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Well, you opted to have a window in your basement to let in some healthy natural light, lest it should continue looking like a cell. Steel basement windows are sure to get rusted, jammed and corroded over a period of time before they finally fall apart. In the meanwhile you are required to face that untidy piece of steel with natural holes developed therein through which you are lucky if you could avoid getting rainwater! In any case the holes allowed you to have more of air, irrespective of the season or whether you needed it or not. You knew that basements attract humidity and should have not anticipated steel basement window to last beyond ten years.
Water that enters thru the holes of your window frame is just not only causing the window to get rusted, but harming you other ways also. This water could leak down the cracks to the foundation of your basement walls causing some serous and expensive damages, not to mention the puddles of water that get formed on the floor and the damage that is caused there as a result.
So, you got more than your share of rainwater, and fresh air due your basement window. But for everything that came in you had to pay back something. Nothing is free here. Yes, all the time you were paying by throwing out the heat from that window. That apart, you may not be aware that single single-pane steel windows are given an R- insulation rating of 1, meaning that these are capable of stopping only 50% of heat from passing through. That sure drills a big hole in your pocket by way of increased energy bills. As a matter of fact, the US Department of Energy has reported that one could save 30-40% of expense by just sealing all windows during winters.
There is little doubt that single pane basement windows made from heat conducting material like steel have the least of insulation to offer in any home.
If you are considering replacing basement window or plan to have a remodeling, the best option will be to install double-paned vinyl windows. They don’t get rusted or corroded anytime, meaning you won’t have to spend any time or money getting them repaired. You will be glad that you bought those as they continue to look beautiful and retain their looks for years to come.
Over and above everything, vinyl double-paned basement windows are very energy-efficient. Vinyl being a poor conductor of heat won’t let escape heat so easily. Moreover, the air locked between two panes offers further insulation. A good quality vinyl double-paned basement window has an R-insulation rating of 3; that’s thrice the insulation rating of single-paned steel windows. That alone makes it worthwhile investing in such windows as they start paying off soon as you have them installed.
