Custom Windows
Your Personal Style
Whether a new build or an existing home, cottage or office, custom windows may be the ‘right fit’ for you! Mass produced windows are not always an ideal to match your personal style, even though they are readily available as apposed to having custom windows manufactured specifically for you (this process can take up to 6 weeks). Windows that can be purchased off the floor/stock windows, will surely need additional structure work to fit various sized opening (this can get costly if more work needs to be done to complete the installation). Some of the benefits of having custom windows made to order are, you can choose the precise functions your windows will have, the materials used for framing, the dimensions of your windows, colours of framing, glass options and level of maintenance. Buying windows are an investment, just like the building you are installing them in, so good decisions made now with custom windows purchases, will add value and energy efficiency that will last for years.
Custom Windows Style
Custom windows are the most energy efficient windows you can buy because they are manufactured to precision measurements, to ensure the tightest fit into the existing wall opening, which leaves very little space surrounding it to insulate with foam and seal. The smaller the gap, the less chance for air and moisture to get through. All types of windows can be customized to perfectly suit your personal tastes (double hung windows, single hung windows, awning windows, single slider windows, double slider windows, casement windows, end vent slider windows, fixed windows, bay windows & bow windows).
Custom Windows Performance
Some factors to consider before choosing a certain type of customizable window is, the window types overall performance and their air leakage rates. Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outwards, which causes the sash to close by pressing against the frame, they have a lower air leakage rate. Casement windows are hinged at the sides, and close by pressing against the frame, which they too have lower air leakage rates. Fixed windows are the best at providing less air leakage because they are air tight without any opening functions, but are only ideal in rooms that do not require air ventilation. Single & double hung windows have sashes that move vertically and provide a higher air leakage rating. Single & double sliding windows sashes slide horizontally, and have a higher air leakage rating. Deciding on how you want your windows to function and the level of air ventilation required, awning windows and casement windows will add more energy savings, add functionality to rooms and can be made into custom windows.
Custom Windows Sound Insulation
When you want your custom windows to also address the transmission of sound (noise pollution from outside), there are some additional strategies that can be considered to further enhance your new custom windows. Windows that are designed to create a sound barrier have a STC (sound transmission class) rating. To achieve this, the glass in the panes are made thicker, the distance between the actual window panes is increased and the glass itself is laminate tempered. It is a balancing act between choosing energy efficient windows (which use low-E coatings & gas between thermal panes to reduce heat transfer) or sound blocking windows (thicker laminated glass & large air gaps between panes to filter and block sounds). Custom windows are made just for you, so if hearing the birds chirping at the cottage is desireable and the traffic below at the office is tolerable, then energy efficient windows are ideal without further treatment.
Custom Windows Energy Efficiency
All windows that are manufactured today possess higher energy ratings than ever before, which immediately provides energy savings for you. New windows are rated for energy performance, and how/where they are installed, contributes to climate and directional positioning for peak performance. There are different types of glazing for the glass, some which can reduce solar heat and some that can increase solar heat from the suns rays (tinted glass absorbs natural heat from the sun and reflective coatings reduce the natural heat from the sun). Metal or metallic oxide layers deposited directly onto the surface of the glass (invisible to the eyes) control heat transfer through windows with insulated glazing. All the components that makes up the window are taken into consideration when energy efficiency windows are being installed (window frames, glazing, glass type & function of the windows).
