Gable Windows
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| Replacement Gable Windows | |
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| Gable windows are a unique architectural feature which are frequently incorporated in homes under a gable roof. |
Gable windows are installed in the triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping gable roof. The details of the gable window design and the exact shape of the gable window will depend on the roof's structural system as well as the aesthetic implications of the window's inclusion in the design. The shape of replacement gable windows can be dictated by the type of roof which encloses the window. Alternately, a gable window whose shape compliments the gable roof space can be installed. Gable windows blend into the design of a gable roof to present a unified architectural design for any room in any floor of a home.
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Designs
There are countless possible design options for a replacement gable window. These designs may include a combination of windows which create a gable window ensemble or a single window which has a specific shape that matches the gable roof structure.
House Styles
Gable replacement windows are a popular window for Asian, contemporary, colonial, Mediterranean, modern, traditional, tropical, Victorian or eclectic home designs which includes a gable roof.
Window Styles
Homeowners can create their own gable window style or employ a simple style that includes a few standard-sized rectangular or square windows. Additional possibilities may include framing one or two rectangular windows with triangular windows which follow the structural lines of the roof, setting one large square or rectangular window in between two smaller square or rectangular windows, installing one, two or three rectangular windows which are covered by half-rounds or installing several square or rectangular windows at set intervals under the gable roof.
Combinations of three or four windows may also create a Bay-Windows or bow window within a gable roof for an attractive look both inside the house and outside.
Operating
Replacement gable windows may include both operating and non-operating windows such as horizontal and vertical sliding windows, pivot windows, tilting windows and both inswing and outswing casement windows. Additional gable window alternatives may involve arch windows, oriel windows, mullion windows and fixed picture windows.
Gable replacement windows which are intended to serve as the window of an attic room must be built to code as an emergency egress escape window. Code requirements for such an egress gable window include the window's size and capacity to open and provide an exit in case of an emergency.
Placement
Homes frequently incorporate gable windows as part of a second or third story gable roof. Many home designs that consist of first story gable roofs also include gable windows in the home's architectural plan. When homeowners remodel a first story living room, dining room, family room, kitchen or home office they often look for creative ways to plan a unique architectural style that will include a pitched gable roof that offsets the windows below.
Gable replacement windows may be placed high in the wall, directly below the pitch of the gable roof or may be installed lower in the wall. Gable windows may encompass an entire wall below the gable roof for increased venting and light
In addition to a home's central living spaces additional rooms which may incorporate gable windows include hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, pool rooms, patios and even under a gable roof which is placed over a garage or a shed.
Dormer vs. Gable Windows
Differences between dormer and gable Windows; Dormer windows extend out from the diagonal slope of a roof whereas gable windows are installed flush with the walls of the house. Both types of windows incorporate the triangular gable shape of the roof line.
Benefits
Gable windows are primarily installed in order to offer an attractive and functional finish to a gable roof. Replacement gable windows can draw attention to the lines of the gable roof or to a design element below, such as a door. Gable roofs are a relatively cost effective roof option because they're easy to build and don't require expensive materials to create a sturdy roof. Adding a gable window under a gable roof when remodeling a home allows the homeowner to diffuse light and ventilation while incorporating a window whose lines flow with the roof's unique structure.
Energy Efficiency
An energy efficient replacement gable window can increase the overall effectiveness of a home's thermal insulation. Gable windows are frequently installed below a gable roof high up in a wall where heat rises. When the window's framing materials and glazing provide superior thermal resistance an energy efficient gable window can prevent heat transfer while significantly contributing to a home's energy performance.
Homeowners should check the U-Rating of a replacement gable window before making the purchase. The National Fenestration Ratings Council U Rating judges the potential for a gable window to transmit sunlight into the home as well the possibility that it will gain or lose heat due to its glazing, framing or weather seals.
U-Ratings are determined by a window's glazing properties as well as by its framing construction. There are several different types of framing materials used in the construction of replacement gable windows. These materials offer varying levels of thermal insulation and protection against heat transfer. Homeowners must weigh the pros and cons of each type of framing, together with the cost differentials among the frames, when deciding which type of window frame to use for a replacement gable window.
Windows with U-Ratings of 30 or under are considered to present the best energy efficiency. These Energy Star windows save homeowners between seven and fifteen percent of their annual energy costs and allow homeowners to recoup the additional costs involved in purchasing energy efficient windows within four years. Tax credits and rebates are also granted to homeowners who remodel using Energy Star windows, further reducing the initial costs of purchase.
Framing Materials
The manufacture of replacement gable windows involves one of four main types of framing materials. These materials include those with metal frames, metal frames that contain thermal breaks, non-metal frames and thermally improved non-metal frames. Purchasing a weather resistant and thermal insulated frame will influence the total window performance of a replacement gable window unit.
Aluminum
Aluminum window frames are light and durable. They can easily be extruded into complex shapes which are needed for replacement gable window parts. Aluminum frames consist of anodized and factory-baked enamel finishes which provide a low-maintenance and lost-lasting window. One concern that some homeowners have regarding aluminum windows is that aluminum windows conduct heat. This raises the overall U-rating of a gable window unit and lowers its ability to resist heat transfer due to heat loss and condensation. Modern aluminum insulating windows contain thermal breaks which split the frame components into interior and exterior sections. These sections are then joined using a less conductive material and provide for a better insulated window alternative.
Wood and Wood Clad
Many homeowners prefer wood frame windows because wood windows are attractive and the traditional style of wood blends in with almost any type of architectural design. Wood is a superior insulating material but requires annual varnishing or painting to prevent rot or warping. Most homeowners are not able to commit to such a schedule of maintenance, particularly for replacement gable windows which are frequently set high above street level. Wood clad windows are a wood window option which feature the beauty of interior wood frames together with protected weather-resistant exteriors. The exterior cladding, made of treated vinyl or aluminum, protects the external wood frame and requires no maintenance after installation.
Vinyl Frames
Vinyl frames are manufactured from a hybrid plastic material which is strong and versatile. Vinyl frames provide quality insulation, resist moisture and are maintenance free. Vinyl windows cannot be painted though homeowners can now order a vinyl window with laminate coatings, such as wood veneer, for varying external appearances. Vinyl windows are dimensionally stable and resist deterioration from extreme temperatures and sunlight.
Composites
Polymer/wood composite materials are manufactured with a blend of wood scraps and sawdust together with recycled plastics. They are extruded into window sashes and frames. They create a stable energy efficient window with quality structural properties. Composite windows resist weather elements such as moisture and don't decay. Composite windows can be painted, stained or textured.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a blend of glass and fibers which produce dimensionally stable window frames. The frames have air cavities which are filled with insulation, thus reducing convection exchange. Fiberglass is an exceptionally strong material and is frequently used by customers who are looking for triple-glazed windows. Fiberglass frames offer a high level of thermal insulation. The material resists decay and rot due to weather elements and time.
Glazing
Replacement gable windows can offer increased energy efficient to reduce solar heat gain and increase the window's resistance to heat transfer. Gable replacement windows which present superior glazing include multi-pane windows and windows with a spectrally selective Low E (low emissivity) coating.
Low-E
A low-E coating is a microscopically invisible coating which is applied to a window before it leaves the factory. Windows with low-e coatings experience a significant reduction in solar gain along with a minimal loss of visible light. Gable windows with Low-E provide the homeowner with a clear and unobstructed view. The low-e coatings also reduce fading including fading of carpets, fabrics, artwork, wood, paints and any other furnishings which are may be exposed to sunlight through the gable window.
Multi-Pane Windows
Multi-pane windows are reliable solution for homeowners who are looking for a replacement gable window which will prevent heat transfer and maintain a room's temperature. Multi-pane windows are produced by installing two of three glass panes in a window sash with gaps in between the window panes. These gaps are filled with insulating gas or air to provide an insulating cushion that increases the window's thermal insulation. Both double pane and triple pane windows are available for replacement gable windows. Industry advisors suggest that homeowners who live in extreme climates install the higher insulating triple pane windows.
Accessories
Screens
Operable replacement gable windows include a clip in screen as part of the window order. The screens clip into the frame of the window sash opposite to the direction in which the window opens. The screens can be removed for easy cleaning.
Grilles
Gable replacement windows may be ordered with a grille. Grilles may be installed in between the window panes or be installed and removed by clipping them in and out for cleaning. Popular grille patterns include grids, divided light patterns, equal light patterns and custom patterns.
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