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Different replacement windows also offer different advantages. Anywhere from security and safety to energy savings, in today’s market, you can find exactly what you are looking for in a replacement window.
26 August 2008
Is there a right time to purchase replacement windows
Categories:
Understanding Windows
Posted by tyjs31 at 12:00 AM | Link | 0 Comments
14 August 2008
Selecting Windows for Security
Categories:
Replacement Window Benefits
From our experience – and from research -- we know that homeowners typically purchase windows because they want to be more comfortable in their homes. They also want windows that will make their homes more energy efficient to help manage high heating and cooling costs. Another reason is the desire to improve the appearance of their homes.
One reason for replacing windows that isn’t mentioned often is security. Yet who can deny that security is high on the minds of Americans these days? Whether it’s about intrusions, burglaries, protecting our children or even terrorism, security is a big concern. And where in homes are these concerns focused? Obviously, windows and doors.
Gorell Windows & Doors works with the National Crime Prevention Council to help make homeowners aware of what can be done to improve home security as it pertains to windows and doors. Gorell also has spent years developing products that offer exceptional security benefits, so window professionals at Gorell are in a position to make recommendations for selecting windows and doors for this purpose.
Recommendations include:
1. Ensure the windows you’re considering have passed ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) structural forced entry tests.
2. Physically inspect the windows you’re considering. They should be very rigid and have a strong feel to them. Look at the locks and hardware. Are they also heavy-duty? How are the locks installed? Locks on Gorell double-hung models, for example, are installed with perpendicularly fastened keepers so that the sashes can’t be pried open easily.
3. Consider additional window security options that are available in the marketplace. Many homeowners aren’t aware that some window manufacturers offer “laminated” security glass in their windows. This type of glass is similar to the glass used in automotive windshields. It’s extremely difficult to penetrate, even with constant whacks of a crow bar or other burglary tool.
Homeowners need to be leery of anyone trying to sell tempered glass as a security solution. It’s absolutely not. Tempered glass was developed for safety. It breaks into small, less-sharp pieces instead of jagged shards that standard annealed glass breaks into. Laminated glass on the other hand cracks, doesn’t break.
Posted by dragan322 at 12:00 AM | Link | 0 Comments
01 August 2008
Low-E Glass
Categories:
Understanding Windows
What is Low-E glass and does it really work?
Low-E is an abbreviated term for Low-emissivity glass. According to Wikipedia, Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings are “microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radioactive heat flow.” Gorell offers a an easy-to-understand explanation about how low-e works on its web site at http://www.gorell.com/pages/lower_energy_bills.cfm.
There are a couple of different types of Low-e coatings, hard coat and soft coat. Hard-coat Low-E is an older technology that uses a layer of tin oxide. The coating reflects the sun’s rays in summer and allows them in during the winter. Soft-coat Low-e uses silver oxide in place of tin oxide for the coating. In simple terms, the most reflective surface in your house is a mirror. The back of a mirror is coated with silver oxide. If a mirror does a perfect job of reflecting your image, imagine how well it reflects the sun’s rays in the winter. Of course, in the winter, soft-coat Low-E allows passive heat to come into your house.
There is no question in the window industry about whether Low-E glass works. It is extremely effective. www.Gorell.com offers a high-performance glass chart so you can determine which type of Low-E glass is right for you. The chart can be found at http://www.gorell.com/pages/glass_chart.htm.
Let me know how Low-E glass has worked for you.
Posted by tyjs31 at 12:00 AM | Link | 0 Comments
