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Hot Climate? These Window Features Will Keep Your Home Cooler

14 September 2016

Ray Moreno

Windows are often thought of as a barrier between the cold outdoors and the warm indoors—so their importance tends to be overlooked in hot climates. But the truth is that the right window features can allow your windows to more effectively trap your cool air inside, lowering your A/C bills and making for a more comfortable indoor temperature. Look for these three features, in particular, when buying new windows for a home in a hot climate.

UV-Blocking Coatings

The UV rays from the sun are not only hot, but they can also bleach out your carpet, drapes, and other home decor. Many windows come fitted with UV-blocking coatings to selectively keep these rays from shining through to your home. They are not necessarily tinted, though you can find tinted versions if you'd like to keep your home a little dimmer. If you've already had new windows installed, placing aftermarket UV film on them is an option, though the effects may not be as pronounced as with windows that come pre-coated.

Casement Windows

Many homeowners these days are choosing hung windows—the type that open by sliding up and down in the frame. While these are aesthetically pleasing (and that's why they've become so popular), they don't always seal well. Hot air can easily seep in through the gaps between the window sash and frame. A better choice is casement windows, which open and close as you turn a little crank. They fit more tightly into the frame, especially when you lock them shut, leading to less air leakage and a cooler home overall.

Casement windows may be tough to open and close if you have arthritis in your hands, but for homeowners with kids, the fact that they're a bit tough to open actually makes them safe!

Triple-Pane Glass

Double-pane windows, which feature two panes of glass with a layer of air between them, tend to be the norm. Triple-pane windows with three layers of glass are often recommended in really cold climates, but they're good in very hot climates too. Each layer of air between the glass panes acts as an insulator, slowing heat transfer and keeping your home cooler. You'll pay a few dollars extra for that extra pane of glass, but you'll likely make up the cost in energy savings.

To learn more about the best window features in your hot climate, talk to a window installation contractor like Nu-Vue Products.

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