Easing the Pane of Window Selection – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Product Guide

Understand window performance, durability, operation, and design to make the most of your window budget.

Selecting the right windows is one of the most complex and consequential decisions in home building. This article explains how to balance performance, aesthetics, and cost when choosing windows for different climates and design goals. It explains key performance metrics like U-factor and solar heat-gain coefficient (SHGC), highlights the importance of condensation resistance, and compares window materials—including vinyl, fiberglass, wood, and composites—for durability and maintenance. The article also discusses window operation types, installation best practices, and cost considerations to help builders and homeowners make informed, lasting choices.

 A Tricky Decision

Of all the decisions that go into developing a building enclosure, few cause more angst and budgetary stress than choosing the windows. If your goal is to keep window costs as low as possible, performance and durability may suffer. At the other end of the spectrum, aiming for premier performance and quality can send costs soaring. Some projects demand one extreme or the other, but most fall somewhere in between, aiming for the best performance within the budget.

Finding this balance is easier said than done. Since every project has its own unique design and requirements, optimizing the window choices must be done on a case-by-case basis. For designers and clients, this means evaluating the windows based on key characteristics such as performance, materials, and operation to find a window package that meets the project needs without unnecessary expense. In this article, we break down some of the basics to help you select the right windows for your next project.

Windows Are an Investment

One of the most common pitfalls designers and owners fall into when selecting windows for a project is focusing too much on initial price. While price is an important part of the equation, focusing on price alone is a quick way to end up…