Window Overview

 

 

Window Types

We offer a wide array of window types to let you choose the perfect window for your needs.

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  • Single Hung

  • A single hung window is very traditional in appearance. In this window only the bottom sash slides upward—the top sash is permanently fixed. Screens are usually installed on the outside of the window.
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  • Double Hung

  • Similar to the single hung window however, the window has two sashes which move vertically up or down.  Great for a traditional looking design.

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  • Picture

  • Picture Windows are appropriate for any home style whether it be contemporary or traditional.  The window is fixed meaning it does not open.  It is best used when you want an unobstructed view and where ventilation in not an issue.
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  • Casement

  • A versatile window which window can be used in both contemporary and traditional applications.  Casements have a hand crank are hinged on the side and open outward. Unlike sliding or double hung windows there is not a rail to obstruct the view.  Also a great choice over counters, sinks and appliances because of easy to reach crank. The screens are placed on the interior protecting them from the elements allowing them to last longer. The crank mechanism allows for a tighter seal against the frame making these windows the most energy efficient.
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  • Awning

  • Very similar to a casement window but hinges from the top instead of the side.
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  • Horizontal Sliding Window

  • Popular for contemporary designs however are very versatile and could be used with nearly any style.  A horizontal sliding window makes an easy-opening window over kitchen counters and sinks. Also is great for windows near walkways because they open without using any interior or exterior space. Some people find them easier and faster to open then a casement window.
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  • Bay/Bow Window

  • Bay/Bow windows are often used in traditional architectural settings. Their extension from a home adds an architectural accent that has the ability to bring welcome interest to an exterior wall. From the interior a bay/bow window can help to make the room feel more spacious.
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Materials

  • Aluminum - A durable and cost effective alternative to wood. Aluminum windows are corrosion-resistant and perform well in Scottsdale’s climate. View Aluminum Window Product Page for more details.
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  • Vinyl - A durable plastic material that is energy efficient and performs well in most environments. It is very low maintenance and does not require touch up jobs. View our Vinyl Product Page for more details.
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  • Fiberglass - A strong and durable material that is resistant to cold and hot climates. The insulation is similar to wood and has a non-glossy finish, making fiberglass a good alternative to wood. View our Fiberglass Window Product Page for more details.
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  • Wood/Wood Clad - Wood comes in a variety of species and has a classic look and feel that is hard to get with other style of windows. Wood Clad has a wood interior but a strong aluminum frame on the exterior to protect it from the elements. View our Wood Clad Product Page for more details.

 

Window Terms: What do they mean?

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Energy Performance Label

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy performance label can help you determine how well a product will perform the functions of helping to cool your building in the summer, warm your building in the winter, keep out wind, and resist condensation.
By using the information contained on the label, builders and consumers can reliably compare one product with another, and make informed decisions about the windows, doors, and skylights they buy. NFRC adopted a new energy performance label in 2005. It lists the manufacturer, describes the product, provides a source for additional information, and includes ratings for one or more energy performance characteristics.

NOTE: All energy performance values on the label represent the rating of windows/doors as whole systems (glazing and frame). The information contained on the label is also available in the NFRC’s online Certified Products Directory.

Energy Rating Lable Example

U-Factor

The U-Factor measures the rate of non solar heat loss or gain through a window assembly.  The lower the U-factor, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. For example in a cold climate the u-factor would measure how much of the warm air from your heater gets transferred through the glass to the cool exterior.  If you have a dual pane window which is argon filled you will have a higher insulation value than a single pane window thus the dual pane glass will have a lower U-Value.

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Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

The SHGC measures how much solar heat is admitted/ transmitted through a window. SHGC is measured on a scale between 0 and 1.  The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.  This is the most important factor when choosing a window in a desert climate like Phoenix.  When looking for a window you want to choose one with a SHGC less than or equal to 0.30

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Visible Transmittance (VT)

The VT is an optical property that indicates the amount of visible light transmitted through a window. VT is a whole window rating and includes the impact of the frame which does not transmit any visible light.  The higher the VT the more visible light is transmitted.

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Air Leakage (AL)

The Air Leakage measures how much air is able to pass through the window assembly. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the assembly. AL is very important, as it allow to keep the warm or cool outside air from penetrating your home when trying to heat or cool your house, but not as important as U-factor and SHGC. AL is an optional rating on the NFRC label. Generally casement and awning type windows are the tightest windows meaning less air is able to pass through them.  Sliding windows, Double and Single hung windows do not seal as tight thus have a higher AL.

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Condensation Resistance (CR)

CR measures how well a window resists the formation of condensation on the inside surface. CR is expressed as a number between 1 and 100. The higher the number, the better a product is able to resist condensation. CR is an optional rating on the NFRC label.

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Low-E Coating

Low-emittance (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 radiative heat flow. These coatings reflect radiant infrared energy, thus tending to keep radiant heat on the same side of the glass from which it originated. This often results in more efficient windows because: radiant heat originating from indoors is reflected back inside, thus keeping heat inside in the winter, and infrared radiation from the sun is reflected away, keeping it cooler inside in the summer.  In our desert climate in order to keep the sun’s heat out of the house the Low-E coating should be applied to the outside pane of glass.

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Argon Gas Filled Window

The standard in today’s dual pane window assemblies incorporates argon/ or krypton gas between the two layers of glass. Filling that space with a high viscosity, slow-moving inert gas minimizes conduction of heat, reducing the transfer of heat between the inside and outside.  Both gases are nontoxic, nonreactive, clear, odorless and give a measurable improvement in thermal performance.

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Thermal Break in Aluminum Windows

A thermal break is used in Aluminum windows to reduce conduction of heat through the frame by separating the metal outside frame from the metal interior frame with a polyurethane material. What the polyurethane thermal break system does is greatly reduce the amount of heat or cold transferred via conduction.  Hence the pathway of the heat energy transferred or conducted through the window frame is thermally broken. Note, in many cases it does not serve well to buy a thermally broken casement window because its rubber seal acts as its own thermal break. It is often advised to not spend the extra +/- 15% on a thermal break system with a casement window because it will not create a significant advantage.

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Resources:

Efficient Windows Collaborative
http://www.heritagewindows.com/thermal-break-system
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/windows.html