Choosing Windows - The Ultimate Guide

With so many window options to choose from, and each design offering different benefits, selecting windows which will complement your home and suit your preferences and needs can be a confusing process – with many of us avoiding the task altogether, until it comes to breaking point.

There are many factors to consider when selecting windows, from materials through to glazing options, which is why we’ve put together a guide to help you select the right windows that will stand the test of time and leave onlookers admiring your property all year round.

Making your home safer
Nowadays, it is often a window’s design that is likely to have the biggest pull, making it easy to forget that a window’s primary role is to keep you and your home safe. Today’s window suppliers recognise the importance of home security for your peace and mind, which is why security is considered throughout the entire process, from manufacturing to installation.

If security is top of your list when selecting new windows, you should consider investing in products which adhere to the ‘Secured by Design’ scheme. This is a UK-wide police initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safer places to live, work, shop and visit. Another top tip is to look for products certified by the British Standard Institute. Windows with these accreditations will provide an elevated level of safety, using high-quality technology such as window safety locks that prevent unlawful entry into your home. At REHAU, all of our windows adhere to the ‘Secured by Design’ and British Standard Institute accreditations, making them a safe and trustworthy option.

Making your home more energy efficient
If saving on energy bills is your top priority, then replacing your windows with options which have a higher energy efficiency will immediately make a noticeable difference, while also reducing your carbon footprint – saving you money, while helping to save the planet too.

Energy efficiency is improved as a result of reducing heat loss and boosting the window’s insulation effectiveness – helping to keep you and your home warm and toasty regardless of the season. Windows tested by the British Fenestration Rating Council are measured by how well a window performs reducing air leakage, heat loss and retaining thermal energy. To better understand how ratings work and what you should be looking out for when reading an energy rating label, read our guide on energy ratings here. In short, the higher the letter in the alphabet, the better your window is at doing its job and the more likely it will be at saving you money each month. An A++ rated window is therefore far more energy efficient than a window with an E rating.

Making your home quieter
Incessant outside noises can be a nuisance, and sometimes take you to the end of your tether. If you’re looking for windows to help create a healthier, quieter environment where a good night’s sleep is guaranteed, then double-glazing windows offer the perfect solution – especially if you’re upgrading from single glazed windows. When noise hits single-glazed windows, it can cause the pane to vibrate, which creates a sound. With double-glazed windows, an additional sheet of glass is present, which reduces the vibration and therefore prevents noise.

The extent of soundproofing will depend on which windows you choose, with options of triple-glazing even available for peak insulation and soundproofing. No matter what option you decide to go for, upgrading your windows to a multi-glazed design will always be a great investment in your property.

To view our full range of windows and doors, click here. To find your nearest installer and request a personalised quote, click here.