Best Replacement Windows

Replacement window performance

When choosing a window, you may consider, affordability, visual appeal, how they operate. Seldom do you think about performance. When we speak of window performance, we are talking about structural integrity and thermal Properties.

Structural Integrity: From the beginning of time, man has craved light. We want to see the outdoors without having to go outside. We want sunlight we also want protection from the elements. Around 3000BC, glass was invented. Over time, we’ve used hammered glass, and stained glass for windows. Both of these processes were expensive, not to mention the wind and rain poured through the windows. It wasn’t until March 25, 1902 when Irving W. Colburn first patented the sheet glass drawing machine. The mass production of glass windows was born, making clear glass windows affordable. We still had the problem of the wind and rain seeping in around the glass. Our obsession with creating window that would allow light in yet would protect us from the wind and rain resulted in a rating system of windows. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association, (AAMA) sets the standards of certification for windows, as well as for skylights. These standards are for air and water infiltration of windows, the ability of the window to endure strong winds and air pressure.

Thermal Performance: Windows have always been the places in our homes were heat escaped during the winter. During the summer, they let in the heat. How do you insulate glass and still have the ability to see out of it or let in the sun? The first generation of insulated windows was thermal panes. These were multi-piece of glass sealed together forming an airtight center. Thermal panes stopped most of the heat from escaping in the winter and prevented some of the heat from entering during the summer. Windows were then coated with an invisible film that blocked more heat from leaving during the winter, or entering during the summer. The next phase of window insulation came when special gases were used to fill the spaces between the layers of glass, insulating them. We measure this resistance of a given material in place in R-Factor. In the case of windows, the R-Factor rates how well the windows resist heat, the higher the R the greater resistance. The higher the R the better the window from permitting heat to escape during the winter, or permitting heat into your home in the summer