Windows frame the world, giving us a way to look out at the world surrounding our cozy homes. They allow light in, and add an air of elegance and ease to almost any space. But that’s not all replacement windows do. Advances in glass technology and replacement window construction have resulted in a product that offers a wide range of benefits. These benefits include:
Thermal Glass
Glass, in and of itself, is a very poor insulator. That’s why older, single pane windows are so efficient: heat energy can leak directly through the glass to the great outdoors! However, thermal glass is thicker and specially constructed with enhanced insulating capabilities.
Impact Resistance
A poorly thrown baseball, a rock sent flying off the nearby roadway by a speeding car, branches ripped from the trees by a seasonal storm: all of these can be a nightmare for the homeowner. Shattered windows and razor sharp slivers of glass can be a thing of the past, though, with impact resistant windows. Enhanced construction standards and evolving window technology have produced windows that can stand up to near-hurricane force winds and the battering that comes from random debris.
Sound Buffering
We all love our neighbors, of course, and live in the best neighborhoods on the planet. But that doesn’t mean that we want to hear every little thing that goes on outside. Vinyl home replacement windows can incorporate sound buffering technology, which can deaden or eliminate the majority of noise you hear.
Low e Coatings
Invisible metallic coatings applied to window glass, low e coatings allow homeowners to take control of their home heating and cooling situation by addressing solar gain. Solar gain is the heat loss or gain generated by the difference in temperatures outdoors and in your living space. In a heating dominated environment, such as the Northeast, homeowners will want windows that allow for a high degree of solar gain.
Self Cleaning Windows
New on the home replacement window scene, self cleaning windows use a chemical reaction to maintain a sparkling appearance. Combining a special coating, the sun’s UV rays, and rainwater, the task of washing exterior windows can be virtually eliminated.
Other home replacement windows feature tilt in technology, which makes cleaning windows a snap. The days of ladders, buckets and wadded paper towels are long behind us!
Fire Resistant Glass
The main thing to consider when thinking about replacement windows and fire is safety: you want home replacement windows that open and close easily, allowing rapid exit from the home should that be necessary. Replacement french doors, replacement patio doors, and replacement sliding doors can all make it easier for loved ones to exit the home in case of a fire emergency.
However, there are instances where fire resistant glass might be a good idea: in a door that separates a garage from the living area, for example. Talk with your local replacement window specialist regarding building codes and requirements for these special applications to make sure your family gets the protection it needs.
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