Window Trivia: 3 Fun Facts to Know

Many people take their replacement windows for granted. How much do you know about how your windows function, for example? Do you have double-hung windows, and if so, do you know how that design originated?

Today, Renewal by Andersen® of Portland shares a few fun facts (and general information) about windows that you might be interested in.

Energy Ratings

If you had your windows replaced recently, you might have heard terms like U factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) thrown around. What do they mean? These are ratings that give you information about the energy efficiency of different  window replacement units.

U-factor is an indicator of how well a window conducts heat flow that isn’t related to the sun. For this rating, a higher number means it conducts heat flow poorly, while a lower number means it is better at conducting heat. SHGC, on the other hand, is an indicator of how well the window shades you from solar radiation.

Energy Efficiency

If your windows aren’t very energy-efficient, you may experience higher energy bills. That’s why energy-efficient windows are important in the effort to reduce energy expenditures in the home. Prioritizing energy efficiency during your window replacement project can significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs.

This is why paying attention to energy ratings is important if your goal is to improve your home’s energy efficiency. These ratings can help you figure out exactly what type of window will provide the best energy efficiency in your specific climate.

Cleaning Windows

Do you know the proper way to clean your windows? One thing many homeowners don’t realize is that cleaning your windows on a sunny day is a bad idea. It sounds counter-intuitive, but you should choose an overcast day that’s not too hot to clean your windows. Otherwise, the cleaning solution may dry before you can wipe it off, leaving ugly streaks on the windows.

Do you want to know more about the windows you have in your home? We’d love to help you! At Renewal by Andersen of Portland, we love to help out our customers understand their windows better. Give us a call at or fill out our contact form for a consultation. We serve clients in Portland, OR.