Glazing The glass in windows may look the same, but it can perform very differently. To receive the most benefit from new windows and doors, you will want to choose a high quality glass that offers you more protection from the elements. Quality glass will keep you more comfortable, save you money on your utility bills and protect your furniture and drapes. Low-E Coatings Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings on glass can alter the flow of heat and light transmitted through a window. High quality coatings are nearly invisible to the eye – just like looking through a clear glass. Lower quality coatings can cast a bluish haze. Low-E coatings selectively filter out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. This helps protect fabrics and furniture. It is referred to as smart glass because it blocks long wave (Radiant) heat. This means warm air is kept in during the winter and heat is kept out in the summer. Argon in the Air Space Argon is an inert gas that is in the air we breathe. It helps reduce heat transfer through a window. It is 30% less conductive than air. Performance Don’t be confused by the claims of different manufacturers. The NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) is a non-profit independent program that assures windows displaying the NFRC label provide unbiased ratings for comparing different brands and types of windows. Just ask for this rating to compare the windows as you would compare MPG on automobile stickers. This rating system helps you wade through all of the claims of superiority. The NFRC sticker rates the windows as a whole unit. So, glass, frame and weather-stripping are measured. When comparing numbers remember "U" values reflect heat loss, which means the lower the U-factor, the better the window insulates. "R" value is the opposite or inverse of "U" so a higher "R" value means better performance. Frame Materials There are a variety of materials available in the market today. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a summary of the most popular choices. Window Type Thermal Performance Durability Ease of Repair Low Maintenance Structural Performance Aluminum F A C A B Aluminum With Thermal-Break C B C A B Fiberglass A A A A A Hollow Vinyl A A B B B Wood A C A D C Aluminum-Clad Wood A A B A A Vinyl-Clad Wood A A A A A A= Excellent B= Very Good C= Acceptable/Good D= Fair F= Poor Wood Windows Nothing can add elegance to a room like natural wood. Quality wood windows are like fine furniture; they become a focal point of the room. Whether you are accenting a view or adding the warmth of natural light, wood is the natural choice. We offer quality wood windows available in stately Douglas Fir, Pine, Oak and other selected hardwoods. They are available in maintenance-free clad exteriors as well as natural wood. We offer windows that will meet the needs of historic renovations including custom sizes, shapes and light patterns. Wood windows make a statement about your home, and it speaks of quality!   Features Energy efficiency-wood is still the best insulating framing a window can offer Low-maintenance clad wood windows offer all the beauty of wood without the upkeep More glass-wood is structural so less is needed in the window frame when compared with vinyl framed windows. Less frame and move view! Value-wood windows speak of quite and hold their value in resale   Add elegance to your home with Wood Windows Vinyl Windows Did you know that Vinyl windows have been the standard in Europe since the 1950's! You benefit from nearly 50 years of evolution, with today's State of the Art vinyl products. There are a large variety of shapes, styles and colors available to fit your design requirements. Most of the vinyl products we carry include a Manufacturer's Lifetime Guarantee.   Features   Energy efficiency-vinyl windows offer insulating performance almost equal to that of wood Low maintenance-vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free; they’ll never need paint and won’t flake, peel or chip Exceptional value at half the cost of wood windows, vinyl windows allow you to stretch your investment to include feature window designs or to simply add more natural light to your home.   Brighten your home with today’s high-tech Vinyl Windows Fiberglass Windows Pultruded Fiberglass has been declared the "Lumber of the future". Pultruded Fiberglass is touted as the best material for window and door application. It is an excellent choice for windows in extreme conditions. It is a paintable product that is also available with wood interiors. It has excellent insulating properties because it is stable and the frames have very low conductivity. While available in many styles, fiberglass windows still do not offer all the amenities of wood windows. But things are changing   Features   Energy efficiency that is better than Vinyl Low-maintenance Fiberglass windows are impervious to moisture, can withstand extreme temperature changes, and have great resistance to corrosion, salt and other chemicals Fiberglass is paintable, so unlike many maintenance-free exteriors, you can custom color your windows and easily change them Pultruded fiberglass is so strong it is used to replace structural steel in seacoast applications Pultruded Fiberglass has the lowest environmental impact according to studies done by the E.P.A.   When you choose Pultruded fiberglass windows, you choose the ultimate frame material