The Wasatch Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for homes in the valley. For those fortunate enough to live in the mountains themselves, there are important considerations to bear in mind for their house. A mountain home has different requirements from its windows than a house in another environment. In the Wasatch Mountains especially, you need windows that can hold up against the freezing cold winters and hot summers.

Your windows are one of the most important aspects of your home. They impact its curb appeal, its energy efficiency, and its durability. As such, selecting the right windows for your mountain home is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Here, we’ll arm you with some key information that will help you select the right windows for your mountain home. It’s important to note that every home is different, with different needs depending on its build and orientation, as well as your budget. When you’re choosing the best windows for your home, this article will outline some basic guidelines, but it’s best to consult with a window professional. They’ll come out, examine your home, and be able to advise you on the ideal options available to you. 

That said, let’s jump in!

#1. Frame That View

When you live in the mountains, you likely have stunning views all around you. You want windows that can help you enjoy the windows to the max. There’s nothing like waking up in the morning and being able to see the sunrise color the snow in shades of rose and peach. After a long day of work, being able to come home and enjoy all the fir trees is peace unlike any other.

Some of the best windows for framing your view are the big, floor-to-ceiling ones. You may also opt for custom-sized windows that are larger than normal. Another thing you can do is to opt for black windows, so that your scenic view is framed like a picture.

An important thing to bear in mind when it comes to getting the most out of your view is the orientation of your house. Depending on which way it faces, you may not want huge windows facing the view, as this could lead to a loss in energy efficiency. 

A window professional will be able to advise you on what windows are best for you to both get the most out of your view and to enjoy optimal energy efficiency. 

#2. Cold Weather Window Frames

Here in Utah, winters can get freezing, especially if you live up in the mountains. While the quiet beauty of freshly fallen snow and sparkling frost on the trees can’t be beat, you want to keep the frigid temperatures outside. Your home is your haven, after all. It should be cozy, warm, and comfortable as can be.

There are many aspects of the build of your home that affect its energy efficiency. Your daily habits impact how high your energy bills get too, such as if you prefer it roasting inside or you like to leave windows and doors open.

Your windows should be equipped to handle the cold weather you experience in the mountains. The best windows for a mountain home are ones that can insulate it from the cold. 

Your window frames play a major role in this, as this is the part of the window where most heat can escape. You need to ensure that you keep your windows in good condition with routine maintenance, of course. But you also need to ensure that you choose the right material. 

You want to avoid aluminum windows, as these don’t hold heat well. Wood windows are the optimal choice for cold weather climates, followed by vinyl and fiberglass. Depending on your budget, you may opt for one of these over the other when choosing windows for your mountain home.

#3. Glass For Mountain Climates

When you choose windows for your mountain windows, it’s not just the frame that matters, but also the glass. Your glass panes can majorly impact the energy efficiency of your home. Many people who live in the mountains opt for double or triple-paned windows with low-e coatings in order to keep their home nice and warm. 

It’s important to note that the higher the elevation, the more this can impact the performance of your windows. Some windows can expand the higher you get, rendering them far less energy-efficient than they would otherwise be.

Talk to your window professionals about glass options for high-elevation windows. Some offer specialty options in order to help your windows for your mountain home perform their best. 

Peak Windows provides professional glass services throughout Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. If you need windows for your mountain, please don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule your consultation. We’ll be able to provide you with selections best suited for your budget and your home. 

Every year, as the days grow shorter and we spend more time in the darkness, Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD – how fitting) affects millions of Americans. Natural light plays a significant role in our overall mental health, so it’s no wonder that when we have less of it, we end up not doing as well as we otherwise would be. 

As such, it’s crucial to ensure that you have as much access to natural light as possible. Most Americans end up spending upwards of 90% of the day inside. If you’re not out in nature, then you need good quality windows that are smartly placed around your home or business in order to bring in as much sunlight as possible. 

Post-pandemic, the impact of natural light on mental health has become more and more pronounced. People who were able to work from home and enjoy the sun are now returning to closed-off offices with fluorescent lights everywhere – and noticing the change that the type of light they’re exposed to is having on their health. 

Why Does Sunlight Improve Our Overall Wellbeing?

It comes down to our bodies’ natural processes. For thousands of years, people rose with the sun and wound down as it set. This natural process is known as our circadian rhythm, also known as our bodies’ natural clocks. This impacts not just our mental wellbeing, but also our physical wellbeing, such as how well our bodies regulate blood pressure and when they release hormones.

For instance, you’re likely familiar with melatonin. This is a supplement that you can purchase at the grocery store to help make you sleepy so that you can fall asleep more easily. Our bodies naturally produce melatonin, but melatonin production is disrupted by artificial light. Hence why it’s so often stated that you should avoid screens and dim the lights in the hours before bedtime, so that you can have an easier time falling asleep. 

Not only that, by the sun also impacts how much serotonin our body produces, aka the happy hormone. SSRIs combat depression by increasing your body’s serotonin production, which is also something that increased hours in the sun can do for you. It’s not hippy, new-age, gobbledygook to say that you should go outside and get some sun for the sake of your health and happiness – it’s scientifically proven to have a positive impact. 

What Are The Benefits Of Increased Exposure To Natural Light?

Many! The fact that our days are so inside isn’t our fault – the world has changed, and most jobs and schooling necessitate being inside for hours on end. However, this has taken its toll on peoples’ overall health, making windows all the more important. 

Some of the benefits that you can enjoy from more natural light include:

• Increased vitamin D. This helps to prevent bone loss and reduces your risk of weight gain, heart disease, and certain cancers. 
• Improved sleep. The more light from the sun you get, the less likely it is that your circadian rhythm is negatively affected, resulting in better sleep.
• Lessened risk of seasonal depression. When you ensure that you receive enough sunlight throughout the day, you can give yourself a leg-up against SAD.
• Reduced stress and anxiety. This ties into the above point. Not only can sunlight decrease symptoms of depression, it can also give you a mood boost and lower your stress and anxiety levels. 
• Improved physical health, which in turn, can help with your mental state. Sunlight reduces eye strain, gives you vitamin D, reduces your blood pressure, gives your immune system a boost, and can make it easier to stay active with improved mood which can help you maintain a healthy weight.

How To Get More Natural Light Into Your Days

If you work in a closed-off office that doesn’t have much in the way of windows, you will need to ensure that your home and your life outside of work provides you with enough natural light. If you have a business and you want to not only improve its appearance but also make it a healthier place to work, adding big commercial windows can do this for you.

Window placement is key. You want to ensure that they bring plenty of light in, and that you have them on the east and the west sides of your home, so you can get sunlight in the morning and in the afternoon. If you have a small room, mirrors and light paints and sheets and the light can help to reflect light, increasing the brightness of your space naturally. 

If you’re not sure how to place windows in your new construction home or whether you can add new windows, a professional window technician can advise you. Here at Peak Windows, we’re passionate about providing our clients with top-quality windows and services to bring your dream home to life. 

For more information about our windows or to schedule a consultation to have your window questions for your home or business answered, please do not hesitate to contact us today! We are here to help. 

Windows are quite an expense, but they’re also a very necessary one. If you need new windows, you’re likely noticing spiking energy bills, drafty rooms, a lessened curb appeal, and more. Many people aren’t sure what to take into account when budgeting for new windows. It’s a common mistake for people to just think about the windows themselves, and not any of the other factors that can influence the price, such as labor, materials, and more.

Here are some factors you should consider when budgeting for new windows. By walking into the process of buying new windows armed with information, you can ensure that you get the best bang for your buck. Let’s get into it!

#1. Keep Labor Costs In Mind

Here in Utah, people love to DIY whatever they can. Just by watching a video of someone installing new windows, you may think that you’re ready and able to do it yourself. However, many people don’t realize just how much skill and training is needed in order to properly install new windows. Many people who try to DIY their window installation end up with windows that aren’t very efficient and can even get injured.

It is both easier and potentially more cost-effective to leave window installation to the professionals. Rather than risk needing to hire professionals to fix a botched job, why not just have a professional install them in the first place? That ensures that they’ll be installed correctly so that they both look and function great.

When taking labor costs into account while budgeting for new windows, bear in mind that this doesn’t just include the actual time spent on installing the windows, but also all of the prep work. By working with professionals, you can rest assured that your new windows will be installed properly.

#2. Getting Rid Of Your Old Windows

Many people forget about their old windows when budgeting for new windows. However, in order to have new windows installed, the old ones must come out. And where are they going to go? Are you going to get rid of your old windows? Will the company you hire to install your new windows take care of your old windows too? What about the debris left over from the whole process of removing the old windows and putting the new ones in?

It’s worth it to talk to any potential window companies you are considering working with to see what their process is like. Many companies will get rid of your old windows for you, but not all do. Thus, you should factor in getting rid of your old windows when budgeting for new windows.

#3. Cost Of Materials

Different windows cost different amounts. There are pros and cons for every window material. For instance, vinyl windows are cheap, but they may not last as long as some other types of windows. Wood windows are classy and timeless, but they require a lot of maintenance. You want to take all the pros and cons of each material into consideration to ensure that you select the best option for you. Windows are meant to last for years on end, so you want to select a durable window material that can withstand the test of time. 

When budgeting for new windows, you don’t just want to consider the costs of the different types of frames, but also other materials involved in the process. This includes things such as insulation, trimming, and more. How many upgrades you add can drastically impact the price of your new windows too. 

#4. Potential Tax Credits

When budgeting for new windows, many people don’t realize that they can get potential tax credits if you opt for energy-efficient windows. Energy efficient windows can save you money in the long run by making your home more secure, and bringing your energy bills down. The most energy-efficient and high-quality your windows are, and the better you take care of them, the longer they are likely to ask.

If you would like to learn more about potential tax credits from your new windows, the experts here at Peak Windows are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. With tax credits, you could end up saving a bit of money on the cost of your new windows.

Do You Need New Windows?

Peak Windows provides high-quality new windows throughout Northern Utah. If you need new windows, don’t hesitate to contact us for a quote! Our new windows can improve the curb appeal, function, and efficiency of your home.