Top Windows and Door Specifications from Hometech Windows and Doors

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Top Windows and Door Specifications from Hometech
Windows and Doors
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Introduction

• Whether you are building a new home or renovating
  the current one, the choice to install new
  windows and doors is a critical one, and it
  requires careful consideration. Windows and doors
  are not just functional fixtures that prevent
  insects, animals, or intruders from accessing the
  home. They also contribute to the homes
  aesthetics and energy efficiency. Therefore, you
  cannot afford to pick any product that you find
  on the market.
• Advancements in the window and door industry have
  led to the manufacture of modern fixtures that
  come with numerous benefits. If you are looking
  for high-quality replacement windows and doors
  for your home, you should look out for these
  features so that you can improve the
  functionality and visual appeal of your new
  windows and doors. However, to do this, you need
  to be aware of the exact specifications and
  features to look for as you shop.
• To ensure that you get the best fixtures for your
  house, here is a quick list of the key
  descriptions and specifications that you should
  look for when buying doors and windows for your
  new home.

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Table of Contents

• Made-to-Measure.
• Energy Rating.
• U-Rating.
• Double Glazing.
• Acoustic Performance.
• Security Screens.
• Tempered Glass.
• Dynamic Glass.
• Easy-Clean Glass Coatings.
• High-Security Hardware.
• Final Thoughts.

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Made-to-Measure

• Made-to-measure doors and windows are those that
  have been custom-made to be an exact fit. In most
  cases, readymade fixtures dont always fit
  appropriately to the designated space therefore,
  you may have to incur extra costs for your
  contractor to resize them. Whats more, if your
  door and window spaces have irregular shapes such
  as arch and oval tops, you may have a hard time
  finding readymade fixtures that will fit
  perfectly into the area.
• You can avoid these problems by investing in
  custom made-to-measure doors and windows. The
  specialist will come into your home and take
  accurate measurements of your doors and windows.
  They will then design fixtures that fit perfectly
  into the frame regardless of its shape. A perfect
  fit not only improves the appearance but it also
  prevents air spaces which can cause heat loss
  from the house.

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Energy Rating

• Energy efficiency is a critical factor to
  consider before investing in windows and doors.
  Fixtures that have a high energy rating prevent
  heat gain and loss in the home, and they can
  significantly lower your heating and cooling
  costs throughout the year. In this light, you
  should always look for doors and windows that
  have the Energy Star rating label. Energy Star
  certified products are usually inspected and
  approved by the relevant governmental bodies.
  They meet the energy efficiency guidelines that
  have been set by the states environmental
  protection agency.
• There are various reasons why you need to invest
  in doors and windows that meet the standard
  energy rating specifications. First, these
  fixtures have been certified and approved for
  use therefore, their quality is guaranteed.
  Secondly, energy efficient doors and windows
  prevent heat loss, and they can generate energy
  savings throughout the year. Additionally, you
  dont have to worry about whether the door and
  windows are ideal for use in your climate as the
  relevant state bodies already approve them

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U-Rating

• While were still on energy rating, it is
  important to note a specification that you will
  come across when buying windows for your home
  the U-Rating or U-Factor. These terms refer to
  the rate at which heat passes through a window
  (window, in this case, refers to pass-through
  windows such as sliding doors as well). Glass
  that is Energy Star certified should have a low
  U-rating. However, if you come across a product
  that doesnt have an Energy Star label, you need
  to understand how the U-Factor affects the energy
  efficiency and thermal performance of the window.
• A high U-Rating means that the glass lets heat
  out easily, and it is not energy efficient or
  thermal efficient. For example, one with a rating
  of .40 is not energy efficient. Similarly, a
  rating of .28 would be better than .35. The
  recommended rating for Energy Star certified
  glass is a U-Factor of .30. Therefore, as you go
  shopping, dont invest in windows that have a
  U-Rating of more than .30.

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Double Glazing

• When choosing glass for your windows, sliding
  doors, French doors, and entry doors, you need to
  look at the glazing aspect. Double glazing refers
  to windows that have two sheets of glass that are
  sandwiched together to create one sturdy layer of
  glass. Double-glazed glass has excellent
  performance and is preferred to glass that is
  made from one sheet only. There is triple-glazed
  glass as well, and this is made up of three
  sheets of glass.
• Using double-glazed glass for your windows and
  glass doors can improve the energy efficiency of
  the home. The space between the sheets is usually
  a vacuum, and in other instances, it is filled
  with a gas. This vacuum or gas-filled space
  prevents heat loss or gain through the windows or
  doors. As a result, you dont have to worry about
  losing heated or conditioned air from your home
  during the cold or hot season respectively. The
  triple-glazed glass is usually even more
  efficient, but you can opt for double glazing as
  its more affordable and sufficiently energy
  efficient.

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Acoustic Performance

• Windows and doors play a significant role in
  determining the acoustics of your home. If they
  have low performance, they will be allowing noise
  from the street into your home. Most houses today
  have insulated walls, and insulation plays a
  significant role in improving the acoustics of
  the home. However, you still need to work on the
  doors and windows as well.
• When buying a wooden exterior door, look for one
  thats rated high acoustic performance. Some
  high-quality doors can filter up to 50 of the
  noise from the exterior space and keep your home
  quiet and comfortable. As for the windows and
  glass doors, double-glazed ones do a great job of
  reducing noise from the surroundings. However,
  check the framing as well. Get high-quality
  framing material thats insulated to keep out the
  noise.

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Security Screens

• As you shop around for new doors and windows, you
  may come across the term security screens.
  These refer to stainless steel mesh screens that
  are installed over doors and windows for three
  reasons
• To strengthen the door or window and prevent
  intruders from breaking through and accessing the
  home through the door or window.
• To prevent bugs and insects from crawling or
  flying into the house when the doors or windows
  are open.
• To allow fresh air into the home at night without
  compromising on security.
• Security screens are an essential security
  feature to consider when investing in doors and
  windows. They are quite sturdy due to the
  stainless steel construction, and this means that
  one cannot cut through them easily. Also, they
  allow air and light into the home. They are not
  intrusive like steel bars and will not adversely
  affect the aesthetics of your home.
• Security screens should be made-to-measure so
  that they can perfectly fit your home. Talk to an
  expert about taking measurements of your doors
  and windows so that you can get custom-made
  security screens for the exterior doors and
  windows.

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Tempered Glass

• Safety is an essential consideration when
  installing glass fixtures in your home. When
  regular glass breaks, it shatters into small
  pieces with sharp edges that can hurt anyone who
  steps on or touches them. Unfortunately,
  accidents happen at home, and when one that
  involves glass breakage occurs, the safety of
  your household members may be jeopardized.
• You can keep your family safe around windows and
  doors by using tempered glass. Tempered glass is
  usually made through a process of excessive
  heating and rapid cooling. For this reason, it is
  harder and more brittle than regular glass. When
  it breaks, it shatters into little pebbles that
  have no sharp edges. The glass is harmless to
  anyone who touches or steps on it. Tempered glass
  windows are safer than conventional ones, and you
  should consider these for your home.

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Dynamic Glass

• Dynamic glass refers to a state-of-the-art window
  technology that was recently introduced into the
  market. It is also known as switchable or smart
  glass. Dynamic glass uses electrochromic
  technology to control solar gain. A transparent
  conductor is placed between the glass sheets.
  When an electric current is applied to the
  conductor, it gradually darkens or lightens.
  Dynamic glass is usually controlled
  automatically.
• This tech can incredibly reduce energy costs in
  the home. During the day, you can tint the glass
  to keep solar radiation from your home. When
  coupled with quality glass thats energy
  efficient, this technology can take your windows
  and glass doors to the next level.

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Easy-Clean Glass Coatings

• Maintenance is an important factor to consider
  when buying glass for your windows and doors.
  Regular glass stains easily and requires frequent
  cleaning to keep it looking attractive. If you
  are not a cleaning enthusiast, you may shy away
  from glass for this reason. Luckily, there are
  products on the market that can ease the work for
  you. These are permanent coatings that can be
  applied on the surface of the glass.
• The coatings bond to the glass and cause dirt to
  sheet off rather than clean to the glass. They
  make cleaning easy and reduce the chances of
  spotting and clouding. There are various types of
  glass coating brands on the market today. As you
  buy glass, ask about these coatings that make
  glass easy to clean and maintain its beautiful
  look for prolonged periods.

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High-Security Hardware

• Finally, it is impossible to talk about doors and
  windows without mentioning the hardware. Door and
  window locking systems play a critical role in
  determining aesthetics and security levels.
  Therefore, as you shop, look out for
  high-security hardware. These are locking systems
  that are burglar deterrent. They may include
  automated locks, deadbolts for the doors,
  combination window locks, side hinge units, and
  many more. As aforementioned, security screens
  can also go a long way in increasing the security
  of the doors and windows.
• Remember, the hardware is only useful when used
  on high-quality door and window framing.
  Therefore, choose your materials wisely as well.
  For wooden doors, select high-end hardwood
  species such as mahogany and oak. Use
  high-quality wood for the door and window frames
  as well. When coupled together with high-security
  hardware, the frames will make your doors and
  windows impenetrable.

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Final Thoughts

• Selecting doors and windows for your home is an
  engaging process. You need to strike a balance
  between aesthetics and functionality. Issues such
  as energy efficiency, thermal performance,
  acoustic performance, glazing, and security are
  critical when investing in new fixtures. Also,
  you need to ensure that they fit correctly and
  are visually appealing.
• Understanding all these terminologies and working
  around them to find the best doors and windows
  can be overwhelming for most homeowners. Hometech
  Windows and Doors specialize in providing
  readymade and custom doors and windows at
  competitive prices. By opting for their doors and
  windows, you not only get top-notch beauty and
  style but also high performance and
  functionality. Their windows and doors are
  manufactured by some of the best designers and
  engineers in the industry, so rest assured that
  they will not only serve for long but will also
  withstand even severe climatic conditions.
  Besides, their experts will handle the
  installation, delivery, and any customizations
  that you may need until you are satisfied.
• aThey are the biggest windows and door centre in
  Greater Edmonton and its environs, so you will
  always get the style of door that you are looking
  forwhether it is insulated doors, solid wood
  doors, or fibreglass doors. Contact them today
  and talk to their specialists concerning your
  needs, or visit their showroom at 18528 111
  Avenue N.W (the biggest in the whole of
  Edmonton). You can also book a free estimate by
  filling a small form on their website. Here is a
  link that you can use https//hometechwindowsandd
  oors.com/book-estimate/. Give the company an
  opportunity to transform and modernize your home
  today!