Window frames are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, wood, vinyl, fibrex, and fiberglass. Frames may be primarily composed of one material, or they may be a combination of different materials such as wood and vinyl. Each frame material has its advantages and disadvantages.

Aluminum. These days aluminum is primarily used in commercial applications and rarely for residential, except for items like basement doors. This is because the strength aluminum provides is not needed when
dealing with the typical size of a residential window. Aluminum will transfer heat, meaning it will get cold when heat retention is needed during the winter, and will transfer cold when you’re trying to maintain cool air during the summer months. In a commercial situation rigidity is needed for very large windows and aluminum must be used at the expense of energy efficiency.

Wood. Wood produces higher R-values, are unaffected by temperature extremes, and are less prone to condensation, but they require considerable maintenance in the form of periodic painting. If wood frames are not properly protected from moisture, they can warp, crack, and stick.

Vinyl. Vinyl windows are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (pvc), which offers many advantages. They are available in a wide range of styles and shapes, have moderate to high R-values, are easily customized, are competitively priced, require low maintenance, and mold easily into almost any shape.

Fiberglass. Fiberglass is relatively new and not yet widely available. They have the highest R-values of all
frames; thus, they are excellent for insulating and will not warp, shrink, swell, rot, or corrode. Fiberglass frames can be made in a variety of colors and can hold large expanses of glass. Some fiberglass frames are hollow; others are filled with fiberglass insulation.

Fibrex. Fibrex material is a blend of wood fiber and specially formulated thermo-plastic polymer. This unique window material is made from reclaimed wood fiber from the Andersen Window Corporation’s 65 acre
manufacturing operation in Bayport, Minnesota. Fibrex combines excellent strength, insulation properties and provides low maintence.

For more information, click here.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

When to replace your windows

June 23, 2009

There are a few determining factors that will let you know when your windows need to be replaced. Listed below are signs that you should watch for to make sure that your windows remain effective.

* Condensation or frost buildup
* Drafts- If you can feel air coming in through a closed window, your windows need replacement
* Window needs Support to Stay open- If you use a book or wood to prop open your windows, you’re windows should be replaced
* Candles do not stay lit near a closed window- Although you may not feel the draft, this could be a sign that your weather stripping is gone.
* Appearance- If you are unhappy with the appearance of your windows or they show signs of deterioration, they should be replaced.

To get a free, expert opinion, click here and arrange a no-obligation assessment.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

IRS Issues New Guidance on tax Credit Requirements

June 18, 2009

Government

The Internal Revenue Service issued an advance notice this week outlining documentation requirements that window and door manufacturers must provide to homeowners looking to claim energy efficiency home improvement tax credits under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

According to the notice, an Energy Star label is no longer acceptable for exterior windows and skylights, as the IRS had allowed for products purchased prior to June 1.

Notice 2009-53, specifically, outlines how manufacturers will verify their eligible products, and provides guidance for taxpayers seeking to claim the credit. In short, the notice states the conditions under which taxpayers can “rely on a manufacturer’s certification.”

In the case of an exterior window, skylight or door (other than a storm window or storm door), the manufacturer’s certification must state that the exterior window, skylight, or door has a U factor and SHGC of 0.30 or below.

“A manufacturer that certifies to a taxpayer that a component is an eligible building envelope component or that property is qualified energy property must retain in its records documentation establishing that the component or property satisfies the applicable conditions,” the notice states. “In the case of an exterior window, the manufacturer must retain a record of its National Fenestration Rating Council rating.”

The notice also states, “Taxpayers can no longer rely on an Energy Star label in claiming the § 25C credit for exterior windows and skylights placed in service after the enactment of the ARRTA. Similarly, an Energy Star label does not establish that a product is qualified energy property. The product must meet the definition of qualified energy property in § 25C.”

While Energy Star labels are no longer appropriate documentation, the announcement highlights the recent transition period in which Energy Star-rated products would qualify for the credit: “In the case of amounts paid or incurred before June 1, 2009, for property placed in service after February 17, 2009, taxpayers may rely on: … An Energy Star label for exterior windows and skylights, rather than on a manufacturer’s certification statement, in claiming the § 25C credit, if the window or skylight is installed in the region identified on the label.”

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Window Safety

May 21, 2009

Fire is frightening. All too often, the bodies of young children are found after a fire in places where they tried to hide. Teach your children that they can’t hide from fire: They must escape it. Decide on at least two emergency escape routes from your home. Windows provide one of the fastest, easiest alternative ways out of a burning home. Teach children how to safely escape through windows and take time to practice with them.
Every family member should know how to operate the windows used for fire emergencies. Delays in escaping from a fire cost lives and increase injuries. Often paint, dirt or weathering can seal a window shut. Make sure yours open easily from the inside and are not blocked by furniture or other objects. Remember that security bars, grilles and grates not only keep intruders out, they can also lock you in. The same
holds true for window guards. Everyone should always be able to get out through a window without using tools, keys, special knowledge or effort. Ask your Premier Window project manager to demonstrate proper sash removal for a quick and safe escape.
Preventing falls out of windows is as important as learning how to use one in an emergency. Unattended
children run the greatest risk of falls and injuries, so the best first step is to watch your children as they play. Nothing can substitute for careful supervision. When youngsters are around, close and lock your windows. If you need ventilation, open only windows they cannot reach. Ask your Premier Window project manager to demonstrate our product’s “night latches”. Be sure to keep furniture - or anything children can climb - away from windows. And teach your children not to play near windows.
Never depend on insect screens to prevent falls. Insect screens are designed to provide ventilation. They will not hold a child’s weight against them.
Only solid information and proper preparations can help you keep the promise of safety you give to your loved ones. For more ways to protect your home and family please contact:

National Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143-3201

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

What is Vinyl?

April 22, 2009

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Vinyl is polyvinyl chloride and a type of plastic. Very durable and strong, over half of all the PVC manufactured worldwide is used in construction. It is cheap, produced easily and lightweight. Wood, clay and concrete have all in recent years begun to be replaced by PVC.

PVC in its individual form is rigid and stiff. It does not gain flexibility until plasticizers are added to it, the most common of which is phthalates. PVC is a common plastic with many, many applications: vinyl siding, window frames, records (hence, vinyl records), plumbing, clothing and upholstery to name a few.
PVC Development

PVC was first discovered in the 19 th century on two separate occasions. In 1838 Henri Victor Regnault and in 1872 Eugen Baumann found a white solid floating in flasks of vinyl chloride that had been left in the sun. However, it was not until the early 20 th century that public development of polyvinyl chloride began. Russian chemist Ivan Ostromislensky, in a partnership with Fritz Klatte, a German (both of the German chemical company Griesheim-Elektron) began the application of PVC to commercial products. Finally, in 1926, Waldo Semon of B.F. Goodrich came up with a process of giving PVC more flexibility with various additives. This plasticized PVC proved financially successful and became the precursor of the polyvinyl chloride used today.
Properties of PVC

Some health concerns go along with PVC. If used properly, there is no known threat from the substance. However, the additives and softeners utilized in making the material more flexible can be harmful. Thought not directly poisonous, it is possible that chemicals could leech out of vinyl products.

The resin identification code, which shows what type of plastic a product is made out of, is 3.

To produce PVC, vinyl chloride must be present first as a solution in water. It is then put into a high pressure chamber whose temperature is 50-70 degrees Celsius. The water is present to remove and absorb heat. PVC will eventually form in increasingly larger pieces until the process is topped. It is then removed from the water, dried and forms a white powder. This is now PVC and can be melted and shaped for nearly any purpose.
PVC Safety

PVC is synthetic and must be disposed of properly. Recycling is one way in which this can be done. PVC can either be melted down and then reshaped or mechanically crushed and used in its most basic form, be it as artificial filler for pillows and bedding or packing material. PVC is also able to be incinerated. It produces no more toxins then burning wood, but when it is destroyed in this manner pollution control equipment is used. PVC, when put into a controlled landfill proposes no serious threat to the environment.
Points of Interest

When replacing your windows you can achieve even greater energy saving by having vinyl siding installed on your home.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Windows 101

April 3, 2009

Ready to replace your worn out windows? Learn some basic terminology to make the process less stressful and become a confident consumer. Here are some basic facts about windows:

1. Head
The top part of the window frame, going across from one side to another.

2. Jamb
The vertical portions of the window frame that make up its sides.

3. Frame
The entire window’s outside edges, or the head, jambs and sill combined.

4. Glazing
Any glass within the entire construct of the window.

5. Pane
A single piece of glass separated by pieces of the window itself.

6. Sash
Stiles and rails, which surround each pane, combine to form a single sash.

7. Sill
This is the lower equivalent of the head, and protrudes from the wall slightly.

8. Muntin Bar
A muntin bar creates a boundary between individual window panes.

Diagram of window

Common Types of Windows

Single-Hung/Double Hung: - Sashes slide vertically
- In single-hung units, the bottom sash is the only sash that moves.
- Ventilation regulated by widening vertical crack with bottom sash
- Screens possible on exterior / interior.
Casement: - Hinges are located on one side
- Low air leakage rates (tighter seal than sliding windows)
- Better ventilation (larger area open to outside)
- Can catch passing breezes (window protrudes outside into wind)
- Screens installed on interior
Awning: - Similar to casement windows, but hinges at top
- Also open outward and lower leakage rates
Bay Window: - Combination of three-plus windows
- Center made of one or more windows parallel with wall
- Outer windows angled back towards wall
Bow Window: - Similar to bay window, more actual windows
- Radiate out to form semi-circle
Fixed Frame: - Used mainly for adding exterior light to rooms
- Does not open or move
- Provides no ventilation
Skylight: - Installed in ceiling
- Parallel to roof
- Some models can open and provide ventilation
- Brings in more sunlight than a traditional wall window<
Slider: - Similar to single/double hung windows, but turned on their side
- Either one or both sashes will be able to move and slide
- Provides ventilation as opening is widened by sashes.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Can Better Windows Help Save the World?

March 27, 2009

Today, everything is coming down to a single color: Green. Building greener homes is catching on at a spectacular pace. Homeowners are looking for more and more ways to make their surroundings and living space environmentally friendly by choosing green products. This green movement is the result of a combination of factors: global warming, the rising costs of energy and consumer desire to help make a difference and reverse these trends. And better windows truly can make that difference for consumers, in helping them be more environmentally friendly and providing real dollar savings.

Before getting down to the positive affect improved windows can have on the environment, let’s take a look at the big picture. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, evidence shows the 20th century as the warmest in the last 1,000 years with the most rapid warming occurring over the past 20 years. The 1990s was the warmest decade and 1998 the single warmest year of the past millennium. The biggest cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels like oil and coal are burned for energy. If greenhouse gases—such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane and nitrous oxide—continue to increase, says the EPA, the average temperature at Earth’s surface could rise between 2.5°F to 10.4°F above 1990 levels by the end of the 21st century. Such seemingly modest increases as these are predicted to have significant consequences on the environment.

Pundits and politicians may differ about specific approaches to curb global warming, but more and more people are embracing the need to address the environment and looking at how our lifestyles affect it. In February 2007, MarketResearch.com reported that 36 million consumers—12 percent of the U.S. population—embrace the green market, in which $230 billion is spent on what are considered sustainable products and services.

So what does this mean to the window industry? It means there is a real and growing desire among consumers for environmentally friendly building products. Once thought of as simply a high-priced luxury with a price tag that outweighed any immediate cost savings benefits, sustainable building products, including windows, are now being sought out and purchased by increasing numbers of consumers acting on their environmental principles.

THE MESSAGE
The green movement is affording us in the window business with a real opportunity to appeal to customers looking for window solutions that not only meet their needs today but also deliver hope for tomorrow. Here are just a few of the things we have to tell them:
Windows can account for between 10 and 25 percent of the total energy consumption for the heating and cooling of an average home (consisting of 2,000 square feet of living space and 300 square feet of windows). Installing the most energy-efficient window available can greatly reduce energy consumption, the carbon footprint of the home (eco-language for the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels required to produce the energy to heat and cool a structure) and the amount of money required to keep the home comfortable.

Recent improvements in nearly all window components, including low-E glass, warm edge spacers and more efficient insulating frames, can improve window thermal performance by as much as 45 percent. As manufacturers adopt more high-performance glazing techniques, warm edge window spacers become even more important in reducing overall U-factors and decreasing energy loss and potential condensation with its related health risks.

Beyond the actual thermal performance of the window itself, environmentally friendly windows can help reduce a home’s peak heating and cooling loads. Peak loads are the maximum energy loads required for heating or cooling a house within a specific time period. Insulating glass windows reduce the house’s heating and cooling needs by performing more efficiently and achieving more consistent internal temperatures despite wide variations in outside temperatures. Not only do these windows reduce the energy draw at the home, they also help reduce the demand required by the electrical utility at peak times. Given the amount of brownouts and blackouts of the last few years, the ability to help lessen utility demand can be a persuasive selling point for green consumers.

While environmental activists continue to debate with their opponents about the reality or lack thereof of global warming, the middle ground is rapidly growing as awareness of the environment in general takes a greater role in these individuals’ lives. According to the research firm Iconoculture, mainstream “greenies” not only expect innovative new products that slip right into their existing lifestyles, but they also expect more convenience, better price points, higher style and better performance from green products.

Recognizing these demands, and the growing concern among our end customers about the planet and in what condition they leave it for their children and their children’s children, we have a chance to show how, indeed, today’s high-performance windows can truly help save the world.

Ric Jackson is director of marketing & business development for Truseal Technologies Inc.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Remodeling Magazine lists “best bets” for home improvement

March 11, 2009

The most recent edition of Remodeling Magazine lists the most cost-effective home improvement projects for 2008-09. Homeowners who implemented any of these projects found their investments pay back in improved resale value.

Additionally, Premier Window’s Premier Package window guarantees up to 30% fuel efficiency and with the government Economic Stimulus Bill, can completely pay for themselves in less than 3 years*

*based upon the purchase of 8 windows.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

How the Stimulus Bill affects your window purchase decision

February 25, 2009

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:

The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.

The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.

The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.

The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.

The $200 cap on windows has been removed.

Tax credits are now available for home improvements:

must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
must be for taxpayers principal residence
maximum amount is $1,500 in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements (geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and windmills are not subject to this cap)
for record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement, OR for windows, you can save the ENERGY STAR label from your new windows
improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) — use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) — it will be available late 2009 or early 2010

Premier Window has the window that meets your energy-savings and stimulus bill requirements…introducing the Model 6500 “Premier Package”

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Doors, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Office locations, Raleigh, Windows, Winston-Salem | Leave a Comment

Double vs Triple Pane Windows

January 31, 2009

A guide to choosing between double and triple pane windows.

Windows are a significant expense in any home, so the thought of having to replace them fills many people with dread. While the variety of choices is certainly an asset to consumers, it can also feel like a minefield as you carefully wade through the decisions that you need to make.

The argument of double pane versus triple pane windows is pretty basic, and one of the first that you need to make. While on the surface, it would seem that triple is better, that is not necessarily so. Each type of window has strengths and weaknesses; your job is to find the best for your situation.

The best way to start is with a basic explanation of how a window works. Both double and triple pane windows use a type of inert gas sandwiched between layers of glass. Double pane windows consist of two layers of glass with one layer of gas in the middle. Triple pane windows consist of three layers of glass, the exterior glass, a layer of gas, the middle glass, another layer of gas, and the interior layer glass. The gas acts as insulation to slow the transfer of heat or cold through the window.

Double pane windows are relatively lightweight, relatively efficient, and moderately priced. Triple pane windows are extremely efficient, but also extremely heavy and extremely expensive. Depending on what type of weather you have, you will have to decide what works best for you. In most temperate areas, double pane glass will make the most sense. If you live in an area with long, cold or windy winters, you will probably want to look at triple pane windows.

There are a variety of choices even within the double and triple pane glass windows. If you are looking at triple pane glass because you live in an extremely warm or sunny climate and want to keep your cool air in your house, you do have another option. In a situation like this you should spend some time looking at double pane glass with UV coating. The double pane glass will provide a good insulating factor, and the UV coating will shut the sun’s heat out of your house. Many times these windows can work just as well if not better than a triple pane window.

As you can see, in most cases double pane windows will be the window of choice. There will, of course, be exceptions to this rule, but generally, when you line up the cost, convenience and energy savings, modern double pane windows will be the winner. Triple pane windows do have their place, or they would not continue to be produced. If you live in an extreme environment it would be advisable to get advice from your local power company for their recommendations. You could also spend some time talking with your neighbors, and find out if they are happy with their windows. Many times they will be the first to tell you the pros and cons of their situation, and they have no financial gain in your decision. The investment in new windows is too pricey to be taken without adequate research.

Credit: Essortment.com - Information and advice you want to know…

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Charlotte, Cheasapeake, Cleveland, Columbia, Energy, Jefferson, Mobile, Raleigh, Windows | Leave a Comment

Categories
- Charlotte
- Cheasapeake
- Cleveland
- Columbia
- Doors
- Energy
- Installations
- Jefferson
- Mobile
- Office locations
- Raleigh
- Uncategorized
- Windows
- Winston-Salem
Archives
Links

Recent Posts

Replacement Window Frame Materials