Irving Park Window Replacement In Chicago, Illinois
Last updated on 11/15/2019
For Irving Park window replacement, bay windows are an excellent choice in your Chicago, IL home with a view. Bay window is a misleading name, since these windows are never made up of just one window. Bay windows are actually made up of 3 windows or more. These replacement windows are always arranged with one in the center, flanked by the same number of windows on either side. Bay Irving Park window replacement windows stand out from the rest of the structure, creating a sort of portal in which you can view the outside world.
This view doesn't necessarily have to be based on the Irving Park, IL location of your home. Your nice view could simply be the beautiful rose garden in your back yard, or that really cute neighbor that just moved in across the street. Either way, if you want to be able to see more of the outside when you are inside, Chicago replacement bay windows are the way to go.
The fact that you don't already have a bay window in your home should not deter you from choosing one for your Irving Park window replacement. Most of the time bay windows can be built out from the existing structure, (of course it depends on the supports that exist in the area of your Irving Park home that you want the window to be). Any contractor in Illinois can tell you within a very short time whether or not this can be done.
If you decide to have a bay Irving Park window replacement installed where one didn't previously exists, it would be best to know the side of the house you want the Irving Park window replacement installed, but be flexible on the location. For example, if you tell the contractor you want your replacement installed in the front of the home, ideally right across from the attractive neighbor, he should be able to find a spot that will maintain the integrity of the house's structure while still providing a decent view.
Bays are Very Beneficial
In addition to a better view, bay windows can be beneficial to you in multiple ways. First, they can bring in more natural light than other types. This is helpful to your wallet. The more natural light that your bay replacement can bring into your Irving Park home, the less artificial lighting you have to pay for.
Traditionally, bay windows do not open. There are some replacement models that allow the Illinois side windows to open, but usually the middle one is fixed and does not open. This will also help your wallet. A double paned, fixed Irving Park window replacement allows light in but keeps out heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Your wallet will love the extra savings that this provides.
A third benefit that bay replacement windows can bring is to open up the space in which you install it. Say for instance that the living room of your Irving Park home is a little small. There aren't a lot of windows, or perhaps the existing windows are just small. Small windows or too few windows can make a room feel cramped and dark. This is not an appealing atmosphere for you or your guests.
Installing a bay window in this room will immediately improve the feel of it. It will add square footage. Additionally, it will bring in plenty of light, which will give the room a large and open feel. Your visitors will think that you added many more feet that you actually did, and they will enjoy the new, lighter feel this provides.
Bow Windows are a Nice Alternative to Bays
Bow Irving Park window replacement windows are almost the same thing as bay windows. What is the difference, you ask? Where bay windows are angular, bow windows are round. Additionally, there are more of them.
Bay windows look like one half of a hexagon Bow windows in contrast look like half of a circle. In order to provide the rounded effect without actually having to buy rounded Irving Park window replacement (which are very difficult to make and therefore very costly) the additional windows are needed. Bay windows have an odd number of windows to produce the angular effect, whereas bow windows tend to be even numbered to make the rounded effect.
Irving Park bow windows are the same in all beneficial aspects to bay windows. The only difference is that they offer an alternative visual effect. As with everything in décor, it is completely dependent on one's own personal taste. Whichever one you choose, both would add style, space, lighting and ambiance to your Irving Park home that is incomparable. No other window type can compare to the benefits you will gain when you order a bay or bow Irving Park window replacement.
The Best U-Factor and SHGC for Energy Efficient Irving Park Replacement Windows
When shopping for replacement windows in Irving Park, an area in Chicago, 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 Irving Park's climate zone.
The climate zone assigned to Irving Park and the zip codes within it - including zip codes '60618', '60630', '60641' - takes into account how extreme the seasons are in Irving Park . How warm and cold it gets in Chicago 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 Irving Park, your neighbohood within the city of Chicago
The climate zone, u-factor and SHGC listed for your zip code and town in the Chicago, 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 home in the , area, simply do the following:
- Find your neighborhood and zip code in the left most column.
- Find your climate zone in the orange box to the right of the column with your neighborhood's name and zip code.
- 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.
| Neighborhoods and Zip Codes | Energy Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Cook County IL | 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 | |
