Austin, Texas Window Replacement
Last updated on 01/11/2022
An Austin window replacement can increase the energy efficiency of your Texas home. If you have noticed there is a definite draft during the winter in your TX residence, you are probably due for replacement windows. By replacing the windows in your house, you will be warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer. You will also notice a definite improvement in your heating and cooling bills.
If it is time to do an Austin window replacement in your house, shop online for the best prices. You will find dramatic savings from a variety of top providers in replacement windows. No matter whether you need one or several, you can find the styles you want at a price you can afford when you use the internet.
Energy Star
Texas replacement windows will not only allow you to save money on the heating and cooling bills in your Austin, TX home, it may also qualify you for a tax rebate, especially if you use Energy Star approved material. The Energy Star program was developed to encourage homeowners to use energy efficient products for their home improvement projects. Doors and windows are two of the most popular Energy Star items that can provide you with excellent tax savings.
There are three main items that make windows energy efficient, the U value, the solar heat gain, and the air infiltration. The criteria vary by state due to climate. The U value, or U factor is the measurement of the amount of heat that moves through a window. The lower the u factor is in a unit, the better insulated it is and thus the more it will save you in heating and cooling costs.
The solar heat gain is the amount of solar energy that passes through a windowpane. In warmer climates, such as Austin, Texas, it is more desirable to have a lower solar heat gain. In colder regions it is better to have a higher solar heat gain to allow more heat into the house.
The air infiltration is the amount of air that can get through the frame of a window. Windows that are drafty let out the warm or cool air from the house and let in the air from the outdoors causing your heater and air conditioner to work overtime trying to keep the home at an even temperature. The lower the air infiltration of a Austin window replacement, the more energy efficient it is.
Replacing Windows
An important factor to remember when doing an Austin window replacement project, is to be sure the unit fits correctly. A poorly installed replacement defeats the purpose of energy efficiency. In order to determine the correct size you need for your Texas home, you will need to measure each window in three locations. For the length, measure the top, bottom, and the middle. For the height, measure each side and the middle. Use the lowest measurements for each to determine the correct size you need.
Before you begin to shop for Austin window replacement items, you might want to have an idea of the type of window you want. If you like the look of your Austin home now, you might want to stick with the same style of window but update to newer models to increase the savings on your heating and cooling bills. When you change the style of windows on a home, it can also dramatically change the look.
On the other hand, if you want to update the look of the Austin home you live in, this is a great way to do it. Perhaps you have awning styles and you would like to switch to double hung. On the other hand, maybe you have gliding units and you would prefer the uninhibited view through a picture window. Whatever you decide, you can find amazing deals for a new Austin window replacement when you shop online.
Vinyl Replacement Windows
Vinyl is fast becoming the most popular material for an Austin window replacement. Because vinyl requires very little maintenance, has an excellent warranty, and costs less than wood or composite units, you can see why more and more people in Austin are using vinyl for their replacement needs.
Vinyl comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles to suit your needs. You can choose picture, gliding, or double hung just to name a few. There are also mullioned options that will boggle the mind. No matter what type of Austin window replacement you need, consider using vinyl as the ideal choice.
Austin window replacement is easy to do, affordable, and comes in a wide range of styles and colors to suite your Austin home. Be sure to ask the providers for prices on their Energy Star products. You will undoubtedly appreciate the immediate savings you will notice on the home's heating and cooling bills.
Austin, Texas U-Factor and SHGC Ratings for Replacement Windows
When shopping for replacement windows in Austin, Texas or any of its counties, including Hays County, Travis County, and Williamson County, it is extremely important to purchase windows (and doors) with the correct u-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) as rated by Energy Star.
Energy Star determines the u-factor and SHGC that will give you the most energy efficienct replacement windows, skylights, and doors based on your county's climate zone.
The climate zone assigned to your county takes into account how extreme the seasons are in your area. How warm and cold it gets in Austin determines how well your new windows will need to keep out the cold air and the hot sun.
Below, you will find a table with the climate zones and corresponding u-factor and SHGC ratings for Austin, Texas and Austin's metro area counties including: Bastrop County TX, Caldwell County TX, Hays County TX, Travis County TX, and Williamson County TX.
The climate zone, u-factor and SHGC listed for your county in the Austin, TX area will help you to determine which replacement windows, skylights, and doors will maximize energy savings for your home.
To find the Energy Star recommended u-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for your county in the Austin metro area, simply do the following:
- Find your county in the left most column.
- Find your climate zone in the orange box to the right of the column with your county's name.
- Under the orange box with your climate zone, find the dark grey box with the product you are looking for - window replacements, new doors, or skylights.
- Under the product type, you will find the best u-factor and shgc as determined by Energy Star.
- When getting quotes from contractors, be sure that your window replacements, new skylights, and/or replacement doors have these ratings to maximize energy efficiency in your home.
| Counties | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bastrop County TX Caldwell County TX Hays County TX Travis County TX Williamson County TX |
Southern Climate Zone | |
| Windows | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.40 or less | 0.25 or less | |
| Skylights | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.60 or less | 0.28 or less | |
| Solid Doors (No Glass) | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.17 or less | No Rating | |
| Doors with Less than Half Glass | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.25 or less | 0.25 or less | |
| Doors with More than Half Glass | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.30 or less | 0.25 or less | |
If you don't see your home's county above, use the u-factor and solar heat gain co-efficient (SHGC) search tool below to search for your Austin, TX area county's recommended window efficiency ratings.
Use the table above or the tool below to search for the specific u-factor and SHGC for your county so that you are educated and have this information on hand in order to maximize the financial return on your investment in new windows, new skylights and/or new doors in the Austin, Texas area.
Remember to research thoroughly prior to making a window replacement or replacement door purchase, regardless of whether you are installing the windows and doors yourself or having them installed by a licensed professional contractor.
Austin Window Suppliers
Below you will find a list of local window retailers, contractors, installers, and manufacturers in the Austin area.
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