Windows Near Highways & Airports: How Many Decibels Can You Actually Cut?
If your project is near a highway or airport, the right windows can make a noticeable difference indoors. In some high-performance configurations, noise reduction can reach several tens of decibels.
Replacing roughly 60 windows in an Arizona residence is a serious undertaking, especially when one opening spans more than 20 feet and turns at a 135-degree angle. The windows had to work in the Arizona climate, accommodate the unusual geometry and handle the scale of the openings — without compromising the architecture. Find out exactly why architect Steve Baczek chose OKNOPLAST MIRU Evo Steel for the job.
Climate varies widely across the US, and windows have to handle very different conditions from one region to another.
That small NFRC label can tell you a lot about how a window will perform in a real home. U-Factor shows how well it resists heat transfer, SHGC indicates how much solar heat comes through, and Air Leakage measures how much air can pass around the window.
A window can have an impressive U-Factor and still be the wrong choice for a Passive House project.
ENERGY STAR window ratings make it easier to compare residential windows using standardized NFRC performance data.
At first glance, tilt-and-turn windows, double-hung windows, casement windows, and sliding windows all do the same job-they let in natural light, fresh air, and views.
Triple-pane windows do more than lower energy bills-they help create a quieter, more comfortable home by reducing outdoor noise.
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), sometimes called synthetic stucco, typically cost $8 to $14 per square foot installed in the US, or roughly $16,000 to $28,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home, according to contractor-reported market data.
Windows and doors account for 3.7% of the total cost to build a new single-family home, or about $15,990 on a home costing the 2024 national average of $428,215 to construct, according to the National Association of Home Builders.