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Using the NFRC Labels to Compare Replacement Windows

There are several ways to compare replacement windows. On the level of framing materials there are the pros and cons of wood, aluminum and vinyl. Where wood wins the prize for aesthetics it requires ongoing maintenance, aluminum needs little or no maintenance but it is not the best insulator and vinyl can be stylish and insulating but it is not as recyclable a resource as the others are.

Once you have decided on your window frame materials you will need to compare manufacturers according to their ranges and pricing as well as their reputations and guarantees. It is possible to get a full lifetime guarantee so there is little reason to settle for anything less.

If you have fixed on a style, design and material you are after in a window the easiest way to get comparing is to use the standardized ratings that the National Fenestration Rating Council, (NFRC), provides for all windows available from home improvement outlets and reputable manufacturers. This non-profit organization has made it their business to make our task much easier by providing uniform, accurate information about the window's energy performance on a label that should be visible on all product.

Once you have all the style and design questions settled then it all boils down to which window will do the job most effectively. It becomes easy to compare replacement windows by checking the two most important energy ratings that appear on the label: the U-factor and the Solar Heat Gain. Coupling aesthetics with practical requirements should help you to make a sensible decision that will not only offer immediate pleasure but long term investment value.

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