JELD-WEN Window Glass Options

There are many great window manufacturers in the United States that offer numerous lines of windows, materials, shapes and sizes. One of the top window manufacturer's we carry at Reflection Window & Doors is JELD-WEN.  The nice thing about carrying a line of replacement windows by this company is they extensive amount of windows they make.  They manufacturer casement, awning, double-hung, horizontal sliding, radius and geometric windows along with numerous patio doors.

Another great feature about JELD-WEN windows is the numerous glass options they offer for all of their replacement windows.  Here are the types of glass you can get in your new windows from JELD-WEN.

1.) Tinted Glass:
Tinted glass reduces glare and is ideal for areas that get direct sunlight. JELD-WEN offers clear, green, grey, bronze, reflective grey and reflected bronze tinted glass available for all of their windows.

2.) Tempered Glass:
Tempered glass is treated with heat so it is able to withstand greater pressure on its surface.  This type of glass will not shatter in to sharp pieces and comes in a variety of textures.  Tempered glass is mostly used on patio doors or windows that are installed near floor level like a bathroom.

3.) Textured Glass: 
Textured glass allows you to let light into an area while still maintaining your privacy.  JELD-WEN offers a wide range of textured glass which allows you to choose a pattern that fits the style of your room.  The most popular choices of textured glass is rain, obscure and glue chip.

Vinyl Windows are Built to Move

Vinyl windows have been around for close to 40 years. Vinyl is energy efficient durable rotproof, insectproof and weather resistant. It's made with chemicals that inhibit UV-degradation. Vinyl is colored throughout and requires no painting. The knock on vinyl is that it fades, can't be painted, becomes brittle with age and is thermally unstable. Temperature changes cause it to contract and expand more than wood, aluminum and even the glass it holds. Vinyl window frames have the potential for causing increased air leakage over time because of this movement. But Richard Walker, technical director of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is quick to say "Vinyl windows are build with this movement in mind and failures have not been recorded to cause concern." If you choose vinyl frames, specifiy light colors and heat-welded corners. Heat-welded corners hold up best over time.

The pigments that are used in paint are almost identical to those used in vinyl, but vinyl's color goes all the way through. Walker says "a little rubdown with Soft Scrub or one of the products on the AAMA list of recommended cleaners will bring vinyl back to its original brilliance."

Fiberglass-frame windows are showing up in a few product lines. Fiberglass is extremely strong, and because it is made of glass fibers,the frames and the glass expand at the same rate. Fiberglass must be painted and is more expensive than vinyl. Owens Corning, Andersen and Marvin are three major manufacturers that produce fiberglass Windows. Owens Corning is the Only manufacturer that makes fiberglass windows with insulated frames.

Aluminum-frame windows are durable, requiring little maintenance. However, they are energy siphons and shouldn't be used where energy efficiency is consideration.

The range of window options available today is staggering. A working knowledge of the terms and these few guidelines should help you when you decide to buy your new Denver windows.

This content was from the book "The Best of Fine Homebuilding: Energy-Efficient Building"

Understanding Energy-Efficient Windows

A respected builder I know told me how he learned the true value of energy-efficient windows. In the course of his business, he installed a builder's line of windows from a well-known manufacturer in every house he built. He felt good about his choice; he purchased the windows from a manufacturer with a reputation for quality but they cost 10% less than the same manufacturer's standard line of low-E, argon filled windows saving him about $600 per house he installed the new windows in. He even put them in his own house. The first winter he lived there, he noticed that the windows seemed cold. Only then did he compare the U-values with the same manufacturer's standard windows. he did some math and concluded that his windows were costing him about $150 a year. By his estimation, the low-E windows would have paid for themselves in four years and made his home more comfortable for their entire life span.

Experiences such as his are common, yes they are easily avoidable with a basic understanding of how energy-efficient windows work. When you choose new windows, appearance is often first considered. Initial cost is the next issue: "Which window within the favored style costs the lease"? Liking a window's appearance i a fuzzy proposition and cost really depends on the durability and on the energy dollars pumped through the windows each year. I am convinced that if we could see energy loss a we see color and shape, energy performance would top the list of window considerations.

Windows are thermal holes. An average home may lose 30% of its heat or air conditioning energy through its windows. Energy-efficient windows save money each and every month. There are even some cases where new windows can be net energy gainers. The payback period for selecting energy-efficient units ranges from two years to ten years. In new construction, their higher initial cost can be offset because you'll probably need a smaller, less expensive heating and cooling system. And more durable windows may cost less in the long haul because of lowered maintenance and replacement costs. Plus, you'll be more comfortable the whole you live in your home.

Windows lose and gain heat by conduction, convection, radiations and air leakage. This heat transfer is expressed with U-values or U-factors. U-values are the mathematical inverse of R-values. So an R-value of 2 equals a U-value of 1/2 or .5. Unlike R-values, lower U-value indicated higher insulating value.

Air leakage siphons about half of an average home's heating and cooling energy to the outdoors. Air leakage through windows is responsible for much of this lose. Well-designed windows have durable weatherstripping and high quality closing devices that effectively block air leakage. Hinged windows such as a casement and awnings clamp more tightly against weather stripping than do double-hung windows. But the difference is slight; well-made double hungs are acceptable. How well the individual pieces of the window unit are joined together also affects air leakage. Glass-to-frame, frame-to-frame and sash-to-frame connections must be tight. The technical specifications for windows list values for air leakage as cubic feet per minute per square foot of window. It is important to find Denver windows with certified air-leakage rates of less than .3 cfm/ft2.  The lower the value the better.

This content was from the book "The Best of Fine Homebuilding: Energy-Efficient Building"

Home Improvement Solutions: New Windows

Looking to increase the value of your current residence? Have you ever thought about the advantages of new windows? Nice windows not only add to the curb appeal of a home, but they can also save you money in the long run. Replacing all of the windows in your home might sound expensive but there are many reasons people should consider replacing the windows in their home. 

To determine if you should or should not replace your windows, ask yourself: When you sit next to a window in your home in the winter do you feel colder? What about in the summer? Is it significantly hotter? In the winter is there frost on the inside of your windows? Do your windows fog up or rattle when the wind blows? Do you like the appearance of your windows? Are you windows so old they get stuck or are permanently stuck closed? Do they stay open? If they have the weight and pulley system, are any of the pulleys broken? Is the glass in the window broken, cracked or stained? Do your windows leak? It could be time for window replacement if you have any of these issues.

Not only are new windows visually pleasing to the eye but they can also increase the value of your home if you ever want to sell it. In the long run, you can save money on your utility bill by installing new windows. If your windows get hot in the summer, cold in the winter, or are broken or cracked, your heat or air conditioning could be escaping through your windows, causing your heater/air conditioner to work harder; ultimately costing you more money.  Some energy efficient windows are even eligible for a rebate from utility companies. New windows can also prevent mold or moisture from getting into your home and potentially causing illness to you and your family.  Another advantage to new windows is that they can add security to your home. Broken or cracked windows could be inviting to intruders. Installing windows with proper locks that work will help keep you and your family safe as well as give you a peace of mind about the wellbeing of your home. New windows are also much less maintenance than old windows that need regular calking and painting.

Installing new windows will provide your home with security, energy efficiency, and maintenance-free curb appeal.  Seek the help of a Denver window company for window selection tips, a window estimate and proper installation help.

The Elements of Quality: How to Select Quality Windows

We all know that a quality product is always a wise investment, it is a matter of knowing what a quality product is. That is hard to determine unless you are educated about the industry that you are buying in which of course was the purpose of this site from the beginning. Purchasing a quality product will definitely pay great dividends over time. By buying right from the beginning you will not have to hassle with replacement windows in the near future, or the constant maintenance of low quality replacement windows. Not only will you be able to enjoy less maintenance, but if you research the right kind of replacement windows, you will enjoy energy savings as well. We will go into the passive solar qualities of windows in future posts.
When you are remodeling or building a home, you need to be thinking of the long-term effects of the decisions that you make when it comes to the structural elements of your home. So, when it comes to doors, windows, roofing, you will want to buy quality products that will not create the pain of constant maintenance or worse yet, replacement.

The Dissection of a Home Window: Window Parts and What They are Called.

Whenever you are making a purchasing decision, it is important (I know goes without saying, but...) to be educated about your purchase. Knowledge is definitely power, perhaps one of the oldest adages. It is especially relevant when it comes to shopping. The more that you know about something, the more likely it is that you are going to make sound decision when it comes to the final purchase. In order to shop for replacement windows in Denver, the following is some information you will find useful in making decisions.

The Anatomy of Home Windows

When you are talking with Denver Window Companies, you will want to sound informed and "talk the talk" with your builder, window sales professional or remodeling company. Make certain that you know the different parts of a window to begin with. The diagram to the right dissects the different parts of a window.

The Elements of Window Design

More than any other aspect of your home, your windows can give character and a sense of personal style to your home that nothing else can. An impressive arrangement of windows contributes to external curb appeal and that "wow" factor inside your home. Odds are pretty good that you have stopped once or twice yourself, looking at an awesome display of windows that were installed in a neighbors house. As for the interior aspect of windows that have been planned well, they can tranform a room from an ordinary living room or bedroom to an extraordinary view with stunning features that "make the room". If you stop and think about the most impressive home or room that you have ever entered, isn't it accurate that the windows gave the room it's brilliance?