What to look when your beach house needs new windows
The Jersey Shore weather can be extreme, so consider replacement windows for your shore house. Summer’s higher temperatures and extended sunlight hours makes keeping it cool inside your home is very expensive if your windows are allowing the air conditioning to escape. And year-round residents at the Jersey Shore know that temperatures drop low in winter months, so allowing your heated air to leak out can be costly.
There are window features that affect a window’s performance and longevity, so knowing what features to look for will go in a long way in helping you choose the right windows.
Salt air, high temperatures, and the strong winds that coastal properties endure, all challenge how well your windows work, and long they will last. When you’re shopping around for new windows, it’s important to look for design elements at that address the harsher elements that coastal home face.
Window Materials- Why Salt Air and Water Matter
The material that the windows are made from need to withstand the corrosive properties of salt. And while most people know that salt air is unavoidable in a coastal environment, few know that salt water can travel up to five miles in high winds. Salt air and water will degrade material that isn’t treated to combat it.
Marine-grade, treated stainless steel windows are often found in commercial properties because of their strength and maximum view potential. However, they are more expensive than windows made from other materials and need to be routinely cleaned (as much as every 4 months in coastal regions) in order to last. You’ll need to budget for a higher product cost and the time or cost to maintain them.
Wooden windows are timeless and can be energy efficient. Because wood is subject to rot, mold, and warping in high moisture environments, wood windows will need to be properly treated and well maintained throughout their lifespan. This could become expensive if the home has a lot of windows.
Vinyl windows are affordable, resist salt corrosion, and are a long-lasting choice for shore homes. Correctly manufactured, they are extremely energy efficient and require minimal maintenance.
Examples of Window Glass for Shore Homes
The glass that goes into your windows plays a large part on their performance level. While single pane windows were the only option many years ago, double and triple pane windows are customary in today’s market. While it’s generally known that multiple panes of glass with a pocket of air (or even better, argon gas) improves insulative values, there isn’t as much talk about the glass itself.
Low-E or Low Emissivity Glass
Low-E Glass is made with layers that works by deflecting the heat away from your house in warmer months. This means, that your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool the house down. This is especially important with homes that receive a lot of direct sunlight. 
In colder months, Low-E glass will reflect your home’s heat back into the space, instead of allowing it to escape through the window. This unique property saves energy dollars year-round
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass, or Safety Glass, is superior in strength and designed to break into small pieces if broken. Testing has shown that it is considered safer than standard glass, that tends to break into large shards. While tempered glass can sometimes be optional, there are building codes that require safety glass in windows that are located in specific areas of the home. These regulatory codes outline minimal and maximum distances for specific locations. e.g. windows in showers, stairwells, or near an exterior door. Always check with a window professional regarding code requirements before purchasing windows.
Obscure Glass
Also referred to as Frosted or Privacy Glass, obscure glass is designed to provide privacy by blurring the image behind it. It is often used in bathroom windows or for sidelite units, which are the typically tall, narrow windows that flank a door.
Window Types or Styles
While windows come in many styles, the most common include Double Hung, Sliders, Casements, Awnings, Picture Windows, Basement Hoppers, Bay and Bows, and Architectural Shapes.
Most homeowners will choose to the same type of replacement window that was originally installed, because it complements the home’s architecture and works as intended. But, if you find that a window or windows aren’t as functional as you would like, think about a selecting a different window style. For more information, read our blog on why A Different Window Style May Be the Better Choice
Contact Jantek and talk to a Product Specialist for more information. Our window and patio door manufacturing plant is located in Medford, NJ. We’ve made and installed replacement windows for homes along the New Jersey Shore including Atlantic County, Cape May County, and Ocean County since 1995.
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