Window guide
Energy Efficiency That
Makes a Difference
The right window features can keep your home more comfortable
year-round, lower your energy bills, and reduce your impact
on the environment.
Lower Bills
High-performance windows
reduce heating and cooling
costs.
More Comfort
Consistent indoor
temperatures with fewer
drafts and cold spots.
Better for the Planet
Use less energy and
reduce your home's
carbon footprint.
Window guide
Energy Efficiency That
Makes a Difference
The right window features can keep your home
more comfortable year-round, lower your
energy bills, and reduce your impact on
the environment.
More Comfort
Consistent indoor
temperatures with fewer
drafts and cold spots.
Better for the Planet
Use less energy and
reduce your home's
carbon footprint.
Lower Bills
High-performance windows
reduce heating and cooling
costs.
Low-E coatings
A microscopic, metallic coating on
the glass helps reflect heat and
harmful UV rays while still allowing
natural light in.
Helps reduce unwanted solar
heat gain
Helps protect interiors from
UV exposure
Different coating formulas offer
different performance and
price points
Solar Heat-gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Lower values help reduce
temperature transfer through
the glass from the sun. A good
SHGC is between 0.25 - 0.29
Insulation
Insulation inside the frame and sash helps
slow heat transfer and improve overall
window efficiency.
Insulated frames can improve
thermal performance
Different foam fills offer different
R-values
Wood is a good natural insulator, but
dense foam usually performs better
R-Value
The ability of a material to resist
temperature flow. A higher R-value
means more protection. A
good R-value for windows would be
between R-6 to R-10
Frame Construction
The structure of the frame affects how
well the window resists temperature
transfer and holds up over time.
Some windows are solid (wood/some
composite) while others use interior
Chambers (Vinyl/Fiberglass
More chambers generally means
better resistance to heat flow
Higher-end systems often use
advanced multi-chamber or
honeycomb designs.
Multi-chamber construction
helps improve thermal
performance
Window Reinforcement
Reinforcement helps strengthen the
sash, improving stability and reducing
the risk of bowing or warping
over time.
Some windows include
reinforced core materials for
strength
Materials vary in weight, stiffness
and thermal performance
Lightweight options can help
large sashes operate more
smoothly
Common reinforcement materials
include metal/ fiberglass, and
carbon fiber/kevlar
Low-E coatings
A microscopic, metallic coating on
the glass helps reflect heat and
harmful UV rays while still allowing
natural light in.
Helps reduce unwanted solar
heat gain
Helps protect interiors from
UV exposure
Different coating formulas offer
different performance and
price points
Solar Heat-gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Lower values help reduce
temperature transfer through
the glass from the sun. A good
SHGC is between 0.25 - 0.29
Insulation
Insulation inside the frame and sash helps
slow heat transfer and improve overall
window efficiency.
Insulated frames can improve
thermal performance
Different foam fills offer different
R-values
Wood is a good natural insulator, but
dense foam usually performs better
R-Value
The ability of a material to resist
temperature flow. A higher R-value
means more protection. A
good R-value for windows would be
between R-6 to R-10
Frame Construction
The structure of the frame affects how
well the window resists temperature
transfer and holds up over time.
Some windows are solid (wood/some
composite) while others use interior
Chambers (Vinyl/Fiberglass
More chambers generally means
better resistance to heat flow
Higher-end systems often use
advanced multi-chamber or
honeycomb designs.
Multi-chamber construction
helps improve thermal
performance
Window Reinforcement
Reinforcement helps strengthen the
sash, improving stability and reducing
the risk of bowing or warping
over time.
Some windows include
reinforced core materials for
strength
Materials vary in weight, stiffness
and thermal performance
Lightweight options can help
large sashes operate more
smoothly
Common reinforcement materials
include metal/ fiberglass, and
carbon fiber/kevlar
The Impact:
Real Numbers That Matter
Energy-efficient windows improve comfort
and deliver measureable savings
25%-30%
of heating and cooling energy
can be lost through inefficient
windows.*
$126-$465
Average annual savings on energy
bills when upgrading to ENERGY
STAR certified windows.**
Up to 12%
increase in home value with new,
energy-efficient windows.***
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
**Source: ENERGY STAR - "Window, Doors & Skylights"
***Source: Remodeling Magazine - "2024 Cost vs. Value Report"
Not sure how much energy efficiency you need?
Not sure how much energy
efficiency you need?
Whether you're just starting to think about replacing or ready to move forward, we're here
to help simplify the process.
We can match you with a reputable window
company that can help you determine
what is best for you
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Chicagoland and
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WindowMatch
Chicagoland
We help homeowners find trusted window
companies they can count on
Quick Links
For Homeowners
Company
Our Process
Our Standards
Partner With Us
Contact Us
Proudly Serving
Chicagoland and
surrounding areas