You may periodically need to replace your windows, particularly if you live in an old property which does not have adequate insulation, or perhaps the latest style you desire. Energy efficiency is very much the watchword in building circles currently, with the government keen to reduce national greenhouse emissions. One way of doing this is to make our homes more energy efficient, which reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. With up to 70 per cent of heat loss in a home via the windows, it pays to research the various options thoroughly before committing, as this can potentially save you money.

The most common way of achieving energy efficiency with your windows, is to choose laminated or double-glazed glass. There are also other technologies such as low-emissivity (low-E) glass, which restricts the amount of radiant heat without limiting the passage of light. This is often achieved with a tinting or coating of the glass. If safety is a concern then toughened safety glass shatters into small non-jagged pieces, for peace of mind.

The type of window frame you choose will also affect the insulation capacity of your home. The following are the most common materials:

• Aluminum – a durable and light, stylish material that does, however, require supplementary insulation to be effective
• Timber – timber is an efficient insulator, though will need periodic maintenance and treatment to be durable
• PVC – an increasingly popular choice due to this materials durability and excellent insulating capacity
• Combination – increasingly materials are combined for aesthetic and practical reasons, most typically to increase the viability of a materials insulation capacity