As wonderful as a sunlit home is for your mood, it’s not so great for the internal temperature of your home. Fortunately, energy efficient windows can reduce the heat in your home so that you can have your sunlight without a shocking energy bill. Here’s what you need to know about how home direction affects the energy efficiency of your home and what your windows can do to help. Let’s get into it. 

How Home Direction Affects The Heat In Your Home

Houses with their windows facing predominantly north typically use less energy than homes with windows facing mostly south. This is because of how home direction affects how much sunlight gets into your home.

• North-facing windows are almost always in the shade.
• South-facing windows get the most sunlight.
• East-facing windows get morning sun, but are shaded the rest of the day.
• West-facing windows are shaded in the morning but get sunlight the rest of the day.

The amount of sunlight south-facing windows get can be beneficial: it gives you more light, which helps your mental health. It’s great for houseplants. Plus, in the winter, this can help heat your home naturally.

However, the amount of sunlight south-facing windows get can also have adverse effects, such as making your house too hot in the warmer months and increasing your energy bills. 

Other Types Of Damage Sunlight Can Cause

It’s well known that exposure to UV rays can be bad for your health. Unprotected sun exposure can increase the risk of premature aging, skin cancer, sunburns, and more. Beyond health concerns, UV rays can also cause damage to your property. Over time, your furnishings can fade, diminishing the beauty of your home. 

The sunlight can also be a nuisance by putting a glare on your TV or making book pages too bright to read comfortably. 

What Can You Do To Cool Your House Down?

Fortunately, if you have south-facing windows, you don’t need to dread the warmer months. There are a variety of ways you can reduce the amount of heat from the sun (aka solar gain). Some of which are as follows.

• Installing awnings over windows to block out the sun.
• Using window coverings/treatments, like blinds and curtains.
• Planting deciduous trees in a spot where they can shade your windows in the summer and let the light in during the winter. 
• Check your windows for air leaks.
• Caulk and weatherstrip.
• Use solar control film. 
• Install energy efficient windows or replace your windows with energy efficient ones.

What Are Energy Efficient Windows?

Your home’s windows play a significant role in its energy efficiency. They do so in a variety of ways. 

The more panes of glass a window has, the more energy efficient it tends to be. The space between panes improves insulation by making it so that heat has more to get through in order to get into your home. As such, multi-paned windows don’t just help with heat gain and heat loss, but also with sound reduction. 

Windows can also have a special coating applied to the glass which helps control the way heat moves through the window. This coating can reflect heat back into your home in the winter months and block heat from entering your home in the summer. Low-e coatings don’t just help with maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, they also shield against UV rays, thus preventing damage to your property. 

Even the most energy efficient windows need to be properly installed in order to function properly. As such, it’s crucial to work with experienced window professionals to install your new or replacement windows in order to ensure that your windows are the most efficient they can possibly be. 

How Much Do Energy Efficient Windows Help?

The U.S. Department of Energy states that about 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy is used to mitigate heat gain and heat loss through your windows. Windows play such a significant role in the energy efficiency of your home that the Department recommends selecting the most efficient windows that you can afford in order to help keep your home more comfortable and save money on your energy bills. 

Do You Need New Or Replacement Windows?

Are you looking for energy efficient windows in and around Kaysville, UT? Creekside Windows & Glass is here to help! Our low-e windows are designed to help regulate the temperature inside your home with their low-e coating. This nearly invisible coating saves you money on your energy bills without sacrificing your view to do so. 

Contact us today to learn more about our energy efficient windows or any of the other window and glass services that we provide. 

From planes roaring by overhead to leafblowers at early hours of the morning to noisy neighbors, there’s a lot of noise that can disrupt your peace. Your home is your sanctuary, and you should be able to enjoy some peace and quiet there, free from outside noise. Soundproof windows can help you do just that. 

Here’s what you need to know about noise pollution and how soundproof windows can help insulate your home. 

What Is Noise Pollution?

When you think of pollution, you probably think of air pollution or pollution in the ocean. Many people don’t even realize that noise pollution is an issue. However, noise pollution is a major environmental problem that affects people’s health and well-being. While we’re constantly surrounded by sound, noise is different in that noise is annoying while sound is just there.

The Environmental Protection Agency regulates noise sources, such as from construction equipment, trucks, and more. States and local governments have the responsibility to respond to noise pollution matters. 

The Problem With Noise Pollution

Noise isn’t just an annoyance overly sensitive people need to “get over”. It has legitimate problems. Defined as “unwanted or disturbing sound”, noise interferes with the quality of one’s daily life. It can worsen mental health, interfere with conversation, and impact your ability to sleep, focus, and more. 

Some of the issues associated with noise pollution are as follows:

• Stress
• Irritation
• Sleep disturbance
• Cognitive impairment (especially in children)
• Negative impacts on the cardiovascular system
• Negative impacts on the metabolic system
• High blood pressure
• Stress-related illnesses
• Speech interference
• Decreased productivity 
• And much more

Research shows that exposure to constant or high levels of noise can result in countless health issues. As such, it’s important to do what you can in order to protect yourself from noise pollution.

How Your Windows Affect The Noise In Your Home

Studies show that more noise comes through your windows than through your walls. While it’s undoubtedly important to ensure that your walls are well-insulated if you want a quieter, more energy-efficient home, it’s even more important to focus on your windows. If your walls are soundproofed but your windows aren’t, you’re still going to have noise problems in your home.

The thinner your windows are, the more noise problems you’re going to have. However, when you make the effort to soundproof your windows, they can block over 50% of outside noises. This is especially helpful if you live somewhere with lots of noise pollution, like by an air force base or in a city neighborhood close to bars or what have you.

With soundproofed windows, you can finally enjoy some peace and quiet in your home again. Immerse yourself in that book you’ve meant to read, enjoy a restful night of sleep, and don’t worry about exterior noise upsetting children or pets (or your own noise sensitivity). While windows may be an investment, your quality of life is priceless, making them well worth it.

Ways To Soundproof Your Windows

There are many different ways to soundproof your windows, some easier than others and some more effective than others. Bear in mind that you can’t truly soundproof your windows, but you can greatly reduce the amount of noise that comes through your windows.

Some of the ways you can soundproof your windows include:

• Replacing your weatherstripping. 
• Using soundproof curtains.
• DIYing with styrofoam insulation, vinyl, soundproofing foam, and the like.
• Using storm windows.
• Installing a window insert.
• Replacing your windows with soundproof windows. 

While DIY methods, like window treatments, may be easier and cheaper, they’re not as effective as professional methods, like installing soundproof windows. Combining multiple soundproof solutions together gives you optimal peace and quiet, like pairing aforementioned soundproof curtains with soundproof windows. 

How Soundproof Windows Can Help

To soundproof a window, you have multiple panes of glass. These double-pane windows have a space in between the layers of glass. What this additional space does is soften the exterior noise that tries to permeate into your home, lessening its impact. 

This is more effective with helping with noise problems, as it doesn’t allow for air gaps that permit sound transmission, the way DIY options do. Plus, utilizing multi-paned windows isn’t just the most effective soundproofing method, it’s also more energy efficient than other options, can increase the value of your home, and won’t damage your curb appeal. 

High quality double-paned windows can dampen noise by over 50%. Depending on what you’re looking for and what your budget is like, options may vary. Speak to a qualified window installer to understand the range of options available to you and which ones would be best suited to your needs. 

Preserve The Peace Of Your Home With Soundproof Windows

Creekside Windows & Glass provides the professional window services you need to elevate your home. From soundproof windows to replacement windows to glass repair and more, we offer a wide variety of options to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our window and shower door services in and around Kaysville, UT. 

Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your life. Whether you plan on keeping it for the rest of your days or you’d like to move at some point, it’s important to ensure that you keep it in the best possible condition. This involves home maintenance, of course, but it also includes things like matching window shapes to home aesthetics. An aesthetically pleasing and cohesive home is one that feels more comfortable – and one that is worth more, should you ever decide to sell. 

Matching window shapes to home aesthetics can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have an eye for design. Not to worry. That’s why we’ve put together this guide about which window shapes work with which home aesthetics to help you out on your journey. Should you require further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced professionals here at Creekside Windows & Glass. 

Which Window Shapes Work With Which Home Aesthetics?

Rectangular Windows

These windows are very versatile. They can work in almost any room, from bedrooms to kitchens to bathrooms and more. They present a timeless, classic option that works with pretty much any type of home aesthetic. If you’re ever indecisive about your windows and have no idea which shape to choose, rectangular windows are a safe bet that grant symmetry. 

Arched Windows

Arched windows provide more architectural interest than the more straightforward rectangular windows. Whether they have a rounded arch or come to a point at the top, these windows add interest to the space. These windows can add character and sophistication to your home. Their more unique shape makes them great focal points in areas like your living room. 

Like rectangular windows, arched windows provide you with timeless allure. These windows can be made more modern or more quirky, depending on placement and window treatments used alongside them.

Picture Windows

When you think of picture windows, you probably think sleek, modern houses or luxurious mountain top chalets. Because these windows are so big and function, as the name implies, like a picture frame to your view, they’re best placed in areas where you have a beautiful view to showcase. You can also use them to invite more natural light into a space than a standard window would provide.

These windows can do wonders to open up your home – but the size of them may overwhelm other features. You also cannot open picture windows to let fresh air in. As such, if you’re ever unsure whether you should put a picture window somewhere, it’s good to get some professional insight to determine if that’s the best option for you. 

Bay And Bow Windows

Bay and bow windows are both types of windows that protrude from the exterior of your home, hence why they get lumped together even though they’re different. Bay windows are comprised of three separate windows, usually with a picture window in the center and smaller windows angled on either side. Bow windows are made of four or more windows and create a more subtle curve. 

Bay windows are often seen in transitional and contemporary homes while bow windows are often seen in traditional or Victorian homes. That said, if you have a different style home, that doesn’t mean these windows won’t work for you. These windows are great for areas like a living room in order to create a more airy atmosphere. 

Geometric Windows

Want something more quirky? Geometric windows are perfect for areas where you want to make a statement. These windows can be circles, hexagons, and many other shapes. They’re great for spaces with specific design themes, like an art studio. 

Reliable Window Experts In And Around Kaysville, UT

Here at Creekside Windows & Glass, we offer a wide range of window shapes to suit every type of home aesthetic. Beyond matching your aesthetic, our windows boast double-pane technology, which makes them more energy efficient. 

Our experts will work with you in order to determine your design preferences and suggest suitable windows for your needs. Whether you lean more contemporary or classical, rest assured that we have the high quality windows you need.

Contact us today to learn more about our window services in Kaysville and other areas throughout Northern Utah.