Texas Living: 4 Factors to Consider When Picking the Right Windows for Your Nashville Home

Known for its cultural diversity and youthfulness, Nashville is an exciting city with an interesting blend of people and an unbridled enthusiasm for life. But because it is a typical Texas town, living in Nashville can mean extreme weather, ranging from windy, cold, and rainy to scorching hot and humid. Your windows often become the only thing standing between you and the harsh elements. If you live in Nashville or plan to move here, this handy guide will help you pick the right windows for your home.

Energy Usage and Weather

Energy Saver estimates that the windows of Nashville homes for sale conduct and dispense heat, accounting for 25 to 30 percent of a home’s heating and cooling energy use. This means picking the right windows can make a world of difference in your energy bill. The key in Nashville is to choose windows that can keep the hot, humid air out and the cool, air-conditioned air in. Also, due to the ever-present hurricane risk, your windows must be strong enough to withstand flying debris and heavy winds.

Number of Panes

Aside from your energy usage, the number of panes is crucial when choosing your windows. Windows can be single-, double-, or triple-plane. As the names suggest, single-pane windows only comprise one pane of glass. Double-pane windows have two panes separated by a narrow insulated gap; the same applies to triple-pane windows. Double and triple-pane windows are insulated, so they are great at keeping conditioned air within your home. In Nashville, however, you must also be careful not to trap hot air inside your home. Double-pane windows are thus ideal.

Efficiency Rating

Windows have different efficiency ratings. You need to focus on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-factor to find the perfect window. The SHGC refers to your window’s ability to reflect solar heat. With ratings ranging from 0-1, 0 means your window will reflect all the solar heat away. The ideal window is one with an SHGC rating of 0.25 or below. The U-Factor is the opposite of the SHGC. It refers to a window’s ability to prevent heat loss to the environment. Go for a U-Factor of 0.4 or below.

Window Frame

The window frame of a window can also affect its performance. Typically, window frames are available in wood, vinyl, fiberglass, composite, and aluminum. Because of the heat and humidity in Texas, wood window frames are often susceptible to rotting and damage. Your best options are fiberglass, aluminum, and vinyl, which are all resistant to sun and water damage. These materials also feature insulation, making them ideal for heat retention in your Nashville home.

Explore Nashville Homes for Sale with David Hatef

Picking the right windows will make your life in Nashville all the more enjoyable. But if you are still in the process of buying a home in Nashville, you can worry about that later. Right now, you need to hire a Nashville real estate expert like David Hatef to help you find the best home and negotiate the best deal. Contact his office today to schedule a consultation.