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"If it was windy, you could actually feel breezes coming through," Jeff describes, adding that the leaky windows ushered in southeast Ohio's stagnant summer humidity, causing the air conditioner to work overtime.

Several years ago, Jeff replaced four windows, opting for double-pane glass. "Double-pane is fairly standard now, and those are good," he says, defending his first window replacements. "But the question is, are they going to be good enough in the long haul?"

Jeff will keep those double-pane windows and enhance his home by replacing the rest with the industry best: triple-pane, gas-filled windows. That includes nine more antiquated, leaky windows, plus the front door — and seven windows and three more doors in the new garage/addition.

"I feel strongly that you shouldn't rip out something you did just five years ago and redo it," he says of his thrifty-green approach. "Instead, I built on what I had already done."

Tighter Windows and Doors

As their name suggests, triple-pane, gas-filled windows provide three layers of glass with krypton or argon gas between layers. This gas serves as insulation, reducing heat transfer between panes. The frame material is also important. Jeff opted for vinyl-framed windows, which provide better insulation than metal-clad wood frames. Additionally, the windows have a warm-edge glazing, meaning high-density foam and high-grade silicon sealant is applied between the window and frame rather than a simple metal spacer. This prevents condensation at window edges.

"If I put my hand on the window, it feels only slightly cooler than the temperature of the room, which means the bitter cold air outside is not sucking the heat out of my house," Jeff explains, noting that the layers of glass spaced with krypton gas prevent this air exchange.

Proper window installation is as important as buying the best window. Follow window manufacturers' instructions for how to install, caulk and tape windows to prevent any gaps, Jeff advises.

Jeff replaced three doors in the original house, and installed three doors in the new garage/addition. He opted for fiberglass, foam-filled doors that will maintain the air seal he worked hard to accomplish through window replacements and insulating the walls. The front door is wood-framed with triple-pane, gas-filled art glass detail — a custom piece that is airtight and aesthetically pleasing.

Replacement on a Budget

Replacing every window in your home might not fit your budget, so split this project into chunks you can manage.

• Identify windows in the worst condition. That's often those on north- and west-facing sides of the house that take a beating from Mother Nature. "Replace windows one wall at a time," Jeff suggests. "Make a plan and break it down based on what you can afford. You don't have to do everything all at once."
• Install with care. Follow manufacturers' instructions carefully to get a tight air seal. Or rely on a professional for this task.
• Buy as much as you can afford. "Look at warm-edge glazing and triple-pane, gas-filled windows," Jeff advises. "Aim for as high-quality windows and doors that you can, because you don't want to replace them anytime soon." The windows Jeff chose have a 50-year warranty.