Gaithersburg, Maryland Window Replacement
Last updated on 01/07/2022
Gaithersburg window replacement is a high priority for energy conscious MD homeowners who want to minimize their carbon footprint. Your home's carbon footprint represents the amount of fossil fuel used to run the appliances in your residence, including your HVAC system. By lowering the amount of fuel you consume, you and your family can contribute to the health of the environment while saving money on your Gaithersburg utility bills.
Like the rest of Montgomery County, where Gaithersburg is located, this large Maryland city experiences heat and humidity in the summer months. Winters are chilly, and precipitation levels are high throughout the year in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg window replacement professionals can advise you on how to choose Maryland replacement window products that will keep your home's interior comfortable throughout the year. An online quote comparison will help you choose the most affordable Gaithersburg window replacement services in just a few steps.
Energy Efficient Window Replacement
As public concern over global warming increases, more Maryland homeowners are searching for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. The carbon dioxide emissions produced by fossil fuels may play a part in the greenhouse effect, an environmental phenomenon which is altering the world's weather conditions. High performance Gaithersburg windows can reduce the amount of energy required to heat or cool your MD residence, which means that you'll consume less fuel as a household and enjoy lower utility bills.
The type of glazing you choose for Gaithersburg window replacement plays an important role in the energy performance of your window units. Single glazing may be suitable for commercial projects, but many homeowners in Maryland find that single paned window assemblies do not provide sufficient insulation. Double glazed Gaithersburg window replacement units consist of two separate layers of glass, which enclose a layer of argon or krypton gas. The extra layer of air or gas provides additional insulation and resistance to heat loss.
Gaithersburg window replacement with double paned replacement units is an effective way to increase the overall efficiency of your MD home. With double paned products in place, your Gaithersburg home becomes more resistant to the effects of heat, humidity and cold. A tinted double glazed pane can protect a home's interior against solar heat gain in the summer months without sacrificing the product's resistance to heat loss in the winter.
Energy efficient replacement units may be made of wood, vinyl or fiberglass and can be customized to fit the size of your rough openings. The framing material you select can make a big difference in the insulating capabilities of your new replacement windows. Vinyl, wood and fiberglass all have superior insulating properties; however, wood requires more maintenance than vinyl or fiberglass. Vinyl is an affordable alternative to other products, providing exceptional insulation and an attractive appearance at a reasonable price.
There are a number of rating systems available to help Gaithersburg property owners choose energy efficient Gaithersburg window replacement brands. The National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC, issues a label that includes valuable data about a product's resistance to heat loss, air infiltration, condensation and solar heat gain. The US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency assign a star label to replacement window brands and other household products that earn outstanding performance ratings.
Significance of Condensation
In an area of the country that experiences a high level of ambient moisture and precipitation, condensation on glass panes is not unusual. In the cool spring or fall months, condensation may form on the outside of your panes when the outdoor temperature drops below a certain point. This natural phenomenon should not be confused with interior condensation or with the formation of vapor between the panes of a double glazed window.
If vapor forms on the inside of your windows, it may simply be a sign of inadequate ventilation. In rooms where heat and moisture gather, like the bathroom, laundry room or kitchen, it's common to see condensation forming inside the glass. Opening windows or installing a new exhaust system may prevent the build up of vapor on your glass. If you see vapor between the panes, however, this may be a sign that the seal between the layers of glass has been broken. In this case, Gaithersburg window replacement may be the most effective solution.
Condensation formation may also be a sign that your current units are not adequately insulated. Well insulated glass resists the formation of vapor by maintaining a consistent temperature in response to the environment. If your current units fog over easily, a more efficient Gaithersburg window replacement product may keep your home's interior more comfortable. The NFRC assigns ratings to new brands based on their ability to resist condensation. Ask a knowledgeable provider to recommend the most efficient products for your home's energy requirements.
Gaithersburg, Maryland U-Factor and SHGC Ratings for Replacement Windows
When shopping for replacement windows in Gaithersburg, Maryland - located in Montgomery 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 Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg, Maryland and Gaithersburg's metro area counties including: Alexandria City County VA, Arlington County VA, Calvert County MD, Charles County MD, Clarke County VA, Culpeper County VA, District of Columbia County DC, Fairfax City County VA, Fairfax County VA, Falls Church City County VA, Fauquier County VA, Frederick County MD, Fredericksburg City County VA, Jefferson County WV, Loudoun County VA, Madison County VA, Manassas City County VA, Manassas Park City County VA, Montgomery County MD, Prince Georges County MD, Prince William County VA, Rappahannock County VA, Spotsylvania County VA, Stafford County VA, and Warren County VA.
The climate zone, u-factor and SHGC listed for your county in the Gaithersburg, MD 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 Gaithersburg 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria City County VA Arlington County VA Calvert County MD Charles County MD Clarke County VA Culpeper County VA Fairfax City County VA Falls Church City County VA Fauquier County VA Frederick County MD Fredericksburg City County VA Jefferson County WV Loudoun County VA Madison County VA Manassas City County VA Manassas Park City County VA Montgomery County MD Prince William County VA Rappahannock County VA Spotsylvania County VA Stafford County VA Warren County VA |
North-Central Climate Zone | |
| Windows | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.30 or less | 0.40 or less | |
| Skylights | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.53 or less | 0.35 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 | 0.40 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 Gaithersburg, MD 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 Gaithersburg, Maryland 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.
Gaithersburg Window Suppliers
Below you will find a list of local window retailers, contractors, installers, and manufacturers in the Gaithersburg area.
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