Deciding to install replacement windows is a great way to reduce your home's energy costs and change its decor. When buying replacement windows, you must consider your preferred material, such as wood or vinyl, as well as the type of window, such as double-hung or fixed form. Once you evaluate the needs of your house, the kind of windows to be replaced, and budget constraints, you will be able to make an informed and confident decision.

The first thing to consider when buying replacement windows is how you want them to open. For design reasons, you may stay with the same type of windows as already hang in your home. However, most kinds of windows will be available in your required size, so you can change between types to suit your taste.

Casement windows have vertical hinges so they swing in or out by winding a handle. Double or single hung types are made of two cases, the part of the window that holds the panes. One, or both, of the cases slide up and down to access fresh air. Sliding windows are the same, but the cases move horizontally. A fourth popular variety is a plain fixed form window that doesn't open at all, but brings in light.

A second matter to consider is the way your replacement windows have been fabricated. Consider both visual appeal and energy efficiency of possible materials. Vinyl windows are better insulators, but some people feel that they do not match the architecture of their home. Wood windows have casements and frames made out of hard or soft wood that will usually be covered with paint. Some will choose aluminum because it is very strong, but be aware that metal isn't as good an insulator as other options.

Consider some recent manufacturing developments when buying replacement windows. Fiberglass is a relatively new possibility available to home improvers because it is highly insulating. Of course, you can use two materials in a "combination" window frame, which might have vinyl outside and wood inside.

If your primary interest in what to consider when buying replacement windows is energy efficiency, you might want triple-pane windows, rather than double-pane. These have three pieces of glass with layers of air between them, because air is much better at absorbing heat and cold than is glass. If you replace the air with a gas called argon, you'll save even more in air conditioning and heating costs.