Windows and doors are the weakest points in the exterior envelope of your home. They are where cool air leaks out in the summer and cold air leaks in during the winter. These energy losses can cost you about 30 percent of your heating and cooling. That can add up to $35 billion across the nation in a single year. Even so, more people still tend towards wanting more glass instead of less. Fortunately advancements with replacement windows and doors in West Linn, OR mean you may not have to compromise.
Today windows and doors are better than ever. Technologies have improved seals, weather stripping, and insulation. These advancements reduce heat gains and losses and save you money on your energy expenses every year. Gas fills are one such advancement and here is more information about how these technologies benefit your home.
What are Insulated Glass Units?
Insulated glass units (IGUs) on windows and doors are manufactured to keep homes better insulated. IGUs consist of two or more panes of glass separated by a spacer and sealed at the edges. In the past, the airspace between panes contained normal air. But oxygen is reactive to temperature fluctuations and the seals broke down faster. So manufactures came up with a better solution—using noble gas fills. These are viscous gasses that have more density. They are odorless, colorless, and non-toxic. These gasses minimize convective currents reducing the heat that transfers through the glass.
Argon Gas Fills
Argon makes up approximately 1% of the atmosphere. Because it is so readily available it is one of the most affordable and most popular noble gasses to use in IGUs for both windows and doors. The thermal conductivity is 67% more efficient than ordinary air. Imagine the savings you could get with this affordable upgrade.
Krypton Gas Fills
This noble gas has more density than argon, and pound for pound has superior energy performance. Because of such high performance, most manufacturers use this noble gas for windows with a thinner profile, like triple pane windows. But because it is not as readily available, krypton gas is more expensive. It will take longer to recoup the cost with energy savings.
Xenon Gas Fills 
Xenon gas is newer on the market with even greater energy performance. It provides U-vales below those of both argon and krypton. So even though the surface area for windows is growing, the energy performance is still consistent. Unfortunately, most homeowners cannot justify the added cost of xenon filled replacement windows and doors.
Replacement windows and doors are a large investment. You want to make sure your energy savings are worth the added cost of special gas fills. When used in conjunction with insulating frames and low-E coatings your replacement windows and doors in West Linn, OR can yield higher R-values. For more information call us at (503) 554-5500. Or schedule an appointment and stop by our storefront located at 516 E. 2nd St., Newberg, OR 97132.