What about your Windows?
With the heat of the summer in full effect, what better time to talk about windows? In terms of efficiency, windows have come a long way. There are two main ratings on new windows today: U Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. So, what does that mean?
On the windows that McAlister Construction installs, the average U Factor is .32, which is the insulation value. 
When you put insulation in the walls of a home, it has an R value. The higher the number, the better the insulation. R-13 is a typical batt insulation for a 2×4 wall.
The U Factor is the inverse of the R value. So, our .32 U Factor windows are the equivalent of an R-3 in wall insulation. Windows made 20 years ago might have had a U Factor of .75, which means the R Value would have been 1.3333. In other words, the windows that we install today have almost three times the insulation value of those 20 years ago. This isn’t necessarily the case for all builders, but you can rest assured that this type of window is in all of McAlister Construction’s homes.
The second rating is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. This number measures the amount of heat that is transferred through the glass. The optimal number depends on what climate you are in. In Oklahoma where it is hot in the summer, we want a low rating which means less heat is transferred through the glass. The rating of a window that McAlister Construction installs is .27. That means that 27 percent of heat is getting into the house while 73 percent is being blocked. If you lived in Colorado, you would want this number to be the opposite.
Any window with a rating below .3 is great for Oklahoma, and McAlister Construction installs these windows in all our homes. Again, not all builders spend the time or resources to ensure your home is well-insulated, so in other homes, you may find windows without Low-E glazing which have a .6 or .7 rating. This allows a lot more heat through the glass.
Next time you gaze out of your window, remember that it can contribute to insulating your home in addition to your walls and ceiling. If you are in a McAlister Construction-built home, you can know that your windows are assisting you in conserving energy and reducing your utility bills.
