Window Frame Options:

1. Vinyl: Vinyl window frames have become very popular in recent years. They are often the least expensive option and are easiest to maintain.
2. Aluminium: Aluminum window frames are less popular now than they were in the past but are still used in many window frames.
3. Wood: The highest quality window frames are generally made with wood. Most of the top brands in our brand list make some product lines with wood frames. While wood frames are considered the highest quality they can often be the most expensive option.
4. Wood Clad: Another popular option for window frames is to have wood frames that are covered or clad in either vinyl or aluminum.

Window Glazing Options:

1. Single Pane: This option means there is only one pane of glass in the window. This is the way all windows used to be made. Single pane windows are the least expensive but they do not provide as much insulation against cold and heat and so they can result in higher heating and cooling bills.
2. Double Pane: Most of the top brands on our brand list make replacement windows with double panes. Double pane windows offer a good balance between cost and insulating performance. Double pane glass can have a gas like Argon in between the panes of glass or air is often used as well.
3. Triple Pane: The highest quality window glazing is triple pane but they are also the most expensive.

Coating Types:

1. Clear: Clear windows just means that there is no Low E coating on the glass. Low E coatings reduce the amount of heat that can come in or get out through the window.
2. Low-E (emissivity) Coating: Low-E coated windows have a coating on the glass to reduce the emissivity or heat transfer of the glass. This reduces the heat loss from your house in the winter and it reduces the amount of heat that comes into your house during the summer. This results in a lower heating and cooling bill. Low-E coated windows are more expensive than clear windows and may be required by your local building code. The Department of energy has some good information on Low-E coatings to review at http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/windows_doors_skylights/index.cfm/mytopic=13430

 Windows Types

There are a large variety of windows types to choose from.  Consider the style of your project and the amount of light you require.