MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION OPTIONS OF WINDOWS

Wood

Wood is the standard material for residential windows. It can be painted or stained, and is strong and easy to work with. Ease-of-use makes for easier custom windows, which is why highly detailed designs are typically made from wood. With regard to energy efficiency, few sash and frame materials are better insulators than wood. The only downside to using wood windows is that they require regular maintenance. Peeling paint is more than an eyesore, it's a sign that wood is being exposed to weather, which will ultimately cause it to rot. A small number of high-end producers use rot-resistant species like mahogany, but most domestically manufactured windows are made from less-resistant species such as pine. That said, a properly maintained wood window could last hundreds of years.

Vinyl

Vinyl Windows: Then and NowEarly vinyl windows had problems with thermal expansion. When temperatures changed, the vinyl sash would expand or contract at a very different rate from the glass. As a result, the window fit poorly, leaked, or cracked. Such problems have been on the decline, because modern vinyl is more durable and dimensionally stable than the materials that were used 15 or 20 years ago. Vinyl is also commonly used as cladding on wood or aluminum windows.
Vinyl windows are inexpensive, durable, and relatively energy efficient. They often look chunkier than wood or metal windows because vinyl isn't strong enough to be made into ultra-thin parts. The other problem is that the texture is unmistakably plastic. On the other hand, except for washing the glass, vinyl windows are virtually maintenance free. You can't paint them, but you can get them in a number of different colors. What's more, the color goes all the way through the material, so dings and scratches are nearly impossible to see.

Steel

Steel windows are common in industrial buildings. While they have never been popular for residential use, they do appear in pre-war modernist homes, and basement windows set in wells. The advantage to steel is that it's very strong. As a result, glass area can be maximized since window parts can be made extremely thin. Steel is durable, but not maintenance free; it will rust if you don't keep paint on it. Steel is also a poor thermal insulator, so heat escapes through the sash and frame, while moisture condenses on interior surfaces.

Aluminum

Aluminum windows have many of the qualities associated with steel windows, except you don't have to paint them, and they won't rust. Instead, aluminum windows are available with a number of anodized or baked-on finishes. The problem with aluminum windows, however, is that they aren't very energy-efficient. Aluminum is a good thermal conductor, so in cold weather heat drains out through the sash and frame, as moisture condenses on interior surfaces. Better quality aluminum windows are equipped with thermal breaks that separate the interior and exterior surfaces of the window.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass has been around for a long time, but it's a relatively new material for windows. Long used for items like boat hulls and auto bodies, it has an excellent record for durability. Fiberglass is strong, so hollow parts can be made without the stiffeners required for vinyl. This allows manufacturers to produce higher efficiency windows by filling voids with insulation. In fact, insulated fiberglass windows are even more energy efficient than those made from solid wood. You can paint fiberglass windows, but they won't deteriorate if the finish wears away. The downside to fiberglass windows, however, is their cost compared to similar windows made from other materials.

Composite

The sash and frame of a composite window are made from more than one kind of material. This allows the manufacturer to make the material fit the task. For example, the inside surfaces of the window might be made from wood, so it could be painted or stained. The outside surface, however, could be made from a more weather-resistant material like vinyl or aluminum. The classic example of this is a wood window with vinyl or aluminum cladding. A newer type of composite window has exterior parts that are made from a blend of wood chips and recycled plastic. These wood/plastic blends can be painted, but are impervious to rot if the paint fails.

DOUBLE - HUNG WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

Double-hung window is perhaps the most familiar window type. It consists of an upper and lower sash that slide vertically in separate grooves in the side jambs or in full-width metal weatherstripping (see drawing). This type of window provides a maximum face opening for ventilation of one-half the total window area. Each sash is provided with springs, balances, or compression weatherstripping to hold it in place in any location.

Compression weatherstripping, for example, prevents air infiltration, provides tension, and acts as a counterbalance; several types allow the sash to be removed for easy painting or repair.

The jambs (sides and top of the frames) are made of nominal 1-inch lumber; the width provides for use with drywall or plastered interior finish. Sills are made from nominal 2-inch lumber and sloped at about 3 in 12 for good drainage (figure D). Sash are normally 1 3/8 inches thick and wood combination storm and screen windows are usually 11/8 inches thick.

Sash may be divided into a number of lights by small wood members called muntins. A ranch-type house may provide the best appearance with top and bottom sash divided into two horizontal lights. A colonial or Cape Code house usually has each sash divided into six or eight lights. Some manufacturers provided preassembled dividers which snap in place over a single light, dividing it into six or eight lights. This simplifies painting and other maintenance.

Assembled frames are placed in the rough opening over strips of building paper put around the perimeter to minimize air infiltration. The frame is plumbed and nailed to side studs and header through the casings or the blind stops at the sides. Where nails are exposed, such as on the casing, use the corrosion-resistant type.

Hardware for double-hung windows includes the sash lifts that are fastened to the bottom rail, although they are sometimes eliminated by providing a finger groove in the rail. Other hardware consists of sash locks or fasteners located at the meeting rail. They not only lock the window, but draw the sash together to provide a "wind tight" fit.

Double-hung windows can be arranged in a number of ways -- a single unit, doubled (or mullion) type, or in groups of three or more. One or two double-hung windows on each side of a large stationary insulated window are often used to effect a window wall. Such large openings must be framed with headers large enough to carry roof loads.

STILE AND RAIL DOOR CONSTRUCTION

All of our stile & rail doors are constructed using thick solid hardwood veneers bonded to an engineered core. Within the door industry, this construction is viewed universally as the most stable design since solid wood doors often have a tendency to warp and bow over time. Given their unique design and superior construction.

Our flush doors are constructed with select hardwood veneers adhered to a wood-layered core, and tongue and groove frame construction. The 7-ply construction of the flush doors provides the extra strength needed in demanding applications.
All interior doors are protected with an exceptionally durable, 3-step lacquer finish. Our clear finishing process creates an elegant depth, which showcases the rich color of the wood while providing a maintenance-free surface that resists dents and scratches.

Our exterior doors are constructed using a very stable and warp resistant hardwood frame, reinforced joints, and waterproof glue. All exterior doors come standard with the most durable catalyzed urethane exterior finish available. Many of the inter-panel options available on interior doors can also be used on exterior doors. Add privacy while preserving translucence with a satin etched glass inter-panel. Add natural warmth and beauty with your choice of either a cherry, maple, or walnut hardwood inner panel.