Indianapolis, Indiana Window Replacement
Last updated on 11/15/2019
An Indianapolis window replacement can give you excellent energy savings on your Indiana home's heating and cooling bills. It can also provide you with an increased value on the home, especially if you use an Energy Star approved replacement. Whether you plan to replace one window, or are replacing windows throughout the home, you can save on the cost when you shop online and compare quotes from a variety of providers in your Indiana area.
Window Replacing
Before shopping for an Indianapolis replacement, you will need to know the size of the windows you are replacing. To determine the size, first measure the length of the unit in three places, top, bottom, and center. Record the lowest measurement. Next, measure the width in the same way, right and left side, and the middle. Again, record the smallest measurement. By using the smaller measurements, you will be sure the new Indianapolis window replacement will have a tight fit.
There are many styles and materials to choose from when shopping for an Indiana window replacement. From awning styles to casement windows, you can find what you need. You may also choose from wood, composite, vinyl, and aluminum. Wood is one of the best choices you can make if you do not mind a little bit of maintenance. Wood is a natural insulator and so is very energy efficient.
Composite is also an excellent replacement choice although slightly higher in cost. Composite looks and feels like wood without the amount of maintenance. It comes in a variety of colors and wood grain. Composite will not warp or rot and can last for many years. If you prefer the look of wood without the maintenance, a composite style is for you.
Aluminum is one of the less expensive models of an Indianapolis window replacement. Aluminum is not the most energy efficient because its metal design has a tendency to conduct the heat and cold. It also is very easy to bend and so will not last as long as the wooden or composite designs. On the other hand, if budget is a concern, an aluminum Indianapolis window replacement can be purchased in an energy efficient design such as a horizontal slider window replacement.
Vinyl Window Replacement
Many people believe that the ideal choice for a replacement in Indianapolis, IN is the vinyl design. Vinyl does not require any maintenance. The color is mixed in with the material during creation and so will never chip, crack, or peel. The frames of the vinyl windows are hollow. The trapped air inside creates an excellent insulator. If you would like to have a unit in your Indiana home that is efficient and requires no upkeep, the vinyl designs are the ideal choice for you.
A vinyl Indianapolis window replacement comes with several glass options including Low E, which is a glass that traps the heat and keeps it inside. You may also choose the insulated glass or even storm or thermal windows, which are ideal for the long winters in Indianapolis, IN. A thermal window is double or triple paned with air trapped between each. These windows are extremely energy efficient and will buffer most of the outside noise, so the inside of your Indiana home will remain quiet.
Vinyl also comes in many different styles. You can choose awning, which have a hinge at the top and open outward, casement, which hinge at the side and crank to the outside, double hung, which open vertically, or gliding, which open horizontally. You might also want to consider having the grilles in a mullioned window either be removable or be located on the inside of the glass for ease in cleaning. No matter what style, color, or design you choose, you will love a vinyl Indianapolis window replacement.
Energy Star
An Indianapolis window replacement in your Indianapolis home may also qualify you for a tax rebate if you used energy efficient materials. The Energy Star program provides incentives, in the form of a tax rebate, or tax savings, to homeowners to use energy efficient material in all of their home improvement projects.
Be sure to save the Indianapolis window replacement receipts and provide them to your Indianapolis tax professional when they do your taxes for the year. In most cases the material is the only thing that counts toward the program but if you use a contractor, be sure to save the receipts for them as well. The construction costs may qualify in some instances.
An Indianapolis window replacement is the ideal way to increase your Indianapolis home's value while making it more efficient. Be sure to use material that has the Energy Star approval and save your receipts. No matter whether you plan to replace every window in the home, or just a few, you can shop online and find excellent prices on material.
Indianapolis, Indiana U-Factor and SHGC Ratings for Replacement Windows
When shopping for replacement windows in Indianapolis, Indiana or any of its counties, including Hamilton County and Marion 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis, Indiana and Indianapolis's metro area counties including: Boone County IN, Brown County IN, Hamilton County IN, Hancock County IN, Hendricks County IN, Johnson County IN, Madison County IN, Marion County IN, Morgan County IN, Putnam County IN, and Shelby County IN.
The climate zone, u-factor and SHGC listed for your county in the Indianapolis, IN 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 Indianapolis 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brown County IN | 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 | |
| Counties | ||
| Boone County IN Hamilton County IN Hancock County IN Hendricks County IN Johnson County IN Madison County IN Marion County IN Morgan County IN Putnam County IN Shelby County IN |
Northern Climate Zone | |
| Windows | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.30 or less | 0.00 or more | |
| 0.31 | 0.35 or more | |
| 0.32 | 0.40 or more | |
| Skylights | ||
| U-Factor | SHGC | |
| 0.50 or less | Any | |
| 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 Indianapolis, IN 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 Indianapolis, Indiana 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.
Indianapolis Window Suppliers
Below you will find a list of local window retailers, contractors, installers, and manufacturers in the Indianapolis area.
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