It’s stronger, more durable, and requires less reoccurring maintenance like painting and staining. Over the years, aluminum has made many advances but there are some inherent problems when using aluminum products.

In today’s building industry, environmental and health concerns are key issues that the performance of aluminum products simply fails to address primarily because of

• Heat transfers
• Aluminum is prone to corrosion

For example, if you want the best cookware for your kitchen you buy aluminum. Why? It’s because aluminum transfers heat across its surfaces very well. In the home, however, this translates into poor energy efficiency because aluminum windows are like little radiators transferring the temperature–hot or cold– from outside to inside the house.

This heat transfer, especially in colder regions, causes condensation (sweating). The water in the air will naturally be drawn to, and collect on the aluminum windows, which are always the coldest objects in the home. The sweating can create problems when water gets trapped between the window and the Sheetrock and wood inside the walls. The result is often a build-up of mold, mildew, and rot, which are major health issues in today’s homes.

Contrary to popular belief, and especially in coastal areas, aluminum is also prone to corrosion. The fasteners, which are made of either zinc or steel, react with the aluminum and over time corrode to the point where the windows become brittle and can even break apart.

To combat the temperature transfer, manufacturers of aluminum windows attempt to thermally improve their products by incorporating a thermal break within the product. These thermal breaks are usually made from vinyl, which is clad into the aluminum.

And the discussion above begs the question…

           Why not just buy vinyl windows in the first place?

Although aluminum windows don’t need the constant repainting and maintenance like wood, (aluminum is a painted metal) if the product is scratched or damaged in any way you can easily see right through the paint to the metal beneath.

This can be unsightly and very difficult to repair. Vinyl, on the other hand, is the same color throughout. If it’s scratched or damaged the only thing that shows through is more color.

Also, because the window’s moving parts are metal brushing against metal, aluminum products need to be lubricated on a regular basis. Aluminum, like wood, has its advantages. It’s stronger than wood and requires less maintenance. But, also like wood, aluminum has many natural attributes that make it a product whose disadvantages outweigh its benefits, especially in coastal climates.

Vinyl offers all the benefits of aluminum products without any of the drawbacks.

Unlike aluminum, vinyl will not

• corrode,
• pit,
• fade
• create water damage to the home over time.

Vinyl is a good thermal break: it will minimize the temperature transfer from outside to inside the home, thus saving energy. There is never a need to repaint vinyl products.

It is long lasting and can easily withstand the effects of the environment, no matter how warm, cold, or harsh the climate.

Arizona Glass & Door Connection offers unmatched pricing on Vinyl windows and Aluminum windows installations and servicing in Phoenix, Arizona.

We deal in broken windows, installation of new windows, as well as yearly servicing of Aluminum as well as Vinyl windows.

Call us today for a no-obligation quote at 602-375-2000. You’ll be glad you did.

The post Aluminum or Vinyl: Which Windows belong in your home? appeared first on Arizona Glass & Door Connection.

If you want to stay comfortable in your Phoenix house all year round, while saving as much money as possible on energy bills, it is important to consider having upgraded windows installed. High-quality windows are crucial when it comes to keeping your home as energy-efficient as possible.

As we all know, temperatures in Phoenix can get very high, which is all the more reason to invest in windows that will keep the air conditioning inside instead of letting it escape. Which in turn, will help keep your home or business cooler and the energy bills lower. If you want to keep the inside of your home at a comfortable temperature all year round, it is imperative that you look into upgrading your old ones right away.

It is also important to get upgraded window replacements so that you can keep moisture, bugs, and allergens outside where they belong. The better your windows are, the better you will feel when you’re inside your house. Those who live in Phoenix know all too well how powerful the sun’s bright UV rays are but, with the right windows, you will have effective protection from them. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can even be damaging to furniture, artwork, and even our bodies, when we are at home. When you get the windows in your home replaced with upgraded window systems, you won’t have to worry about these things.

Air conditioning is extremely important for all Phoenix residents because of how hot it can get which, is all the more reason to invest in new windows that will keep it inside. The fact is, old windows tend to leak air which, in turn, can make your home less energy-efficient and less comfortable overall. If you want to stay cool in your home in the particularly hot months of the year, you will absolutely need good, solid windows that you will be able to rely on.

You want to look at paying for new replacement windows as an investment because, that’s exactly what it is, an investment. By hiring professionals to replace the windows in your home, you will be able to save quite a bit of money in the long term. Energy bills can skyrocket in this area without the proper windows and, the last thing you want is to pay more than you need to for your utilities each month.

Brand new windows on your home will also mean a better overall look. If you feel as though your old windows are taking away from your home’s charming aesthetic, it is imperative to consider getting new ones that look much better than what you currently have.

Anyone who lives in Phoenix will certainly want to make a point of looking into window replacement services because, well, of all the benefits that are associated with them (such as tax write-offs and lower energy bills, who wouldn’t like that?). You simply cannot live in this area, without having high-quality windows that are well-insulated, due to the extreme nature of the weather. There is absolutely no need for you to suffer in your own home from the Phoenix summer heat, so take the time to look into these services right away and start saving now.

The post Why you should get the old windows on your Home Replaced appeared first on Arizona Glass & Door Connection.

Without getting too deep in the science of fenestration. This article should help an average person identify, if a window has a low emission coat or not. Using a few basic items and methods the elusive mystery can be revealed without expensive tools or a paid professional. If you are interested in digging deeper into the depths of the glass industry and or want to know more about Lowe coatings please visit this trusted leader of the glass industry National Glass Association and link out from there.

Your chances of success in the venture will be greatly increased if your efforts are made with the sun shining directly on the window in question. Lowe is designed to reflect the harmful colors of the light spectrum. Trying to conclude if the window has a coating in shadow or the dark will prove to be horribly difficult. With this in mind the methods discussed in this article, are geared towards detecting the rejected colors dismissed by the lowe coating. A pair of polarized sunglasses are a great detection tool when attempting to render this process. Without getting to technical the reason is the polarized sunglasses and the Lowe coating are both doing the same thing, similar reaction happens between polarized sunglasses and aftermarket film on car windows.

For more indepth explanation of this phenomenon check out this article on Revantoptics.com written by Kirsti Smouse. If you don’t have a pair of polarized sunglasses a quick visit to the convenient store may be in order. There is no need to purchase an expensive pair, for low end specs will serve the purpose sufficiently.

First thing to determine is if the window is a single pane (monolithic aka mono) or dual pane (insulated glass unit aka IGU). If the window is monolithic the chances of it being Lowe is extremely…low. So low it may be safe to say it’s not Lowe.

An IGU with a lowe coating will alway be located inside the IGU were it can’t be exposed to environment. Typically it will be on the outside pane of glass on the surface that you can not touch. That surface will be referred to as #2

If the outside pane of glass is broken on an IGU use a spray bottle with water. Simply spray the water into the crack, allowing the water to trickle down Surface #2. If the areas where the water comes in contact with distorts purple. This is an indication the window has a lowe coating. Due to the nature of how the sun lights spectrum is refracted off of the coating, standing on the side of the glass will provide a better angle to reveal the color distortion.

If you can safely remove a piece of the broken glass, firmly lay your thumb on the glass’s surface #2 (please be careful of the edges) as if you are taking your fingerprint. Remove your thumb and hold glass with surface #2 facing up, move it at different angles to reveal a purple finger print or just your transparent finger oil smudge.

If the outer pane of glass is not broken making it not possible to employ the stated methods above. An alternative approach will be required. Place your finger on the outside pane of glass, and look for a dual reflection of your finger. If you see a ghost shadow of your finger,this is an indication of a Lowe coating.

If this set of detection methods left you inconclusive or you simply want to make a few more verifications to your list.The year the building was made can play a factor in the chance the window is Lowe. If the building was constructed any time before the mid nineties the chances are it isn’t Lowe glass. If you’re not sure check your local government website and inquire on the year the area was developed. If the window is in a house in a community the sidewalks typically will have the pour dates and the company’s name. If the sidewalk was poured 2006 for instance it’s a good chance the house was built close to that time also. If all else fails call your local Glass shop and have them visit the location. There is a good deal the visiting representative will use the same methods we discussed if the evidence isn’t obvious to the professional from initial sight.

The post How to: Difference Between Low-E Glass & Other Colors of Glass appeared first on Arizona Glass & Door Connection.

Therefore, what kind of maintenance do the windows require?

Cleaning

Dirt forms on windowsills and window tracks, thus the importance of cleaning them with a regular brush or a dry paintbrush at least once a year. If your house has sliding windows, prioritize the cleaning of the sills and tracks regularly. Check that the window tracks do not contain grime, cobwebs, dead bugs and any detritus that can make the windows fail to open or close properly.

While cleaning, do not forget the sash, glass and frame surfaces. Never use petroleum-based cleaners or solvents while cleaning these parts of the windows. Avoid using razor blades, abrasive pads, putty knives and any sharp objects on the windows. Avoid materials or products that can damage or dissolve the finish on the windows. Do not use any product that you feel has the power to damage any aspect or feature of your window.

Ensuring the drainage system functions well

The aptly named weep system is common in all windows and doors, including replacement windows Phoenix. Under this system, the frame features tiny weepholes for ensuring that water does not gather on the tracks. Your task is to check that nothing obstructs the weepholes. This is because the obstructions create a major problem the next time it rains, thus preventing the windows from opening and closing properly.

Weatherstripping

Without proper weatherstripping, replacement windows cannot function correctly. In addition to this, weatherstripping requires regular inspection and cleaning. The level of exposure that the weatherstripping experiences where the elements are concerned makes it susceptible to deterioration over time. The exposure affects the seal negatively. Hire professional technicians to apply weatherstripping on your replacement windows Phoenix or buy it from a hardware store.

Hardware and Accessories

The hardware and other accessories on the replacement windows require regular inspection. If they are not in an excellent condition, replace them immediately. The most common hardware and accessories on the windows include sash locks and operators. Without the hardware and other vital accessories, the windows would be unable to perform specific operational as well as security functions.

Resolve Condensation

Condensation is a normal occurrence on the replacement windows. You have nothing to worry about if condensation forms on your windows occasionally. Consistent forming of condensation should tell you about an underlying problem that needs handling and resolving fast. Elevated level of humidity in the house is often the biggest culprit when condensation occurs all the time on your windows. The best solution for this is proper ventilation.

If you follow these guidelines, the replacement windows should continue making your property attractive. Prioritize regular cleaning and check that the drainage system from the windows functions properly. Check that the weatherstripping is still intact. Check that the hardware and accessories continue functioning properly. Do not panic about occasional condensation but solve this problem when it occurs all the time. Do this today and begin experiencing the benefits.

The post How to ensure that your Replacement windows Phoenix retain their allure appeared first on Arizona Glass & Door Connection.

If your house is in an unpleasant state, consider installing window replacement Phoenix. Not only will the look of the house improve, but also the new windows will boost your energy efficiency efforts in addition to providing added protection to the family. The biggest challenge with replacing windows is that they are expensive. The best way of reducing the expense is by embarking on DIY replacement of the windows on your Phoenix property.

DIY replacement is not for everybody. You should only embark on the DIY approach if your competency on home improvement and window installation is beyond reproach. If you notice that the replacement windows cannot fit in the existing frames, do not proceed with the DIY project. Only proceed when the project does not involve extensive work on the frame. To proceed successfully with the project, prepare a few tools that include:

Level
Replacement windows
Reciprocating saw
Utility knife
Chisel/ice pick
Pry bar
Tape measure
Drop cloths
Caulking gun
Hammer

With all the requisite tools in place, your next task is to prepare for the work. To do this, you need to decide the material and style of window replacement Phoenix that you consider the most attractive and suitable for your property. The windows can be of any style, including double hung and casement. You can find the windows in multiple materials that include clad wood, vinyl, aluminum, wood and composite.

The second prepping step involves performing a thorough evaluation of the sills. The goal of the evaluation is to check whether the sills have developed wood rot. A compromised frame is not worthy a new window replacement. The most important step is measuring the windows. If you do not measure the windows correctly, expect to spend too much money buying new ones all the time. Failure to do this properly would mean returning to the stores to buy new windows.

While measuring the windows, begin with the height and width of the current ones. Do this repeatedly to ensure that you have the correct measurements. When measuring the width, do it from the middle, jamb-to-jamb, side-to-side and at the top. As for taking the height, you should do this from the sill to the top. Measure the height from the right, center and left sides too. Take the smallest measurements since they guarantee the proper fitting of the windows.

If the measurements seem satisfactory, your next task now involves placing the order for new window replacement Phoenix. Once the new windows arrive, you should be ready to begin the installation without wasting time. Do not rush into the installation before checking the windows for inside stops and removing them. Do not discard the inside stops but keep them, as they will prove helpful later while installing the fresh set of replacement windows.

Replacement windows are much cheaper than new construction windows. Therefore, installing them on your own is a small price to pay considering the benefits they present. Follow these steps today and enjoy installing window replacement Phoenix.

The post What you should know about DIY Window replacement Phoenix appeared first on Arizona Glass & Door Connection.

Windows are the eyes of your home, that is why it is cruciall to keep them always clean and unscathed. Windows let light and heat enter the room, they also protect you from rain and dust getting in, and it is barely possible to imagine a house without windows. Over the course of istory, the humanity has been looking for ways of improving this past of dwelling to make it more effective and reduce such unwanted effects as drafts and frosting. Before glass was invented, people had to make their windows using paper, mica, flattened animal horns and even bull badders. It was hard to enjoy the view with such windows, and the atmosphere in the rooms was suffocating, so glass was a miracle come true. But glass windows also had their disadvantages, although these were far cry from the ancient window problems.

Nowadays there is a number of window types for every house, design and income. Sometimes this abundance makes it difficult to work out what we need and what we should purchase, so, before replacing your old window, we really recommend that you read attentively and compared the available options. One of such options, widely used nowadays, is window gas fills.

What is it? Why do we need to fill our window with something? Can it possiby be hazardous or dangerous?

Most of the modern windows are double pane or tripple pane, which means they are made of two or three pieces of glass (panes). In order to make your windows more energy efficient, which supposes that your house will lose less heat in cold weather and not get overheated in hot periods, the gap between the panes can be filled with inert gases, like argon or krypton. For this, two little openings are made in the window spacer, one to intoduce the gas and the other one – for the air to come out.

What are inert gases?Inert, or noble, gases are not chemically reactive, they do not interact with other substances. Moreover, the molecules of inert gases move slower than the ones of the other gases, consequently, inert gases show low thermal conductivity, they do not let the heat escape from the room when it is cold outside, and do not let the heat in when it is hot. Slow, but effective guards for your heating bills.

The most popular inert gas for filling is argon, as it is very cheap and easy to produce (the atmosphere of the Earth is 1% argon. That´s pretty much. And you´re breathing it in righ now), the other option is usually krypton – its insulation properties are even better than those of argon, but it is slightly more expensive. Argon is usually used in double-pane windows, krypton is more frequent in tripple-pane ones. On some occasions, a mixture of krypton, argon and oxygen can be used, as well as xenon and nitrogen.

Are they hazardous? No, they definitely aren´t. Remember what we have said – our air is 1% argon, and this is a considerable amount. In the internet you may find out that argon is hazardous – it really is if you try to inhale 100% pure argon instead of air. In this case, according to this Material Safety Data Sheet, you will really have dizziness, asphyxia, vomititng, headaches and other unpleasant sensations. But for this you will have to stay in a closed space with a large amount of pure argon. As specialists say, gas leakages from the windows are inevitable, but really insignificant – approximately 1% per year. Now, look at the gap between your window panes. Even if you breathe in all of the gas from this gap, it still will not be enough for anyone to feel slightest discomfort. So don´t be afraid and remember – argon can only be dangerous in high concentration and big amounts. Just as anything else!

Now, let´s get back to the leakages.As we have mentioned, your windows will slowly get depressurized and lose about 1% of the gas per year due to different circumstances like the quality of the window itself, the climate of the building, the altitude and others. But, according to the National Glass Association, even 80% of gas fill remaining will ensure that your window functions properly and stays energy-effective. That means that your gas-filled window can serve you for twenty years – as any other window.

How do you know your window loses the gas faster than it is supposed to? If you notice condensation or fog inside of your window unit, it means that the gas has left and was replaced by humid air. In this case you will have to contact the installer or the manufacturer so that they fix the problem. But remember to clean the exterior surface of the window to be sure the condensation you see is really inside the window.

How do you know your window loses the gas faster than it is supposed to? If you notice condensation or fog inside of your window unit, it means that the gas has left and was replaced by humid air. In this case you will have to contact the installer or the manufacturer so that they fix the problem. But remember to clean the exterior surface of the window to be sure the condensation you see is really inside the window.

Modern windows do not only let the light into your room, they can save your money and protect you from colds and heats, as well. InterNACHI inspectors can help you decide what exactly type of window you need and if it is a good idea for your house to have insulated glass units (IGUs).

The post Facts you really should know about windows gas fills appeared first on Arizona Glass & Door Connection.