Storm Windows
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Storm Windows come in several main frame materials including; Vinyl, Wood, Aluminum Wood Clad and Aluminum. They are also available in several styles and shapes including; Single Hung, Horizontal Sliders, Double Hung, Fixed, Casement, Awning and Hopper.
Some Storm Windows are developed to be retrofitted on the interior of your home, they are inexpensive, easy to install and require minimal maintenance since they are not exposed to the outside elements. They will help with sound control, air and water leaks, condensation, energy efficiency along with protection and security for your family. Interior Storm Windows are ideal for apartments, condos and houses where expense is of an utmost importance.
Exterior Storm Windows are designed and built for protection against heavy wind loads and flying debris. They are constructed with laminated glass inside a dual pane unit for strength and efficiency. Laminated glass is a safety glass that is resistant to flying objects; it contains an interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between the layers of annealed glass. This interlayer keeps the glass intact when broken and gives the glass a very high strength that prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. Laminated glass is typically found in windshields of automobiles, store fronts, curtain walls and windows. The PVB interlayer also provides the glass with a very high sound insulating rating, due to the damping effect. Laminated glass was invented by Edouard Benedictus, a French chemist in 1903 and by 1939 “Indestructo” safety glass was used by the Ford Motor Company in all of their windshields.
Tempered glass is a safety glass designed to be more resistant to breakage then normal annealed float glass. It is processed by a controlled thermal or chemical treatment that increases its strength and is used in a variety of applications including; passenger vehicle windows, architectural glass doors and tables, refrigerator trays, shower doors, diving masks and cookware. In 1977, United States Federal Law has incorporated temper codes throughout the nation. All windows and doors must be tempered if the glass is within 18” from the floor, 24” from an exterior door and within 60” from the bottom of a tub or shower. If broken, tempered glass will break into small cubes rather than large shards therefore reducing the risks to your family. Annealed glass must be cut to size and ground down before entering the tempering furnace since you cannot cut tempered glass. Tempered glass has a temper bug etched on the corner of the glass pane to help identify the pane as tempered glass.