Windows

The Ultimate Guide to Bright, Colorful Stained Glass

Quick Summary

The beauty of stained glass spans the centuries. Traditionally thought of in places of worship, even museums or institutions of higher learning, this vibrant art breathes personality into homes to this day. And, this occurs not only in the ways you might expect.

Yes, stained glass goes beyond windows in interior home design. Art glass projects now grace fireplace fronts, backsplashes, porches and more. Anywhere you want to make a statement, stained glass may be the perfect option for you.

Several reasons exist to incorporate a unique stained glass feature into your home. With unending design possibilities and easy care, this is one home project you will want to move to the top of the honey-do list. Well, the “Honey, let’s contact RWC” list.

Read on to find out what the attraction to stained glass is, which design elements to consider and how to get started on your project today. Read further to be inspired and dream of designing your own stained glass window, cabinet door or entry feature. Your home may just begin to feel colorless without it.

Quick Links

Introduction - Stained Glass: More Than Meets the Eye

Beyond Windows: Thinking Outside the Box

What Is the Attraction?

Type, Texture and Color, Oh My!

Stained Glass Design Hints

Installing a Stained Glass Masterpiece

Beauty Secrets 101: Caring for Stained Glass

Is Stained Glass for You?

Conclusion: Stained Glass for Your Home

 

 

Introduction - Stained Glass: More Than Meets the Eye

What We See

Drive by an old cathedral. Walk into a museum. Visit a national library. At any of these locations, you see stained glass. You are awed by it. Perhaps, it even slows your busy steps for a moment to admire it or wonder about its images.

Color streams into your eyes as light pours through well-crafted designs. While the beauty alone holds your attention, the story of each piece intrigues you. Architecture mixed with art and storytelling, stained glass windows and features often demand us to stop and take in the view.

 

What We Know

Typically, stained glass is associated with history. In fact, many real-life examples are seen among the medieval buildings in the world’s northern hemisphere. Perhaps this adds to the awe of its beauty. After all, these pieces were created without the modern technologies we now utilize. Still, new and modern takes on this ancient art bring it into the current century.

Not surprisingly, sheets of stained glass predominantly come from production within Europe and the United States. The process is painstaking. The years gone by and the advancement of tools has not eliminated the detail and precision required to create a lasting feature. Soldering together individual pieces of glass alone requires patience and the design knowledge before even getting to that production point is inspiring.

Stained glass at all begins with basic science. Silica sand and small amounts of soda ash and lime primarily comprise glass. While glass seems to be solid, its internal structure defies that of other solids. This quality earns it the reputation as a supercooled liquid. This is the foundation of stained glass.

 

What Stained Glass Is

Known as “illuminated wall decorations,” stained glass features take decor to a higher level. At their base level, these projects begin with glass colored by the addition of metallic salts during manufacturing to produce vibrant or soothing colors. Arranging small pieces of this material into patterns and images within windows, doors and even 3D art and sculpture, gives us what we now recognize as stained glass. Traditionally, strips of lead or cames hold the pieces together within a rigid frame for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Many of these beauties have withstood the elements and time since the later years of the Middle Ages. Western Europe boasts proud displays of this surviving pictorial art, and the craft is not relegated to reminiscence as it is still produced today. Also known as art glass in modern times, masterpieces old and new continue to delight.

 

 

Beyond Windows: Thinking Outside the Box

Many people identify stained glass on sight. Traditional halls of worship and education boast the most sightings. But, today, the use of this art expands to homes and more. Plus, its presence stretches beyond the window frame.

 

Traditional Buildings

Commonly used in churches, stained glass windows fill decorative and informative purposes. Many times the beautiful pieces come donated in honor of loved ones. A few significant examples include the Cathedral of Chartres in France, York Minster in England, Florence Cathedral in Italy and St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

Jewish temple architecture also provides stunning works of stained glass art. Again, these windows are dedicated by families with a significant financial donation. For inspiration, look at the Ten Commandments in the Congregation Anshei Chesed in New York.

Historically, stained glass has also graced the construction of institutions of learning, government and justice. The windows of the Hungarian room at the University of Pittsburgh, the Federal Palace in Switzerland and a metro station in Montreal offer stunning examples. Museums, funeral homes and hospital chapels offer other traditional opportunities for this craft to be put to use.

 

Nontraditional Buildings

Through the years, other institutions and buildings have come to embrace the beauty and statement of stained glass windows. Banks, retail shops and train stations may boast this art. And, even more mundane, offices, schools and restaurants display art glass windows.

Even zoos provide a juxtaposition between wildlife and refined art. Finally, libraries offer the quiet with which to view restful stained glass masterpieces as you study or read.

 

Modern Homes

Through time, the features of stained glass took a more personal spin, becoming part of home decor. Originally popular in Victorian homes, stained glass finds its way into many styles and eras of houses today. Prairie-style homes and the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright boast such pieces.

Also, these windows are not limited to one particular room. In the home, stained glass finds its way into kitchens, living rooms, attic rooms, bathrooms and entryways. One might even find these window features on porches or gazebos in the great outdoors. In truth, as Doctor Seuss might say, “They are here, there and anywhere.”

 

Beyond Windows

Transoms and interior windows give a slight twist to traditional stained glass installations. However, sculptures such as “The Four Seasons” in Australia offer inspiration that stained glass is not only for windows. And, modern design takes this art to new levels in the home.

Stained glass can be found in cabinet faces, hutch doors, fireplace covers, between-room features, hanging art, ceiling domes, skylights, doors, backsplashes and more. If you can dream it, art glass highlights it. And, this feature provides pop and personality to any space.

 

What Is the Attraction?

So, what is the pull of this colorful art? Why the draw to include it in buildings, institutions and (now) homes? The reasons seem as varied as the design options. Let’s consider a few.

 

Beauty

The most obvious reason may be the beauty of stained glass. The mix of color and design intrigues the eye and touches the soul. Stained glass offers a stunning focal point or statement no matter its location.

 

Value

Art glass increases the stand out features of your home. Home buyers look for these types of unique, original characteristics in a house. These features add value. In fact, one such window can mark a home’s value up five to fifteen percent.

 

Light Effects

The play of color as light pours through a stained glass panel bathes a room in magic. No matter our age, it seems we do not outgrow our fascination with illuminated color. Remember chasing the rays bouncing off surfaces as light bent through a prism in your childhood? Or, searching for a rainbow as the sunlight beamed through falling raindrops?

 

Versatility

The options for modern stained glass are endless. Adding a pop of personality and unique design to any room proves an almost no-brainer. Plus, the ability to customize offers even greater versatility. The story a piece tells and the colors used give homeowners the freedom to display this feature anywhere.

 

Durability

A soft, oily cement known as mastic is forced between the glass and cames of a stained glass piece makes the finished work weatherproof. This ability to stand up to the elements (with a bit of care) brings longevity to this investment. One look at cathedral windows offers a glimpse as to the generations beyond who will enjoy the same art glass masterpiece for years to come.

 

Privacy

Stained glass boasts privacy mixed with beauty rather than the coldness of a closed door or a shade drawn. This art allows light to filter in while keeping curious eyes out. And, for less desirable views beyond a window, an art glass design offers a better one.

 

Division

With the trend of large, open living spaces, sometimes a little division is needed. A stained glass floating window or room divider allows light to keep the space feeling airy without lacking character and coziness. Plus, the feature can be moved elsewhere when desired.

 

Personal

Designing a stained glass piece allows you to get personal. Qualities of your family can be woven into the design. Creating art that uniquely expresses your personality or your family’s story leaves you with a treasured reflection.

 

Life Marker

Milestones mark our lives and provide meaning to our existence. Stained glass commemorates particularly special events such as marriages or people you choose to honor. Color and design come together in a piece which lets you tell this story again and again.

 

Heirloom

Stained glass pieces span the generations. The durability and longevity of art glass designs allow them to last, creating a legacy for family and those after you makes this investment priceless.

 

Type, Texture and Color, Oh My!

One search of this topic on the Internet overwhelms. The options for stained glass increase by mixing just three components of type, texture and color are endless. It’s no wonder why so many unique designs exist.

 

Glass Types

Traditionally, stained glass falls into two main categories: cathedral and opalescent. The clear glass option that offers views of the other side is called cathedral. On the other hand, opalescent stained glass does not allow you to see through the glass. Tiffany skillfully used this material.

Both types boast several options between them. Combinations of color and texture in each category offer consumers endless design possibilities. Translucent, streaky and wispy glass are just a few examples.

 

Glass Textures

Smooth glass delights the touch. But, several textures mix in stained glass work to tantalize the sight. For example, rough rolled and hammered products offer slight to dramatic, irregular patterns with ribbed and herringbone bringing peaceful uniformity. Baroque sheets swirl with heavy texture. And, the popular waterglass mimics water’s rippling effect.

 

Glass Color

The rainbow introduces the colors available in stained glass. The many types come in a range of color options. But, this is no surprise. After all, one glance at row upon row of art glass windows down the side of a Roman cathedral reveals the chromatic nature of this material.

Designs make use of varying degrees of hue to achieve the desired look. Glass offers the choice of full-on, vibrant color, partial color or minimal, subdued color. In the case of type, texture and color, a trained stained glass designer can assist you in creating a piece beyond your expectations.

 

Lead, Copper or Zinc

Came strips join cut pieces of glass together in this craft. These links can be made of lead, zinc, copper and even brass. Weight, size and project complexity determine the metal used in each design. Copper, zinc and brass offer greater rigidity, though metal-covered lead does the job as well in projects requiring more support. Design experts know the best materials for enduring projects.

 

Stained Glass Design Hints

Traditionally, the composure of a stained glass piece reflects its location and a theme or the whim of its designer. In the design, the window structure, nature and size of the glass and the technique must be considered. A few additional tips can assist you in creating a one-of-a-kind piece that you will love for a lifetime.

 

Avoiding Tacky

While vibrant color proves the hallmark of stained glass, garish design is not the goal. Carefully choosing subdued and bold colors along with a tasteful mix of texture combinations births a beautiful masterpiece. Limiting choices and guarding design themes produces beauty, not tacky results.

 

Sticking With Subdued Color

Bright, bold color awes in cathedrals. However, subdued color tends to work best in home designs. Pops of color highlight rather than distract from the pattern.

 

Preventing Overuse

Stained glass pieces offer unique beauty. The key word remains “unique.” A striking art glass door installed under a gorgeous stained glass attic window loses a little something. And, the sculpture on the foyer table offers limited impact. When making stained glass decisions, choose wisely and limit placement. In other words, let one or two pieces shine rather than dulling their impact with overuse.

 

Respecting Views

By nature, stained glass obscures the view beyond it. After all, beauty distracts. Keep this in mind when choosing a location for your masterpiece. For instance, a stained glass window works better in a front door or from a top two-story entry than it does in the kitchen where it blocks a gorgeous mountain view.

 

Salvaging Light

While stained glass obscures views, it also lets in light. Intentionally using such pieces in bathrooms or other areas where privacy is desired allows for natural light and keeps these often small places from feeling claustrophobic.

 

Installing a Stained Glass Masterpiece

The process of installing a quality stained glass masterpiece can be laid out in a few steps when consulting a professional.

 

Project Consultation

Working with professionals to design and install your stained glass piece involves an initial consultation. This meeting best occurs in your home or on the project site. Knowledgeable consultants provide information about stained glass and the details of a working relationship with their company.

The following aspects should be included in your first consultation:

• Taking measurements and photos.
• Presenting the products which best fit your desires and finances.
• Determining the complexity of the project in collaboration.
• Discussing the preliminary project design.
• Estimating the proposed installation.

 

A written project proposal, including costs and timelines, details the meeting’s content. This plan ensures you and the design company are on the same page. Depending on the complexity of the project, the proposal could be immediate or may require a short timeframe to prepare.

 

Design Consultation

Once you approve and agree to move ahead with the proposal, a design consultant is assigned. Further discussions, job-site appointments and information, even photographs or images may be requested of you. These conversations and extras help the designer better understand your project and ensure your excitement over the finished product.

In developing a design draft, the consultant may get your input along the way. Once completed, you are invited to see the draft in a face-to-face design review which includes:

• A full-size line drawing template.
• The actual colors viewed on a light table.
• Finalizing the color, texture, lead and bevel sections.
• Approval of the design.

 

Now, you are ready to move into the exciting anticipation of production.

 

Ordering

From the design draft, all materials are ordered through the project consultant. Your project is then scheduled for production by skilled craftspersons. Finally, your stained glass piece is fabricated, cleaned and inspected.

 

Assembly

If the project requires placement into a fixture or frame before installation, this service begins after the stained glass piece is produced. Due to the custom nature of this process, it cannot begin prior to receiving the finished stained glass. Realistically, this assembly adds several weeks to production.

 

Preparation

In all the waiting, you can calm your anticipation by preparing the area for installation. This may involve removing and clearing furniture or other objects from around the work area. Your project consultant may offer other ways to prepare for your unique piece. Patience always remains one such requirement. Beauty takes time. It will be worth it.

 

Installation

Finally, the call comes! Installation is scheduled. The day arrives and your new stained glass beauty arrives via delivery and is installed with care by professionals. Be sure to enjoy a few moments sitting with it after the work crew cleans up and leaves you.

 

Beauty Secrets 101: Caring for Stained Glass

For years of enjoyment, stained glass requires care and maintenance. Yet, the abundance of spectacular, centuries-old stained glass pieces in the world indicates that longevity is a hallmark of this art. Simple attention promises more than a lifetime of beauty.

 

Dusting

For regular cleaning, a soft cloth is the answer. Microfiber cloth works well. Stained glass requires no more than dusting in your weekly routine. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

 

Distilled Water

There are days when dusting alone does not seem thorough enough. Perhaps the stained glass has seen its share of years or weather. For those desiring a deeper clean, distilled water on a soft cloth gently cleans the surface. Distilled water is important to avoid streaks and spots. Dry the stained glass with another microfiber cloth to complete the process.

 

Types of Cleaners

But, for continued residue, you can safely take your cleaning another step further. The important qualities to look for in stained glass cleaners include:

 

• Ammonia-free.
• Vinegar-free.
• Non-abrasive.
• pH-neutral.

 

Cleaners which fit these qualities include Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Ecover’s All Purpose Cleaner, and Method Daily Granite or Window Wash.

A soft cloth well wrung works well again. Firm pressure that does not pose a cracking risk can be applied. And, a damp cotton swab cleans edges and corners. Again, be sure to choose distilled water for a more gentle clean. Finally, apply product to the cloth first and not directly to the stained glass piece.

 

Things to Avoid

Let’s review a few things to avoid.

 

• Over-cleaning.
• Too much pressure.
• Ammonia.
• Vinegar.
• Abrasive cleaners and cloths.
• Acidic products.

 

For cleaning jobs beyond the scope of distilled water or gentle cleaners, a professional may be required. Taking chances with unfamiliar products or home repair causes undue damage to stained glass. Consult a professional for areas of uncertainty to maintain the beauty and longevity of your piece.

 

Repairs

Caring for your stained glass also requires watching for needed repairs. Over time, depending on the location and exposure of your stained glass, some problems may present themselves. Addressing these issues promptly avoids damage to your masterpiece. Some clues to repairs include:

 

• Breaks or cracks in the glass.
• Loose or falling out glazing from the lead came.
• Wobble of the glass.
• Shrinking wood doors and sashes.

 

 

Is Stained Glass for You?

The facts are in. Images and ideas swim in your mind. How do you know if a stained glass feature is right for your home?

 

Consider Location

Look around your home. Take a walk within its walls at differing times of the day. As you do, consider these questions:

 

• Is there an area where sunlight flows naturally to highlight this feature?
• Are there rooms in the home requiring privacy in an attractive way or without blocking light?
• Is there a less than attractive view I desire to improve?
• Do I have an event or person I desire to remember or honor?
• Is a focal point or statement needed in my entryway, kitchen or elsewhere?

 

 

Assess Budget

As with all projects, considering your budget is vital. Be sure to gather your facts by talking with a professional to accurately determine your financial ability to take on this project. Also, stained glass’s complexity and size effect its price. Before you dream up a brilliant idea, be sure it fits your budget.

 

Consult a Designer

A designer helps transform all these black and white words into vibrantly colored reality. Consulting a designer brings a realistic and budget-conscious dream into view. He or she helps find the perfect fit between you and a stained glass feature.

 

 

Conclusion: Stained Glass for Your Home

Stained glass color, texture and design options open doors for an art glass project in your home. Whether you look to create beauty, make a statement, add value or guard privacy, stained glass gives it to you.

The front door, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room provide the perfect place to host a stained glass masterpiece for generations to come.  This personal expression of you, your family or someone you love builds a unique feature into your home.

Imagine waking to early morning light streaming through an art glass portal in your master bath. Picture yourself sipping coffee beneath a unique transom above the kitchen French doors. Maybe you see yourself opening your home to guests through a spectacular stained glass window embedded in your front door. Or, once again, you share the story behind this custom piece of family history gracing your family room.

No matter the project you are dreaming up, stained glass offers a unique statement in it.

RWC works with SGO Designer Glass of West Caldwell along with you to create one-of-a-kind stained glass masterpieces. Practical works of art which you can enjoy for years and which others cherish for generations prove a beautiful investment. Contact RWC today to speak with a design consultant and get started on your project.

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by RWC

Why You Should Stain Your Windows

Your home’s windows provide natural sunlight during the day and protection from the elements during harsh weather. They also form a vital part of your home that adds cheer and comfort to your dwelling. There are several reasons why you should stain your windows as opposed to simply painting them or leaving the window frames bare.

 

When Is Staining a Viable Option?

Staining your windows is a great option so long as the frames are made of wood. If you plan a major renovation and you want to match the beauty of wood trim in the windows to the interior or exterior of your home, professionals should prefinish the wood frame before installing the windows. This saves time, energy, money and effort later since contractors apply the stain in a carefully controlled environment, rather than having to rely on weather conditions outside of your home for optimal results.

A professional color match is the way to go when you want the best tone and application technique. Choose whatever color and tone you want because RWC can determine which colors match any elements already present in your home. Staffers prefinish the windows at RWC’s facility before installers put them in their final positions in your house.

 

Why Stain?

Stain brings out the natural beauty of wood without covering up the patterns in the grain. Stain on your window frames may also protect your house from years of deterioration since it penetrates the wood as opposed to simply forming a protective layer on the outside.

 

Look and Appeal

Stain complements the interior and exterior look of your home, especially if you have wooden features already in place. Match your hardwood floors, doors, furniture, cabinets or any other decorative wood in your home. Exterior stain tones go with colors of brick, siding, decks, roofs and exterior doors.

Consider how stain might improve the overall value of your home when you weigh the cost and how much money to spend versus the return on investment. Stained window frames make the investment worth it when you decide to sell your home, refinance or get a home equity loan because the added look and appeal of wood stain could increase the appraised value of your structure. This is especially true if the stain matches your deck, porch or floors to create an even appearance.

Stained windows add value to your home in other ways beyond making your home look great. Stain can also save costly repairs later.

 

Weatherproofing and Protection

Stain doesn’t peel away from wood in the way paint does, and it also doesn’t blister or flake over time. When you add a protective layer on top of the stain, it seals the grain and prevents water from getting into the wood.

Versus paint, stain helps save your window frames from the vagaries of:

• Weather, such as rain, snow, wind and mist.
• Fading due to sunlight.
• Rot from mildew and fungus.

 

Any or all of these elements may cause you to replace the wood frames on your house sooner rather than later. When you need to replace wooden frames, crews come to your house, take out the rotted wood frames, replace them and then reinstall windows all over again. This process costs even more money beyond your initial investment. Because wood is a natural fiber, you need to take care of it as much as possible. Stain is one of the best ways to accomplish this feat with very little fuss.

Stain may prevent you from having to replace your wooden window frames more regularly, which saves you money over the life of your home. Instead of replacing rotted or faded wood every five to seven years, the proper stain can protect your investment even longer.

 

Time of Year

Spring and fall are the best possible times to stain wood because of relatively stable temperatures that don’t get too hot or too cold. The optimal conditions for staining are above 50 degrees with relative humidity below 85 percent. Summer time in New Jersey may get too hot and humid for window renovations, while winter is most definitely too cold.

Other factors to consider include direct sunlight, rainy conditions and overnight temperatures. RWC’s indoor facility removes the stress and worry of staining your windows because the interior facility doesn’t come in contact with any of these weather-related snafus that affect the staining process.

The experts at RWC apply the prefinished stain in a climate-controlled environment no matter when you decide to renovate your home. Staffers show you what options you have, the time it takes to complete the job and the levels of protection that stain provides for your home’s vital wood components.

RWC has been relieving home improvement stress in New Jersey since 1959. Call us today or visit us on the web for your free consultation from our professionals.

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by RWC

How RWC Can Help With Commercial Windows & Door Installation

Installing new windows and doors at your office space, store, or other commercial property is no easy task. It can take a lot of time and effort, and cost you a lot of money - even if you try doing it by yourself. All that time, effort, and money can be better spent running and managing your business. Why not call the professionals? Fortunately, RWC Windows, Doors & More is here to walk you through the whole process.

 

When it comes to commercial windows and doors, RWC can help you make the right choices from start to finish. Our services for commercial window and door installation include:

 

1. Project Management

RWC will handle every phase of the commercial window and door installation process, from the initial consultation to the visit to your property.  RWC’s experienced and skilled staff members will handle everything from field measurements, custom ordering, and installation, to whatever other specifications are required to fit your needs.

 

2. Project Design & Engineering

For over 50 years, RWC has been working with local New Jersey architects and engineers on projects of all sizes.  RWC’s extensive knowledge enables us to value and engineer any project specifications to ensure that your installation remains within your budget and is completed on time.

 

3. In-house Custom Pre-Finishing 

This is a unique resource that RWC offers it clients.  Our in-house custom pre-finishing department is ready to meet any of your custom needs. RWC can offer custom painting and staining of the windows and doors for your next installation project.  Our pre-finishing experts can also provide the finishing touches to any commercial window or door installation project.

 

4. Window & Door Service Programs

For over 50 years, RWC has been a full-service renovation resource for property owners throughout the New Jersey area, whether it is for the replacement of broken hardware, operational service issues, broken or condensated glass, or the need for replacement screens.  Our certified service technicians are ready to alleviate any service issues you may be experiencing at your property, whether residential or commercial.

 

5. 20,000 sq. ft. Available Storage Space

Here at RWC, we aim to accommodate every request made by our customers.  With over 20,000 sq. ft. of available storage space, we have the ability to store any or all of your windows and doors off-site in a controlled, secure environment.  This alleviates having to provide on-site product storage, which can sometimes be difficult, depending on the size of your project. This available storage space also gives RWC the ability to accommodate any installation schedule.

 

Installing new windows and doors for your business has a lot of benefits and is well worth the investment.  New windows and doors need to be replaced and reinstalled for your business when they become worn down due to

• Pest infestation (i.e., termites)
• Weather (excessive rain or snow)
• Bacteria growth (mold and mildew)
• Age (the wood is old and rotted)

 

Is It Time for New Windows and Doors?

Here are all the reasons why you should regularly update your business's windows and doors:

 

1. More Energy Efficient

This is especially important for those cold and bitter New Jersey winters! Because of their worn-down wooden material, old windowpanes and doors are draftier and even sometimes freeze open or shut. Either way, they can make your heating or cooling costs skyrocket. That is neither cost- nor energy-efficient, so replace your aging windows and doors with more efficient, tight-fitting energy doors in order to reduce your environmental impact and your heating or cooling bills, which can save your business a lot of money.

 

2. Noise Reduction

Regardless of where you live, New Jersey can be a pretty noisy state. Installing new and improved windows and doors in your business can make the experience consumers have much better and more relaxing.

 

3. Better Security

Installing new and improved windows and doors can better protect your business against break-ins and property theft, better protecting your business and the people who work there.

 

4. Weather Protection

This goes back to the first reason. Not only can installing new windows and doors work better for your business during really cold winters or really hot summers but they can also better protect your business against excessive rain or snow, or severe storms like blizzards and hurricanes. They also reduce the need for putting up storm windows during hurricane or blizzard season.

 

5. Curb Appeal

This is more of an aesthetic than a technical reason, but it’s just as important, especially for your business. Customers will not be lured into your business, or convinced that your business is of a high enough quality to shop at, if they notice that key aspects of your building like the windows and doors are aged, rotted, and just generally worn down. Installing windows and doors for your business doesn’t’ just bring down energy bills or better protect your property against theft, it also means taking better care of your business and keeping up a good appearance.

 

6. Better To Clean

New windows and doors are much easier to clean when the materials aren’t rotted, rusty, or falling apart.

 

7. Cuts Maintenance Costs

Since new windows and doors are much easier to clean than older ones, and because they don’t crank up your heating or cooling bills, installing new windows and doors also means cutting down maintenance costs, which can save your business a lot of money.

 

RWC has been relieving home improvement stress since 1959. Call us today or visit us on the web for your free consultation.

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by RWC

The Big Fix: Keeping Your Windows in Tip Top Shape

Windows play an important role in our houses. They keep the weather out, while letting light in, but it’s more than that. Windows help to establish the design aesthetic of a house, they affect the efficiency of the home’s heating and cooling, and they reflect the homeowner's style with how they are dressed. But what if your windows aren’t up to the task?

Windows are something that are easy to take for granted. They tend to fade into the background when you are inside your house. And when you are outside, you probably pay more attention to your siding, unless there is a major problem such as a broken pane. But it doesn’t take a broken window pane to be a problem window. Old windows can cause problems that go far beyond broken glass.

Poor performance by a worn out window has effects that can reach deep into your wallet. Besides cold and warm air transference, rain and snow can cause damage to old casings, which are prone to wood rot, and which can prove costly if not maintained.

 

How to know if it may be time to replace your windows:

 

• Drafts of warm air in summer and cold air in winter. Try the feather test. If you hold a feather  next to the edge of the window and it moves, you have drafts that are driving up your heating and cooling budget.
• Foggy windows. Single pane windows are especially prone to this, as they do not stop the transference of warm and cool air. So when inside cool air meets outside warm air, or vice versa, condensation builds up. This is a sign of inefficiency that gets expensive over time.
• Hard to open or close windows. Opening and closing your windows shouldn’t be difficult. A properly hung window will open and close with ease. Old wooden windows can warp over time with the swelling and contraction of the wood in weather.
• Hard to clean windows. If you avoid cleaning your windows because they are hard to clean, or because doing so would require a ladder on the outside of your home, you may want to consider replacement windows. Modern replacement windows are easy to clean and are treated to attract less dirt on the outside.
• Replacement parts are hard to find (or non-existent). If you are unable to get replacement parts for your windows, this is a definite sign that it’s time to upgrade to new replacement windows.
• Chipping, water stains, deterioration and wood rot. Once windows reach this stage, it is very difficult to simply repair. The window needs to be replaced.
• Mismatched windows. If your windows don’t match the aesthetic of the house, or even each other, it’s time to contemplate replacing them. New windows will upgrade the look of your house and bring much needed energy efficiency.

 

 

Don’t let cost scare you off, you’ll be glad you didn’t.

It’s easy to get caught up in fear of the cost of replacement windows, but the alternative is damage to your home and money literally out the window in the form of high energy bills. Old or damaged windows create an opportunity for weather to set in, damaging sill plates and allowing water and insects into your home.

Think those gaps in the caulking are just a cosmetic issue? Think again. That’s a prime ingress point for bees, carpenter ants, and termites, as well as water. Any of those possibilities will not be pretty when the effects make themselves known down the line in the form of costly repairs to more than just the windows. These issues, left unchecked, can affect everything from walls to foundations, spelling major financial hassle and headache for homeowners.

Make the right call. Choose a company that has experience and good standing. RWC Windows, Doors & More has been in business since 1959 and is lead certified. Choosing a lead certified company is important because old windows often have lead paint and the EPA and the Toxic Substances Control Act require certain measures be taken to protect from lead contamination.

Choose a company, like RWC, that will not only deliver and install your custom windows, but will respect your home and your time, leaving the home in good condition when they are finished. A reputable company will insulate around the windows, protect your interior floors, remove existing windows and frames, seal the window frame with non-drying caulk, and remove all job-related debris at the end of the day.

Finally, choose a company that cares enough about you and your home to not subcontract out the job. Subcontractors often are not factory trained or certified, and may cut corners. Choose a company whose team has experience and are certified to work with your new window type.

RWC has been relieving home improvement stress since 1959. Call us today or visit us on the web for your free consultation!

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by RWC

How to Keep the Bugs Out of Your Windows and Let the Sunshine In

Summer has arrived - along with plenty of unwanted visitors. You’ve tried to protect your home, you’ve sealed and sprayed your doors, windows and property, but haven’t had any luck evicting the bugs and insects who are invading your personal space.

From chemical treatments to all-natural remedies, there are plenty of New Jersey homeowners who have resorted to keeping their homes closed up for the summers in a last-ditch effort to keep the bugs and other creepy-crawly pests out.

While there are a wide variety of insects and bugs in the Garden State, there are some that are very common - especially in the summer.

• Wasps: A wasp sting can be extremely painful, causing severe redness and swelling, along with life-threatening adverse reactions for those with allergies.
• Japanese beetles: More than a nuisance, Japanese beetles can be deadly for trees, roses, and more than 300 other types of plants. They are recognized for their bright metallic-green bodies and copper-colored wings.
• Stink bugs: While the biggest threat they cause to individuals is the pungent smell they emit when captured or killed, stink bugs can cause significant damage to plant life.
• Bagworms: These perennial pests create nests that look like webs, causing serious damage to many fruit and flowering trees, as well as types of evergreen.
• Ants: From the odorous house ant and pavement ant, that are more of a bother than anything else, to the Pharaoh ant, which can carry and spread disease, ants are a common summer bug.
• Spiders: Most of the spiders in New Jersey are house spiders and wolf spiders, which are harmless to humans, but the state also has brown recluse and black widow spiders, which can cause painful, dangerous bites.
• Mosquitoes: These insects breed in standing water, and can carry many diseases and illnesses.
• Rodents and reptiles: Mice, rats, and snakes can find their way inside your house, even after you think you’ve closed up each possible entryway

 

When Should I Call for Help?

If you’ve seen any insects, bugs, or pests that you don’t want around your house, trying various options and remedies may have been your first step. If you’ve seen no relief, or have had new pests enter your home, it’s time to look at something more permanent.

 

Window Replacement

Replacing windows with new energy-efficient windows, they can help to improve your house, as well as work to prevent winged bugs or insects from getting into your home. It’s important to work with experienced installers who will seal the interior and exterior openings with high-grade caulk to ensure there are no openings. We'll help you keep bugs out of your windows and stop them from coming into your home. Contact us today and we'll show you how to stop bugs from coming through your windows.

 

Door replacement

A closed door doesn’t always guarantee that insects and pests won’t get inside your house. It’s important to regularly inspect your door and frame, which can help you decide when it’s time to call for professional support.

• Adding steel or aluminum thresholds or door sweeps, will add a more thorough level of protection to keep your house free from bugs.
• Screens should have a maximum of 20 mesh, which is too small for most pests to pass through.
• Fill all of the cracks. Using a high-quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk in small cracks can help keep out rodents, lizards, and insects. Larger gaps should be filled with materials like wood, cement, sheetrock or mortar.
• Self-closing doors can prevent doors from accidentally being left open and allowing easy entry for pests.

If you’ve tried these methods and have seen no change, a better option is door replacement. Because of the extreme climate changes, houses can shift, leading to doors that don’t always fit the frame exactly. Not only does this lower the efficiency of your house, but can leave spaces and gaps for these pests to get inside. Storm doors can also contribute to the problem. When the screens have torn or popped out, these doors can leave space open for mosquitos and other flying bugs to enter.

New doors are made of a variety of materials, including steel and fiberglass, and can provide greater durability and resistance to the weather. Professional installation will ensure that the fit and sizing are exact, which will help keep insects and bugs out.

New doors should be leveled and squared. Insulation between the voids between the frame and wall, as well as sealing each side of the interior and exterior with non-drying, quality caulk, can help to solve any bug or insect problems you might be experiencing.

RWC has been a leader in helping homeowners with their home improvement projects since 1959. Call or visit us on the web today for a free consultation.

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by RWC

Fix or Update Windows in the Summer to Improve Overall Home Appearance

Summer is the ideal time of year to take a close look at your windows to see if there is anything you need to repair. You can start by cleaning the exterior of your windows with a bucket of warm water, mild soap or window cleaner and a sponge. Work your way around the outside of your home, scrubbing each window to remove the winter grime and spring pollen. Once the windows are clean, it is time to inspect each one with a fine tooth comb as you work to identify areas of damage, repair or windows that need total replacement.

 

What to Inspect

As you begin inspecting your windows, slowly raise each window, paying careful attention as to whether or not the window is hard to open. A key indicator of old windows in need of replacement is difficulty in opening or a window that won’t close all the way. As you close the window, hold your hand over the area where the window meets the window sill. See if you can feel any kind of a draft coming through that area. Drafts are another sign that a window needs replacing or repair.

There are additional areas of your window structures that can help you determine the condition of your windows. Here are the key items  you need to look for during your inspection:

1. Rubber Seal Weakness

There is a rubber seal between the window and the window frame. As it wears down, outside water begins to leak through the window. As warm water meets a cold window, the window takes on a foggy appearance. Take the window frame to a glass repair shop to replace the seal.

2. Cracked Glass

Cracks in the glass allow outside air to come through the window and inside air to escape. It results in higher electricity bills for you each month. Contact a glass repair shop to schedule an on-site repair of the glass.

3. Moisture

A moisture problem is present in double-pane windows when you see condensation between the window panes. The protective seal between the windows is no longer stable, so you will need to have a window restoration company repair the problem.

4. Weather Stripping Deterioration

Weather stripping works to keep air and water outside of your window. As the stripping begins to deteriorate, you may notice wetness on your windowsill when it rains outside. A draft may be present as well. A visit to your local hardware supply store for new stripping can repair this issue.

5. Casing

Inspect the casing that runs along the window for any noticeable gaps or holes in the material. You can fill these gaps with a paintable latex caulk from your local hardware supply store.

You should also keep an eye out for worn pieces of wooden window trim that may need replacing. A fresh coat of paint to the trim and shutters can be a great summertime improvement project as well.

 

The Importance of Window Inspections

Window inspections are an important part of your home maintenance responsibilities. These inspections help you maintain the structural stability of your home, and add value to it at the same time. By pinpointing the windows that are in need of repair or replacement, you work to preserve the natural exterior design appearance of your home.

Curbside appearance is the first thing others notice about your home. Having cracked glass pieces, window panels with discoloration, missing pieces of wood trim  or other visible damage around your windows detract from the overall value of your home. Taking the time to make the necessary repairs or replacements can give your a home a more modern feel as well.

 

Energy Efficiency

The summer months typically produce some of the hottest temperatures of the year. This requires your air conditioning unit to work twice as hard to keep your home at a comfortable level of coolness. Tiny cracks in window frames allow drafts of cool air to escape outside, which results in a higher electric bill for you each month. You may want to consider adding a light shade of tint to the windows that receive the longest amount of exposure to the sun each day.

Replace old, worn-out windows with newer design to reduce the amount of your monthly electric bill. The new windows will open and close more easily, which alleviates the amount of pressure on each window structure. This alleviation of pressure extends the life of the window, the glass panel and the other elements of a window structure. That works to create a level of energy efficiency in your home.

Any repair or replacement you make to the windows in your home automatically increase the property value of your home. New or updated windows are at the top of nearly every potential home buyer’s wish list. Modern windows help you keep up with architectural trends that emerge onto the housing market each year. It’s a small investment that will produce great financial results for the most important asset that you own.

RWC has been helping homeowners with home improvements since 1959. Call us or visit us online today to learn how we can help you.

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by RWC

Boost Your Curb Appeal With New Windows

Replacing your windows can sound overwhelming and expensive, but the benefits you gain can completely change how your home looks. Beyond the cosmetic value, replacing your windows can reduce energy costs, lessen outside sound, present more natural light, and increase safety. You may not have given your windows a second thought until now, but there are many advantages that you gain from replacing them.

Just like your home appliances, windows need to be maintained and replaced should any issue cause improper operation. Things to look out for include whether or not you can open and close the windows correctly, identify if there is any moisture on the inside of your windows, or if you feel a draft. These are all signs that your windows need to be replaced. Let’s take a look at the top five reasons how windows can enhance your home.

1. New Windows Increase Your Energy Efficiency

A lot of older homes still have their original windows that are typically made of single-pane glass. Sometimes they are harder to open. They also feel cold to the touch in icy weather. Newer, energy-efficient windows fit tighter and offer standard insulated features including heat reflecting low-E coatings and argon gas between panes. Energy efficient windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10-25 percent each year. With energy prices on the rise, it makes financial and environmental sense to replace your old windows.

2. Noise Reduction

If you’re tired of hearing your neighbor’s dog bark every morning before your alarm goes off, or your neighbor mowing his lawn at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, new windows offer acoustic control benefits that virtually eliminate outside sound. A window’s sound transmission is impacted by two factors including the window’s design and the installation. Windows are rated by how well they can block sound. The good news is that high acoustic control goes hand-in-hand with energy efficiency.

The same air that brings in noise brings in outside temperatures that need to be heated or cooled. High-performance windows that lower your energy costs will also reduce noise. Different glass thicknesses will create different vibrations that deflect the sound. Be sure to review the various material types available when you choose your new windows.

3. Increase Your Family’s Safety

There’s nothing more important than the safety of your family. If your older windows are difficult to open, or get stuck once they are open, the windows could pose a risk to your kids. Unfortunately, faulty windows can allow your children can climb out or accidentally get a finger stuck while trying to close them.

Older windows could also pose a danger in the case of fire. If your escape plan is to exit using a window that is older, it may take more time to open it and escape. Worst case, your exit window could get stuck, causing you to need an alternate route that you may not have the time to find. This is reason enough to replace your old windows with new, safer windows.

4. Protect Your Belongings

Ultraviolet rays that come into your home through your windows can fade your furniture, carpet, window treatments, and artwork. Upgrading to energy efficient windows will reduce the amount of sunlight that can get through the window and cause damage to your property. Most replacement windows can block up to 95 percent of ultraviolet rays.

Investing in replacement windows means that your furniture will look newer longer. You’ve spent time and energy designing your home, so it’s important that you choose the right windows to protect the furniture and belongings that make your home, a home. You will also protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays.

5. Add Curb Appeal

Even if you’re not in the market to sell your home, new windows increase the value of your home and give your property an instant facelift. Your home is your largest investment, and one of the most important assets in your life. A welcoming exterior can put an extra spring in your step each time you come home. New windows also improve the look of your home on the inside as well. When you do need to sell your home, you’ll be glad you invested in those new windows.

RWC Windows, Doors & More is a family-owned home improvement business that has been helping families like yours for over 57 years. We offer unparalleled customer service, quality product selection, and affordable prices. Our certified factory-trained installers and in-house department can redesign your master bedroom, build an addition on your home, upgrade you kitchen and more. We’ll work to make your home improvement dreams come true.

RWC has been relieving home improvement stress since 1959. Call us today or visit us on the web for your free consultation!

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by RWC

The Benefits of Skylights in Your New Jersey Home

The benefits of installing skylights in your home extend beyond aiding the environment. The increase of natural light that comes from skylights will have a positive effect on your own personal well-being. Yes, skylights definitely help bring light to a room, but they can also improve your overall health and happiness. There are many physical and psychological benefits to having skylights. Plus, you are sustaining the environment. What could be better? Here are the top seven benefits of having skylights:

 

1. Hormone Regulation

Exposure to natural lighting increases the production of serotonin in your body. This hormone is associated with improved energy and mood regulation. You will feel happier and you will be in a better mood. Also, melatonin levels increase during the nighttime hours in people who are exposed to sunlight during the day. When people are exposed to sunlight in the morning and throughout the day, their nocturnal melatonin production occurs sooner, which allows them to enter into a deeper sleep more easily at night. To top it off, levels of the hormone cortisol will decline, leading to a reduction in stress.

 

2. Vitamin D Exposure

Exposure to natural sunlight means that you will absorb vitamin D. The benefits of vitamin D are endless! Vitamin D promotes healthy bones through the absorption of calcium, and can also lower your blood pressure significantly. Your risk for type one diabetes, muscle and bone pain, and cancers of the breast, colon, prostrate, ovaries, and lymphatic system can be lessened significantly through the intake of vitamin D. Vitamin D also contains phosphorous, which aids in a healthy immune system. Your health can improve greatly just by increasing your daily vitamin D intake. And, what's an easier way to do that than taking in some rays from your skylights?

 

3. Privacy and Security

Do you hesitate to open your regular windows because you feel like your neighbors can basically see everything you're doing? So many homes are built very close to each other, which limits the amount of privacy you can have. But, skylights are high off the ground, which limits the view into your home. You can open these windows without having to worry about the outside world looking in. And, opening your skylight windows is a much safer option than opening your regular windows. Break-ins will be far less probable, so you will feel safer in your own home.

 

4. Money Savings

Installing skylights means that you will be improving the energy efficiency of your home. Your utility bills will most likely be reduced. Having natural sunlight stream in through the skylights means that you can use less heat and turn on fewer lights.

 

5. Energy Efficiency

Skylights naturally cut down on the earth's emissions and the need for electric lighting. As mentioned above, using daylight reduces energy costs and consumption. It also reduces the demand for unsustainable power that challenges the health of the world's environment. With skylights, you don't have to pay, and neither does the environment. Solar energy is an unlimited resource, and does not require pipelines or transportation like electric energy does. It also does not produce harmful emissions. It's a win-win situation for you, and the earth!

 

6. A Beautiful Atmosphere

Let's not forget the aesthetic features skylights. Skylights are very pleasing to the eyes, and will make your home look even more gorgeous than it already does. Sun cannot stream through regular windows at the angle it can through skylights. Skylights can add life to small spaces in your home, like the bathroom or a small bedroom. There is something about natural light that looks and feels so much better than artificial light!

 

7. Skylights Are Made for Many Purposes

There is a large variety skylight designs to choose from. Venting skylights allow air to be recycled through ventilation. Poor air quality in your home can lead to a lot of health issues. Stagnant air in your home allows germs and bacteria to grow, and they get stuck in the air you breathe. With venting skylights, air will naturally cycle through your home. Sun Tunnel skylights have the reflective property of tubular skylights but also reduce your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) level. They use the natural power of the sun to emit light without the heat of electrical sources. As you can see, there are skylights made for very specific uses!

 

If you would like to get skylights installed into your home and need a reliable company, click here.

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by RWC

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Windows for Your New Jersey Home

Awning, Bow, Casement, Double Hung, And Bay Windows Guide

Your home is your domain and, as the master of your domain, it’s imperative that it embodies your vision and character. There are very few things in this world that you can completely customize for you, so don’t be afraid to take the upper hand when making renovations and remember to have fun!

Quick Links:

• The Anatomy of a Window
• Windows Buying Guide
• Window Frame Materials
• Buy the Right Type of Window
• Planning New Window Placement
• Window Hardware
• Window Glass Buying Guide

Your home is where you live, sleep, wake up, host parties, relax after a hard day’s work or maybe even be where you work full-time. Any way you dice it, you’re going to spend a very large portion of your life inside of your house, which means it’s crucial that you enjoy its aesthetic. This is your chance to let your personality shine through and shape your home to be as unique as you are.

You may not think of your windows as being a reflection of your personality, but the questions you will face during the installation process will be more complicated than you think. This is the ultimate guide to choosing the perfect windows for you, your lifestyle and your New Jersey home.

The Anatomy of a Window

Just like any other part of your home, your windows do more than just let you see out or let light in. They do more than keep the cold breeze from entering in the winter or keep the sleepy hot air out in the summer. Windows are multifaceted, sophisticated pieces of hardware in your home. On the surface, it appears that everything just works together so well. It’s an entire system comprising of many parts – each one playing a different role. So, let’s take a look at the anatomy of a window.

Familiarizing yourself with a window’s parts and the terminology that is used will help you completely customize your experience as you shop for new windows. Instead of looking at a window and pointing while you say, “You know that one part… yeah, this one right here?” you’ll be able to expertly talk about the window you want and how you want it without running into communication issues. People in the industry will instantly be able to know what you’re talking about - key people who will be able to help you get what you want.

Stiles

When you look at a window, the stiles are the two side pieces that frame the window. These are the major vertical supports that hold up the sash. You’ll see a vertical stile on both sides of your window.

Sash

The sashes are the top and bottom pieces of the window. Together with the stiles, they frame the window. You’ll find the rails for the sash along the top and bottom of each window.

Muntins

The muntins of a window are usually decorative. These are the rails that divide the window into lights. Each glass section is called a lite. They make up the grid of the window. They can both be sitting on top of the window and be used as decorative pieces, or they can help hold each piece of glass in place.

Muntins can be installed on the inside of the window, the outside of the window, or, as is often the case, both. On thermal insulated windows, they are usually mounted in between the two panes of glass. When this method is used, the windows are usually easier to clean as you have one big piece rather than nine little pieces.

Glazing

Glazing refers to the piece of glass itself. In fact, window installers are often called glazers. These pieces of glass can be installed in a single thickness or a double thickness. Sometimes there are air pockets in between the panes of glass. The most energy-efficient windows use double and triple glazing. If you ever get the chance to see what a glazing compound is, it is a putty that holds the piece of glass in place to prevent breakage.

Apron

The apron is easy to remember because of how a person wears a cooking apron. Usually, a cooking apron attaches at the waist and covers the pants. In terms of windows, the apron is the horizontal rail that is fixated directly into the wall underneath the windowsill. It is usually a decorative piece that helps to complete the look.

Stool

The stool usually goes by a more common name – the windowsill. This is the shelf–like board that sits at the bottom of the window that protrudes out into the interior of the house.

Side Casing and Head Casing

The side casing and head casing of a window are the decorative frames that are fixated directly into the wall. Just as if you were to put an item in a case, the casing finishes the look of an installed window. These are the rails that make up the decorative window frame on an installed window. The side casings are the two pieces on the side, while the head casing is the piece on top. There is no bottom casing as this is called the apron – the board that sits directly underneath the windowsill.

Jambs

The jambs are the two side railings that are located between the side casing in the stiles. These are more functional than decorative as they hold the window in its frame on the wall. These boards are placed vertically and run the entire length of the window from the bottom to the top.

Rails

I know I used the word “rails” while describing the other parts the window, but they have an official name. The rails are the horizontal boards that are joined directly to the vertical pieces of the windows – the stiles. The rails hold the glass itself in place.

Operator

Not every window has an operator. The operator of a window is the crank mechanism that is used to open and close both awning and casement windows. Some windows slide either up, down or to the side to open. But, in the case of awning and casement windows, a mechanism must be rotated and cranked to open or close the window. This mechanism is called the operator.

Latch

Latches are usually the locking devices on a window. At the exact spot where two rails meet – these are called the meeting rails – on a double-hung window, you will find the latch. On a single hung window, you’ll usually find it on the bottom rail. This also applies to an awning window. For a casement window, you’ll find the latch on the stile.

Latches generally have two functions. They not only lock the window, but they help keep the window closed. When the window is closed, it allows the weatherstripping to do its job by effectively sealing the window – blocking out the cold in the winter and keeping the heat out during the summer.

Scissor Arm or Extension Arm

A scissor arm is attached to the window frame, either on the stiles or the rails. This extension arm is the part of the mechanism used to open an awning or casement window. While the operator operates this mechanism, it is operating the extension arm or scissor arm as the window opens or closes.

Windows Buying Guide

Now that you’re familiar with the different parts a window, it’s time to get into the fun part of shopping for windows. You need to understand the different styles, materials and even the types of windows that are available to you. You see, windows that are old or poorly installed are not energy-efficient. In fact, windows have their very own ROI. The money you spend upgrading your home to energy-efficient windows will eventually be returned to you in the form of energy bill savings. In other words, new windows can pay for themselves. By not buying new windows, you’ll eventually spend more money on energy costs than what you will have paid for a new window.

Benefits of New Windows

Older windows are usually made of wood. You can instantly tell if it needs replacing because the paint is often peeling away revealing the wood underneath. The wood is often warped or water damaged.

Inside your home, you may notice your carpet or furniture begin to fade. You may notice a draft when you stand nearby windows that are closed. You may not be able to enjoy the peace and quiet your home can offer when windows that are not energy-efficient. You’ll usually hear the echo of the strong noises directly outside. Lastly, the most damaging effect of old windows can be seen when you're overpaying for your energy bills throughout the year.

The type materials that that your current windows are manufactured from also play a role when it comes to the state of your home. Window frames cast from aluminum are often colder in temperature than the immediate air surrounding them. When this is the case, condensation builds up and seeps into the frame, often causing water damage. This will rot the wood and invite more leaks into your home, creating a domino effect of damage. When you see this, the damage has already been done. It can be extremely expensive to repair as you’re not only replacing the windows and frames but the walls inside your home can become severely damaged as well.

Cost Estimate

Even if you don’t notice any immediate damage around your windows, you will notice it when you have a higher energy bill. When you replace your windows, you’ll be able to save as much as 27 percent to 30 percent on your heating bills in the winter and 16 percent to 32 percent on your energy costs in the summer. This is a rounded figure as we look at the average gas and electricity prices in the U.S. to illustrate how important new windows are to your pocketbook.

As you estimate all these costs, remember that replacing the windows in your home is a tremendous undertaking. If you don’t do your homework ahead of time, you may end up spending a lot more money than you initially planned on. There’s a lot more involved than simply calling up a contractor and saying, “I want new windows.” A recent estimate for replacing five windows with new ones in a house that was 90 years old totaled $2500. In other words, the estimate was $500 per window.

Any project with this degree of undertaking will improve your home environmentally, economically and aesthetically.

The most difficult decision you’ll be facing as you go window shopping is selecting the right materials for your home. This has a direct impact on the cost of your project. You’ll need to look at the style and the quality of the materials, the type of glass you intend on using, as well as how efficiently your new windows will operate. Finally, you’ll need to look at the warranty that will come with your new windows.

Window Frame Materials

Choosing the right materials is the most important decision you make when it comes to your new windows. This will decide the look of your windows, and sometimes even the operation of your windows. They come in several varieties. You can choose from fiberglass, steel, vinyl or even aluminum. As with many things in life, you often get what you pay for and the more money a material may cost, the better weather protection you will receive. Usually, newer windows pay themselves off with low maintenance schedules and substantial energy savings.

Wood Windows

In a very general sense, wood tends to be the most popular choice for window material. These windows are beautiful both from the inside looking out and from the outside looking in. Condensation does not gather on wood, nor does wood get too terribly cold.

Wood windows do require the most maintenance. Over time, wood shrinks and swells as the temperature fluctuates, which can cause it to rot and warp over time. This is more prominent on the exterior of the window than the interior. However, you can protect yourself against it – if you make sure that you have a maintenance schedule in place and adhere to it.

Wood windows can be painted in any color. Typically, when you order a wood window, the wood comes unfinished – giving you the freedom to customize its look and match it to your home perfectly. If you intend on painting them, you can have the manufacturer prime the wood before they send it to you. That can save some work on your end. Of course, if you wish to eliminate the work altogether, you can always order pre-painted windows.

Clad Wood Windows

Clad wood windows are windows that are wood on the inside and have either aluminum or vinyl on the outside. This outside layer is called cladding, it usually comes in several colors. The advantage of clad wood windows is that it allows you to keep your windows maintenance-free for several years.

The vinyl material hides scratches very easily. Although aluminum will scratch, it is more durable than vinyl and easier to paint if you choose to take that route. Aluminum comes in a wide variety of colors and should not require painting – it is merely an option to you. Vinyl is rustproof and aluminum is rust resistant.

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl windows are made from PVC. They’re not solid – they have hollow spaces engineered on the inside that make them resistant to heat loss and condensation. They are less expensive than the wood windows or clad wood windows. However, vinyl has a tendency to warp when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations. They can be harder to operate and tougher to completely seal to prevent air leakage. Pure vinyl windows are not intended to be painted. If you choose a darker shade, keep in mind that it will generally fade over time.

Steel Windows

Steel windows are arguably the most expensive window option you have available to you. They are more resistant to the elements than any other material, including aluminum and wood. They are generally not used in homes simply because of the expense. However, if you have room in your budget for steel windows, they can be made to be very attractive and have a very low maintenance schedule that will last for several years.

Aluminum Windows

Aluminum windows are extremely common due to their low cost and high efficacy. They stand up to the elements better than bare wood and are easier and lighter to handle. They typically come insulated with a thermal break of extruded vinyl. Sometimes, they are treated with foam which can help reduce and eliminate condensation and heat loss. Aluminum comes finished from the factory, which protects it from corrosion. However, if you live in a coastal area, expect aluminum windows to deteriorate faster simply because of the humid, salty air.

Buy the Right Type of Window

Windows do a lot more for a home than let light in and are let us see out. Windows can change the very architecture, mood or ambiance of a room. It can provide a focal point that can define how you decorate. Windows can allow for ventilation or provide for emergency escape routes. Windows are made in a broad spectrum of sizes and types to accommodate varying needs, different houses and different personalities.

Before you decide on a window style, ask yourself how you want the window to perform. You need to look at ventilation, maintenance and security.

In general, windows are either operable or fixed. Fixed windows do not have any opening mechanisms. They are usually used for architectural looks and light where ventilation is not an issue. You can find fixed windows in various shapes including round top in standard geometrical shapes. However, you can always get them custom made to any irregular shape as the situation calls for it. This also includes large picture windows.

Sometimes, you may wish to have a seamless bent glass corner as it offers an unobstructed view through the corner of the house. This is more readily available in newer types of windows.

Operable windows are defined as windows that you can open. They can slide down, up or from either side. Furthermore, they may hinge outward or inward. Usually, these types of windows are the ones that use the operator and the extension arm. Windows can always be made in several different styles and incorporate various innovations. Some windows are created using both fixed and operable parts to them. You can always also get bent glass corner windows, curved glass windows and more.

Here are the major types of windows that you typically see being offered by any given window manufacturer.

Double-Hung & Tilt-Turn Windows

Double-hung windows provide the best ventilation of the common window styles. They’re quite common – usually, the bottom sash will slide up or the top sash will slide down. You’ll often find hidden mechanisms such as weights or springs or other devices that will help you lower, lift and position the sash where you want it.

Depending on how they are manufactured, some types of double-hung windows will allow you to remove, rotate or tilt the sash. This is a nice feature as it makes for easier cleaning.

You can always tell a double-hung window from a single hung window because of how it opens. If you can only open the window one way – if only one of sash pieces slide up and down, but not both - it is not called a “double-hung” window. It is known as a “single-hung” or “vertical sliding” window.

Tilt-turn windows are different as they have unique advantages over double hung windows. They open inward toward the room at the top and rotate a full 180° for cleaning. For this window, look for a multipoint locking system to keep the window tightly closed.

Casement Windows

Casement windows offer simple operation as they are side mounted on hinges and operated by cranks. These cranks will open the window either outward or inward. They open completely to make for easy cleaning, and offer excellent ventilation by encouraging fresh air to enter the home.

Awning & Hopper Windows

Awning and Hopper windows are just like casement windows except that they don’t open from the side. Awning windows have a hinge at the top while Hopper windows have a hinge at the bottom. They typically don’t open all the way but still offer excellent ventilation. Hopper windows are usually used above doorways and often protected by eaves.

Horizontal Sliders

Horizontal sliders do exactly as the name implies – they slide horizontally. They may have more than one fixed panel in addition to the sash that slides. They usually slide effortlessly on horizontal tracks. While these do offer ventilation, they can never open all the way – only half of the window can be open at any given time. Horizontal sliders are usually the window of choice when you don’t have a whole lot of clearance to swing a window in or out.

Jalousie (Louvered) Windows

Louvered windows are made from several parallel slats of glass that open at the same time. They’re beautiful, but they can be costly. They’ll allow the user to slope the slats to keep rain and obscure direct sunlight from getting inside without completely shutting out all air and light.

They’ve fallen out of favor in the recent years because they allow for uncountable drafts and costly energy losses.

Bay & Bow Windows

Bay or Bow Windows are distinct in that they aren’t a single window. Rather, they are between three and five windows that form an abscess or a recess in a house wall. The usually protrude, allowing for an inward “bay” that can make a room seem bigger than it actually is and allow people see more from the bay windows and they can from a normal window. When you see a curving series of windows, what you’re looking at is called a bow window. These windows usually curve out of the house and are capped with their own roof covering. Normally, this allows for an extra window seat on the inside of the window.

Glass Blocks

Glass block windows are often privacy windows that still allow light in and are most often used in bathrooms. They have no operability as you cannot open them. However, you can design glass blocks to look like glass windows and come up with your own design. They allow for varying degrees of privacy and will allow light to flood the area. These blocks are durable and highly resistant to moisture. They can often be seen as not just bathroom exterior windows, but exterior bathroom walls. They can also be installed in curved shapes.

Despite their look and strength, glass block windows are not better at insulating than other windows. The R-value for your standard glass block is about 1.96. More on R-values later.

Planning New Window Placement

If you simply plan on replacing your current windows, you don’t need to worry too much about placement. However, if you plan on installing entirely new windows in your home, you’ll need to take a considerable amount of time planning exactly where you want them to go.

You’ll want to capture the best views and have your new windows provide the highest quality of natural light as possible.

Make Every Effort to Look Outward

Spend a considerable amount of time standing on the other side of your walls - on the outside of your house - to see what you can see. Pay attention to what you want to see when your windows are installed, and make note of what you don’t want to see. Study the path of the sun. This will affect not just the amount of natural light that will enter into the new window, but the quality of the natural light. Furthermore, it can also influence the amount of heat that will seep through the window and affect the new room.

Also, it can be beneficial to take special note of how the sunlight may bounce off streets, buildings, bodies of water and other various surfaces directly within your line of sight.

Every day, the sun makes an arc from east to west. During the summer, the sun rises and sets furthest to the north – making it the highest during the day. During the winter, the sun is setting in a more southern position, at a much lower elevation.

Take note of your lateral position. The further north you live, the lower the sun will be in the sky during the winter.

The Sun’s Angle

The cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west - will make a big difference in the quality of light your new window will receive.

If you want to capture the morning sun, make sure your window faces east. Be wary when the window faces south as sunlight will be bright and direct. Solar panels are usually oriented facing south to maximize their efficiency. If your window must face south, consider installing an eave or an awning to block some of the intense summer heat but still allow the warmth of the sun during winter.

If your window faces west, it can be both intense and glaring. This is possible to control, to a degree, through shades, blinds or even glare resisting glazing.

If you have a deciduous tree – one that is not an evergreen such as a pine tree – you can always use these trees to help shade your house. Deciduous trees are trees where the branches extend out and offer a considerable amount of shade. Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter. Evergreens do not. It’s always helpful to have a deciduous tree planted on the west side of your property. In the summer months, they will help shade your house and in the winter months, they will permit the sun’s rays to permeate through the leafless branches.

If your window is facing north, you will never get direct sunlight. Instead, you’ll get bluish-colored sun rays coming from the sky. It can be beautiful because this type of light is constant. Artist studios love northern windows because the light is steady, bright and never direct.

Make sure you discuss all of this with your architect when you’re planning where to place your new window.

Window Hardware

The hardware that comes with the window usually operates it. These include latches, counterbalances and even hinges. Each of these has a double-duty to play. First and foremost, they must be functional. A window latch that does not lock is useless. Second, the hardware has to look good. Window hardware has just as much to do with the aesthetic finish of your new window as does the rest of the window. In fact, these little mechanisms can be the difference between a window looking good and a window looking like it doesn’t belong. Here’s a look at the different types of hardware you need to consider as you go window shopping.

Cranks

Cranks are mechanisms that are used to open hopper, awning and casement windows. Before cranks came along, older types he used to have push-bar operators. Some of the newer types of cranks offer fold–down handles that are relatively inconspicuous, adding to the beauty of the new window. Keep in mind that you don’t have to get a crank in a metallic finish – some manufacturers offer non-metallic finishes.

Hinges

When you look at the various hopper, awning and casement windows, it is important make sure that they have enough arm space between the sash and the window frame while the window is open so that you can wash the exterior glass. The best ones always take this into consideration. In some cases, you may find hardware – typically, European hardware – that can turn a casement window into a hopper window. These windows that open from multiple points often have multiple locks. This minimizes air infiltration.

Just remember that if you get a European-style window mechanism, expect the window to swing into the room instead of out. Typically, American casement window hinges will swing out.

Counterbalances

You’ll typically find counterbalances on the single-hung or double-hung windows. When you open the window, the counterbalances prevent the window from slamming shut. They balance the weight of the sash so that the window stays open. I’ve seen older model windows where the counterbalances are nothing more than ropes on lead iron weights. Typically, you won’t see that – these were antiques. However, what you will see are things like torsion screws.

Sliding Mechanisms

Most aluminum and vinyl windows are light enough that they can slide from side to side on their own. However large, door height windows and sashes are usually supported by heavy-duty rollers installed along the bottom edges. If you opt for wooden windows, make sure your gliders include low-profile hardware.

Latches, Locks & Security

This is typically the most important part of a window. They not only lock the window, but they hold the window closed and prevent air drafts. On double–hung windows, the latches lock together the top and bottom half of the window and are installed where the two sashes meet.

When looking at various latches, keyed sash locks are often more secure. If you have a window that opens from side to side, be on the lookout for security latches that can prevent the window from being jimmied open.

Windows are not as easy to secure and doors are. Windows can be forced off their tracks, lifted off their tracks and the windows themselves can be broken. If security is an issue where you live, consider replacing the ordinary glass that comes with the window with laminated, tempered or even glass that has chicken wire inside. Furthermore, consider installing a perimeter alarm system.

There are several devices on the market that make it harder to pry open a window or remove it from its tracking. These devices may work differently depending on the window you have, whether it is a double–hung window or if you need to secure a horizontally sliding window. Make sure you get the right hardware for the right window.

Track grips can prevent a panel from sliding. These are usually secured with the thumbscrew or a key. You can always use metal stops along the lower track that are also secured by a thumbscrew or lever of some sort.

Another way you can secure your window is to secure a bar that screws into the doorjamb. These bars pivot on a hinge to prevent the window from being opened and can easily be lifted when you do want open it. Furthermore, pins can be used to secure these bars in place.

To prevent an inside panel from sliding, cut a dowel or piece of stiff tubing a quarter inch shorter than the distance between the panel and the jamb and then drop it into the empty portion of the lower track.

Other locking mechanisms, particularly for double-hung windows, include wedge locks, locking pins that go through one sash to the next, and key-operated latches.

Window Glass Buying Guide

Window glass is notorious for being energy inefficient. It allows heat to leave the house in the winter and cooler, air-conditioned air to exit the house in the summer. It seems as if it’s a battle you just can’t win.

Taking a look at what’s on the market nowadays, you’ll find that it’s a battle that you can win. Double-glazed, and even triple-glazed windows have made some far reaches into the realm of energy efficiency. These new windows will make you want to welcome the summer heat and stand at the window as you watch the snowfall in the winter – all without feeling a difference. Many new types of high-performance a windows have been popping up all over the horizon that address all of these problems.

Understanding R-Values & U-Values

Before you determine the window glass that will work best for your new window, we need to take a look at the two basic measurements of performance – namely, the R-values and the U-values. Other measurements may include a light transmittance value that rates how much light the piece of glass allows to enter your home. Lastly, the shading coefficient and UV value measure the amount of glare and ultraviolet light that a piece of glass allows through. Make sure you discuss these values with your glass dealer.

R-value

This R-value rates the thermal resistance. In other words, this evaluates the ability of the glass to resist heat flow. Glass is given a value wherein the higher the R-value, the more resistance the material has. A single pane window may offer an insulating value of R-1, while its dual-paned counterpart will offer an R-value of twice that – R-2.

The primary factor that determines what R-value a piece of glass has is the type of glass. However, it’s not the only one. You can always buy various films and tints that will impact the R-value.

U–value

The U-value works differently. This measures heat loss against time. In other words, it measures the amount of heat that escapes per hour through a piece of glass. Typically, windows have two U–values – one for the piece of glass itself and one for the window including the frame. Unlike the R-value, you’re looking for a lower U-value. The lower the value, the more energy efficient the window is.

U–values don’t matter as much as R-values in regards to heat gain. If minimizing heat transfer is important to you, simply pick a piece of glass that has a high R-value. If you want more light to be let into the room, choose a piece of glass that has a high light transmittance value. However, the opposite is also true if you want to cut glare. If you wish to reduce the heat gain your room experiences, select a piece of glass with a high shading coefficient. If you pick a piece of glass that has a high UV value, it will prevent your furniture and curtains from fading due to the ultraviolet rays. It all comes down to what is important to you.

Types of Window Glass

An excellent and common insulating method is a choosing a window that has more than one pane. These are either two or three pieces of glass have an air gap in between them. Double-pane windows have recently become the gold standard in terms of performance. Triple glazed windows may do better, but they are more expensive and heavier to handle than double-pane windows.

Let’s take a look at your options and see what you can put in your windows.

Low-E & Insulating Glass

Low E stands for “low emissivity,” and has a thin and virtually invisible film coating that actively prohibits a radiant heat transfer. Furthermore, it also protects carpets and furnishings from fading due to its high UV value. Some windows have two of these coatings to achieve an unbelievably high R-8 insulation value. If you really want more efficiency, you can get windows that are airtight and have argon gas sealed in between the glass panes. Windows that utilize Low-E glass filled with argon gas are twice as efficient at insulating as standard dual-paned windows.

Tinted Glass & Reflective Glass

Tinting glass has been a traditional method of reducing heat loss, glare, and ultraviolet radiation that typically discolors carpets, furniture and even floors. Tint works by absorbing and reflecting solar radiation.

As the name implies, tinted glass is much darker than clear glass. This reduces the amount of visible light. You can, however, choose from several different colors and shades that are available. Each one has a different effect on lighting and heat. Gray and bronze tints often cut down on heat and light equally. Windows with green or blue tints to allow more visible light. Black tints, of course, absorb more light than heat.

Reflective glass works the same way as tint and reduces solar gain. When you look at reflective glass from the outside, it appears to be a mirror. Tinted glass absorbs a tiny percentage of light and does not have the same reflective appearance as reflective glass.

Don’t block too much light. Doing this can have a detrimental effect as your home will require higher amounts of artificial light and likely raise your energy bills.

Safety Glass Windows

Safety glass windows are designed for situations where a person might accidentally be injured by the window itself. You most likely find these in any window that is within two feet from the floor, along staircases, in bathrooms and among railings. They are usually called safety glass because they can be tempered, wire reinforced or even laminated. These windows will not shatter when they are broken. Tempered glass is what you typically see in vehicles and will crumble when broken instead of shatter. Laminated and wire-reinforced glasses are held together by an internal layer of plastic or wire.

Specialty Glazing

You can always find decorative pieces of glass that are etched, leaded, beveled, stained and more. Hydrophobic coatings help shed water more quickly, and leave the window clean after a rainstorm. Impact-resistant windows are also available to you and will protect your home from windblown objects and the typical baseball through the window.

Divided Lites

Dual-pane and triple-pane windows may have fake or real divided lites. A lite, in this case, is a single section of glass. For example, if you were to take a look at a piece paper and draw a tic-tac-toe symbol, you’ll have nine sections. If you see that same design on the window that window would have nine divided lites. Homes that have real muntins, which are the divisions between pieces of glass, are considerably more expensive and difficult to get than the ones that merely snap onto a larger piece of glass.

A really nice feature that you will see on newer windows are window shades or mini-blinds positioned within the two pieces of glass. They make maintenance a breeze, reduce the amount of rope that may hang down from a typical set of mini blinds, and will reject glare and heat gain on sunny afternoons.

Window Film

Window film is an inexpensive way to create privacy and lower your monthly bills. Get the right one, and it can also preserve your furnishings and floor and prevent them from fading.

Direct sunlight is notorious for causing floors and furnishings to fade. It’s not the light itself – it’s the ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight that causes it. You could block the sun with curtains, but you’ll also lose the natural light.

A more practical solution is to have window film applied directly to your existing windows where direct sunlight is an issue. It acts just like window tint and is designed to deflect the heat and absorb UV rays. They come in different colors and will slightly reduce natural light and offer a higher degree of privacy, all without impacting your view in a negative manner.

When you purchase window film, pay attention to how it’s intended to be used. Different films have various levels of light transmission. A darker film may sound good, but you will lose natural light. Typically, you’ll see three types of window film available. These include glare-reducing, privacy and insulating films.

The glare-reducing film reduces glare – this one is simple.

Privacy film is used indoors to add a higher degree of privacy to any given window. These are typically used on shower doors, sidelites and transom windows.

Insulating films reflect sunlight and UV rays. These are the ones that will reduce your home's heat gain and substantially lower your energy bills. Furthermore, during the winter months, they may reflect radiant heat and send it back toward the inside of your home.

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by RWC

Energy-Saving Window Treatment Ideas

Energy conservation is something that many people want to achieve but are not sure how to go about it. A great way to turn your house into an energy-saving machine is to install energy-efficient window treatments. This simple change can allow homeowners to reap untold benefits. Keep reading to learn about some energy-efficient window treatment choices.

Awnings

Installing awnings over your windows is a fabulous way to conserve energy. Energy.gov states that awnings can reduce heat gain in the summer by as much as 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west facing windows. Awnings can be installed over just one window, or they can be custom-fit to suit all the windows on one side of the house. Today's awnings are made of synthetic fabrics that are water-repellent and treated to resist mold and mildew, as well as fading. So, they are designed to last a long time. It is important to note that awnings must be ventilated, so hot air does not get trapped around the window. Also, homeowners should choose light-colored awnings that will reflect more sunlight than the darker-hued counterparts. Homeowners who install adjustable or retractable awnings can keep them rolled up in the winter to let sunlight into the house, which can also help to conserve energy.

High-reflectivity films

High-reflectivity film helps block heat gain in the summer months. This product works best in climates that have long cooling seasons because they also tend to block heat in the winter. The effect of high-reflectivity films can vary, and is dependent on a number of factors including to following:

• The size of the window glazing area
• Window orientation
• Climate
• Building orientations
• Whether the window has interior insulation

Homeowners that choose to go this route are better off purchasing silver, mirror-like films than the transparent, colored ones, as they are more effective. Homeowners should also note that these window treatments do not work well on north-facing windows. There are a few other disadvantages to these window treatments as well.

Insulated panels

Insulated window panels consist of a rigid foam board that acts as insulation. Typically, they can be installed by simply pushing them into place.  They can be sealed with either magnetic tape or Velcro. A bonus to this type of window treatment is that it requires no hardware such as hinges or latches to install. Insulated panels have R-values, which measure resistance to heat flow, ranging between 3.8 and 7. They are also inexpensive. The only downfall of these energy-efficient window treatments is that the homeowner needs some place to store them when they are not in use.

Storm panels

Storm panels can be added to single pane windows to prevent winter heat loss. This type of window treatment can cut heat loss by as much as 50%, which can result in a drastically reduced heating bill for a homeowner. This option is less expensive than investing in double- glazed windows. Further, storm panels can be added to either the exterior or interior side of the window.

Exterior panels - There are two types of exterior panels: single and combination. Single storm panels are meant to be installed in the fall and taken down in the spring. They are generally made from glass, plastic sheeting, or rigid plastic. Combination panels are comprised of two window panes and a permanent screen over the window. The panes can slide up and down for ventilation in the summer. Exterior panels must be custom-made to fit the windows.

Interior panels - Interior storm panels are made of flexible or rigid plastic. They are mounted using materials such as Velcro or snap-in seals. Flexible panels are easy for a homeowner to install. However, they are not as clear as the rigid ones. Interior panels are meant to be installed before there is a need for running the heat in the house and should be taken down before the air conditioner needs to be used.

Shades

Window shades may seem like ordinary window treatments, but they are actually an easy and effective way to conserve energy in the home. To be the most effective at saving energy, they should be installed as close as possible to the glass with the sides of the shades close to the wall to create a sealed air space. Shades should be lowered in the summer, especially if they are in direct sunlight. Dual shades that are highly reflective on one side and heat-absorbing on the other are the most ideal. Other types of shades that help a house to be energy-efficient include quilted roller shades, roman shades, and pleated shades.

An easy way to conserve energy in your home is to install energy-efficient window treatments. Making a conscious effort to make even a small change such as installing new window treatments can help homeowners save both money and the environment.

Thanks for reading our blog. If you need to speak with a professional about new windows, please contact us today.

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by RWC