Doors & Windows

Buyers will have to balance their choices for windows and doors by weighing the importance of the product’s features (especially as they relate to energy efficiency) against their personal tastes. It is best to consult a professional to determine which products are best suited to the style of the home and which products will provide the most energy efficiency for your region of the country. As with most products, proper installation and maintenance will insure the product’s expected performance.

The energy-efficiency of windows is measured in terms of their U-values (conductance of heat) or their R-values (resistance to heat flow). A high R-value means the window will lose less heat than a window with a lower R-value. In contrast, if a window’s U value is low, it means it will lose less heat than one with a higher U-value. Make sure the U- or R-values are based on standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Shopping for doors offers a variety of new products from traditional wood models to modern, high-tech alternatives made of innovative materials like fiberglass composites and steel. Front doors are the focal point
of the front of the house and their look can make a tremendous first impression about the house. Here, in the Rio Grande Valley, we are fortunate to have suppliers that can provide buyers custom-made doors—some by
talented artists and craftsmen using everything from wood to metal.