Windows: The Part of Your House That Costs Too Much and Does Too Much

Windows are sold on performance metrics that require a engineering degree to decode. U-value measures heat transfer. SHGC measures solar heat gain. Together they tell you whether your windows will perform or just performatively look expensive.

Double glazing is standard. Triple glazing is for people in cold climates or people who have strong feelings about their heating bills. Double is usually enough unless you live somewhere with actual winters.

Frame material matters. Vinyl is affordable and low maintenance. Aluminum is strong and narrow-sightline. Fiberglass is expensive and performs well. Wood is beautiful and also a commitment.

Installation is where windows fail. A perfect window installed poorly will leak air, accumulate condensation, and generally make you wonder why you spent so much on a window that does not behave like a window.

Size and placement matter as much as the window itself. Bigger is not always better. Sometimes more natural light means more heat gain, more glare, and more neighbors asking why you are starring in your own reality show.