Beautiful Custom Windows: Walnut Creek Customers Have Multiple Options

One of the most important features of a home is its windows. Not only do they provide a view to the outdoors, they can help homeowners save a lot of money. Homes that have multiple windows provide natural light which can cut down on lighting costs, particularly during the summer months when the days are longer. The latest windows are also extremely energy efficient and can save a homeowner a large amount of money when it comes to heating and cooling costs. What custom window options are available to homeowners?

3 Custom Window Options: Their Pros and Cons

When it comes to custom windows Walnut Creek customers have multiple options. The most popular choices right now are: natural wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. What are their pros and cons?

1. Natural Wood Windows

Wood windows require a high-quality cut. This gives them a longevity that other types of windows can’t always boast. Many homes that are decades old have windows that are still in really good shape—mainly because they have wood windows. These types of windows provide some of the best insulation of any window type: up to 400 times more than steel and 1800 times more than aluminum. Since they are made of a natural substance, though, they can be prone to rot in particularly humid or rainy areas.

2. Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows have been around since the 1970s. One of the best features about them is that they aren’t prone to rot like wood windows. They’re also extremely affordable—oftentimes half the price of wood-framed windows. Another plus is that they are incredibly energy efficient because they trap air and provide great insulation. Vinyl windows are also very versatile in that they can be fit into any space. And, for homeowners who hate to paint, vinyl windows don’t require that type of upkeep.

3. Fiberglass Windows

This option is not a particularly well-known one, but has been gaining in popularity over the past decade. A fiberglass window is glass composite; therefore, it isn’t as prone as vinyl to lose dimension. Many window experts claim that because of this they have never had to deal with a seal failure with fiberglass windows. This material has also proven to be extremely strong and energy efficient. Homeowners will also love the fact that they are maintenance-free and are oftentimes one of the cheaper options. Unlike vinyl, fiberglass can be painted and it isn’t as likely to warp.

Custom Windows: A Beautiful and Energy Efficient Investment

Whether building a new home or remodeling an existing one, new windows will be necessary at some point during the home owning experience. Purchasing high-quality, custom windows in Walnut Creek allow homeowners to achieve a gorgeous finishing touch to their beautiful home. It will also save them money in the long run due to the energy efficiency of the latest models. Whatever type they choose—wood, fiberglass, or vinyl—homeowners can rest assured that their custom windows will add value and aesthetic appeal to their home.

Design Options for Custom Windows

There are multiple options to consider with custom windows Walnut Creek residents and business owners can tailor the look and function of their windows to meet varying tastes and needs for the house or commercial building.

Custom Window Shapes

A glass pane must be shaped exactly in order to seamlessly fit into a window opening. With unique shapes, this entails expert bending using an exact template. Home and business owners can enhance the look and feel of their structure by incorporating circles, ovals, and other shapes into its face.

Bowed Glass Windows

Bowed glass is most often seen with windows that are shaped into a rounded wall of a home or office building. This custom window option may require some additional construction work. Custom window dealers in Walnut Creek can help to design a new bowed glass window, or replace the glass in an existing one with energy efficient panes of glass.

Custom Colors

The color of the casing, sill, jambs and rails can be custom painted to match any design scheme. This will affect the outward appearance of the window as well as its look inside the home or office space. Base colors are typically white, but can be replaced with the color of the buyer’s choice.

Custom windows in Walnut Creek should also be treated with a protective seal after the paint has been applied. This adds a barrier of protection against staining or warping from exposure to the elements.

Window Glazing

Typically used as a design enhancement for a structure, glazing custom windows changes the appearance of the panes of glass. This can be accomplished with coated glass, float glass, stained glass or tempered glass. Glazing is not recommended for windows that are functional in nature, but are meant for to serve a decorative purpose as well as allow added light to enter the room.

Window Film

Window film is primarily used in commercial applications, cutting down on the amount of UV rays entering the space without compromising the quality of natural light. This can be applied to any size or shape glass pane before it is attached to the window frame. Not only does it offer UV protection, window film will also aid in preventing the glass from shattering if struck with force.

Between Glass Blinds

Another option offered primarily to commercial buildings is the placement of mini blinds between two layers of glass. This helps in keeping the inside environment ambient by blocking light and reducing the amount of heated or cooled air escaping to the outside. Between glass blinds are completely adjustable, with their opening and closing being accessible through the use of remote controls.

Consumers wishing to make a home or office space efficient and unique should look into options for custom windows. Walnut Creek distributors can help in making sure that all of the structures needs are being met, while enhancing its appearance inside and out.

Can You Install Custom Windows Yourself?

Custom windows on Walnut Creek homes can provide a unique look to a typical home. Not only can they change the look, but some have features that will help to save money on utility bills. To help mitigate the cost of new windows, handy homeowners can consider taking this on as a do it yourself project. The level of difficulty for replacing a window is high in comparison to other do it yourself projects, and should only be attempted by an individual who has had some experience with basic construction methods. A helper is recommended, as is reading the installation directions carefully beforehand to ensure that completing the project is feasible.

Measuring the Existing Window for a Replacement Measurements should always be taken from the inside of the house. For the width, measure the window by running from the window jamb on one side to the other. Take one measurement at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom of the window. If they are not all within 1/4", use the smallest number for the width. The procedure for measuring height is the same as the window width, except that the tape will go from the top window jamb to the window sill. The smallest measurement is used because it is simpler to fill in small gaps than it is to fit a custom window into a hole that is too small.

Tools Needed to Replace Custom Windows To start, the homeowner should have the following tools readily available before beginning: · Utility knife · Hammer · Drill – cordless is preferred · Caulking gun · Caulking tubes · A square · Wood shims · Wood chisel · A tape measure · A miter saw · Hammer · Screwdriver · Small pry bar Removing the Old Window Being careful not to destroy the surrounding frame, the utility knife, screwdriver and small pry bar can be used together to remove the stops. The shims will come in handy to help protect the wood from tool marks and cracking.

With the stops out, the inside sash and any sash cords or chains can be taken out. The weights can be allowed to fall into the pockets, and the rest will fall once the remaining rope has been cut. Slide down the outside sash and take out the parting beads. The inside sash should now come out easily, but make sure that the outside stops remain in place. The inside of the window jambs and sill should now be cleaned and repaired to accept the custom windows Walnut Creek home. Inserting the New Window Before any permanent work is completed, the custom window should be placed inside of the hole to ensure that it fits easily. Once this is confirmed, the window sashes should be positioned at the center. Now the bumper stops can be moved towards the center to expose the mounting holes of the window. With the window in place, a square is used to check for square-ness. The shims can be tapped into place to correct any imperfections before the mounting screws are installed. Test the operation of the window and make any needed adjustments to the shims before cutting off the ends and sealing the window in place with the caulking gun. Not all custom window installations will be the same. Before proceeding, a homeowner should read the directions carefully and speak with a professional about the best methods for replacing windows in their house.

Custom Windows a Must for the Homebuilder

For the Walnut Creek resident, the smaller area outside the city of San Francisco represents the perfect opportunity to enjoy the environment and atmosphere of California while not being tied down to a big city. Many, therefore, are drawn to making their homes there, choosing to build their home from scratch. While that task comes with innumerable decisions—some easier than others—one decision is a no-brainer. Custom windows Walnut Creek are a must for the homebuilder as they craft their dream home.

Creative Spaces Custom windows allow the homebuilder to be creative with the rooms of their home as well as the windows themselves. Many residents wish their previous homes had more rooms and general space, but there are also those unique spaces that allow the resident to be especially creative when building their own home. Spaces like reading nooks, small offices, and even laundry rooms can be transformed by the addition of custom windows, tailored to fit the space and create the look the builder wants. For example, a reading nook with a bay window creates a shelf for books, increasing the decorative potential of the space. It also provides natural light for the enjoyment of the space.

Adding details such as enclosed blinds around the house, too, can decrease time spent cleaning and create a neat, tidy look. High Functionality When they install custom windows, the builder knows those windows are top-of-the-line. They have been created particularly for a purpose, not for a one-size-fits-all general idea. This tends to mean that the windows installed work very well. When paired with a solid manufacturer who takes care to make the window the best it can be for the space it is designed for, the builder is in good shape for having windows that will last and keep the family safe. Windows can be customized further for specific weather and safety concerns, allowing the Walnut Creek resident to customize a home tailored to the area in which they live.

Great Resale Value Building a home means that, whenever it is eventually sold, those who encounter the house haven’t seen one exactly like it before. This can be especially appealing to buyers seeking unique spaces that will set them apart from other residents. Additionally, custom windows designed for specific spaces within a home create instant value for the home. Just the ability to say that the house has a reading nook filled with natural light that was designed thoughtfully influences the house’s value, which benefits both buyer and seller. Overall, custom windows in Walnut Creek allow the homebuilder to increase the value of their home, create unique spaces catered to their interests and goals, and tailor their home to the area’s weather and safety concerns. By adding custom windows to a house, the builder not only creates a beautiful space, they create a home they feel comfortable in immediately. As light spills into their new home, the homebuilder will not regret the investment in creating that cozy Californian atmosphere.

Popular Styles of Custom Windows in Walnut Creek

Choosing custom windows Walnut Creek offers many benefits to any home. By carefully selecting the most desirable window, designed to fit the exact specifications of the environment, it can add elegance and value to a property. Some people choose their custom windows in order to let in more natural light. Others aim to replace their current windows so that they can reduce drafts.

Bay Windows

Bay windows are windows which are built to project further outwards from the main exterior wall, creating an attractive alcove or bay effect. This style of window was highly popular in Medieval times. Extremely ornamental bay windows also appeared in Gothic churches. Bay windows are a traditional and very stylish choice.

Bow Windows

Bow windows are a curved variation of bay windows, also known as compass windows. They are usually designed to create extra space in a room. They project out beyond the exterior building wall and provide a wider view of the outside world, whether that is the street or the yard. Typically, bow windows are made up of four or more casement windows joined together to create an arch. This style of window can be a very visually satisfying way to let more natural light into a room as well as increase the sense of space in that room. They first appeared in the United Kingdom in the eighteenth century and in the United States in the Federal period.

Picture Windows

Picture windows are usually large and made of just one pane of glass. They are normally used to highlight a particularly attractive view. For example, there might be a picture window overlooking the garden or overlooking a sea view. This style of windows tends to dominate the room. They let in plenty of light due to their size and the fact that they are constructed of one single, uninterrupted pane of glass.

Transom Windows

Transom windows are windows divided from a larger window or a door underneath by a transom. A transom is a horizontal beam, bar or crosspiece which separates a door from a window situated directly above it. Transom windows have been popular since the early Gothic architectural period. They are very attractive visually and lend an elegance to the exterior of the home.

Casement Windows

Casement windows are one of the simplest types available. They are hinged windows operated by a simple turn of a crank within the operating mechanism. They can hinge on the right or the left and usually open outwards.

There are many different types of windows that a homeowner can choose from. One of the great benefits to installing a custom window in any one of these particular styles is that it can be customized to fit the exact specifications of the room and the precise wants and requirements of the buyer. That way an idyllic home can be created where every last detail is stylish, comfortable and relaxing.

Custom Windows in Walnut Creek: A Finishing Touch to Customize Any Home

Building a house is a very big commitment that goes beyond monetary values - it is an act of home-making as well as a financial investment. People who are buying land and building their family's abode from scratch, or remodeling an old house with plenty of hidden potential, are naturally going to seek the most efficient way to imprint their taste and style into the structure. An excellent way to do this is to commission custom windows.

Windows Play Three Key Roles - And Have Triple the Effect

When trying to customize a home, custom materials and cutting-edge design are usually the first investments that come to mind. However, people looking for custom windows Walnut Creek do so because of the great impact they have in a room's ambiance: more than a simple decorative element, windows are responsible for letting light and ventilation inside a room, and will therefore be the single most impactful element in interior decoration.

By tweaking window materials, glass paving, and position, an unbearably hot kitchen can become just warm and inviting enough, or a wild-west themed living room may get the realistic details missing in order to look homey.

Windows as a Design Element: Complement Style with Unconventional Shapes

Homeowners looking for custom windows in Walnut Creek are often looking for something that better matches their home's theme. For example, a country residence will revamp its rustic Shingle motif by using round or demilune windows, while a remodeled romanesque room will find arched windows to render realism to this unusual style.

Custom windows can also help compensate for other aspects of a room. For example, vault-shaped ceilings often result in insufficient daylight, but high round windows, if properly placed, will fix this apparent flaw and brighten the room.

Large Custom Windows as The Main Attraction

Windows don't have to simply accent an overall theme: they can become the main characters in their own story. Homes with the potential for spectacular views or thoroughly-landscaped yards will find that an extra-large, floor-to-ceiling window will allow to make the most of the beautiful scenery.

Whenever possible, these statement windows should head to the north or south, in order to avoid excess heat or direct sunlight at specific hours of the day. However, moving a picturesque lake is rarely a possibility for landscapers - but using special UV-filtering window panels, or paved glass, can provide a practical alternative.

Temperature Control the Old School Way

Placement of upper peaked or round windows can also be fundamental in creating air currents and controlling temperature during the summer. Old structures with high ceilings already enjoy a better ventilation than most modern structures, but the same effect can be created through custom windows and some basic knowledge of aerodynamics.

Likewise, a double-glass panel, facing west, can make a sitting room a naturally heated, green-friendly area during winter.

The range of effects that can be provided by custom windows goes above and beyond a nice frame and fine curtain. As a major way to control a room's style, light, and temperature, commissioning custom windows can be one of the best investments during a home remodeling or construction.

Benefits of Custom Windows in Walnut Creek

Creating something that is unique to a home or an individual taste allows far more freedom than something that comes standard. The same is true for the custom windows Walnut Creek. The benefits these treatments offer to a house are huge and can provide a great deal of opportunity on a variety of levels. • Enhanced curb appeal Adding windows that are created to suit specific tastes rather than just taking something off the shelf means personal design can be added. This customization can add a huge boost to the curb appeal of a house. Windows are the most prominent feature on a residence and a passerby will notice them immediately. By adding custom designs, they can reflect personal style as well as streamline the whole look and feel of the building.

• Easy update to home décor While new windows aren’t inexpensive, updating them throughout the home or even in areas here and there is a quick way to freshen up the décor and change the look without having to do a full renovation. Because of the different designs available, putting in custom windows in Walnut Creek will breathe new life into a house instantly. • Reflect personal style and taste When many homeowners move into their residence, they are taking over someone else’s design and incorporating it as their own. They add little touches here and there to personalize it, but unless a full renovation is done, the base of the house will stay the same. Adding something like new windows that are designed to the current resident’s personal style is a way that they can show off a bit of themselves.

It may seem a small thing, but simply adding something like a bay window where there was a picture window previously or adding a unique treatment on something existing can completely change the feel of a room and even an entire area. • Become more cost and energy efficient Adding custom windows in Walnut Creek can mean lowering energy costs and upping efficiency in the midst of the area’s typical California interior valley climate. Warm, dry summers, but cool and often rainy winters means there is a need to be mindful of drafts, moisture, hot air and more making their way into the home through standard window frames that may not be sized to perfection.

By putting in windows that not only look the way a homeowner wants, but are better fitted to the window opening and the needs of the home to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter, lots of money and energy are saved. The window contractor will build the treatment with all of the homeowner’s requirements in mind and will be able to create solutions that look good and are budget/energy friendly. Great support for creativity and practicality A good window contractor will be able to walk consumers interested in custom designs for their windows through the different options available. Whether it’s giving in to a simple desire to upgrade the style of a home or a need to make sure it’s energy smart, creating a unique solution is a great way to satisfy both the artist and pragmatist at the same time.

How to Tell When Windows Need Replacing

People generally take windows for granted until there is evidence that the window is no longer functioning as it is supposed to function. Years of use can wear windows out, causing them to cease to operate properly, to let in drafts, and to glaze over. Sometimes it is difficult to know when to make minor repairs to the current windows and when it is time to replace them with custom windows Walnut Creek.

When to replace windows

Before considering getting new windows, it is important to know what can be repaired to make the current windows more energy efficient:

Windows need to be thoroughly inspected for decay. Jammed sashes, broken parts, and rot may be able to be repaired by a window specialist. Look for signs that water has come in under the frame, check the sashes to see if they stick, and check for condensation between layers of insulated glass, which will appear as fogginess in the glass. Check the caulking and weather stripping to see if repairs are needed.

There are also indicators that older windows need replacing:

· Opening or closing a window is a struggle, requiring excess energy just to get it to move a little bit.

· There are air leaks either in one area or all around the window, reducing the home’s energy efficiency.

· Windows have inadvertently gotten painted shut.

· The windows have chipping of the frames around the panes of glass.

· There are water stains on the frames around the panes, or around the window itself.

· Replacement parts are difficult to find or may not even be made any longer.

· Windows on one side of the house have deteriorated more than the ones elsewhere.

· With severe storms, water comes in the window.

Things to keep in mind when getting custom windows in Walnut Creek

Getting custom windows installed can add considerably to the value of a home, but there are several considerations when having custom windows installed in Walnut Creek:

· Matching the old windows with new windows in the type of style, and the glass perfectly is not always possible, but quite often there are close matches that work well.

· Window installation professionals recommend that all the windows on one side of a house be replaced in order to keep a consistent look to the exterior of the house. An alternative with a two-story house is to replace all the windows on the lower level.

· With extensive home improvements when siding is being replaced also, it is important to replace the windows before replacing the siding.

· To keep interior furnishings from fading when they are consistently in sunlight, Low-E, which stands for low emissivity, glass coatings can reduce ultraviolet light that tends to fade furnishings like carpet, furniture, and wall paper.

· Opting for the energy efficiency of double or triple pane glazing rather than single-pane windows can reduce both heating and cooling costs tremendously.

· Another good choice in selecting replacement windows is opting for windows that are designated by the Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® rating, as they have been deemed to offer substantial savings when it comes to heating and cooling costs.

Professional Custom Windows in Walnut Creek

When it comes to renovating parts of a home, budgets are always a concern. Understanding where to spend money and what projects are good returns on investments is essential to not only improving a home, but also functionality and looks. Whether a budget is bottomless or has a set limit, custom windows Walnut Creek are one of the best investments that can be made in any home.

Windows are one of the first impressions a home provides to its residents and visitors and have the ability to depict the state of the rest of the home. Whether windows are plain and square or dramatic and stylized, their appearance and function is essential to not only making a home look great, but also properly seal the house.

Custom Windows in Walnut Creek: Style Matching

Many homes in Walnut Creek have their own unique style and when it comes time to replace windows with custom windows, it’s important to properly match a home’s existing style. Custom windows can be used as solutions to replace unique window sizes or sourced when new window sizes are being cut out of a wall. In either case, it’s important that the new framing and style matches the existing design of the home. For example, a Victorian era home should have appropriate window styles from that era, whereas modern windows might look out of place.

Some homes are so old or unique, that matching their style or the style of the existing windows is impossible with off the shelf solutions. This is a perfect example of where custom windows hold priceless value. They allow homeowners to retain their homes style and luster, but also upgrade their windows to be more energy efficient and functional.

Working with Professionals

When it comes time to replace the windows in a home or add new ones to specific areas of the home, it’s important to work with experienced professionals. Ensuring everything is measured properly, designed accordingly to specifications, and manufactured to last is essential to creating a finished product that looks great, functions how it should, and will last for many years to come.

Professional custom window companies have the experience and knowledge to properly fit any home or building with appropriately fitting and styled windows. Their experience comes from working with contractors, architects, and other building specialists for many years, which generates knowledge that can’t be learned in a classroom.

Quite often, customers and even contractors might not know what they want or need in terms of customized windows for a specific project. As a result, professional custom window technicians and companies need to be able to properly highlight the pros and cons of various options and make recommendations that fall within budgets and fulfil project needs.

Custom Windows Make a Difference

When it comes time to replace or install new custom windows in a house or another building, residents of Walnut Creek know that working with a professional custom window company is essential.

Buying Custom Windows in Walnut Creek

In any given industry, items which offer multiple benefits to the customer are usually in higher demand. This is true with windows, which can help improve the look of any structure while also providing valuable protection against the elements. Given that taste is subjective and every building has its own unique design and color scheme, custom windows Walnut Creek are very popular. In the competitive home renovation industry, companies are incentivized to use better materials and workmanship in order to attract customers. Many companies go a step further and provide options for custom designs to help customers get guaranteed satisfaction.

Durable Custom Windows in Walnut Creek The first and most important characteristic of a window is its ability to provide protection to any structure. Though most companies offer wooden, fiberglass, and vinyl windows, each model is strong and can be reinforced to provide additional protection if the customer chooses. While some types of customizations are done to improve the stability of windows, many buyers opt for custom windows to improve the look of their home or business. With a number of options for aesthetic-based customization including color, design choice, and size, customers can get a more personalized fit for their needs.

A Variety of Options to Choose From Nearly every successful company that provides windows offers a large selection. However, even the most diverse catalog of pre-made options can sometimes be lackluster when it comes to meeting the needs of a particular customer. For this reason, many organizations have begun to offer customers the chance to create their own custom windows. While the process still involves choosing from a number of listed types, sizes, designs, and colors, the ability to mix and match these allows for a great variety of possibilities. With more chances for personalization, customers are more likely to get a purchase they will be satisfied with in the long term. High-Quality Custom Installation Services While the ability to get custom windows is something many people desire, successful organizations know that good service is just as important. A lengthy window installation project can be burdensome to a customer as it exposes their home or business to the elements.

Many companies offer estimates in terms of how long a project will take to be completed, and technicians are usually more than willing to work around a customer’s schedule. In addition, window installation companies can often provide price estimates to help customers budget in their custom windows more comfortably. Competitive Rates and Accurate Price Estimates It’s understandable that everyone looks for good deals when it comes to getting custom windows manufactured and installed. While many companies advertise low rates and specials, some are known to tack on additional fees throughout the project’s duration. In order to give customers reassurance that this will not happen, many companies now provide price estimates before beginning any work. This can help a customer feel confident that they will not be surprised when the bill comes, and that their custom window installation can be adequately planned ahead from a financial perspective.

Three Things a Homeowner Should Know about Ordering Custom Windows

A Custom windows Walnut Creek homeowner who is unable to find readymade windows that are just right for the home may want to consider ordering custom windows instead. In fact, investing in custom windows may be a necessity if one is ordering fiberglass windows frames and/or the windows are an odd shape. 

Following are three things that are important to know about ordering custom windows. This information can help a homeowner make wise shopping and installation choices.

It Takes Time

A homeowner who is remodeling the home will want to order custom windows in advance. How long it takes to make these windows will depend on which company one works with, local demand and other factors; however, it will always take longer to have windows custom made than it would to order them readymade. 

Choose a Good Company

Because custom windows tend to be pricey, it is important to ensure the manufacturing and installation is done just right.Choose a company that has a high online review rating and reputation for doing good work at a good price. A good company will have someone measure the windows to ensure the new windows are just the right shape and size. Such a company will also make sure the new windows meet local building code standards. Furthermore, a good company will send experienced, fully insured workmen to put the new windows in once the windows are completed.

Go with Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficient windows will cost more than regular ones; however, the extra cost is often well worth it. Energy efficient windows enable a homeowner to save money on heating and cooling bills. They also add value to the home, enabling one to recoup some of the expense if the home is sold at a later date.

Windows are a highly visual part of the home. As such, it is important to make sure they are aesthetic and match well with the home's exterior style. It is equally important to make sure the new windows are properly installed, as cracks or leaks can let mold and pests into the home and/or make it hard to heat the home in the winter and keep cool air in the home in the summer. Choose custom window designs and a custom window company with care to ensure to ensure a good return on investment.

Top Tips for Building a New Home

When a person chooses to build a new home instead of investing in one that has already been built, there are many advantages to be gained. From being able to customize the layout of the home to choosing the types of windows that are going to be installed, building a new home is excellent for making sure it turns out in the exact way that a homeowner wants. Here's a quick look at a few tips to keep in mind when building a new home in Walnut Creek.

First of all, a homeowner needs to decide whether they want the exterior of the home to be covered in brick or vinyl. While vinyl often provides a much more anesthetic-pleasing look, it isn't as strong as brick. This is why many homeowners choose to build brick homes rather than ones that are covered in vinyl. Still yet, though, it's up to the specific homeowner as the exact type of exterior that they prefer.

Another consideration to keep in mind is the type of windows that the homeowner wants to have installed. Although regular windows are great for making a home look good, it's important that a homeowner have quality custom windows Walnut Creek installed to help ensure that heating and cooling efficiency within the home are maintained. Not only will quality windows help the home to look better, but they will also help reduce heating and cooling expenses, which means they can in the long-run pay for themselves.

Furthermore, it's imperative to consider the type of HVAC system that is being used within a home. Many people flock to central heating and air because they believe it more cost-efficient, but truth is, it all depends on the way a person heats and cools their home. For those who want to keep their homes extremely warm during the colder months, it's usually best to have some type of fireplace that uses wood.