What benefits are there to residential windows?

Windows add architectural beauty, energy efficiency,  daylighting and natural ventilation.

Think of the windows as the eyes of the house. They’re one of the few things that are seen from both a home’s interior and exterior. Residential windows add architectural interest to your home inside and out, accenting it and framing it, like pictures on walls. Plus, windows allow you to enjoy the view from the comfort of inside your home, no matter how hot, cold, rainy or snowy it is outside.

Residential windows are a reflection of your home, its style, and ultimately, your sense of style. What do your windows say about you and your home? Are they stylish, energy efficient and in good condition, helping seal out air and moisture, keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer? Or are they in need of repair or replacement? If your windows are worn out, drafty, leaky or inefficient, the good news is that windows can be replaced with more energy efficient options.

Today’s residential windows offer superior design and energy efficiency.

For more information about these topics, visit the Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows and Design Considerations pages on the Efficient Windows Collaborative website.

What is fenestration?

Today, residential windows are also sometimes called fenestration products. Fenestration refers to the arrangement, proportioning and design of windows, doors and/or skylights in a home or other building type. The word fenestration comes from the Latin word “fenestra” for "window."

When should windows be replaced?

If the windows in your home are leaking air or water, assess the window to see if it needs to be repaired, retrofitted or replaced. Likewise, if your windows are fogged up between the panes of glass, this may be a sign that the seal has failed, and the window may need to be repaired or replaced to provide a clear view.

If you have single-pane windows, condensation will form more frequently than double or triple-pane windows that provide more insulating value between your home’s interior and exterior surfaces than the single glass surface in single-pane windows.

What construction types use residential windows?

You’ll find residential windows used in a variety of construction applications, ranging from wood frame to brick, masonry, block construction and/or other materials.

What are the key components of a residential window?

Today’s residential windows offer a myriad of style options to enhance your home’s design and performance. In describing residential windows, there are several key components, such as the sash, frame, spacer, and glass.

Cap stocks or coatings can provide various color options on the profile of a residential window. Think of a cap stock like a cap on a tooth—it covers what’s underneath. The same goes for a coating. It covers what’s underneath, like the substrate or base material from which the window is made. Coatings are used on all materials (aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl and composites).

The frame refers to the material that literally frames or holds the glass and/or sash in place in a window. Window frames can be made from a variety of materials, like aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, wood or combinations of materials. Residential window frames can also include various profile shapes to replicate the architectural detail of a historic look or a modern, contemporary look.

The sash refers to the moveable part of a window. Sashes may crank out, or move horizontally or vertically to open a window. Sashes often open to the exterior of a building, but some window designs, like those popular in Europe, may allow a window to open into the home.

The glass that is visible within the frame or sash can be a single pane or a more efficient multiple pane construction known as an insulating glass unit (IG). Spacers are used to separate the panes of glass in IGs and are bonded together using sealant materials.

What materials are residential windows made from?

Today’s residential window frames and sashes are made from a wide range of materials including aluminum, composites, fiberglass, vinyl, wood or combinations of materials sometimes referred to as hybrid windows. Standard clear, high-performance coated, tempered, tinted and laminated glass options are available.

Depending on the material they’re made from, some residential windows, like wood windows, can be purchased unfinished, to be painted, stained or sealed on the job site. Some residential windows, like vinyl windows, can include factory-applied films that replicate the look of wood grain or metallic finishes.

Fiberglass windows are often factory-finished, reducing the need for painting on the job site. Vinyl windows require no additional finishing. Some vinyl windows are available with painted exterior or interior finishes to expand available color options for the homeowner. Aluminum or aluminum-clad windows can take on a variety of exterior colors to suit a home's exterior style.

For more information on residential window finishes, visit the Window Features page.

AAMA includes councils dedicated to the advancement of those materials including:

• Aluminum Material Council (AMC)
• Fiberglass Material Council (FMC)
• Vinyl Material Council (VMC)
• Wood and Cellulosic Composite Material Council (WCCMC)
• Glass Material Council (GMC)
  

Do industry standards and certification programs help shape product performance?

Whether its spring rain, summer heat, or winter winds, residential windows are designed and tested to meet, air, water and structural performance standards. For example, NAFS (North American Fenestration Standard) is a recognized industry program that defines residential window performance to withstand weather conditions.

The AAMA certification program certifies windows, doors and skylights to an industry standard that sets minimum performance levels for air infiltration, water penetration and structural performance.