When building a new home, the choice of windows is often overlooked. Yet, they are one of the most important factors in building an energy-efficient home. After all, they are big holes in the walls of your house. We want to be able to open them and enjoy the cool coastal breeze from Delaware’s beaches, but when they are shut, we want them to act as a complete barrier, as if they weren’t a missing piece of your wall.
Vinyl windows were an innovation in an era where aluminum windows were the primary choice for homes. And many homes still have vinyl windows. The problem is, vinyl windows are made of PVC, a type of plastic. So when it’s cold it shrinks it and gets smaller. When it’s hot it gets bigger and softer. Each of those characteristics means that gaps are created which allows air to get into and out of your house, lowering your energy efficiency.
Composite Windows: The Better Choice for Delaware Beach Homes
There are alternatives to vinyl windows which is where (cue the trumpet fanfare) composite windows come in! Composite windows don’t expand or contract based on the temperature and they do an overall better job of insulating your house.
While composite windows can be made up of different materials, companies like Andersen have perfected their composite material, combining wood fibers and thermoplastic polymers to leverage the best qualities of both materials.
Composite windows also tend to last longer than vinyl windows because they don’t get brittle and crack as vinyl windows are prone to do. So, if you want longevity and efficiency, composite windows (from a quality company) are the best choice.
Is Energy Efficiency a Priority in your Coastal Home?
There are tons of factors that go into building an energy-efficient home. From your insulation to your windows down to your thermostat, builders have come up with a lot of ways to improve how your home uses energy.
Windows are undoubtedly a big factor in reducing the energy wasted in the process of heating and cooling your home. So if you’re concerned about building a home that uses energy efficiently, ask about the windows. Vinyl might be cheaper, but quality composite windows are going to provide better insulation and last longer than their vinyl counterparts.
Window selection is just another reason to choose a builder that aligns with your priorities. It might be energy efficiency or it might be having a luxury kitchen. Regardless of what it is, find a builder that agrees with you on what’s important in a home. When you do that, you’ll get the features you really want at the best price available.
At Aurora Homes, we believe our clients deserve a great home — not just a house — with a great design, at a great value. When we meet, we’ll talk about you and how we can design and build a house that fits your life.
Want to learn more? Price your future home online right now or reach out! We’d love to chat about your future home in Lewes, Delaware.