. This special coating blocks specific amounts of ultraviolet rays that can heat the interior of your home and fade objects. This will help you keep your home looking and feeling good without pushing the HVAC system to work twice as hard. Renewal by Andersen windows are equipped with High-Performance Low-E4® glass, which works together with our Fibrex® material frames in providing long-term performance, beauty, and energy savings.

3. Double Glazing

Double-glazed windows effectively reduce heat transfer, resulting in stable indoor temperatures throughout the year. This improved thermal performance not only keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer but also leads to significant energy savings and reduced utility bills. In addition, double-glazed windows provide enhanced noise reduction and increased security.

4. Gas Fill

Argon gas is a popular choice for filling the space in between the panes of double-glazed windows, primarily due to its excellent thermal insulation properties. As a non-toxic, clear, and odorless gas that’s denser than air, argon provides improved insulation by reducing heat transfer through the window.

Window replacement can be challenging. But with proper research, preparation and professional assistance, you can overcome any obstacles and achieve your desired outcome. To start your window replacement project, give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We’re proud to serve Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juno.

The post The Four Factors Behind Energy-Efficient Windows appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.

More Panes Means a More Energy-Efficient Window

Glass is not the best insulating material. Particularly in the form of windows, a thin sheet of glass between you and an Alaskan winter is not going to do much.

But if you put two sheets of glass together with a layer of gas between them, you now have a great insulating system. Even better, triple-pane glass offers the highest energy-efficiency in windows.

Not All Glass is Made Equal

An insulating layer of gas is great, but there’s more you can do. The type of glass you choose is also important when creating energy-efficient windows.

Low-E4 SmartSun glass is currently the most energy-efficient glass offered by Renewal by Andersen. It’s over 40% more effective as an insulator than uncoated double-pane windows, and it doesn’t noticeably block light. The coating is also designed to be easy to clean and blocks 95% of harmful UV radiation.

With Low-E4 SmartSun glass and triple-pane windows, you can save around 25% on your energy bill over winter and around 18% over the summer.

Getting the Right Fit

Your home warps and settles over time. Shifts in the ground, from subtle movement to earthquakes, will gradually change the shape of the house. This can leave doorways and window frames slightly skewed. This can have two effects on your heating: either this warping will create gaps around a home’s windows, or windows that are mass-produced, one-size-fits-all models simply won’t fit in the space. Either way, you’ll be left with a gap that lets cold air in and hot air out.

At Renewal by Andersen, we precisely measure your windows and produce them to your house’s specifications. We’ll make sure that they fit precisely and are properly weather sealed. This means no more gaps driving your energy bill up.

Did you know that our windows are also ENERGY-STAR® certified? Give us a call or use our online contact form to get in touch today. We’ll come to you for an in-home consultation and work out how we can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars with new Renewal by Andersen windows.

The post Choosing an Energy-Efficient Window for Alaska appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.

Think about how a glass of cold water feels on a hot summer day. It’s cool to the touch, but the air around it is warm and humid. When the two meet, your beverage sweats. That’s what’s happening to your windows! So, the water you’re seeing is not a reason to worry.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s actually not bad that condensation shows up on the outside or inside of your window. Condensation will appear from time to time on even the best-performing windows—in fact, it may be more noticeable on high quality windows since they are so energy-efficient. Condensation can actually be a sign that your windows have good, tight seals. The very things that make homes more energy efficient—windows and patio doors that reduce air leakage, weather-stripping, high-quality insulation, vapor barriers—also lock moisture inside your house.

Moisture is a part of everyday life. Every time someone in your household takes a shower or cooks, it contributes to increased indoor humidity. Condensation is just a by-product of this humidity.

In Alaska, where the fall and winters are very cold, it’s important to keep indoor humidity only as high as you need it. When you see condensation on the inside of your window, it’s a sign to try and lower the humidity. Here are a few tips for accomplishing this goal:

1. Open the blinds and drapes to let moisture-laden air escape.
2. Raise the air temperature in your home (turning the heat on will decrease relative humidity).
3. Turn on ceiling fans to improve air circulation.
4. Run exhaust fans in the kitchen while cooking and in the bathroom while showering or bathing. Leave the fan running for 15 minutes after you’ve finished to clear out lingering moisture.
5. Ensure proper ventilation of appliances such as dryers to the outside, as well as attic and crawlspaces.

For more information on relative humidity and condensation in your home, check out this video:

Thinking of replacing some of your older windows with new energy efficient ones? Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We’re proud to serve Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juno.

The post Condensation Season is Starting appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.

ENERGY STAR®-certified windows are the best defense at reducing the negative effects of constant exposure to UV rays. All our high-performance Low-E4® glass packages have exceptional energy-efficiency ratings, but they filter out UV rays differently. Here’s how the four best types of glass for the Alaskan climate work:

• Low-E4® SmartSun Glass

SmartSun glass meets our highest standards in cool and hot weather performance. SmartSun glass blocks 95% of harsh UV rays

• Low-E4® Glass

Perfect where both heating and cooling costs are a concern, our Low-E4 glass helps keep your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and blocks 84% of harmful UV rays.

• Low-E4® SmartSun Glass with HeatLock® Technology

All the benefits of our Low-E4 SmartSun glass that blocks 95% of UV rays plus an energy-saving glass coating that helps your living space feel warmer and more comfortable.

• Triple Pane Glass

An extra pane of glass helps keep the indoor temperature in and the outdoor temperature out, making this our most energy-efficient option. Perfect for colder climates where more months of the year are spent heating the home.

Our windows take advantage of the newest technologies to help lower your energy costs and keep your belongings and family safe from UV damage. To discuss your window replacement options, give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We’re proud to serve Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and Juno.

The post The 4 Best Types of Glass for Alaska appeared first on Renewal by Andersen of Alaska.