“Building green is customer-driven,” states Larry Cutbirth from Rawson Builders in Las Cruces, “and this region has been very responsive. Kolbe & Kolbe window producers earned the Forest Stewardship Council’s chain of custody certification, meaning that the wood used in their window frames can be tracked to the tree to verify that it came from a well-managed forest meeting the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.” He notes that Rawson’s Bilt Best wood frame windows have no noxious gas chemicals and use environmentally friendly paint, including their own electrostatic powder paint, which is non-corrosive with no chemicals.

If you are thinking “green,” look for Energy Star labels on windows. Generally the wood and vinyl windows receive the rating, but aluminum frames, which are more conductive of heat and cold, can also earn the rating with low E2 glazing. Low E2 (emisivity) glass has made a tremendous difference on energy conservation due to its low heat transfer characteristics, but the price is a little higher.

For aluminum frames, thermal break windows can be requested, which have a non-conductive material sandwiched between the inner and outer layers of the frame. This increases the resistance to thermal transfer and, combined with the low E2 glazing, makes the aluminum-framed windows thermally competitive with wood and vinyl frames.

“Care needs to be taken when installing vinyl-frame windows,” says Jinney Despins of Subcon. “Sliding windows need to have a perfectly level bottom sill. Vinyl frames will conform to dips or uneven guides which could lead to problems with opening and closing the unit. For stationary windows installed on an uneven sill, the glass may separate from the vinyl, allowing leakage.” Beefed-up vinyl frames are available that are less susceptible to construction imperfections.

Most windows carry a warranty and all vinyl windows are packed with installation directions. It is advisable to insure that the window has been installed properly, to try all windows for proper opening, closing and locking action and to check for scratches, etc. If there is a problem, address it before the warranty runs out. Jinney states, “I don’t like callbacks. I want customers to be happy with my products, so I check the installed windows myself before they move in.”

All windows are now dual pane, unless you request single pane. You can purchase the dual pane windows with inert argon or krypton gas between the panes, but be sure to discuss this with your builder or supplier. Most windows are constructed at sea level and could implode without the tiny equalizing tube that is installed between the panes during construction. The problem, as you can imagine, is that as the delivery truck crosses mountains and valleys, air moves back and forth through the tube and you may not end up with enough of the gas remaining to make a difference. The cost of checking the level of the inert gas is too prohibitive for most suppliers.

Single hung windows, where only the bottom half slides, and double hung windows, where both halves slide are still most common, but slightly more susceptible to leakage. Casement windows, with the cranks, are much improved over previous years and probably provide the tightest seal. For shorter individuals, tandem locks are available that secure both locks from one easy-to-reach handle. The advantage of awning windows, even though they only provide a small opening, is that they can provide some circulation, even when raining. Okay, so rain is not a huge concern in the Southwest, but one worth considering for those occasions when our annual rainfall drops all at once.

A common misconception is that the divided light ribs between smaller panes make the window structurally stronger. In many cases, a single pane window is stronger than the divided light window, meaning that the ribs between the panes are simply decorative.

From a decorative standpoint, wood frames can be purchased in an endless array of colors, and even mixed to suit your tastes. One shade can also be utilized on the frame, with a different one used on the sash, providing either a subtle or bold statement surrounding your windows. Aluminum comes only in a taupe, bronze or white, but if requested, the taupe or white can be placed on the outside, for instance, and the darker bronze inside. In the Southwest, dark shades are not used on the vinyl frames, due to the added potential for warpage from the desert heat. The glass itself can be clear, tinted, obscure or laminated.

As with any phase of home construction, the more informed you are about windows, the more likely you are to achieve the quality and décor of your expectations. Visit local dealers and manufacturer websites. All the necessary information is available online for green tax break applications. The basic construction of your home, including windows, should be the primary concern in your planning, latching onto the best you can afford in the way of materials and design. With a sound structure, you can always upgrade other phases of your dream home at a later date.