Replacing windows in Boise
Boise has a semi-arid climate with real seasons: hot, dry summers and cold winters. The National Weather Service describes Boise as semi-arid, with just over eleven inches of rain and melted snow a year at the airport, most of it falling from November through May. Windows here have to do two jobs: keep heat in through winter and keep the sun's heat out through summer.
Balancing summer and winter
Boise's all-time record high is 111°F, set on July 19, 1960, and winters bring snow and freezing nights. That's a mixed climate for windows. U-factor, which measures heat loss, matters for winter; solar heat gain coefficient matters for summer sun. A common approach is a low U-factor everywhere, with the solar heat gain choice varied by side of the house: lower on west-facing windows that take hot afternoon sun, and possibly higher on south-facing windows if you want winter sun. Ask the contractor what they'd recommend for each side.
Freeze-thaw and sills
NOAA's engineering weather data for Boise records an average of about 78 freeze-thaw cycles a year. Water that sits on a sill or gets behind the trim can freeze, expand and open gaps, and over time rot wood sills and loosen sealant. Good installation slopes the sill, flashes it properly and uses flexible sealants that allow movement. Ask how the contractor handles the sill and the exterior seal.
Dry air, winter condensation
Boise's air is dry for much of the year, but houses can still get condensation on the inside of windows in winter, when warm indoor air meets cold glass, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Better glass, warm-edge spacers and frames that insulate well reduce it. The condensation resistance rating on a window's label helps compare options.
Snow and egress
If you're replacing basement bedroom windows, they need to meet emergency escape requirements, and window wells need to stay clear of snow. Ask the contractor to confirm the requirements with the local building department.
Newer subdivisions
In newer homes, vinyl windows are often still in good shape. Sometimes only a few windows need replacing, such as those with failed seals or broken hardware. Ask whether glass or sash replacement is an option before replacing whole windows.
Older homes
In houses built before 1978, lead-safe work practices apply to window replacement. Ask how the contractor will handle it. Older homes may also have wood windows worth repairing rather than replacing; ask what the options are.
Checking a contractor in Idaho
Idaho's Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses publishes a free contractor registration lookup. Check the business's status before you sign, and make sure the name matches the contract.