Kansas City homeowners are no strangers to extreme weather conditions. It may not always be a tornado that whisks your house away to Oz, but every season tends to bring its own wild weather and fluctuating temperatures. And if you don’t have reliable exteriors, it can adversely affect your home.
One of the biggest things you can do to protect your home and your household from the ever-changing weather in Kansas and Missouri is to invest in high-quality windows built to withstand all weather and temperature conditions.
How Extreme Weather Conditions Impact Window Performance
Some of the effects of extreme weather are obvious. Storms and tornadoes can blow debris around that may hit your windows and cause them to break. Heavy rainfall can leak into poorly sealed windows and cause water damage. Even high winds may contribute to drafty windows by blowing through cracks and infiltrating the home.
Living in the Heartland, your windows must contend with all kinds of stormy weather, extreme heat, and cold temperatures. Windows are affected by extreme temperatures, as the changes cause frames to expand and contract. This fluctuation can warp the frames and reduce energy efficiency, especially in older windows that weren’t crafted with these shifts in mind.
Five Things to Look for in Weatherproof Windows
If it’s time to replace your windows, here are five “buzzwords” to look for in high-quality, weatherproof windows:
1. Vinyl Windows
Rolox Windows are vinyl for a reason. Vinyl is one of the most durable window materials in the industry, all while being incredibly affordable. Vinyl is heat and cold-resistant, moisture-resistant, and has excellent insulating properties. It also won’t rot like wood windows or rust like metal windows, making it a low-maintenance option that requires no additional treatments over time to maintain its integrity.
2. Polyurethane “Spray Foam” Insulation
The two most common window insulation materials are fiberglass and polyurethane spray foam. For an airtight seal that withstands the test of time and weather, the best window insulation material by far is polyurethane spray foam.
Spray foam insulation is sprayed around the seals of windows on insulation, where it expands to fill all gaps, nooks, and crannies before hardening for a durable seal that won’t sag or compact over time like fiberglass. It can handle extreme hot or cold temperatures, maintaining its integrity at temperatures as low as -80°F and as high as 200°F. Fortunately, Kansas City doesn’t get nearly that hot or cold, so you can trust spray foam insulation to stay strong in temperature extremes!
Rolox windows have a higher R-factor than competing polyurethane foam-filled windows, providing better thermal protection against heat transfer into or out of your home. If you want to even further improve your insulation, consider investing in an insulated coating!
3. Double-paned Glass
Double-paned glass has space between the panes, which is typically filled with a dense, insulating gas to help regulate your home’s temperature. This keeps the heat in during chilly winter days and out in the heat of summer. Older windows are typically made with a single, thin pane of glass that can more easily break and provide very little insulation against the heat or cold. Double-paned windows can also be designed with impact glass designed to break less easily, improving security and extreme weather resistance.
4. Industry-trusted Certifications
When looking into replacement windows, there are a few different certifications to keep in mind. Energy Star and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) are the two most important for energy efficiency.
Energy Star is a United States government-supported program based on consumer research that helps consumers find environmentally friendly products like energy-efficient windows. Rolox windows not only exceed Energy Star’s guidelines for Kansas and Missouri, but for every climate zone in the country!
The NFRC details five test ratings identifying the characteristics of different window and door brands, with an NFRC Energy Performance label affixed to the products. All Rolox windows are tested to the exacting standards of the NFRC, allowing us to confidently and proudly display our energy performance rating on our windows!
These certifications help consumers identify how energy-efficient their replacement windows are by comparing figures like air infiltration ratings. At less than half the air infiltration ratings of competing vinyl windows, Rolox windows have among the lowest air infiltration rates in the industry!
5. Quality Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is the final line of defense in window construction to keep moisture out and maintain ambient temperatures within your home. Cheaper weatherstripping may wear down quickly, especially in adverse weather conditions, resulting in leaks and drafts. Ensuring your weatherstripping is in good shape is essential when preparing your windows for the cold.
Rolox windows have a triple weatherstrip barrier that provides 50% more weather protection than other windows and lasts even longer against the elements!
Don’t Wait for the Storms to Hit — Replace Your Windows Today!
Replacing your windows sooner rather than later can help you better prepare for the extreme winter weather in Kansas and Missouri. If you’re considering replacing your windows, contact Rolox Home Service for a free in-home consultation on the best replacement windows in the Heartland!
