Vinyl windows and aluminum windows have pretty much been our obsession for the last several months, and judging by the way things are going (that way being the way of the window fanatic) we will probably keep heading in that direction for a while. There are so many facets to the seemingly simple vinyl window or aluminum window. The impact of the, again, seemingly simple yet incredibly important vinyl window or aluminum window or patio door is also profound. Not only does a good replacement window keep the heat and cold in or out (whatever your particular climate necessitates), a quality vinyl window also is capable of blocking out harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause fading in fabrics, whitening in woods, and other organic material degradation. By harnessing the power of glass (its power being in its subtle ability to divide space and conquer environments) and coupling that power with the properties of other non-glass materials that allow even greater blockage of solar radiation, the results are dramatic.
In our technologically driven society, you would be hard pressed to find a modern building for work or for play that doesn’t maintain a sealed environment with the aid of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and every variety of energy efficient door. There is no shortage of buildings in need of energy efficient windows that can control the elements and create a space that is suited to the preferences of its inhabitants. Luckily, there is also no shortage of window manufactures and vinyl window or aluminum window makers. The trick is finding one that can provide quality windows at an affordable price. Croft LLC. has been specializing in the window manufacturing process for quite some time now and understands what it means to make quality vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, and storm doors.
Last week we looked at the way that ultraviolet light can damage organic materials (like fabric, carpet, wall paper, paper, art, wood, and paints) causing fading and degradation of the material. Installing a high quality aluminum window or vinyl window in a home can have a dramatic impact on the intensity of that wear. By altering the construction and makeup of the glass that is used in aluminum windows and vinyl windows, a home owner or home builder can pretty dramatically lower the concentration and kind of ultraviolet radiation that passes through the windows and makes it into the house. Because there are many different kinds of solar radiation (light) there are several different methods to protect against the harm that radiation can cause to the interior of the home. However, one of the higher energy forms of radiation is called ultra violet, and thanks to improved technologies that have appeared in the last fifty years, most of these damaging ultraviolet rays can be reflected at the vinyl window or aluminum window itself, rather than entering the home and doing damage. Glass making has come a long way in the years that it has existed. The simple fact that additives and coating can be applied to the glass, either to the surface of the glass or into the glass itself during the glass making process, is a testament to the log distance that the process has come.
When shopping for vinyl windows, it is a good idea to have a solid understanding of how ultraviolet light can affect a home and have a solid appreciation and understanding of the fact that advances in the window making process have vastly improved the way we are able to control the home environment, both in terms of air temperature and the passage of certain types of light through the vinyl windows. With these concepts firmly under your belt, window manufacturers like Croft LLC can help make sure your outfit is armed with the best windows for the job.
When shopping for vinyl windows, it is a good idea to have a solid understanding of how ultraviolet light can affect a home and have a solid appreciation and understanding of the fact that advances in the window making process have vastly improved the way we are able to control the home environment, both in terms of air temperature and the passage of certain types of light through the vinyl windows. With these concepts firmly under your belt, window manufacturers like Croft LLC can help make sure your outfit is armed with the best windows for the job.
We’ve looked at a lot when it comes to vinyl windows and aluminum windows. After looking at the high level overviews of things like storm windows, patio doors, and aluminum windows, we honed in to more specialized topics and began to unearth the history of glass making, window making, and the progression of aluminum windows or vinyl windows as they began to be used in homes. In covering issues of fenestration and the sealed nature of our modern homes, we plumbed the depths of aluminum window and vinyl window knowledge and learned a lot about heat retention and climate control. We’ve certainly covered a lot, and guess what? There’s more!
A lot of organic materials, like as fabric, carpet, wall paper, paper, art, wood, and paints can fade when exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. The kind of aluminum window or vinyl window in a home can greatly influence the intensity and type of ultraviolet radiation that makes it into the house. There are a several kinds of light, or radiation, that are transmitted in sunlight. The most damaging of these are ultraviolet rays. These rays are high in energy and are therefore more likely to damage chemical bonds and deteriorate or degrade organic materials.
Typical window glass has been found to block ultraviolet light below 300 nm (technical jargon) but easily transmits radiation from 300-380 nm (I know, more jargon). Coatings on glass can have a great impact on the amount of ultraviolet light that passes through a vinyl window, aluminum window, or patio door. Some coatings can reduce the UV radiation by up to 75 percent. There are also ultraviolet absorbers which are sometimes used by incorporating them into very thin plastic films which is applied to the surface of the vinyl window or aluminum window. By this method, ultraviolet radiation transmission can be dropped to lower than 1 percent. With the high energy UV light pretty much out of the picture, fading in organic materials can be greatly reduced. By reducing these kinds of light, the energy efficiency of vinyl windows and aluminum windows can greatly increase along while reducing fading.
A lot of organic materials, like as fabric, carpet, wall paper, paper, art, wood, and paints can fade when exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. The kind of aluminum window or vinyl window in a home can greatly influence the intensity and type of ultraviolet radiation that makes it into the house. There are a several kinds of light, or radiation, that are transmitted in sunlight. The most damaging of these are ultraviolet rays. These rays are high in energy and are therefore more likely to damage chemical bonds and deteriorate or degrade organic materials.
Typical window glass has been found to block ultraviolet light below 300 nm (technical jargon) but easily transmits radiation from 300-380 nm (I know, more jargon). Coatings on glass can have a great impact on the amount of ultraviolet light that passes through a vinyl window, aluminum window, or patio door. Some coatings can reduce the UV radiation by up to 75 percent. There are also ultraviolet absorbers which are sometimes used by incorporating them into very thin plastic films which is applied to the surface of the vinyl window or aluminum window. By this method, ultraviolet radiation transmission can be dropped to lower than 1 percent. With the high energy UV light pretty much out of the picture, fading in organic materials can be greatly reduced. By reducing these kinds of light, the energy efficiency of vinyl windows and aluminum windows can greatly increase along while reducing fading.
Over the course of the last several months, we’ve looked up close and personal at just about every detail of the world of windows, glass, and window glass production. We’ve explored the history and evolution of vinyl windows and aluminum windows. We’ve tracked the progression of technology that has lead to patio doors, storm doors, and storm windows. We’ve even explored the details of a sealed home environment and the energy control that is offered by vinyl windows or aluminum windows. There are few corners of the window manufacturer industry that we’ve left unsearched. If you’ve been tracking along with us on our exploration of vinyl windows and aluminum windows, then you are probably pretty close to being an expert in all things pertaining to windows, and patio doors.
As we continue to explore aluminum window manufacturers and the creation of energy efficient windows and patio doors, we are bound to discover an endless number of interesting details and curious finds that we otherwise never would’ve come upon in our daily routines. By digging deeper that the average passing thought about storm doors or vinyl windows, we can uncover knowledge and understanding that can help us have an even greater grasp on what makes a quality aluminum window or vinyl window. And with that knowledge, we can recognize true quality when we see it. By taking apart the window manufacturing industry piece by piece and then building it back piece by piece we can get a better grip on an often overlooked industry and reap the benefits. “What might those benefits be,” you might ask. Well, like we pointed out earlier, you’ll know quality when you see it. This means you’ll have a home that is protected from the elements because you have windows that are of the highest quality. When you become an expert in the field of aluminum windows and vinyl windows, you’ll quickly recognize that only the best is acceptable. Only Croft windows will do.
As we continue to explore aluminum window manufacturers and the creation of energy efficient windows and patio doors, we are bound to discover an endless number of interesting details and curious finds that we otherwise never would’ve come upon in our daily routines. By digging deeper that the average passing thought about storm doors or vinyl windows, we can uncover knowledge and understanding that can help us have an even greater grasp on what makes a quality aluminum window or vinyl window. And with that knowledge, we can recognize true quality when we see it. By taking apart the window manufacturing industry piece by piece and then building it back piece by piece we can get a better grip on an often overlooked industry and reap the benefits. “What might those benefits be,” you might ask. Well, like we pointed out earlier, you’ll know quality when you see it. This means you’ll have a home that is protected from the elements because you have windows that are of the highest quality. When you become an expert in the field of aluminum windows and vinyl windows, you’ll quickly recognize that only the best is acceptable. Only Croft windows will do.
The advancements that eventually hatched the modern vinyl windows, storm doors, and just about any other glass product on the market today have been laid bare in this last month on the pages of the Croft blog. We have ventured further into the history of our beloved aluminum windows and storm windows than many have dared (or cared) to go. Along the way we’ve learned about the process of making glass and just about every advancement that has led to where we are today.
We have looked at nature’s glass (volcanic rock called obsidian and lighting melted sand called fulgurate) and gained some insight into how the process of glass making works and the incredible heat and simple recipes necessary to create crude glass. Again, this glass is a distant (very distant) relative of the glass used to create the vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and patio doors we rely on today.
In our exploration we looked at the early forms glass took and the ways it was first incorporated into domestic life. We traced this lineage into more modern times and uncovered early manufacturing methods and realized their successes and failures. Today, armed with an understanding of the past and the history leading to the energy star windows we know today, we turn a new leaf and embark on our next stage of learning about the world of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, and storm doors. Where will we head next? The answer to that question is anyone’s guess. Only time will tell. Until next time however, we have plenty to think about. We have thousands of years of history to remember every time we look at a vinyl window or patio door. Every time we see a double pane aluminum replacement window we can know the long road that window has traveled to take shape as the energy efficient window that it is. From crude glass making to refined plate glass production techniques and mass production, the road has been long. Thankfully, we’ve arrived, and Croft is proud to be a part of the story.
We have looked at nature’s glass (volcanic rock called obsidian and lighting melted sand called fulgurate) and gained some insight into how the process of glass making works and the incredible heat and simple recipes necessary to create crude glass. Again, this glass is a distant (very distant) relative of the glass used to create the vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and patio doors we rely on today.
In our exploration we looked at the early forms glass took and the ways it was first incorporated into domestic life. We traced this lineage into more modern times and uncovered early manufacturing methods and realized their successes and failures. Today, armed with an understanding of the past and the history leading to the energy star windows we know today, we turn a new leaf and embark on our next stage of learning about the world of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, and storm doors. Where will we head next? The answer to that question is anyone’s guess. Only time will tell. Until next time however, we have plenty to think about. We have thousands of years of history to remember every time we look at a vinyl window or patio door. Every time we see a double pane aluminum replacement window we can know the long road that window has traveled to take shape as the energy efficient window that it is. From crude glass making to refined plate glass production techniques and mass production, the road has been long. Thankfully, we’ve arrived, and Croft is proud to be a part of the story.
The advancements that eventually hatched the modern vinyl windows, storm door, and just about any other glass product on the market today have been laid bare in this last month on the pages of the Croft blog. We have ventured further into the history of our beloved aluminum windows and storm windows than many have dared (or cared) to go. Along the way we’ve learned about the process of making glass and just about every advancement that has led to where we are today.
We have looked at nature’s glass (volcanic rock called obsidian and lighting melted sand called fulgurate) and gained some insight into how the process of glass making works and the incredible heat and simple recipes necessary to create crude glass. Again, this glass is a distant (very distant) relative of the glass used to create the vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and patio doors we rely on today.
In our exploration we looked at the early forms glass took and the ways it was first incorporated into domestic life. We traced this lineage into more modern times and uncovered early manufacturing methods and realized their successes and failures. Today, armed with an understanding of the past and the history leading to the energy star windows we know today, we turn a new leaf and embark on our next stage of learning about the world of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, and storm doors. Where will we head next? The answer to that question is anyone’s guess. Only time will tell. Until next time however, we have plenty to think about. We have thousands of years of history to remember every time we look at a vinyl window or patio door. Every time we see a double pane aluminum replacement window we can know the long road that window has traveled to take shape as the energy efficient window that it is. From crude glass making to refined plate glass production techniques and mass production, the road has been long. Thankfully, we’ve arrived, and Croft is proud to be a part of the story.
We have looked at nature’s glass (volcanic rock called obsidian and lighting melted sand called fulgurate) and gained some insight into how the process of glass making works and the incredible heat and simple recipes necessary to create crude glass. Again, this glass is a distant (very distant) relative of the glass used to create the vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and patio doors we rely on today.
In our exploration we looked at the early forms glass took and the ways it was first incorporated into domestic life. We traced this lineage into more modern times and uncovered early manufacturing methods and realized their successes and failures. Today, armed with an understanding of the past and the history leading to the energy star windows we know today, we turn a new leaf and embark on our next stage of learning about the world of vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, and storm doors. Where will we head next? The answer to that question is anyone’s guess. Only time will tell. Until next time however, we have plenty to think about. We have thousands of years of history to remember every time we look at a vinyl window or patio door. Every time we see a double pane aluminum replacement window we can know the long road that window has traveled to take shape as the energy efficient window that it is. From crude glass making to refined plate glass production techniques and mass production, the road has been long. Thankfully, we’ve arrived, and Croft is proud to be a part of the story.
Croft has been in the business of providing quality vinyl windows and aluminum window for some time now and has honed the process of window making to a science. There are countless steps that have led to the mass manufacture of storm windows and every other kind of window, and we have been exploring those steps throughout the course of our blog here at Croft. Last time we looked at some of the final stages in the evolution of the glass used to create the energy efficient windows we use today and we've definately learned a lot throughout the process.
Today we are going to cover the advancements in technology that have moved us from the aluminum windows of the past to the aluminum and vinyl windows of the future. We will explore these final stages where glass making became a precision process that could be mechanized and moved into mass production. This final leap in the production of glass has allowed the advancements that led to vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, storm doors and the ability for window manufacturers to produce a host of other kinds of glass windows and doors.
Last time we had chronicled the history of glass up though the creation of plate glass, an advancement that would prove to be one of the most significant leaps toward modern vinyl windows and patio doors. This leap, not unlike other leaps throughout the history of the ages, will be remembered as a great moment for mankind…maybe. Sure, there might be other moments that are more deserving of the title, but regardless, this was a shining moment in the history of window making and would eventually spawn the single pane, double pane, and even triple pane vinyl windows, patio doors, and aluminum windows that Croft is know for today. For quality aluminum windows, vinyl windows, storm doors, and patio doors backed by thousands of years of glass making history and experience, look no further.
Today we are going to cover the advancements in technology that have moved us from the aluminum windows of the past to the aluminum and vinyl windows of the future. We will explore these final stages where glass making became a precision process that could be mechanized and moved into mass production. This final leap in the production of glass has allowed the advancements that led to vinyl windows, aluminum windows, patio doors, storm doors and the ability for window manufacturers to produce a host of other kinds of glass windows and doors.
Last time we had chronicled the history of glass up though the creation of plate glass, an advancement that would prove to be one of the most significant leaps toward modern vinyl windows and patio doors. This leap, not unlike other leaps throughout the history of the ages, will be remembered as a great moment for mankind…maybe. Sure, there might be other moments that are more deserving of the title, but regardless, this was a shining moment in the history of window making and would eventually spawn the single pane, double pane, and even triple pane vinyl windows, patio doors, and aluminum windows that Croft is know for today. For quality aluminum windows, vinyl windows, storm doors, and patio doors backed by thousands of years of glass making history and experience, look no further.
There are few things that a homeowner or renter notices more than an open vinyl window or patio door on an exceptionally cold or hot day. Trying to keep a stable and comfortable temperature within a home that is not properly sealed can be a massive energy drain. Forget about energy efficiency at this point, just trying to keep a constant temperature can be almost impossible. We often don’t appreciate the value that glass provides us on a day to day basis, but when we are without it, we quickly realize how important it can be.
In recent blogs here at Croft LLC, we have been exploring the history of glass making in order to understand the vinyl window making process and all that it entails. We have covered millennia of time to arrive at a somewhat modern version of glass, but we haven’t quite arrived at our finished product. Our next peek into history will take us to early America where colonists were struggling to survive and combating the elements. The first glass making factory was established in the sixteen hundreds but was short-lived due to a famine that left the people in no condition to venture into glass making and the eventual aluminum windows and vinyl windows that would come (luxurious endeavors in trying times). Several other attempts at making glass on a large scale were executed, but none with lasting success. It wasn’t until the eighteen hundreds that the first real demand for widow glass began and glass making factories really began to take stable root.
This early window glass was called crown glass and birthed our modern style of glass which finds itself in vinyl windows, patio doors, aluminum windows, and many other kinds of windows and doors. This crown glass, as it was known, was shortly replaced by cylinder glass. Cylinder glass led directly to plate glass which is what we find in vinyl windows and modern windows and doors of every kind. In our next blog we’ll look at the modern method of window making and see what sets Croft windows and doors apart.
In recent blogs here at Croft LLC, we have been exploring the history of glass making in order to understand the vinyl window making process and all that it entails. We have covered millennia of time to arrive at a somewhat modern version of glass, but we haven’t quite arrived at our finished product. Our next peek into history will take us to early America where colonists were struggling to survive and combating the elements. The first glass making factory was established in the sixteen hundreds but was short-lived due to a famine that left the people in no condition to venture into glass making and the eventual aluminum windows and vinyl windows that would come (luxurious endeavors in trying times). Several other attempts at making glass on a large scale were executed, but none with lasting success. It wasn’t until the eighteen hundreds that the first real demand for widow glass began and glass making factories really began to take stable root.
This early window glass was called crown glass and birthed our modern style of glass which finds itself in vinyl windows, patio doors, aluminum windows, and many other kinds of windows and doors. This crown glass, as it was known, was shortly replaced by cylinder glass. Cylinder glass led directly to plate glass which is what we find in vinyl windows and modern windows and doors of every kind. In our next blog we’ll look at the modern method of window making and see what sets Croft windows and doors apart.
Glass is a fundamental piece of much of our modern lives. From the windows of our automobiles, to the screens of some computers and televisions, to the panes of our aluminum windows and vinyl windows. Glass is an indispensable component of any building project. Storm doors, patio doors and vinyl windows of every kind require the same common denominator, glass. If you’ll remember, last month we set out to look at the history of glass and the process of the evolving ideas and techniques that have led to our current conception of glass. We traced the rough beginnings of glass in the form of glazes found early pots and artifacts discovered in the middle east. Moving from there, we found glass in various forms throughout history up until about the middle ages where we left off last month. At this point glass was not like the glass in the vinyl windows we know and love today. No, at this point glass was much more brittle and breakable. Humans had not discovered the processes of annealing or tempering which drastically improved the quality and durability of glass allowing for the construction grade material which is found in all Croft windows.
The history we are uncovering is one that needed to happen if energy efficient windows were ever to become a reality. If glass had stayed the way it was, there would be no energy star windows certified to ensure energy tax credits and a host other benefits. Without the innovations that have helped to make our vinyl widows a reality today, glass could still be taking the shape of fulgurate (glass formed when lightning strikes sand) and obsidian (glass formed from sand melted by the incredible intensity of volcanic activity). Glass is a naturally occurring thing, but without human inventiveness and modification, it never would’ve taken the shapes of the vinyl windows, patio doors, windshields, and televisions screens we know today. Luckily it did, and Croft has the proof with vinyl window, aluminum windows, and patio doors of every shape and size.
The history we are uncovering is one that needed to happen if energy efficient windows were ever to become a reality. If glass had stayed the way it was, there would be no energy star windows certified to ensure energy tax credits and a host other benefits. Without the innovations that have helped to make our vinyl widows a reality today, glass could still be taking the shape of fulgurate (glass formed when lightning strikes sand) and obsidian (glass formed from sand melted by the incredible intensity of volcanic activity). Glass is a naturally occurring thing, but without human inventiveness and modification, it never would’ve taken the shapes of the vinyl windows, patio doors, windshields, and televisions screens we know today. Luckily it did, and Croft has the proof with vinyl window, aluminum windows, and patio doors of every shape and size.
Croft windows represent the culmination of centuries, even millennia, of human experience and understanding that has developed to allow the production of glass. The clear, durable, and energy efficiency glass we have come to know today, which exists in everything from vinyl windows and aluminum windows to every kind of patio door and storm door, didn’t invent itself over night; rather, it was the evolution and progression of technology and human development that has come to allow the ease with which we create glass products.
Early glassmaking was definitely a different process than the process used today to create the window glass used in new vinyl windows and replacement aluminum windows. Back in the “old days” glass making was slow and costly, not like the processes Croft utilizes for their vinyl window production today. Because glass was hard to make and difficult to find, it became a prized possession which was, at times, valued as much as exotic jewels. There was no shortage of demand, but technology had not advanced enough to allow the mass production we’ve come to know in modern times. So, let’s take a look at the progression that has led us to the world we know today where vinyl windows and aluminum windows are as common as the air we breathe. The first known glass product dates back to about 3000 BC and it took the form of a glaze on the outside of ceramic material. Who knew that some five thousand years later, glass would be a common material used in construction, art, design, vinyl windows, aluminum windows, storm doors, and patio doors.
The progression of glassmaking was slow to build momentum and nearly fifteen hundred years after the advent of glass glaze, the first glass vessels were made. Now, this glass was certainly nothing like the glass we use commonly today, but it was one of the first ancestors that would one day spring forth windows of every kind; vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and every other kind of glass product for that matter owes their existence to the creator of that first glass jar. The next several thousand years would be a bumpy, but ultimately exciting and important ride for glass, glassmakers, and human kind in general. Next time we’ll look at some more of that progression and trace back the roots of Croft vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and patio doors.
Early glassmaking was definitely a different process than the process used today to create the window glass used in new vinyl windows and replacement aluminum windows. Back in the “old days” glass making was slow and costly, not like the processes Croft utilizes for their vinyl window production today. Because glass was hard to make and difficult to find, it became a prized possession which was, at times, valued as much as exotic jewels. There was no shortage of demand, but technology had not advanced enough to allow the mass production we’ve come to know in modern times. So, let’s take a look at the progression that has led us to the world we know today where vinyl windows and aluminum windows are as common as the air we breathe. The first known glass product dates back to about 3000 BC and it took the form of a glaze on the outside of ceramic material. Who knew that some five thousand years later, glass would be a common material used in construction, art, design, vinyl windows, aluminum windows, storm doors, and patio doors.
The progression of glassmaking was slow to build momentum and nearly fifteen hundred years after the advent of glass glaze, the first glass vessels were made. Now, this glass was certainly nothing like the glass we use commonly today, but it was one of the first ancestors that would one day spring forth windows of every kind; vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and every other kind of glass product for that matter owes their existence to the creator of that first glass jar. The next several thousand years would be a bumpy, but ultimately exciting and important ride for glass, glassmakers, and human kind in general. Next time we’ll look at some more of that progression and trace back the roots of Croft vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and patio doors.
The glass making process is a fairly simple process, yet it requires a knowledge of materials and heritage of experience that has endured and progressed out of countless trails and errors. This heritage did not happen over night, but rather, it was the result of many years of human development and the progression of the art of glass making. Without this kind of development, the reliable and strong glass that makes up our patio doors, vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and even car windows would not be nearly as dependable or enduring. If you have ever managed to accidentally run into a patio door or sliding glass door while walking, you have the heritage of glass development to thank that you didn’t crash right through it. Early car windows were much more dangerous as they had yet to perfect less brittle glass, let alone safety glass. While homes are not barreling down the highway at high speeds, a durable window is still extremely important. High winds, driving rain, branches, hail, and baseballs are all threats to the integrity of a window, and thankfully glass technology has advanced in such a way that many of these threats are much less serious to the health of a window. This technology, although often taken for granted, is utilized in every vinyl window, aluminum window, storm door, and patio door that Croft makes.
But how did this knowledge and technology come about? What progression was taken that resulted in the eventual technology that has revolutionized glass making, vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and replacement windows of every kind? The fact that our windows are not brittle or fragile and that any old vinyl window doesn’t simply crack in a heavy wind is something so common place that it is easy to forget that it is, in fact, an evolved technology that allows us to experience glass as it had never been known before.
Now that the stage is appropriately set, we will begin the look into the history of glass and the way it became what it is today. With the wide variety of aluminum windows, vinyl windows, and patio doors that surround us in our daily life, it is only fitting that we delve deeper into the things we see so often.
But how did this knowledge and technology come about? What progression was taken that resulted in the eventual technology that has revolutionized glass making, vinyl windows, aluminum windows, and replacement windows of every kind? The fact that our windows are not brittle or fragile and that any old vinyl window doesn’t simply crack in a heavy wind is something so common place that it is easy to forget that it is, in fact, an evolved technology that allows us to experience glass as it had never been known before.
Now that the stage is appropriately set, we will begin the look into the history of glass and the way it became what it is today. With the wide variety of aluminum windows, vinyl windows, and patio doors that surround us in our daily life, it is only fitting that we delve deeper into the things we see so often.
This week on the Croft blog, we are going to take a trip through time and look at history and the way glass making has evolved and developed. We have already explored some interesting history, or at least pseudo history, pertaining to the development of the home as a sealed unit where the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature became viewed as separate things. The idea of an aluminum window or vinyl window being an interface between the two different climates is a notion we traced back through history in order to grasp at a better understanding of aluminum windows, vinyl windows, storm doors, and patio doors - the kind Croft has become an expert in manufacturing. So, in a similar historical vein, our next series of blogs will attempt to more deeply explore the world of glass and its often overlooked components.
We already have a basic knowledge of the process by which glass is made. For a quick recap we can look back at the basic recipe for glass which follows a pretty standard method. The basic recipe is silica, soda ash, and lime. Very high heat melts the mixture which is then poured into whatever mold is needed. By varying different chemicals which can be incorporated into the glass mixture, unique qualities can be created. To manufacture the glass which is placed in vinyl windows and aluminum windows a unique method is utilized. For the absolutely flat surface needed in a pane of glass, the melted mixture of glass making ingredients is poured on top of melted tin. The glass is lighter than the tin, so it floats on top and forms a perfectly smooth face as the glass cools. An annealing process, where the glass (which eventually finds its way into aluminum windows, patio doors, vinyl windows, and just about every other type of home window) is slowly cooled to strengthen it. Then, a tempering process where the glass (still the same glass that makes its way into all those vinyl windows and aluminum windows we know so well) is reheated and cooled very quickly is used to make the glass even stronger. With that basic knowledge, we can start to look at the bigger question of how the glass used in vinyl windows and patio doors has arrived in the form we know today.
We already have a basic knowledge of the process by which glass is made. For a quick recap we can look back at the basic recipe for glass which follows a pretty standard method. The basic recipe is silica, soda ash, and lime. Very high heat melts the mixture which is then poured into whatever mold is needed. By varying different chemicals which can be incorporated into the glass mixture, unique qualities can be created. To manufacture the glass which is placed in vinyl windows and aluminum windows a unique method is utilized. For the absolutely flat surface needed in a pane of glass, the melted mixture of glass making ingredients is poured on top of melted tin. The glass is lighter than the tin, so it floats on top and forms a perfectly smooth face as the glass cools. An annealing process, where the glass (which eventually finds its way into aluminum windows, patio doors, vinyl windows, and just about every other type of home window) is slowly cooled to strengthen it. Then, a tempering process where the glass (still the same glass that makes its way into all those vinyl windows and aluminum windows we know so well) is reheated and cooled very quickly is used to make the glass even stronger. With that basic knowledge, we can start to look at the bigger question of how the glass used in vinyl windows and patio doors has arrived in the form we know today.
Last time we looked at glass and the way it impacts our lives. There is little doubt that without glass, the world would be a darker place, at least the in the interiors of our homes. The invention of glass and the development of glass related products, namely aluminum windows, vinyl windows, and patio doors, has allowed the distinct and dear ability for our homes to be at once sealed and open. We can see beyond the walls of our homes thanks to the windows and doors whose glass makes it possible to maintain a sealed home environment and improve energy efficiency. So, lets look at how the magic happens.
Glass is made naturally when lightening strikes sand. The extreme heat of the bolt melts the sand and forms exotically shaped pieces of glass called fulgurite. Now, this glass is quite different from the refined glass used to make our aluminum windows vinyl windows and patio doors, but, it is glass all the same. Volcanoes also can create glass-like rock by melting existing rock with the extreme heat of the lava (molten rock). Glass is naturally made by melting sand. The industrialized process of making glass follows that basic recipe; silica, soda ash and lime are the primary ingredients. Extreme heat is used to melt the mixture. Depending on what the glass will be used for, (glass in an energy efficienct window is different than glass in a substandard alumimum windows) different chemicals can be added to the mix to bring out different qualities and colors.
The steps taken to create the kind of glass used in vinyl windows and aluminum windows are slightly different that other forms of glass making. To achieve the perfectly flat surface of a pane of glass, the molten glass is poured over molten tin. The glass floats on the surface of the tin, which has an incredibly smooth surface, and cools enough to hold its shape. The glass is then cooled slowly to strengthen it (annealing) and then is reheated and cooled rapidly to further strengthen it (tempering). The result is the perfectly smooth glass that goes into every quality Croft window, storm doors, and patio door.
This blog has been dedicated to all things pertaining to windows. Last week we looked at some interesting concepts that helped us understand the concept of energy efficiency and the benefits of a sealed home. We took the biological cell as a model and saw it showcase incredible energy efficiency. Being a sealed environment, it has windows and doors which selectively allow certain things access while keeping other things out. This is the essence of energy efficiency in a home. A good vinyl window or aluminum window should keep the heat or cold on the proper side of the home, whether that means in the winter keeping the heat in and the cold out, or in the summer keeping the heat out and the cold in. A good vinyl window or aluminum window should also allow certain things in, like light and color. What good would a window be if you couldn’t see out of it? I believe we call those walls.
Now, all this stuff might seem very basic and a little too simplistic, but if we are going to understand the core of window manufacturing, then there is no detail too small or insignificant that should be overlooked. With that little disclaimer out of the way, the quality that makes an aluminum window an aluminum window and a vinyl window a vinyl window is the window’s ability to help seal the home while allowing visibility and sight to the outside world. This is the work of… any guesses? Glass! It is the incredible work of glass that allows such a valuable dynamic to occur. Storm doors, patio doors, storm windows, aluminum windows, vinyl windows, windows on boats, windows in cars, all types of fenestration (remember that word from last time?) contain that common denominator, glass. Sure, there is the occasional plastic window, but that isn’t fooling anyone. When it comes to clarity, strength, and energy efficiency, glass is king. Croft has been in the business of making quality windows and doors from the highest quality glass and moldings for years. For next week we’re scheduled to look at how the glass that makes the world go round is made, so brace yourselves.
Now, all this stuff might seem very basic and a little too simplistic, but if we are going to understand the core of window manufacturing, then there is no detail too small or insignificant that should be overlooked. With that little disclaimer out of the way, the quality that makes an aluminum window an aluminum window and a vinyl window a vinyl window is the window’s ability to help seal the home while allowing visibility and sight to the outside world. This is the work of… any guesses? Glass! It is the incredible work of glass that allows such a valuable dynamic to occur. Storm doors, patio doors, storm windows, aluminum windows, vinyl windows, windows on boats, windows in cars, all types of fenestration (remember that word from last time?) contain that common denominator, glass. Sure, there is the occasional plastic window, but that isn’t fooling anyone. When it comes to clarity, strength, and energy efficiency, glass is king. Croft has been in the business of making quality windows and doors from the highest quality glass and moldings for years. For next week we’re scheduled to look at how the glass that makes the world go round is made, so brace yourselves.
Last time, in our thrilling and insightful vocabulary lesson, we looked into the word fenestration and its application to the world of windows. Since it is the root of our conception of windows, it is fitting that we should look at the word in all its wonder. If you dig a little deeper, past the definition stating that fenestration is; 1) the design and placement of windows in a building, 2) an opening in the surface of a structure, as in a membrane – you’ll find some interesting concepts waiting to be revealed and digested. Running with the second definition, that fenestration deals with openings in the surface of a structure, such as the opening in a membrane, we are smoothly lead to an idea that we talked about in previous blog posts.
The notion of a sealed space punctuated by windows and doors is essential to our understanding of energy efficiency and how to go about creating homes and spaces that are more energy efficient. If we take our model for home energy efficiency from the biological cell, then we do well. The cell is one of the most efficient structures on the planet, with its fenestrations, its windows and doors, (I don’t think biological cells are in the business of working with vinyl windows or aluminum windows, but they have tiny windows and doors all the same) the cell becomes a selectively permeable sealed envelope that contains vital structures and processes.
Just like homes that allow occupants to enter and leave, the cell is a great model for energy efficiency. The concept of an envelope is something that vinyl window and aluminum window manufactures like Croft understand well. With the sealed outer layer of the home enveloping the life within, windows and doors should serve as a controllable and protective barrier allowing only desired transactions, not the unsanctioned exchange that occurs when heat and conditioned air leak through old or worn out windows. With new replacement windows, patio doors, and other varieties of fenestration from Croft, the home can more closely resemble the incredible and efficient biological cell. Whether it’s a vinyl window, aluminum window, storm door, or patio door, Croft has the fenestration to make energy efficiency a breeze.
The notion of a sealed space punctuated by windows and doors is essential to our understanding of energy efficiency and how to go about creating homes and spaces that are more energy efficient. If we take our model for home energy efficiency from the biological cell, then we do well. The cell is one of the most efficient structures on the planet, with its fenestrations, its windows and doors, (I don’t think biological cells are in the business of working with vinyl windows or aluminum windows, but they have tiny windows and doors all the same) the cell becomes a selectively permeable sealed envelope that contains vital structures and processes.
Just like homes that allow occupants to enter and leave, the cell is a great model for energy efficiency. The concept of an envelope is something that vinyl window and aluminum window manufactures like Croft understand well. With the sealed outer layer of the home enveloping the life within, windows and doors should serve as a controllable and protective barrier allowing only desired transactions, not the unsanctioned exchange that occurs when heat and conditioned air leak through old or worn out windows. With new replacement windows, patio doors, and other varieties of fenestration from Croft, the home can more closely resemble the incredible and efficient biological cell. Whether it’s a vinyl window, aluminum window, storm door, or patio door, Croft has the fenestration to make energy efficiency a breeze.
Today, we are going to delve into the world of windows and doors (aluminum windows, vinyl windows, patio doors, storm doors, the list goes on) to a linguistic depth, the likes of which we’ve yet to reach. We’ve talked a lot about the specifications of aluminum windows and vinyl windows, energy star certification, and the importance of sealing a home or work environment to reduce energy expenses. There is little doubt that we have plumbed the basics of all things windows, so, for this blog post, we are going to look at windows from a slightly different angle. We are going to approach the subject from the angle of vocabulary and look at a word that is unknown to most of us but is interesting to explore nonetheless.
The word is of the day is… fenestration. If you have ever heard this word before, then congratulations. If you know what it means, then find someone to give you a pat on the back. There are few who hold such a knowledge of vocabulary or windows so as to be already equipped with this word. The word finds its roots in Latin, as many of our words do. It comes from the word fenestra which means window. I’m not sure that the creators of the word had in mind the variety of windows that would one day be, that day being today, but regardless, the word is all about windows.
With vinyl windows, aluminum windows, storm windows, and every other variety of window, we’ve probably outreached the initial idea behind the word, but what word isn’t subject to that kind of change. From the idea of fenestration, the idea for such endless variety of windows was born. So, now that we’ve done our brief rundown on the meaning of our new word, we’ll use it in a sentence. Here it goes; when it comes to fenestration, Croft has all the bases covered. With vinyl windows, aluminum windows, storm doors, patio doors, and every other variety of window or door, Croft LLC. can help you find the right fenestration for your dwelling place.
The word is of the day is… fenestration. If you have ever heard this word before, then congratulations. If you know what it means, then find someone to give you a pat on the back. There are few who hold such a knowledge of vocabulary or windows so as to be already equipped with this word. The word finds its roots in Latin, as many of our words do. It comes from the word fenestra which means window. I’m not sure that the creators of the word had in mind the variety of windows that would one day be, that day being today, but regardless, the word is all about windows.
With vinyl windows, aluminum windows, storm windows, and every other variety of window, we’ve probably outreached the initial idea behind the word, but what word isn’t subject to that kind of change. From the idea of fenestration, the idea for such endless variety of windows was born. So, now that we’ve done our brief rundown on the meaning of our new word, we’ll use it in a sentence. Here it goes; when it comes to fenestration, Croft has all the bases covered. With vinyl windows, aluminum windows, storm doors, patio doors, and every other variety of window or door, Croft LLC. can help you find the right fenestration for your dwelling place.
This time we’ll continue our look at energy star windows. Energy star windows have become a major marker of the progression towards energy efficiency in the home. Although the energy star label is less about manufacturing standards of efficiency and more about the energy savings for the consumer, it does stand as a milestone in moving toward not only energy efficient windows, but also energy efficiency in general. Energy star certified products often exceed 20 to 30 percent of the energy efficiency standards that federal regulations require.
The energy star certification for windows requires that the window meet specifications in two specific areas: U factor, which measures the rate of heat transfer, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which measures the amount of solar energy that can pass into a home. The lower the U factor, the better the insulation. The lower the SHGC, the higher the widow’s ability to block the infiltration of solar heat.
In areas dominated primarily by the need for air conditioning and heat control, lower SHGC rating are important. They’ll help keep the air inside the house less effected by the sun and its radiation heating. In other areas where keeping a house warm is the primary concern, lower U factor ratings are crucial to keep the house warm in cold months. These factors are all considered when giving the window an energy star rating. The location where the vinyl window or aluminum will be used is also considered when rating these windows. While one window might be a great, energy efficient choice for one region, in a region with different heating and cooling demands, the vinyl window or aluminum window could prove to be very ineffective.
Croft windows are rated with energy star certification and are built with quality and reliability as the top concern. They are built to last, built for efficiency, and built in the tradition of quality that Croft has upheld for years.
The energy star certification for windows requires that the window meet specifications in two specific areas: U factor, which measures the rate of heat transfer, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which measures the amount of solar energy that can pass into a home. The lower the U factor, the better the insulation. The lower the SHGC, the higher the widow’s ability to block the infiltration of solar heat.
In areas dominated primarily by the need for air conditioning and heat control, lower SHGC rating are important. They’ll help keep the air inside the house less effected by the sun and its radiation heating. In other areas where keeping a house warm is the primary concern, lower U factor ratings are crucial to keep the house warm in cold months. These factors are all considered when giving the window an energy star rating. The location where the vinyl window or aluminum will be used is also considered when rating these windows. While one window might be a great, energy efficient choice for one region, in a region with different heating and cooling demands, the vinyl window or aluminum window could prove to be very ineffective.
Croft windows are rated with energy star certification and are built with quality and reliability as the top concern. They are built to last, built for efficiency, and built in the tradition of quality that Croft has upheld for years.
In a recent post we looked at some of the nitty and the gritty when it comes to home energy efficiency and the impact aluminum windows and vinyl windows can have on a home’s overall energy efficiency. We looked a bit more in depth into what a truly efficient aluminum or vinyl window might be like. We saw that there is a great depth to which you can go in defining energy efficiency. If the definition is extended too far, however, only a few, if any, manufactures or buyers would be able to afford to meet the standards. There obviously had to be compromises if energy efficiency was to be made accessible to the majority of the population. As vinyl window, aluminum window, and patio door construction technologies advance, however, it becomes more practical to incorporate higher standards for efficiency.
The advancement towards closing the loop on waste is a progression that takes time to gather momentum but builds upon itself as time goes. As this progression continues, there is no doubt about the substantial reduction of wasted energy in the form of heating or air conditioning as a result of replacing worn out vinyl windows and tired aluminum windows with new vinyl windows and energy efficient aluminum windows.
This is where the energy star certification comes into play. Old and inferior windows can be the culprit of much wasted energy. Energy Star replacement windows like Croft LLC.’s vinyl window series and even aluminum window series can have a major impact on improving the energy efficiency of a home. The Energy Star certification was established to help make buying windows easier for the average consumer. Energy Star windows meet or exceed standards established to outline energy efficiency and guide the consumer in purchasing energy efficient windows to replace old and worn out aluminum or vinyl windows in their home.
The advancement towards closing the loop on waste is a progression that takes time to gather momentum but builds upon itself as time goes. As this progression continues, there is no doubt about the substantial reduction of wasted energy in the form of heating or air conditioning as a result of replacing worn out vinyl windows and tired aluminum windows with new vinyl windows and energy efficient aluminum windows.
This is where the energy star certification comes into play. Old and inferior windows can be the culprit of much wasted energy. Energy Star replacement windows like Croft LLC.’s vinyl window series and even aluminum window series can have a major impact on improving the energy efficiency of a home. The Energy Star certification was established to help make buying windows easier for the average consumer. Energy Star windows meet or exceed standards established to outline energy efficiency and guide the consumer in purchasing energy efficient windows to replace old and worn out aluminum or vinyl windows in their home.
To ensure that you get the right replacement windows for your home and secure your energy tax credit, it is important to recognize the differences in windows. Windows of inferior quality, or simply windows not designed to improve home efficiency will not qualify for the energy efficiency tax credit. Replacement windows, skylights, and exterior doors which have a U factor of 0.30 or below, and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 do quality though. Storm windows and storm doors must adhere to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in combination with their settings. These elements are critical in making sure that you get your tax credit.
Luckily, most of the work of figuring out which windows and doors qualify and which don’t has been done for you. The energy star certification is the most failsafe way to know whether an aluminum window, vinyl window, or door is certified for energy efficiency and will qualify you for your tax credit. An energy star window is rated according to its ability to provide energy efficiency. It is important to make sure you have the certification paperwork proving that the windows are energy efficient in order to receive your credit. You won’t need to give these papers to the IRS unless they are requested for verification, but they are a good thing to have in case.
Assuming you make the move to replace old windows with replacement energy star windows, you become eligible to receive a tax credit of up to 1500 dollars. Thirty percent of the entire purchase price, with a 1500 dollar cap, can be deducted from your taxes. This program provides a powerful incentive to make the shift toward home energy efficiency. Croft offers a wide selection of windows that are energy star certified and will not only secure your federal tax credit, but also will help seal your home for greater energy efficiency and greater savings year round.
Luckily, most of the work of figuring out which windows and doors qualify and which don’t has been done for you. The energy star certification is the most failsafe way to know whether an aluminum window, vinyl window, or door is certified for energy efficiency and will qualify you for your tax credit. An energy star window is rated according to its ability to provide energy efficiency. It is important to make sure you have the certification paperwork proving that the windows are energy efficient in order to receive your credit. You won’t need to give these papers to the IRS unless they are requested for verification, but they are a good thing to have in case.
Assuming you make the move to replace old windows with replacement energy star windows, you become eligible to receive a tax credit of up to 1500 dollars. Thirty percent of the entire purchase price, with a 1500 dollar cap, can be deducted from your taxes. This program provides a powerful incentive to make the shift toward home energy efficiency. Croft offers a wide selection of windows that are energy star certified and will not only secure your federal tax credit, but also will help seal your home for greater energy efficiency and greater savings year round.
It’s April and spring is upon us. For most of us, that means that it’s tax time. Could there be a better time to talk about the federal tax credit for installing energy efficient windows in your home? We’ll, I guess talking about the energy efficiency measures could’ve been more helpful if we’d looked at them with enough time to install replacement windows before tax time rolled around – but we didn’t – oh well, there will always be next year. We’ll still look at the topic either way though; so, if you’ve already installed your energy efficient replacement windows, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. If you haven’t installed your replacement windows yet, then this should be a helpful bit of information to get you started on your way toward your federal tax credit and an energy efficient home.
There are several ways to go about improving the energy efficiency of your home. Energy efficient windows in all their many forms including; storm doors, patio doors, storm windows, aluminum windows, and vinyl windows, are just one way to go about the process, although it is one of the more important ones involved in sealing a home. Other home improvements that can help secure your energy tax credit are, however, also effective and important. Adding insulation to walls and ceilings in compliance with federal standards for home efficiency can reduce the loss of heat and air conditioned air from a home. Sealing cracks in a leaky home and covering windows with certain energy saving films are also measures that can help secure the efficiency of a home and guarantee the tax credit that comes with improved efficiency.
Now, again, it is important to note that the installation of quality replacement windows, whether aluminum windows or vinyl windows, and the replacement of inefficient storm doors or patio doors is one of the most effective measure that can be taken in sealing a home.
There are several ways to go about improving the energy efficiency of your home. Energy efficient windows in all their many forms including; storm doors, patio doors, storm windows, aluminum windows, and vinyl windows, are just one way to go about the process, although it is one of the more important ones involved in sealing a home. Other home improvements that can help secure your energy tax credit are, however, also effective and important. Adding insulation to walls and ceilings in compliance with federal standards for home efficiency can reduce the loss of heat and air conditioned air from a home. Sealing cracks in a leaky home and covering windows with certain energy saving films are also measures that can help secure the efficiency of a home and guarantee the tax credit that comes with improved efficiency.
Now, again, it is important to note that the installation of quality replacement windows, whether aluminum windows or vinyl windows, and the replacement of inefficient storm doors or patio doors is one of the most effective measure that can be taken in sealing a home.