Doors and Windows
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Doors and Windows
On a typical day you may not give much thought to the doors and windows used throughout your home and business. However there's a good chance that there are many features to these items that your contractor or designer put a great deal of thought into. In a typical business you will find entrance and exit doors- which of course must be secure. Office doors which are interior doors and not necessarily locking or extremely secure and restroom doors. When it comes to windows there are huge storefront windows for displays which need to be very thick and shatterproof, many times skylight windows are used which have their own list of features to be installed. Basic office windows are also a security feature and should lock tightly from the inside so that no one can get in from outside.
With this many types of doors and windows in just a basic business you can easily see that these features which are used daily are not to be taken lightly. Cost may be a factor but safety and security are priceless when it comes to your business and your home. Old windows and doors may allow drafts and become hard to open or close over time. When you decide to get new windows or doors you have many to choose from that will provide security and protection as well as money saving green features.
Doors and Windows Key Terms
Familiarize yourself with terms you may encounter when shopping for windows and doorsBy Casey Holley Purchasing new doors and windows for a building can put a big dent in the bottom line. Ensuring that you purchase the most appropriate doors and windows for your needs is vital to keeping the long term costs minimized.
One way that you can ensure you purchase the right products is to understand all of the terms used in the window and door industry. Features such as kerfs and moisture barriers may leave you with a puzzled look on your face. However, these terms aren't as complicated as they seem.
Casement window
A casement window is a style of window common in historic buildings. Unlike the windows of today, casement windows are hinged on the side, which enables them to swing either inward, outward or both.
Try:
Buffalo Architecture and History offers a simple explanation of casement windows, including the types of architecture in which these windows are common.
High security doors
A high security door is a door that looks like any door but is made with steel or other heavy, hard to penetrate materials. Some high security doors have special reinforcements near the locks and edges of the doors.
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WiseGeek offers information about specific characteristics and uses for high security doors.
Kerf
A kerf is the area in which weather stripping is applied inside a door or window. This area is usually cut out of the door frame with a router or saw.
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K.W. Doors and Windows and All About Windows and Doors offer comprehensive glossaries of window and door terms, including kerf. GreenWood WorkShop offers illustrations to help you find the kerf of a window.
Heat loss caused by infiltration
Heat loss caused by infiltration is the way indoor climates are affected by changes in insulation. This includes drafty doors and windows, opening doors and windows and cracks in frames and sashes of windows and doors.
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Engineering Tool Box has detailed information on heat loss caused by infiltration, including the formula for determining heat loss caused by infiltration.
Low-emissivity coatings (Low-E)
The terms low-emissivity coatings or Low-E coatings refer to special coatings applied to windows to help block heat from entering a room through the window. This can improve the energy efficiency of a building because heat transfer is minimized.
Try:
The Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living offers in-depth information about low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings.
Moisture barrier, vapor barrier
A moisture barrier, or vapor barrier, is created by inserting a material such as polyurethane sheeting into a window or door to help stop moisture from moving from one space to another.
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The US Department of Energy website offers information on vapor barriers. You can even find information on installing moisture barriers on this website.
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