What Kind of Glass is Best for Skylights? [+ a guide to skylight types and coatings]

Imagine what it would be like to transform that dark, gloomy spare room into a bright, sun-filled retreat by day and an indoor stellar observatory by night. Now wouldn’t it be great if you could let in all that light without needing to install windows that provide your nosy next-door neighbor a clear view into the room?

The solution is simple – skylights. Now maybe you have been avoiding skylights because you heard horror stories about leaks and other problems. Admittedly, skylights can seem like a somewhat counter-intuitive concept. After all, why would you want to take a perfectly good roof and cut a hole in it?

The good news is that modern skylights are much more reliable than their original counterparts. You can have your bright natural light and a weatherproof house too. Just plan for your skylight installation and choose the skylight that is right for you.

Not sure how to choose a skylight? We have put together the necessary information on skylight types, materials, and coating options to prepare you to pick out the perfect skylight.

Ready? Let’s get started.

What conditions does your skylight need to withstand?

Before we dive into what specific types of glass are best for skylights, let’s first talk about what challenging conditions your skylights need to endure.

UV Light

As that gorgeous natural light comes streaming into your room, it first passes through the skylight. That means that whatever material your skylight is made of must be designed to handle extended UV light exposure.

Precipitation

Rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice – these unforgiving elements all land directly on your roof and skylights. Be sure they can take it.

Impact

Tree branches are the most likely cause of impact damage, although other airborne debris from a heavy wind-storm can also cause damage. Know how your skylight will react to impact damage.

What types of skylights can I choose from?

Skylights come in two operational types, giving you options for how your skylight functions.

Fixed/Inoperable

Just like they sound, fixed or inoperable skylights don’t open and close. They simply remain stationary and let light in.

Venting/Operable

If you want your skylight to function more like a window and allow both light and air to come in, choose a venting or operable style of the skylight. These skylights can either be opened manually, with a remote or – on very high-end models – automatically, based on built-in rain and moisture sensors.

What materials are skylights made from?

Sound like you know what you’re talking about when you refer to your material choices as your “glazing options.” Skylights can be glazed with either plastic or several types of glass, although glass is usually preferred.

Does it matter which skylight glazing you choose? Yes, it does, so let’s check out the pros and cons of each.

Plastic

Plastic is the original glazing option and one that has been used for a long time. It has a few pros, but many cons and it is becoming a less common choice.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Light-weight
• Multiple shapes available

Cons

• Scratches more easily
• Discolors more easily
• Less clear view
• Allows more UV light through
• Only comes in standard sizes

Glass

The preferred glazing for skylights is glass and there are several variations of glass to choose from. They share some similar pros and cons along with having their own unique traits.

Pros

• More sophisticated appearance
• Clear view
• Many shapes available
• Many sizes available
• Doesn’t scratch as easily
• Better UV protection

Cons

• • Heavier
  • Custom sizes and shapes are more expensive

Tempered Glass

What exactly is tempered glass? Check this out: when a piece of glass has been tempered, this means that it was super-heated and then cooled rapidly. This process results in a piece of glass that is 4-5 times stronger than the original. If a sheet of tempered glass breaks, it shatters into a lot of small, more rounded pieces instead of sharp shards.

Laminated Glass

Do you remember playing with a laminating machine and sandwiching a piece of paper between two sheets of the laminate material? Perfect. You understand laminated glass.

To make laminated glass, one sheet of clear vinyl is encased between two sheets of glass. They are bonded together, creating a super-strong, impact-resistant glass. If the glass somehow does break, the sheets all hold together with minimal loose glass falling inside your house.

As if that’s not enough, there’s more. Laminated glass blocks a whopping 99% of UV light and it also has soundproofing properties.

Tempered-Over-Laminated Glass

Now you may be wondering if you should use tempered or laminated glass for your skylights and how to choose. The good news? You don’t have to.

Here’s the thing: the absolute best kind of glass for a skylight is tempered-over-laminated. This hybrid approach combines the strengths of both tempered and laminated glass to give you the strongest, most resilient, best quality skylight you can imagine.

What coatings are used on skylights?

Your choice of glazing isn’t the only factor that determines how well your skylight performs. You can further enhance the performance by adding coatings to your glass.

Tinting

Just like on your car windows, adding tinting to a skylight helps it to absorb more of the solar heat and keep it from transferring inside. This keeps your home cooler in the hot summer months.

Low-Emissivity (Low-E)

The Midwest is blessed with both heat and cold, so a Low-E coating can really benefit you here. This type of coating helps improve energy efficiency in both the summer and winter. The coating reflects your home’s inside temperature back inside instead, so you keep more of your cool summer air or toasty winter air in.

The Bottom Line

Skylights can bring light to an otherwise dreary room while still maintaining visual privacy. Remember to select a skylight that stands up to all the stressors that it will be faced with. Skylight glazing options include both plastic and glass although glass is usually preferred. The best kind of glass for a skylight is tempered-over-laminated and coatings can be added to further enhance the skylight’s performance.

Are you ready to install a skylight in your home? Contact us and let us know what room in your home is ready to be upgraded with a skylight.

from
https://chicagowindowguy.com/home-tips/what-kind-of-glass-is-best-for-skylights-a-guide-to-skylight-types-and-coatings/

8 Easy Ways to Burglar Proof Your Windows in 2019

Property Managers: Secrets to Stress-Free Window Installation Planning

What are the Benefits of Window Replacement Services?

Energy Efficient Windows: 5 ways windows are rated

“Energy efficiency” – it sounds so environmentally friendly and fiscally responsible, but what exactly does it mean? Is it just a fancy buzzword or does it have a quantifiable impact on the quality and performance of our windows?

If energy efficiency is quantifiable, what makes a window energy efficient? Who does the quantifying and how do they communicate that to the public?

What are the benefits of purchasing an energy efficient window vs a non-energy efficient window?

These are some of the questions that come up while shopping for new windows. Let’s break them down and provide the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your home.

What is energy efficiency?

Quite simply, energy efficiency describes a product’s ability to provide the same service using less energy than a similar, non-efficient product.

What does this mean to you? Energy efficient windows are better at maintaining the temperature inside your home regardless of whether you are in the middle of an arctic freeze or a record heat wave. This helps you to avoid higher utility bills since you won’t need to run your heater or air conditioner as often as if you had a non-efficient window.

Who issues energy efficiency ratings?

Two programs/agencies in the United States test and rate windows on their energy performance levels – Energy Star and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).

A third group – the Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) – is an excellent third-party resource for educational materials and minimum NFRC ratings recommendations based on what area of the country you live in.

Energy Star

Most of us have heard of Energy Star, even if we are not sure what exactly an Energy Star rating means. The Energy Star program is a joint venture between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Energy.

Appliances, insulation, windows, lighting, electronics and heating/cooling products are all tested, and their efficiencies compared to a baseline value. Products that meet a certain threshold are given the Energy Star sticker of approval.

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)

The NFRC is a nonprofit independent organization created by industry leaders. Its purpose is to provide consumers with an objective analysis of the energy performance of a particular window, door or skylight.

How is energy efficiency quantified?

Both the Energy Star program and the NFRC quantify the energy efficiency performance of products and communicate that data to the rest of us in a standardized way that we can understand.

How do they do that? Let’s find out.

Energy Star keeps their rating pretty simplified. A product either earns the little blue star sticker of approval or it does not. For a product to be Energy Star approved, it must meet standards for U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient. Each Energy Star sticker also indicates which of the 4 U.S. climate zones the product is rated for.

The NFRC bases their rating on the two factors considered by Energy Star as well as an additional 3 metrics. This means that a window which is approved by the NFRC will also meet Energy Star standards, but not all Energy Star windows will also be NFRC approved.

The 5 factors that the NFRC tests and rates are:

U-Factor

• Rates the insulation value of a window
• A lower U-Factor number means that the window is a better insulator.
• Range: 0.20 – 1.20
• For northern states like Illinois, the EWC recommends windows that are rated 0.35 or lower.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

• Rates the amount of solar radiation and heat that passes through the window
• A lower SHGC number means that less radiation and heat are entering your home.
• Range: 0 – 1
• For northern states, the recommendation is the highest number possible combined with a low U-Factor if you don’t need to cool your house much in the summer. If you usually run your air conditioner frequently during hot months, choose a SHGC below 0.55.

Air Leakage (AL)

• Rates the amount of air that passes through the window frame once it is installed. This metric is measured in cubic feet per square foot of window area.
• A lower number means that the frame is more airtight.
• Industry standard: 0.3

Visible Transmittance (VT)

• Rates the amount of light that the window lets in
• A lower number means less light is coming in.
• Range: 0 – 1
• Reduce glare in a media room by choosing a window with lower transmittance. Craving natural light in your living room or breakfast nook? Opt for panes with a higher visible transmittance rating.

Condensation Resistance

• Rates the amount of moisture that builds up on the surface of a window or causes glazing between the panes of a dual or triple-pane window
• A lower number means that the window allows more condensation to build up.
• Range: 1 – 100
• Condensation resistance is an optional rating category and some manufacturers may not include this information.

How are energy efficiency ratings communicated?

When windows meet or exceed the rating standards, manufacturers label them with a certification sticker.

Look for the blue Energy Star sticker and/or the white NFRC label on the window pane.

The NFRC label is useful for comparing one window to another because it gives the numerical values the window received in each of the rating categories.

How do the prices of energy efficient windows compare to non-efficient windows?

In general, energy efficient windows tend to cost a bit more initially than less energy efficient windows.

The trade-off is that over the lifetime of the window, energy efficient windows will help decrease the amount of your energy bills whereas non-efficient windows will lead to higher heating and cooling costs.

What long-term savings can I expect from choosing energy efficient windows?

According to Energy Star, replacing old doors, windows, and skylights with energy efficient options can save you up to 15% annually on your energy bill.

What are the take-aways?

• Energy efficient windows help to thermoregulate your home, thereby decreasing your heating and cooling costs.
• Windows are tested and rated on their energy efficiency by the Energy Star program and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
• The Efficient Windows Collaborative helps educate consumers and explain which windows are best for their needs.
• Energy efficiency is evaluated based on 5 factors:
  • U-Factor
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
  • Air Leakage
  • Visible Transmittance
  • Condensation Resistance
• Windows that meet energy efficiency standards are identifiable by their blue Energy Star sticker or white National Fenestration Rating Council label.
• Energy efficient windows cost more initially, however you can expect cost savings in the form of up to 15% lower energy bills over the lifetime of the windows.

Ready to take the next steps towards energy efficiency? Contact us to set up an in-home evaluation.

from
https://chicagowindowguy.com/home-tips/energy-efficient-windows-5-ways-windows-are-rated/

Level Up Your Style Game with New Window Treatments

Window treatments are like women’s bangs or manicures. They can make a bold statement or add a sophisticated accent to your room. Classic, trendy, rustic, glam – play with materials and textures. Have fun showcasing your personal style and accentuating your rooms’ beauty.

You may choose to shop based on your practical needs or your stylistic desires. In either case, you will be choosing both a type of treatment and a print/color/style that matches your aesthetic vision for your room.

First, ask yourself some practical and functional questions. The answers to these questions will guide you to the type of treatment that is the best fit for you.

6 Questions to Help Find the Right Type of Window Treatment

New window treatments aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. As you start to explore your needs, you will find that specific rooms in your house would benefit from different types of window treatments.

1.      Is privacy a consideration?

Balancing your desires for both light and privacy takes some finesse.

A bathroom, for example, feels more open with natural light, yet visual privacy is crucial.

In the case of the bathroom, the window’s main purpose is to allow light in, not to provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors.

For these types of windows, adhesive patterned frosted glass treatment films are a creative option. The pattern of the frosted portions protects your visual privacy while the bits of clear glass in between allow light to flow in.

Want to have more flexibility and keep an unobstructed view? Tier-on-tier shutters are a traditional solution that provides maximum control over the light-to-privacy ratio. Open the top set of shutters to welcome in the sunshine while keeping the bottom set closed to prevent nosey neighbors from peering in.

2.      How much light do you want to allow in?

For some rooms, window treatments can serve a very important functional purpose. We usually think of windows as letting light in, however, in some cases, the ability to block the light out is equally meaningful.

Do you work a night shift and need to sleep during the day?

Imagine creating the full dark movie theater experience in your home media room on a Sunday afternoon. You may see the value in a blackout curtain.

Does the afternoon glare of the sun stream into your home office and cause a maddening glare on your computer screen?  Take a cue from corporate offices and invest in a solar shade.

3.      Is the room often humid or damp?

Window treatments for areas like bathrooms can be particularly tricky.

Most woods and fabrics don’t hold up well to extended periods of time in moist environments.

Aluminum blinds are also a no-go unless you enjoy the look of rust.

Avoid cleaning up mold and mildew. Choose a more forgiving option like faux wood blinds, honeycomb shades, or vinyl shutters.

4.      Are the treatments going in a location where they are more likely to get dirty?

Go into your kitchen and look at the placement of the window(s) in comparison to the sink and to other potentially messy areas.

Instead of having to do an internet search for how to get splashes of marinara sauce out of elegant drapes, pre-plan and choose a more location-appropriate window treatment.

A roman shade dresses up the upper portion of the window and can easily be raised to a level that keeps it above all the mess.

5.      Do you have pets or young children?

Creamy floor-length or pooled curtains are breezy and airy. They are also a potentially irresistible temptation for toddlers cruising the house and looking for something to pull up on or indiscriminately use as a napkin.

Dogs and cats also appreciate repurposing long window treatments as chew toys or scratching posts.

Reserve the long curtains for your bedroom and keep the window treatments throughout the rest of the house child and animal friendly.

6.      Are these treatments a long-term investment or more of a seasonal statement?

Know your plan and budget before you go shopping. Seasonal window treatments are fun and creative, yet meant for short-term use. You may not wish to spend too much on treatments that you don’t keep up year-round.

Save your budget for the investment pieces that you will use daily (think that blackout curtain the bedroom and the solar shades for the office.)

Window Treatment Styles

Now that you have narrowed down your window treatment’s style, the next – and arguably most fun – part of the process is to select the aesthetics of your treatment. How do you want your treatments to look and feel?

Classic

Fabric curtains are perhaps the most common and readily available type of window treatments. Curtains come in many colors, palettes, and prints. You can even make your own custom curtains using a sewing machine and your choice of fabric.

If you love the classic style, accent your rooms with long pleated panels in a floral print. Fabrics can be as light as rayon or silk or as heavy as a damask or velvet.  For a formal, classic look, add a box-pleated valance on top.

Rustic

Vintage farmhouse style comes alive with a soft floral Roman blind or tab-top curtains. Focus on the ease and simplicity of use. Internal shutters in the right wood can also work here.

Modern

Decorative aluminum screens are a new type of window treatment that pairs naturally with modern interior design. The screens are strong, industrial, and relatively inexpensive. Choose one in your favorite geometric print.

Practical

If your window treatment focus is on practical factors like cost, longevity and ease of use, look into blinds.

Natural

Wood panels function much like adhesive patterned frosted glass treatment films, except they add the natural warmth of wood. Unlike the frosted glass, wood panels are susceptible to moisture damage, so be sure they are used in a room that stays dry.

Is it important for you to choose a product that is naturally and sustainably made with as little impact on the environment as possible? An internet search for “natural window treatments” will led you to companies that create impressive natural options including biodegradable roman and solar shades.

Creative

Step outside the box and embrace your unique, quirky design sense. Homeowners looking for a more creative take on window treatment have more and more options.

Roller shades or roller blinds can be customized with artwork prints.

Remember:

Before you go out shopping for window treatments, know your practical needs and aesthetic desires then choose a type of treatment that will satisfy both. Prepare to fall in love with your home all over again.

from
https://chicagowindowguy.com/home-tips/level-up-your-style-game-with-new-window-treatments/

Increase Your Curb Appeal: Upgrade Your Front Door

Upgrade Your Front Door and Increase Your Curb Appeal

What first impression is your home making? As visitors approach, do they see rustic practicality? Upscale elegance? Modern minimalism? Historical charm? A home in need of a renovation and facelift?

Try something: Go outside, stand on the curb and look at your house as if you are seeing it for the first time. What do you see? What do you feel? What do you want to change?

Siding, roofing, landscaping, windows and doors come together to create the curb appeal of your home. If tackling all those variables sounds daunting or if your home improvement budget doesn’t cover such extensive renovations, it’s okay. You can still make a lasting impact by changing just a single item: your front door.

A front door is a natural focal point for your home.  Make that focal point work for you by trading out your old, boring door for a statement piece.

There are so many materials and styles of doors to choose from and options for every budget. Hire a professional and you can focus on the fun of choosing the perfect door, not the nitty gritty details of measuring, leveling, and installing.

Ready for some inspiration?

Choose Your Front Door Material

The material you choose impacts the cost, energy efficiency, durability and security of the door.

Common exterior door material options include:

1. Aluminum

Aluminum is lightweight and relatively resilient. Aluminum doors will last a long time without the need for much maintenance. They are also inexpensive and can be painted.

Despite its strength, aluminum may weaken under high temperatures and it is a poor insulator. An aluminum front door may increase heating and cooling costs in areas prone to temperature extremes.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo is more than just a well-known flooring and textile alternative. It is also making an appearance indoors. Composite doors constructed of a blend of bamboo and jute are water and termite resistant.

Bamboo’s biodegradable nature makes it a preferred choice for homeowners seeking an environmentally friendly material.

3. Fiberglass

Choose fiberglass doors for their durability and versatility. If you are looking for a lightweight, energy efficient, sturdy door that will last a long time with minimal maintenance, fiberglass should be on the short list.

Since fiberglass is such a popular choice, these doors are readily available in many finishes and styles. Fiberglass doors can even be finished to imitate a wood grain at a fraction of the cost of real wood.

4. Glass

It may sound surprising, but glass front doors are indeed an option. Visually, they provide a stunning and unexpected look.

The trade-off with glass is the decreased durability, increased security risk and heightened maintenance concerns. The hefty weight and substantial price are also deterrents for many homeowners.

5. Steel

Steel is a trendy new door material that feels very modern with its cold, industrial vibe.  Doors made from steel are durable and need little maintenance.

Improve your home’s level of security along with its style when you opt for a robust steel door. Keep in mind that the lower the gauge, the thicker and sturdier the steel will be.

6. Vinyl

Vinyl or PVC doors are formed from a lightweight, sturdy, resilient material. If your focus is on finding the most cost-effective, effective option for a front door replacement, vinyl may be the winner.

With a vinyl door, you no longer need to worry about termites or moisture damaging your door.

7. Wood

The most historic choice for exterior doors is, of course, wood. Although wood doors are still used to lend a rustic or traditional feel to a home, this material is increasingly being adapted to have a place in modern luxury homes.

Wood feels warm and inviting. Its substantial weight makes a bold statement of strength and protection.

Choose Your Front Door Style

Congratulations – you have chosen the material for your front door. Now, what do you envision that door looking like? What style speaks to you?

If you are still figuring it out, here are some ideas to get you started:

Craftsman

Craftsman doors are a slight variation on a traditional solid hinged door. Their straight, traditional lines reflect this style’s no-nonsense Quaker roots.

Not quite sure what a Craftsman door looks like? The signature style feature is the set of 1-3 windows set on the top one-third of the door. The remaining two-thirds of the door on the bottom is solid.

A Craftsman style front door is, of course, often found in Craftsman homes. It feels classic and timeless.

Dutch

Dutch doors are, historically, a rustic choice. Dutch doors were originally designed to allow air and sunshine into farmhouses while keeping all the livestock out.

This style of door is divided horizontally so that the top half may swing open while the bottom half remains closed.

Dutch doors are still primarily made from wood as they have been for centuries.

Modern

The signature of a modern style door is its clean, unobtrusive lines accented by large, minimalistic hardware. Geometric patterns can add interest and are a simple way to make the exterior of an older home appear more contemporary.

Bamboo, steel and glass are all popular material choices for modern doors.

 

Arched

In a world where so many elements are straight, square and rectangle, an arched door adds a feeling of unexpected whimsy and historic nostalgia. Wondering where you may have seen an arched front door before? They are most common in Tudor style homes.

If you fancy an arched door, be aware that their unique shape means that they are usually custom ordered and built to fit rather than mass-produced to a standard spec size. This raises their cost.

What Do I Do Next?

You have a good idea of what material and style you would like for your new front door. So, in order to upgrade your front door, the next step is to contact a professional company, ask some final product questions and get an estimate on the cost of the door and installation.

If you are absolutely committed to installing the door yourself, read up on how to properly measure for a door prior to placing your order.

Take some before and after photos because this is a transformation that you will want to remember and share.

 

 

from
https://chicagowindowguy.com/home-tips/increase-your-curb-appeal-upgrade-your-front-door/