Balance System – This is the mechanism in a window that provides force to the bottom half of the window so it is easy to move it up and down. Older windows have a weight on a line that is hidden in the cavity of the adjacent wall. Modern systems use either constant force spiral springs or very small block and tackle arrangements.

Desiccant – Is a drying agent that is placed inside the panes of glass in a double or triple pane window, (IGU) to absorb any moisture that may get between the glass panes.
To read more on desiccant

Foam Filled – Window frames are generally hollow in nature. This is because they need to be a certain size in order to be thick enough to go from the outside of the wall to and beyond the inside of the wall. If the window frame was a solid mass it would make the window very heavy, and it would have worse insulating properties than if it was hollow with air. There are windows however that are sold, and touted, as having greater insulating properties because the frames are filled with foam.

Heat Gain – The amount of heat gained from both direct sunlight and absorbed heat. On many windows there is an effort to reduce heat gain, particularly from sun light.

Insulation – When old windows are removed and new ones installed generally there will be areas that will have voids that will need to be insulated. This is especially true if the windows were of the outdated variety that had counter weights in the walls. That cavity should be insulated.

Lead Paint – All paints manufactured prior to 1978 had lead as one of the ingredients. It was found that the lead in paints posed a safety hazard to the inhabitants of a dwelling as the paint aged, cracked, peeled and became accessible to ingestion particularly with children. The opening and closing of window sashes, covered with lead paint would created a fine dust that posed a particular threat.

Low-E – This is a metallic coating used to reflect heat (energy) back to its source. It is applied as a thin coat on the panes of glass.

Replacement Windows – This is a catch all phrase for a product that is designed to be used when old windows are removed from a building or house, and a new window unit is installed.

Roll Form Aluminum – There are two types of aluminum used in window manufacturing; roll formed and extruded. Roll form tends to be thinner in nature and is finished prior to the bending process in manufacturing.

Sash – This the term for the part that holds the window, for example in a double hung window there is a top window (sash) and a bottom.

Triple Pane – Most replacement windows today are double paned windows which means there are two independent sections of glass kept apart at approximately 5/8 of an inch. When you have a triple pane window, that means there are three sections of glass.

Wrapped - Is the application and process of bending custom painted aluminum to fit around the outside sills and casing. This is a feature that you should inquire about and not just assume it is part of the installation.

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

Premier Window’s Model 6500 - The right choice!

December 8, 2008

Why choose the best?

Premier Window offers a variety of window styles. Along with style, energy and feature performance are critical to your decision of which windows to purchase. The model 6500 offers all the features you need with major upgrades in performance. Utilizing PPG’s Intercept technology, the 6500 delivers reduced interior condensation, reduced heat loss, improved insulating glass unit life, and superior control of glass temperature.

Insulating Glass Systems

Choosing the right window includes choosing the right insulating glass unit, which will determine most of a window’s energy performance. An insulating glass unit is comprised of two (or three) panes of glass and the insulating air space between them.

PPG’s Intercept system, with “warm-edge” spacers, features a unique, one-piece, tin-plated or stainless steel, U-channel design. This design creates an effective thermal barrier to help reduce conducted heat loss through the window and makes Intercept spacers stronger and better at retaining insulating gas than many conventional designs.

PPG has been an industry leader in the development and production of insulating glass since the late 1940s, when Twindow^® Insulating Glass was introduced. PPG’s commitment to ongoing research and development has provided the technical expertise required for the introduction of prior PPG insulating glass brands such as: Weatherpane^® and Twindow products as well as our glass-edged Twindow XI insulating glass units.

Features and Benefits

1. Reduced Interior Condensation

Intercept^® insulating glass units reduce condensation problems around the window perimeter. Compare the Intercept insulating glass window on the left with a conventional insulating glass window on the right. Both windows have low-e glass and argon infill. The difference is the Intercept “warm-edge” spacer.


With Intercept® Spacer	With Aluminum Spacer

Conditions:

Cold side temperature=0°F

Room side temperature=72°F

Room side relative humidity=25%

2. Reduced Heat Loss

Intercept spacers are so energy efficient they keep the edges of the window glass warmer, so your home feels more comfortable in the winter. As you can see below, the temperature difference can be dramatic.


Intercept Insulating Glass Unit	Conventional Insulating Glass Unit

This thermograph or “heat picture” compares room side glass temperature for an Intercept insulating glass unit (left: yellow is warmer; blue is cooler) and a conventional unit (right). Because the Intercept glass technology allows for significantly warmer glass temperature, especially at the edges, your home will feel more comfortable.

3. Improved Insulating Glass Unit Life

Less condensation means:

Fewer stains or less damage to windows or walls.
Higher allowable relative humidity indoors/less annoying static electricity.
Better clarity of view.

Under normal weather conditions, insulating glass units expand and contract with temperature changes. In conventional insulating glass units, sealant takes the stress of the flexing, which can cause seal failure and insulating gas loss.

With Intercept glass technology, the spacers flex—instead of the sealant—to resist spacer movement and sealant failure.

With conventional aluminum spacers, the sealant must flex, which can lead to sealant failure and loss of insulation ability.

4. Warmer Glass Temperature
Warmer glass temperature means:

Better insulating value (89% higher R-value).
Lower energy bills.
Fewer drafts, improved comfort.

Intercept^® Insulating Glass Performance Comparisons

Compare the performance of windows using the Intercept insulating glass technology versus conventional insulating glass aluminum spacers. Intercept windows provide warmer indoor glass temperatures and lower U-values/higher insulation performance.

Window Unit Performance Comparison:
Intercept Insulating Glass Unit vs. Conventional Insulating Glass Unit

Window Unit Performance Comparison-Intercept® I.G. Unit vs. Conventional I.G. Unit

	PPG Intercept® Steel Plated Spacer	Conventional Aluminum Spacer
Center-of-Glass U-Value	0.24	0.24
Emissivity (Solarban® 60* Solar Control Low-E glass)	0.04	0.04
Edge U-Value	0.34	0.45
Window U-Value (overall)	0.28	0.31
Minimum Indoor Glass Temperature at Bottom Frame	37°F	32°F

Conditions: 2.5mm glass thickness, 1/2″ air space (argon gas fill), Solarban® 60 Solar Control Low-E glass, 0°F outside-15 mph wind, 70°F inside, 24″ x 48″ vinyl casement.

*Formerly Sungate 1000 Low-E Glass.

Posted by tmadej | Filed Under Cleveland, Energy, Windows | Leave a Comment

What causes condensation on windows?

October 23, 2008

What causes condensation on windows?
Whenever there is excess humidity in a home, it manifests itself in the form of condensation on the coldest area of a wall, which is normally the windows. The warmer the air, the more moisture it will retain, so when air in your home comes in contact with the colder glass surface, it is subsequently cooled and moisture is released in the form of condensation on the glass.

Do windows cause condensation?
No, condensation on windows is not the fault of the window. However, by replacing drafty windows and doors or installing a new roof or siding, you are reducing air flow in your home and making it tighter. Tighter homes actually retain more humidity.

Where on a window does condensation normally form and why?
Condensation often forms at the meeting rail and at the bottom of the lower sash on the interior of the glass. This is because when warm air cools, it falls down across the interior surface of the window at the same time the air’s temperature is falling. The air contacts the horizontal surface of the meeting rail, which acts like a dam, slowing the air’s rate of fall and creating the perfect opportunity for the trapped water vapor to escape and form on the meeting rail’s surface. The air then rolls over the edge of the meeting rail and again gains speed until it encounters the lower handle of the sash. At this point, the water vapor again makes its exit and lies at the bottom of the sash.

Can I reduce the condensation on my windows?
Yes. In order to reduce condensation, humidity must be controlled and air movement must be generated. As the exterior temperature drops, the humidity level needs to decrease if condensation is to be controlled.

What steps can I take to reduce humidity in my home?
The two main things you can do are to control sources of moisture and increase ventilation. To decrease or control excess humidity and condensation:
* Use exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry and bathrooms.
* Vent gas burners, clothes dryers, etc. to the outdoors.
* Shut off furnace humidifiers and other humidifying devices in your home.
* Be sure that the ventilating louvers in your attic, basement or crawl spaces are open and amply sized.
* Open fireplace dampers to allow an escape route for moisture-laden air.
* Air out your house a few minutes each day.

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

Year-round Comfort with Solarban® 60 Solar Control Low-E Glass

October 17, 2008

Solarban 60 glass is the ideal energy efficient window solution for climates in which you want to:

* Block direct solar heat year-round.
* Reduce solar heat gain where air conditioning costs are significant.
* Reduce fading and degradation of a home’s carpets, curtains, and furniture from UV rays.
* Provide improved comfort in the winter.

The low-e coating on Solarban 60 glass is applied by the magnetic sputtered vacuum deposition process to ensure superior thermal performance. It is the first PPG glass to offer solar control along with the insulating performance and aesthetic benefits of low-emissivity glass (low-e glass).

Solarban 60 Low-E Glass Performance Properties

Standard Insulating Glass Unit with clear glass, conventional aluminum spacer, and air fill. Solarban® 60 Insulating Glass unit with Solarban® Solar Control Low-E glass, Intercept® spacer, and argon gas fill.
Solarban® 60 glass keeps you warmer in the winter

The overall U-Value (insulating value) of windows with Solarban® Low-E glass is about 39% better than standard clear insulating glass. (Lower U-values mean higher insulating performance.)

Winter Furnace Heat
Window U-Value(clear glass)=0.46 Window U-Value(Solarban 60)=0.28

Solarban® 60 glass keeps you cooler in the summer

Solarban® Low-E glass transmits about 48% less solar energy than standard clear insulating glass.* Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a measure of how much solar heat is transmitted through the glass. (Lower numbers mean less summer heat.)

Summer Solar Heat
SHGC=0.75 SHGC=0.39

Solarban® 60 glass reduces U.V. Energy and allows visible light transmittance

Solarban® Low-E glass is about 72% more effective at reducing fabric-fading ultraviolet (U.V.) energy, yet still allows about 88% as much visible light in as standard clear insulating glass.*

Transmittances (without/with Solarban 60)
Ultraviolet Energy=58%
Visible Light=81%

Ultraviolet Energy=16%
Visible Light=71%
*Comparisons are based on center of glass measurements of 3/4″ insulating glass units; two 1/8″ (3mm) glass panes and a 1/2″ (12mm) air space. Actual glass performance may differ silghtly due to glass thickness, gas fill, and glass to frame ratio.

Solarban 60 Low-E Glass Features and Benefits

Solarban 60 Solar Control Low-E Glass Features

Improves window U-value as compared to uncoated glass.
Allows the inner pane to stay warmer in winter.
Reduces room side condensation of the window.
Reduces the transmission of ultraviolet light.
Has a natural appearance, both when viewed from the outside and inside.
Carries a 10-year warranty against coating failure. PPG has sold more than 100 million sq. ft. of low-e glasses since 1984 without a single documented coating failure.
Created by PPG, a leader in flat glass manufacturing with extensive quality assurance and technical services groups and one of the world’s largest glass research and development centers.

Solarban 60 Solar Control Low-E Glass Benefits

Customers save on both heating and cooling costs with energy efficient windows.
Comfort is enhanced by reducing drafts around windows and allowing higher room humidity without condensation
Builder callbacks and potential window deterioration due to excessive condensation are reduced.
Fading of interior furnishings, such as carpets, drapes, and furniture may be reduced.
The exterior of the home maintains a pleasing appearance and interior colors remain true.
Customers can be assured that the glass in their windows is backed by the strength and experience of a leader in the glass industry and a Fortune 300 company.
PPG customers enjoy outstanding technical support and access to the most advanced products in the window and door industry.

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

Glossary of terms-Windows

October 17, 2008

As you do research for your replacement window purchase, you’ll hear and learn a number of terms related to features and function of the window product. Here are a few of those terms:

Argon Gas- This odorless, colorless gas is inserted between panes of glass for insulation and also increases a window’s energy efficiency by reducing conductive heat transfer.

Awning Window- This style of window swings out from the bottom and away from a building, just like an awning.

Bay Window- A three-unit window with a center piece flanked by two side panels that are usually angled at 30 or 45 degrees.

Bow Window- A combination of windows composed of four or more units, which are aligned in a smooth curving contour.

Casement Window- A window that swings open from the side, hinging at the top and bottom of the frame. Nailing Fin (Flange)- A strip of sheet material either integral or fastened to a unit’s frame, creating a flange. This is a common method to install new construction windows and doors.

Double Hung Window- Consists of top and bottom vertically sliding sashes in a single frame.

Picture Window- A large, fixed or stationary window designed to provide a maximum viewing area without obstructions.

Emissivity- The relative ability of a surface to radiate heat. R Value- Measure of a window’s overall resistance to heat transmission from different air temperatures on either side of the glass.

Frame- The outer components of a window or door unit, consisting of a head jamb, side jambs, blind stops and window sills, as applies. Sash- A wood/vinyl perimeter to support the glass of a window, holding it separately from the frame and allowing some independent movement from the frame.

Fusion Welded- A process of melting two or more items together (i.e., a window sash and frame) via welding. Single Hung Window- A window system with only one glass unit movable in the window pane.

Geometric Window- Specialty windows customized to fit a variety of shapes, such as starburst, gothic, colonial, etc. within a door pattern.

Glazing- 1) Act of fitting a window or door frame with glass. 2) Installing glass into a window or door frame. Slider Window- A window that opens horizontally.

Glazing Bead- A long, thin piece of moulded wood used to secure glass to the sash or frame of a window; silicone is often used to create a seal between the glass and wooden glazing bead.

Hermetically Sealed- An airtight seal.

Insulating Glass- Comprised of two or more pieces of glazing (glass) separated by hermetically sealed airspace for improved thermal efficiency.

Kickplate- Applied to one or both sides of a door’s bottom rail, this thin, polished metal plate is used to prevent denting and soiling of the wood surface.

Laminating- Method of bonding two or more layers of glass together using heat and pressure, with inner layers of transparent plastic. This process provides one of the best avenues to blocking ultraviolet rays.

Low E Glass- Windows that have been coated with a transparent, metallic layer to the glass surface, reducing its emissivity or ability to radiate heat.

Mulled- To join two windows or doors together, side by side.

NCTL Validated- National Certified Testing Labs (NCTL) is an organization that performs standardized tests on windows to ensure proper quality control levels.

NFRC Rating- The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a non-profit group comprised of manufacturers, builders, designers, government officials, utilities and consumers working together to provide unbiased energy performance ratings for windows, doors and skylights (fenestrations).

Tempered Glass- Plate glass with increased strength due to a special heat-treatment for greater strength as a safety glass.

Thermal Performance- A window’s ability to act as a barrier to the transfer of heat.

Thermo-Edge Spacer- A system where protected insulated glass creates increased temperatures along the window’s edges and therefore reduces the potential for condensation on the glass surface.

Transom- An operating window unit for specific use above a door or window.

Weatherstripping- Material used to provide a weather-tight seal between a window/door sash or frame.

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

What is Fenestration?

October 17, 2008

What is Fenestration?

Fenestration: Any opening in a building’s envelope including windows, doors and skylights.

Windows, doors, skylights and curtain wall manufacturers are constantly improving and re-designing their products to meet the needs of their customers.

How do customers know the benefits they can get from new technology?

By looking for the NFRC label or Label Certificate and understanding what NFRC ratings mean.

There are a number of resources available to assist you in this area

* Information on the NFRC Label basic explanation of the NFRC label and rating system
* NFRC Fact Sheets explain the various issues involved in comparing energy related fenestration performance - from U-factor to Daylighting; from Condensation Resistance to Solar Heat Gain.

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

Why Low-e/Argon?

October 7, 2008

Today, more than ever, the environment is a major concern. With the effects of global warming almost universally recognised, and the problems with climate change becoming gradually more apparent, the time to act is most certainly now. Add to that the weight of increasing energy bills, and you have got yourself a real incentive to save energy and the world in which we live.

By making simple decisions around the home, we can increase our insulating properties and require less energy to heat our homes, which can help the earth and our wallets. One such way is through installing low E argon windows. In this article, we will look at the benefits of low E windows, and why they should be a realistic consideration for anyone looking to update their household windows.

What does Low E Argon Mean

Regular windows lose heat through four recognisable processes; namely convection, conduction, radiation and leakages. Convection is where warmer air is cooled by exterior air and as a result moves in a downwards direction, thus creating a draft. Conduction is the loss of heat directly through the window.

Air leakage is the physical gaps within the window and its frame, which is another means by which heat is lost. Finally, radiation is the loss of heat in the form of infrared energies through the window. This process is obviously inefficient and costly, in terms of the wasted energy.

What is more, this means that we aren’t getting the most from the energy we are producing, which means we need more energy, which is subsequently more harmful to our environment. However, low E argon windows can change all that.

Low E argon windows work primarily by reflecting heat which would otherwise be wasted back into the room in question. Because it contains argon, the window is significantly better at reflecting heat rather than conducting heat, and consequently keeps the heat in, and keeps the unwanted heat out. This results in a massive energy saving, which is reflected in the first instance when the bill arrives at the end of the month.

Why Low E Argon

Low E argon windows should be a very important factor when it comes to replacing windows. One thing you may notice in the first instance is that low e argon windows are more expensive. This is due to the more technologically advanced manufacturing process, which is also more labour intensive.

Having said that, it is estimated that the average household could save $240 every single year through installing low E argon windows Ã¢â‚¬â€œ a massive saving over its lifetime. By making the initial investment, the windows will generate a tangible saving, year on year, whilst also going a long way towards saving our planet.

Low E argon windows are becoming increasingly popular and it is easy to see why. With society’s greener conscience, and a determination to cut down on energy bills, there has never been a better time to install low E argon windows in your home.

With that minimal initial investment, you can rest, safe in the knowledge that you are increasing your energy efficiency and doing your bit to protect our volatile environment in these crucial environmental times. Alongside household recycling, maximising energy efficiency is one of the easiest tangible things you can do, and with such an enormous saving, it is hard to justify not make the transition.

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

Is it time to replace those windows?

September 11, 2008

You’ve been looking at your windows…some of them don’t operate very well. If you’ve got single paned glass windows, you may be feeling drafts. Even if you have double paned glass, you may not be energy efficient. If the seal has broken (do your windows fog up between the glass?), you’ve got nothing better than two pieces of single-paned glass standing side-by-side (read “no insulation”). If your window frames are wood construction, you may have rotting, warping and leaking. If they are aluminum, you’re conducting significant energy transfer through the material.

So what’s a person to do? First, realize that every day you wait, you’re wasting money and precious energy. Second, understand that today’s window technology has come a long way from the “single-panes” with storm window days (remember dad taking down the “storms” and installing the “screens” each Spring?

Now that you’ve decided you have to do something, what’s the next step. Well, you can go to the local home center. If the openings for your windows happen to be “standard size”, you can throw a bunch of windows into the cart and head home. If you are not so lucky, then you have to special order; of course the prices are a little higher. Even if you get your window right away, you have to find someone to install them.

What’s the better solution?…find someone who specializes in getting you the right product, at the right price and can install it on your schedule. That’s where Premier Window comes into play. Premier has installed thousands of windows in your town over past the 13 years. They have many choices of styles and prices to meet most any budget.

Tired of pushy sales people coming to your house and strong-arming you into buying their product? They may tell you “it’s a today only sale”, or try to talk you into products you don’t need. With Premier Windows, the project consultants are there to give you options. They’ll be on time, discuss your needs, inspect your current situation and make recommendations. They will never force you into a “now or never” deal. We know projects like these are a big investment. You should have every opportunity to consider your options. Also, we know that our product and price value will be so good, that you will choose to install Premier replacement windows. In fact, Premier is so confident, they will meet and beat any other legitimate offer (see project consultant for details).

So are you ready to save money and energy? Call your local Premier office to schedule a free project consultation. Premier is waiting to hear you.

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

Premier Windows utilize PPG Glass technology

September 11, 2008

Premier Replacement windows feature PPG glass. PPG has been making quality products for many years. Additionally, Premier offers Intercept Insulating glass technology in its window products. Check out the features of including this technology in your Premier Windows. These are the last windows you’ll have to buy for your home.

Additionally, Solarban 60 provides you a 21st century technology for ensuring your windows protect your living space from the elements outside your home. You will be more comfortable, save money and save the environment. Click on our catalog to begin choosing your Premier replacement windows.

Once you’ve had a chance to review your options, call your local Premier office to schedule a free, in-home consultation. We’re ready to help you save.

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