What is lowE Argon ?
Low E stands for low emissivity. Emissivity measures how much radiant heat is transferred through glass. Low E is a metallic coating on the inside glass pane of a sealed unit. This coating will help to reflect radiant heat back into your home (helps lower heating bills in the winter) and it will keep external sources of radiant heat outside (helps reduce cooling costs in the summer). The low E coating will also filter out approximately 50 percent of the UV and other harmful rays which will reduce fading of carpets and window coverings. For more information on Low E, check out Pilkington's site.
Argon is an insulating gas. Argon has greater insulating properties than air as well as being odourless and non-toxic. To find out more about Low E / Argon check out this informative article at taunton.com.
What is thermal edge glass spacer?
Thermal edge spacer or warm edge spacer refers to the edge around the glass. A sealed unit is comprised of two pieces of glass joined at the edges with some form of spacer and sealed to keep moisture and air out. Traditionally the spacer material between the two panes of glass was made of aluminum. This material has a high thermal transfer, therefore bringing the cold in at the edges of the glass. The newer warm edge spacer bars are made of low conductivity materials. There are many different types and brands of warm edges spacer and they will vary in their effectiveness. The most important thing is to make sure you have a warm edge spacer because it will increase the overall energy rating of the window and reduce condensation on the inside of the window. For more information on warm edge spacers check out Efficient Windows.org or Glass On Web.com.
What style of window is right for me?
There are a few things to consider when selecting a style of window for your home. If you are building a new home you can usually make changes to the house design to accommodate any style or arrangement of window. When renovating, however, you will want to begin by considering the size of the existing windows, the style of the home and possibly even the style of windows on the rest of the street. The existing window sizes will often have great influence on the type of window that will work best.
What is the difference between insert versus full removal (frame out)?
There are two main categories of window installation.
Insert installation means that the original or existing window frame stays inside the wall. The new windows are placed or inserted inside the original window frame.
Full removal (frame out) means the original or existing window frame is removed entirely. This type of installation will often requires new casing or trim around the window opening.
It is very important that you understand what type of installation you are being quoted and how the finished product will look. If you are not sure ... ASK!
Does CTB measure the windows?
Typically, we will only measure windows if we are installing them. We strongly recommend: "The person installing your windows should determine the size and type of installation." We are always happy to offer suggestions and information that will help you with your renovation project.