We’re not even going to stop for a breath in our rapid-fire window manufacturing assault. Our next term is,exterior stop. An exterior stop is a removable bead of glazing that is designed to hold the glass or panel in its proper place when it is on the outside of the panel. Conversely, interior stops are located on the interior side of the glass. Moving on from this concept, our next item on the list is extrusion. This term refers to the process of producing vinyl window or aluminum window shapes by forcing heated semi-molten material through a specially designed die. This term not only refers to the process itself, but also products made through this process of manufacturing. If you have children, or remember being one, playdough makes for a perfect example to illustrate the process of extrusion. A malleable product is forced through a specific shape, and as a result, conforms to the shape of the die as it comes out the other side. This process of extrusion is the primary method used to create the frames of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, and storm doors.
For our final term of the month, we are going to close out the letter E and check it off of our alphabetical march through the world of window manufacturing. Eyebrow windows, our final term for the month, refers to a low window that opens inward, mounted on a bottom hinged sash. These are typically used as attic windows and are built into the top part of the molding of the house. This specific kind of window occasionally is referred to as “lie-on-your-stomach-windows” due to their positioning within the house and the acrobatics necessary to peek through the window. That about sums up our month of window manufacturing exploration; hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two and your window manufacturing industry knowledge has reached new heights.
In our last installment we looked at a lot of different topics. We recapped our look at electrochromics (windows or glass doors that change in appearance when a measured electrical signal is passed through them), we discussed the electromagnetic spectrum, and we touched on the ever-important emergency exit window. This week we are going to kick it up a notch in our exploration of the wide world of aluminum windows, vinyl windows, patio doors, storm doors, replacement doors, and window manufacturing with the glossary term evacuated glazing. Evacuated glazing is basically an insulating glazing made up of two layers of glass, which are sealed at the edges, and have a vacuum between the two panes to help eliminate convection as well as conduction. If you were here for last week’s discussion, don’t be confused, we have moved on past looking at emergency exit windows, so when we talk about evacuation, we aren’t talking about leaving a building through a fire escape. Also, we should make it clear that when we refer to a vacuum, we aren’t talking about some vacuum cleaner stuck between two panes of glass. In this instance, when we refer to vacuum, we’re referring to a cavity from which all the air has been removed. This practice is common for insulating purposes, as the medium of conduction and convection (the air molecules within the cavity) have been removed. If you have been reading along all these years, then you probably know what is coming. We have hair trigger sensitivity to talking about energy efficiency. The slightest mention can trigger a dissertation on the importance of energy efficiency, and today is no different. Evacuated glazing is one weapon in an arsenal of tools that can help reduce the impact of heating and cooling costs by reducing the need.
Last week we got started looking at electrochromic glass. Put more simply, this is glass that is designed to change its opacity in relation to the amount of current run through it. This is technology is responsible for what we know as “smart glass.” This kind of glass has a variety of uses ranging from dynamic privacy glass, to ultra violet light protection and scalable light control for sunny rooms. There are a lot of very interesting examples of this kind of glass in action, so go ahead and check some of them out. You won’t be disappointed… unless you’re easily disappointed, in which case, you might be disappointed. Moving on from this interesting field of glassmaking, our next glossary term has something in common with the last term. The commonality lies in the name, electromagnetic spectrum. This term is important in the window manufacturing industry because it deals with radiant heat, something every window manufacturer should be concerned with. This spectrum describes the wide variety of radiant energy that we experience in our daily lives. Now, we don’t experience all the different types of electromagnetic energy that exists within the spectrum, but we certainly do experience some. We are going to keep moving right ahead with our list and check out the next item of intrigue…. emergency exit windows. There is a lot to be said about this one, so we’ll try to squeeze as much in as we can. Emergency exit windows, also known as fire escape windows are required in every bedroom. There are specific building codes that determine the size and accessibility of each window, but in general, they must be at least large enough for an adult to crawl through. These windows are also called egress windows and are a crucial element in every home design.
Last month we took a detour from our routine to explore some of the nuances of winter window replacement. There is a common misconception among those looking to replace windows or doors in their homes that winter is a bad time to make the change. As we looked at last month, this is not really the case at all. A variety of measures can be taken to make the process much more confortable for the homeowner. By using specially designed insulating foam and caulk, the cold temperatures become an inconsequential fact. The list of reasons to endure another cold winter just got a lot shorter. Now, for those of you who love routine, today is your day because we’re getting back to our day-in day-out routine of slowly but surely moving through the window manufacturing glossary! So lets get this party started right with our first term of the day, edge effects.
The idea of edge effect is an easy enough idea to wrap your head around (especially compared to some of the terms we’ve had to tackle in the past). We’re not going to spend too much time on it, so catch it before it is gone. Edge effects refers to a change in the heat transfer at the edge of a glazing unit. This change can be attributed to the thermal properties of the sealants and spacers used in the aluminum window or vinyl window. Our next area of focus in going to be electrochromics. This one gets a little further out toward the deep end of the pool. Electrochromics basically refers to glazing with optical properties that can be changed in a continuous progression from clear to dark at the hands of a low voltage signal. By introducing ions into a specially designed electrochromic material, the optical density is changed and the glass can become harder or easier to see through.
Throughout the month of December, we’ve been sharing helpful winter window installation tips that can help take a bite out of the cold. Last week we looked at a few important issues when it comes to window sizing and preparedness. By having properly sized windows, the amount of time the window is not in the wall can be relatively short. Once the new aluminum window or vinyl window is in its proper place, insulating foam is then used to seal the gaps. Once this is accomplished, the cold will no longer be able to enter the home, and precious heat will no longer be lost. Of course, as we mentioned last week, closing the doors to the room you are working on can help avoid severe heat loss. By working on one window at a time, the total amount of time that heat loss can occur is minimized. One of the final considerations to make when installing windows and doors during the winter months is the effect the cold has on the materials used to seal the house and finish the window installation job. Paint, caulk, and foam all will dry slower when applied in cold temperatures. Because of improper seals that can occur in these cold installations, problems can occur later on in the life of the window. To avoid costly problems, it is important to use industrial strength, high-grade sealants, foams and caulks. These higher quality materials are designed to perform well in extreme temperatures and can make all the difference in the longevity and quality of the window installation. Additionally, by keeping the caulk and foam in the warmth of the home until it is needed, the materials are more likely to perform as they’re intended. While many people are likely to avoid winter replacement window installations, it can be an ideal time of year to make the shift.
So, lets get down to the brass tacks. For the last two weeks we’ve been leading up to the unveiling of a few helpful aluminum window and vinyl window winter installation tips. With winter bearing down with its icy grip, it feels like the right time to unveil our recommendations. A first, and very important step in the process of winter window installation is ensuring that you have the proper windows lined up for the job. It may seem obvious, but many unwitting souls venture into the window replacement process without a properly sized window. Custom sizing helps eliminate the problem of removing a window only to find that the proper windows are not on hand. Now, to be sure, there are some situations where new window sizes are ideal, and this is where a skilled professional (yes, we know, most of you out there are skilled professionals) can be very helpful. Resizing is certainly a very common option, but it is one of the more important issues to have squared away before removing old aluminum windows or vinyl windows and replacing them with energy efficient windows and doors. Once these old windows are removed, the new windows can be replaced in a relatively short amount of time… even a matter of minutes. Average window installation times can take 10-15 minutes per windows. It is clear that if the proper planning has been done, the issue of heat conservation is not the most pressing issue at hand in the winter window replacement process. As a contractor, if the cold is still an issue for your clients, closing the doors in the room you are currently working on can help alleviate the cold-phobia that many homeowners experience. With these issues taken care of, the next challenge to winter installation is using the right products to ensure an airtight seal between the window and the rough opening in the wall. We’ll cover this ground next time.
Last week we looked at the importance of having windows and doors that can stand up to the winter cold. A house with quality aluminum windows or vinyl windows and energy efficient patio doors can mean the difference between a winter of continuously battling the cold, and a winter spent enjoying the season from a comfortable and warm home. There is little doubt that the efficiency gained by having quality windows and doors is dramatic. On that note, lets look at some winter window installation tips to help make the transition to quality windows and doors a little easier this winter. Now, this is by no means an exhaustive guide to window replacement. Instead, it is intended to offer a few helpful tips to make winter window installations easier.
What is the first thing you think of when you think of window replacement and window installation in the winter months? If you live in any region where temperatures drop below a comfortable range, you probably are thinking about the logistics of winter window installation. How do you get those old windows out while bringing the new in without freezing the whole house - after all, people still live in their homes during the winter. To add to the issue of cold weather aluminum or vinyl window installation, what about all those glues and materials that require a certain temperature to properly cure or harden? As troubling as all these issues might seem, winter window installations are not as troublesome as it appears. There are a few key accommodations to be made, but aside from that, winter can be a great time to finally properly insulate a home. In our next installment (no pun intended… alright, pun intended) we’re going to lay out those ground rules for winter aluminum window and vinyl window installation and give a few helpful tips to help the process go smoothly.
The holiday season is here! For many, this time of year brings people together from distant places to share moments around the tree, by the fire, at the dining room table, and in the living room. It is in moments like these that the true value and importance of quality aluminum windows and vinyl windows can become incredibly clear. During this time of year, a drafty house with poorly built windows and doors becomes painfully obvious. With more time being spent indoors, rather that at work or out and about, homeowners and houseguests are more likely to feel the impact of poor energy efficiency. If you’ve been following along as we explore the window manufacturing industry, you’ve probably noticed that we take energy efficiency pretty seriously around here. The idea of energy efficiency is at the core of the aluminum window and vinyl window manufacturing industry and is the heart and soul of quality vinyl windows and aluminum windows. We stress this idea a lot, but only because it is an absolute fundamental cornerstone of energy efficiency in the home or workplace. A drafty window or a poorly constructed patio door can spell astronomical heating and cooling prices. As the winter season bears down harder, we wish you happy holidays, and warm, well-fenestrated (remember that term? Hint: fenestration essentially means windows) homes to celebrate in. If the second part (the part about warm, well-insulated homes) isn’t exactly a good description of your home window situation, stay tuned because we are going to be digging deeper into what it means to have energy efficient home. We’re also going to delve into the vinyl window and aluminum window replacement process. So if your holidays need a little warmth, and your windows and doors lack the integrity and ability to stand up against the winter chill, read on.
Over the course of the previous month, you undoubtedly have seen a lot, heard a lot and covered a lot of ground… whatever that ground may be. We too covered a lot of ground, traversing vast expanses of window manufacturing know how and knowledge. We are well into our journey through the window manufacturing and window making glossary. Week by week we cover a little more, moving slowly but steadily through our terminology. We’ve been moving alphabetically and have come across some pretty valuable information. In our last look, we dove into terms dealing with doubling. Double glazing, double hung windows, double strength glass. To conclude the time we’ve spent looking at terms beginning with the letter d, we’ll look at our final term for the month, drip. “What is a drip,” you say? Well, a drip is a lot of things to a lot of people. A drip in this case (the case of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors and window manufacturing) is a fin or groove that projects beyond the outer edge of a soffit or sill. It is designed to interrupt the flow of water running down a wall or inward over a soffit.
To frame up our month of window study, it would be helpful to look at some of the key themes. At the risk of repeating this idea ad nauseum, it all comes back to efficiency, specifically energy efficiency, when dealing with the window manufacturing industry. Much of the reasoning behind double strength glass and double glazing is to improve upon the energy efficiency of an already quality product. Vinyl windows and aluminum windows revolve around the concept of energy efficiency. It is at the core of all they are, and will continue to advance as we move into the future of window manufacturing.
We’ve been careening through the glossary of window manufacturing knowledge, built over generations and generations of window manufacturing and innovation. Our last foray into window manufacturing terms led us to double-hung windows. These windows provide the ability to open the window either by the top or bottom sash. Today we are going to delve into our final double of the month with the term, double-strength glass. This definition is pretty straightforward and basic. It is essentially glass that is between .114” and .113” thick. This kind of glass is exactly as its name implies; stronger than traditional glass. Born of the need for glass whose strength would exceed that of traditional annealed glass, double-strength glass has a number of applications and can be found very readily. Not only does this kind of glass improve energy efficiency by creating more of a barrier between indoor and outdoor temperatures, it also serves to improve sound insulation. This kind of noise reduction can be valuable for homes situated next to highways, interstates, train tracks, mining operations and any number of other noisy situations. In addition to its noise reducing properties and its energy efficiency benefits, this kind of glass also builds more durable aluminum windows, vinyl windows, and patio doors. Often, double-strength windows will be used in regions that experience more severe wind and storms, as well as places where projectiles and other hazards are more likely to damage windows. The versatility of this product, along with its high value in certain areas has made it commonplace in the window manufacturing industry.
We’ve covered a lot of ground in the last several weeks. We have completed our look at the glossary terms including “double” in their names, and have moved further into the vast world of window manufacturing. We hope you’ve enjoyed the ride. If you want something to chew on for the next few days, we’ll leave you with this thought… just image a double strength glass, double glazed, double hung window - what a window it would be!
Last week we covered double glazed windows. We talked about the improved energy efficiency that comes as a result of the extra layer of glass used to construct the double hung window. By filling the sealed space between the panes with low heat transfer gas, the energy efficiency of the already improved window design is made even more efficient. This is one of the more significant developments in window technology for the advancement of window energy efficiency. With that under our belt, we’re going to move on to our next double glossary term. This week we are going to look at double-hung windows.
Double-hung windows are significant because they consist of two pieces, or sashes, within a single rectangular frame. In this particular kind of window, both the upper and lower halves of the window are able to slide up and down. A counterbalance is used to balance the two separate pieces of the window and ensure a smoothly sliding window. Single hung windows lack the ability to slide both the upper and lower units of the window. Double-hung windows answered the call for more window flexibility. These windows not only answered the call, but also opened a completely new world of possibly when it comes to the way a window opens and closes. By coupling the innovations of the single hung window with the almighty “double,” the flexibility of the old favorite was multiplied. As we move forward, were going to round out our exploration of double with our next glossary term, double-strength glass. As we dive into this next term, we are going to take a good look at the impact this, and other developments have had on the way we heat and cool our homes. Because energy efficiency is really the bottom line in window manufacturing, this is going to be an important point to look closely at.
If you’ve been following along as we unravel the mysteries of the universe, one vinyl window, aluminum window and window manufacturing tidbit at a time, then you are well on your way to fuller comprehension and greater knowledge of the window manufacturing world… a useful thing, should you be in the pursuit of this kind of knowledge. Last month we continued our educational roundhouse kick with window manufacturing terms beginning with the letter d. We covered a lot of different ideas, ending with the term, double glazing. We are going to revisit double glazing this month because it is the first of several important glossary terms dealing with double. It is only fitting to combine them all into one month.
Double glazing is a pretty simple idea with far reaching importance. In general, a double glazed window, also called a double paned window, is a window built of two pieces of glass separated by an air space or a gas filled space. The two pieces of glass are sealed during the creation of the window making an air tight space within the widow. This design is intended to improve the insulating properties of a window. Vinyl windows and aluminum windows are both candidates for double glazing, with higher quality, more thoroughly insulated windows generally being double glazed. The development of double glazing propelled the efficiency and temperature retention of windows and patio doors well beyond what was once possible. The advent of double glazing technology, especially, double glazed, gas filled windows, allowed an entirely new level of energy efficiency within the home and workplace. Because certain gases, like argon (a popular insulating gas used to fill double glazed windows) have properties making them less conducive to the transfer of heat (meaning they insulate better, they are often used to more strictly define the air inside from the air outside). Next time we’ll move on to double-hung windows.
As we round out the d’s this week and finish up our window terminology and vocabulary from this often overlooked letter, we are going to get a little heavy on the technical side. We’ll start with something mild, like divided light. Divided light is a term that is used to talk about a window with a number of smaller panes of glass that are separated from one another and held in place by muntins. We’re not going to get too in depth on this term today because we have too many others to cover, but by all means do some independent research and read up on this interesting facet of window manufacturing.
Our next term that we are going to begin looking at is double glazing. By first light, this appears to be a pretty self-explanatory term, but looks can be deceiving. It is essentially two pieces or panes of glass that are separated from one another by an air space. This technique is effective at improving insulation from heat transfer as well as sound transmission. The air between the two panes of glass is thoroughly dried in order to reduce or eliminate to possibility of condensation forming between the panes when temperatures become optimum for condensation. This is the mark of a quality double glazed or double hung aluminum window or vinyl window. Inferior windows can often be spotted by a light haze of condensation that can form within the sealed window. This can be a major aesthetic problem, and often causes many to seek out replacement windows and doors. Aside from the merely aesthetic side of things, this telltale condensation can spell out inferior insulation as well. To avoid this kind of headache, it is important that vinyl windows and aluminum windows have quality ratings and high production standards. On that note, we’ll say goodbye until next week where we’ll continue our terminology marathon.
Last week we looked at the degree day, a measure that describes temperature change from day to day. It is a concept useful in window energy efficiency ratings and standard setting. And as we all know in the window manufacturing industry, window energy efficiency, whether we’re talking aluminum windows, storm windows, patio doors, or storm doors, is one of the most important things to consider. The indoor climate depends on a quality energy efficient window block the external heat or cold that can swamp a house with high utility bills and an uncomfortable atmosphere. Today, moving along with our rigorous study of industry terminology, we’re going to look at the term, desiccant. This terminology describes an ultra porous crystalline substance that is often used to absorb moisture from inside of a sealed or space, such as insulating glass. That’s one for the books! While it may be a very obscure term, it might come in handy one day, so hang on to it. This week we are also going to look at the term dew point. This term has reaches far beyond the world of window manufacturing and the replacement window niche. Dew point is the temperature at which water that is suspended in the air will condense. Dew point changes depending on the current amount of humidity and the atmospheric pressure. Dew (the condensed water vapor) often appears on grass, windows, doors, and other solid objects outside. If you are wondering why we chose to look at dew point here on our Croft LLC. window manufacturing blog, wonder no more. A little later we are going to get even deeper into the scientific, so if that is your cup of joe, then be sure to read on, you’re not going to want to miss it. For some extra info, feel free to look over some of our previous material and dip a toe or two into the ocean of window manufacturing knowledge at your disposal.
The letter “D” has a lot in store for us. If this feels like Sesame Street, I apologize, we just think it is important to dot all our i’s and cross all our t’s as we cover the vastness of window manufacturing knowledge. To share and dispense this knowledge in an orderly and thorough fashion, we decided to move chronologically through the alphabet. We’ve been at it for quite some time now, and we are only now arriving at the fourth letter of the alphabet. Now, granted, we did some jumping around before we formally decided to apply order to the madness… but we haven’t looked back yet. So, getting on with our discussion of window manufacturing terms, we’ll unveil our next term.
Degree day is our term for the day, and what a term it is. The more formal definition for this term is a unit of measure that represents a deviation of the mean, daily outside temperature from a fixed reference point, by a measure of one degree. More often than not, 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the standard reference point used when determining this measure. So, you might be wondering why this has any relevance to the window manufacturing industry or the vinyl window replacement industry. Well wonder no more. The bottom line in all of our discussions and explorations of aluminum window and vinyl window terms is that it all boils down to energy efficiency and protection from the elements. A degree day has a significant role to play in the measure of this kind of efficiency. To truly understand the capabilities and limitations of a given piece of fenestration, it is critical to know the real world performance data. The measure of the degree day is one more tool to help understand and measure the efficiency of a given product.
It is great to see all your smiling faces back again! Sure, we can’t really see your faces, or really know that you are there at all; but if you are reading this, then we assume you do exist, as should you. We also assume you are looking to broaden your grasp on the intricacies of aluminum windows, vinyl windows, patio doors, and or storm doors. If these assumptions are fair and correct, then welcome! If they are not fair and correct, welcome as well. We have been doing our best to cover everything known to man about the inside and outside of the replacement window manufacturing industry, and we think we’re doing a pretty good job at it so far. We have covered and plumbed the vast expanses of window manufacturing knowledge, and we are only now just finishing up with the letter c in our chronological expedition into the heart of the window manufacturing world. Last month we covered convection, conduction, condensation and a host of other very important terms beginning with the letter c. Along the way, we explored how these terms interact and interplay with the ever-important issue of energy efficiency. To sum up that whole realm of discussion; condensation, conduction, convection, and just about every other term beginning with the letter c has an important relation to the energy efficiency picture. The same can be said for just about any letter of the alphabet: so without further ado, we give you the letter “d,” our next area of focus. This letter has a lot in store for the window manufacturing world. We are on a course to gain much from a thorough look at this letter and its associated terms. The vinyl window and aluminum window manufacturing industry couldn’t do without it… and neither could we. Next week we’ll dive right in with our first term. See you then.
In our most recent look at window manufacturing terminology, we found the course of our studies and investigations colliding into one mega-term. We had been talking about conduction, convection, and condensation; and the way that these three terms related to the vinyl window, aluminum windows, and patio door manufacturing industry. The term that brought it all home was CRF, standing for Condensation Resistance Factor. This measure is a standardized quality rating describing a window’s ability to do just as the name implies, resist condensation. This is something that every window should perform well in if you hope maintain an energy efficient home environment. And this, the maintenance of energy efficiency, is the real goal of vinyl windows and aluminum windows. There is little wiggle room when it comes to the measure of a window’s quality and effectiveness. But we digress. To get back to the CRF rating, it would be good to point out that the standard is based on the AAMA standard and helps consumers find quality vinyl windows and aluminum windows. As a general rule of thumb with this measure, the higher the condensation resistance factor, the less like it is that condensation will occur. This is a good indicator of the quality of a window and can be a reliable gauge of a good window.
Now, to be sure, there are a lot of other factors that go into a quality window rating. There are measures, which we’ve looked at in the past, that describe a window’s ability to retain heat or cold, the amount of UV radiation that is allowed to pass through, the air leakage that occurs. Even beyond these stats, there are a lot of things to consider when buying replacement windows or patio doors. In the coming weeks, we’ll be looking at a few more of these factors and continuing along with our list of window manufacturing industry glossary terms.
Without skipping a beat, we’re going to move right along with our exploration of heat transfer and the way it impacts the aluminum window and vinyl window manufacturing industry. There are a lot of ways that the design and construction of windows and doors of all shapes and sizes have been modified and improved to better protected against unwanted heat loss and heat gain. There is a saying around the window manufacturing industry that goes something like, “if it looks like a window and feels like a window, but doesn’t keep the outside out, then it’s not a window; it’s a screen.” This is actually not a saying in the window manufacturing industry. Today is probably the first time it has formally been coined, and the ripples of this moment will probably go on to shape the window-manufacturing world and turn the universe on its head. The core message behind this newfangled saying is simple, if you aren’t protecting the sealed indoor environment of the home or workplace from the elements of the outside world, then you’re missing the fundamental purpose and goal of the replacement window and window supply industry altogether.
Last week we talked a bit more about conduction and moved on to convection (a closely related mode of heat transference). Today and tomorrow we are going to broach a new topic. Our term we’ll be looking at is CRF, or Condensation Resistance Factor. This is it people, the culmination of all our heat transfer and condensation knowledge! This rating is a standardized measure of a window’s ability to effectively block the condensing of water vapor on its panes… essentially by being a more efficient product. As we’ve learned recently, heat transfer has everything to do with condensation. If a window is poorly stopping the transfer of heat or cold, then condensation will result if the humidity reaches the proper level. Next time we’ll finish up our look at CRF and move on into the great unknown.
Last week we went back over some of the basics of heat transfer, specifically, the way heat moves through a solid material, such as metal or glass. Interesting and superfluous side note: glass is actually a liquid… but that won’t affect our use of the term conduction in dealing with vinyl windows and aluminum windows. Moving forward in the name of progress, convection is our next item on our list of window manufacturing industry terms. This is pretty relevant in our discussion of heat transfer, especially considering that convection is a form of heat transfer. Handy, huh? Convection is a process of heat transfer that takes place in a fluid (like air). Now hold on, I know what you’re thinking, that we’re severely confused in our understanding of gas, solid, and fluid. In reality however, it seems to be physics that has is confused. In physics, air is considered a fluid because it flows in a fluid manner. Now, we aren’t claiming that air is a liquid; only that it is a fluid… two very different things according to physics. Anyhow, back to our discussion about heat convection and replacement windows, this measure is especially relevant to the window manufacturing and replacement window industry because it describes the heat transfer that takes place between the surface of glass and the air within a room, or between two panes of glass. Convection is influenced largely by the density of the fluid through which the heat energy is flowing. Gravity also plays a crucial role in this kind of heat transfer. As we’ve explored previously, this type of heat transfer can be severely altered depending on the material filling the space between panes of a multi-paned window. That is probably enough for today, we’ve thrown around some pretty lofty ideas here today, and we’d hate to overdo it.
If you’ve been tracking along with us, then you know that we are steadily making our way through the seemingly endless list of window manufacturing glossary terms. We started several months ago in an attempt to put together an exhaustive resource for those looking to learn more about the replacement window industry inside and out. We have covered a vast amount of territory and we’re only just now getting through with the words beginning with the letter c. This last week we looked and condensation and the way that a quality window can impact the amount of condensation that forms on the panes of glass, both inside and out. As we all have seen, faulty windows, or those damaged by time or severe weather can even develop condensation between the panes on multi-paned windows. This is definitely an unwelcomed sign and a problem for your aluminum windows or vinyl windows.
With condensation firmly under our belt, lets move on to conduction. This term is goes hand in hand with our previous concept. In a sense, condensation is the result is pretty related to conduction in the way that condensation is the result of heat being lost or gained through the material of the window (i.e. energy conduction). So what exactly does conduction mean? Well, a more formal definition is heat transfer occurring through a solid material via contact between molecules within that material. We touched on this last time, but it doesn’t hurt to redress the issue. Heat traveling from a higher temperature environment to a lower temperature environment will typically behave in this manner, passing energy through the solid material in which it exists. This is a crucial concept in aluminum window and vinyl window production and manufacturing and is fundamental to the creation of quality windows and doors. At Croft LLC, this is not a concept taken lightly, and we think it shows in our superior products. Come back next time for some stimulating discussion on the topic of convection, twin sibling of conduction.