Why you should consider removing window screens in cooler Northern Virginia, VA weather Published on September 15, 2015Here in Northern Virginia, we think fall is one of the best seasons to leave your windows open and let in the fresh, crisp air. But as you gear up for winter, yard and house work usually top the to-do list, and one of your tasks will inevitably be washing your windows and screens. Fall is also a good time to decide whether you’d like to take your window screens off for the winter.You’ve routinely read about how energy efficient windows are important during the summer months for blocking heat from sneaking in your home. But, energy efficiency plays a huge role in the winter months, too. So, how do screens impact energy efficiency? What are the added bonuses to taking window screens off? Here are a few points to think about:Better solar heat gain. While double- and triple-pane glass helps keep the heat inside your home in the winter, screens can actually prevent the sun’s heat from getting in, too. After all, it may be cold outside but sunlight will still help warm your home. In fact, a Midcoast Green Collaborative study showed that screens left on in the winter blocked about 30-40 percent of the heat (from the sun) that otherwise would have gone in to the home.Prohibits snow buildup. Winter winds can trap snow between a screen and window. Removing screens can help you avoid this buildup.Allows in more natural light. Conventional screens can keep out much needed natural light in the gray winter months. If you don’t already have high transparency screens, such as Pella Windows and Doors’s Vivid View® and InView™ Screens, pulling off your window screens can help let in as much light as you’d like. As technology has developed, pulling off your window screens is becoming less of a necessity and more of a style preference. In the past, taking off your window’s screens was usually done for windows with single-pane glass so storm windows could be added. Storm windows help boost efficiency during the winter. However, when homeowners change to double- or triple-pane glass, they no longer need to take extra steps to ensure efficiency during extreme weather. To find out more about appropriate window cleaning tips or low-maintenance, energy efficient replacement windows, call one of our Pella professionals at 571-292-3519 or stop by our showroom in Northern Virginia. Back to Blog
Why you should consider removing window screens in cooler Northern Virginia, VA weather Published on September 15, 2015Here in Northern Virginia, we think fall is one of the best seasons to leave your windows open and let in the fresh, crisp air. But as you gear up for winter, yard and house work usually top the to-do list, and one of your tasks will inevitably be washing your windows and screens. Fall is also a good time to decide whether you’d like to take your window screens off for the winter.You’ve routinely read about how energy efficient windows are important during the summer months for blocking heat from sneaking in your home. But, energy efficiency plays a huge role in the winter months, too. So, how do screens impact energy efficiency? What are the added bonuses to taking window screens off? Here are a few points to think about:Better solar heat gain. While double- and triple-pane glass helps keep the heat inside your home in the winter, screens can actually prevent the sun’s heat from getting in, too. After all, it may be cold outside but sunlight will still help warm your home. In fact, a Midcoast Green Collaborative study showed that screens left on in the winter blocked about 30-40 percent of the heat (from the sun) that otherwise would have gone in to the home.Prohibits snow buildup. Winter winds can trap snow between a screen and window. Removing screens can help you avoid this buildup.Allows in more natural light. Conventional screens can keep out much needed natural light in the gray winter months. If you don’t already have high transparency screens, such as Pella Windows and Doors’s Vivid View® and InView™ Screens, pulling off your window screens can help let in as much light as you’d like. As technology has developed, pulling off your window screens is becoming less of a necessity and more of a style preference. In the past, taking off your window’s screens was usually done for windows with single-pane glass so storm windows could be added. Storm windows help boost efficiency during the winter. However, when homeowners change to double- or triple-pane glass, they no longer need to take extra steps to ensure efficiency during extreme weather. To find out more about appropriate window cleaning tips or low-maintenance, energy efficient replacement windows, call one of our Pella professionals at 571-292-3519 or stop by our showroom in Northern Virginia.