Waukegan, Illinois Window Replacement
Last updated on 11/15/2019
Waukegan window replacement is a great way to save some money on your energy bills related to heating and cooling throughout the year. The new frames use a variety of designs and technologies to improve the way they avoid temperature exchanges between the air inside your home and the outside air. You're probably familiar with the way that some frames make use of more than one pane of glass, which creates a better method of insulation verses single pane frames. However, there are other keys to making these multi-pane frames work more efficiently in northeastern IL.
Making Use of Window Spacers
When you're considering installing some multi-pane Waukegan window replacement frames in your home, you'll probably find that a variety of Illinois replacement window companies will offer these types of products. Differentiating between all of the various products can be difficult, though, so you may see some companies that attempt to give their replacement products a boost by trying to claim particular design advantages. One of these design improvements occurs with the spacers they're using in the replacement products.
These spacers sit in the corner of the Waukegan window replacement frames, and you cannot see them, as the exterior material used in the frames cover the spacers. Some companies will apply specific brand names to their spacers and to the ways their spacers are aligned. Don't be confused by these brand names, and focus instead on how the companies actually make use of the spacers, including the materials in use.
It's important that the spacers inside the Waukegan window replacement frames are holding the panes of glass a certain distance apart. Without these spacers, the pieces of glass in the multi-pane frames would not have the proper distance, which would negate some of the insulating value of going with the multi-pane frames. In addition, multi-pane frames have some air pockets filled with inert gas between the glass panes, which also contributes to the insulating qualities of the frames. However, the spacers must be sealed properly to prevent leakage of the inert gas.
Aluminum Spacers in Replacement Products
Many types of older window frames will have aluminum as the material in the spacers. While aluminum does a good job of holding its position and sealing the inert gasses in place in between the pieces of glass, it doesn't do a good job with preventing an exchange of heat through the frame. This leads to a product that doesn't do a very good job in preventing a loss of heat from the home through the frames.
However, with Waukegan window replacement frames, the materials used in the spacers actually contribute to the energy efficiency of the products. Some companies have gone with stainless steel as the material for the spacers in the replacement pieces of glass, which doesn't facilitate the transfer of heat as does aluminum. Additionally, the design and shape of the spacers has been changed for some companies offering Waukegan window replacement products, which provides greater energy efficiency.
Another newer design in Waukegan window replacement products that involves the use of spacers is the inclusion of a band along the glass. The band also attaches to the spacers inside the window, essentially widening its effectiveness by expanding its reach. These bands provide a greater ability for these replacement window frames to avoid suffering from condensation as well, which is a great reason to turn to replacement window products.
Working With IL Window Installers
Waukegan is a city of about 92,000 people that's located to the north of Chicago along the shores of Lake Michigan in northeastern IL. This is a steadily growing area, as Waukegan has undergone a population growth that has almost doubled in the past 60 years. With Waukegan being so close to Chicago, you'll find quite a few Illinois residents looking for a slightly slower pace of life here.
With the strong winds that can occur from the surface of Lake Michigan, Waukegan can experience some cold winters. This area of Illinois has average temperatures in the 20s throughout much of the winter, which drives wind chill temperatures quite low. If your Waukegan home suffers from drafty conditions, installing new glass in the home will provide significant benefits.
When you're read to make use of your Waukegan window replacement products, you'll need to find some qualified installers in this area of Illinois who can do the work. The installation in Waukegan will go more smoothly when you make use of someone with experience. To find experienced installers, try visiting Web sites that specialize in providing information about Waukegan window replacement products. At these Web sites, you usually can make requests for bids for your project, too, which will make it easier to receive the bids from a variety of installers in a short amount of time.
Waukegan, Illinois U-Factor and SHGC Ratings for Replacement Windows
When shopping for replacement windows in Waukegan, Illinois - located in Lake 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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan, Illinois and Waukegan's metro area counties including: Cook County IL, DeKalb County IL, DuPage County IL, Grundy County IL, Jasper County IN, Kane County IL, Kendall County IL, Kenosha County WI, Lake County IL, Lake County IN, McHenry County IL, Newton County IN, Porter County IN, and Will County IL.
The climate zone, u-factor and SHGC listed for your county in the Waukegan, IL 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 Waukegan 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 | ||
---|---|---|
Cook County IL Dekalb County IL Dupage County IL Grundy County IL Jasper County IN Kane County IL Kendall County IL Kenosha County WI Lake County IL Lake County IN Mchenry County IL Newton County IN Porter County IN Will 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 |
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 Waukegan, IL 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 Waukegan, Illinois 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.
Waukegan Window Suppliers
Below you will find a list of local window retailers, contractors, installers, and manufacturers in the Waukegan area.
Does Your Company Install Windows? Add Your FREE Listing Here!



