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Green Windows: Introduction and Fix Before You Replace
There are many different kinds of windows, that operate in different ways and serve different functions. But in the air conditioned era, people choose them for aesthetics rather than function, and the memory of what the different windows do has been almost forgotten. In most single and multiple family dwellings now, there will be a lot of fixed glass and perhaps a tiny opening section of window; in apartments they are not even allowed to open more than four inches. But it doesn't have to be this way; windows can be sophisticated tools for controlling ventilation in your home.
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Looking at Windows: The Materials Matter
There are many different kinds of windows, that operate in different ways and serve different functions. But in the air conditioned era, people choose them for aesthetics rather than function, and the memory of what the different different windows do has been almost forgotten. In most single and multiple family dwellings now, there will be a lot of fixed glass and perhaps a tiny opening section of window; in apartments they are not even allowed to open more than four inches.
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Wood Guide
Wood is a renewable resource, sequesters carbon for the life of its use, looks good and lasts a long time if properly maintained; Some windows in historic houses are hundreds of years old. It has good insulating value.
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Aluminum Guide
Aluminum is one of the most recycled and most easily recyclable materials around, and 95% of it is.In cold climates, a simple aluminum frame can easily become cold enough to condense moisture or frost on the inside surfaces of window frames.
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Fiberglass Guide
Pultruded fiberglass is durable, h3 and a good insulator.Pultrusion is defined by Wikipedia as: a continuous process of manufacturing of composite materials with constant cross-section whereby reinforced fibers are pulled through a resin, possibly followed by a separate...
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Vinyl or PVC Window Guide
Vinyl or PVC is extruded in standard sections and reinforced with steel angles and brackets. In older buildings the change can dramatically affect the historic character of the homes they are in. The window salesmen of today are much like aluminum siding salesmen of the fifties, Spend your...
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Windows: Glazing Options: low e-glazing
Almost all residential windows are double-glazed, and there are many options. Spacers used to be metal and conductive, so you would see condensation in the corners; now they are non-conductive. Glass can be tuned to the climate requirements, Low E to reflect heat for hotter parts of the country; Glass that transmits heat for northern parts of the country. Some have thicker glass for noise control near highways; some are even triple-glazed. Rare noble gases like argon or krypton are less conductive than air.
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Awning and Hopper Window Guide
The screen is on the inside and they seal tightly. They are useful at low levels in a room to get good convection effects. Good for childen's safety as they don't open very far. They are often used as part of an assembly with big fixed glass, and in highrise dwellings where window openings are controlled by law to keep kids from falling out.
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Double Hung Window Guide
These windows have upper and lower moving sections that give a lot of flexibility; if you open the top and the bottom you can create a convection current in the room; If you open it at the bottom in one room and the top in another you can tune the windows to maximize ventilation.
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Casement Windows Guide
Modern casement windows are cranked out up to 90 degrees, and open 100% of the opening. When they close, they have lever closures that crank the window shut really tightly. If you pick the right side to open, and know the prevailing wind direction where you live, you can actually funnel fresh air into your home. The screens are on the inside, which keeps them cleaner and easy to remove when not needed. Nothing blocks the view, either open or closed.
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Sliding Window Guide
The positive of vinyl slider windows is that they are cheap. But they look cheap too. They open only 50% but unlike double-hungs, you can't really tune them.
