Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Sliding / Gliding Window

Sliding window can also be referred to as gliding or slider windows. A sliding window has two sashes with at least one that slides horizontally past the other. While one sliding sash and one fixed sash is the most common option it is possible to purchase windows which allow both sashes to slide.

While sliding windows are not as effective as modern casements at sealing out air, they still do a much better job than older windows that they are replacing and are known for their ease of operation. Sliding windows are a better choice for homes in warm/dry parts of the country as their seal will not be as crucial as in a wet and cold area

Sliding windows may be a good choice for areas where an outward opening window (casement or awning) might get in the way such as decks, walkways, etc...

Michael Ray
Window Star Owner

NEW WINDOWS for Toronto GTA residences, call and get 30% discount until August 1st
416-303-2425

Monday, January 11, 2010

Casement Windows: Accessible, Airy, and Affordable



Picture and bay windows are great for letting natural light into your house, but they also require a lot of room. You have to plan for an entire wall of glass, which can make a room hotter or colder than desired. But if you want natural light, but don't have the money or space for it, then a casement window may be your best option. For one, they are constructed on a side hinge which opens to the outside, creating the space-efficiency of a double-hang. But since crank windows are able to open all the way, they allow for maximum ventilation as well.

Anywhere in the Home
The best thing about casement windows is their ability to adapt. Unlike pictures or bays, they don't take up too much space on the wall and they are easy to install yourself. Or, if you choose to hire a professional for a flawless installation, the job takes less than a day. Plus, unlike a double-hang where you have to be right next to it in order to have leverage for lifting the sash, casement windows have a turn-around handle to do the work for you. Therefore, they're perfect for hard to reach areas, such as above kitchen sinks, bathroom toilets, or wide countertops. Also, since they're natural ventilators, they are perfect for hot, humid areas of the house: kitchens, bathrooms, converted attics, or other upper-story spaces.

Other Benefits
Energy efficient: Since casement windows open from the side with a manual handle, they leak less air and actually create a tighter seal between the sash and frame. Plus they use less glass, all of which makes your home more energy efficient.
Locks: As with opening and closing, crank windows also have easy-to-reach interior locks—once again, great for hard-to-reach areas of the house.
Easy escape: Casement windows are often used in basements bedrooms to fulfill fire codes. Because they are tall and can open up so wide, they are ideal for easy egress in case of emergencies.
Easy access: Not only are they easy to reach, they are also easy to maintain. If you open it all the way, you can distend and then disengage the arm-hinge in order to gain full access to the glass, hinges, tracks and frames for easy cleaning (this is also the same process used when used as an egress window).
Options: Of course since they can open up so wide for ventilation, they all come with screens to protect you from pesky pests. Also, just because they are perfect for hard-to-reach areas, doesn't mean they have to be used there. They can be found in any part of the home, and they come in both single and double pane varieties. In fact, if you don't want to pay for a picture or bay installation, simply create a row of crank windows along any wall to achieve the same affect for less money.


Maintenance and Warnings
Like any part of the house, crank windows need to be properly maintained: regularly clean the glass and lubricate the hinges. However, if you move into an older home, you may need to invest in some casement replacement windows. Since they are used so much and the arm-hinge and crank receive so much stress over time, you may need to buy a sturdier model. You don't want any window to be worn out and flimsy, so if the handle falls off too easy, or the hinges have become rusty, or the arm-hinge won't extend all the way due to bearing the weight of the frame all these years, don't hesitate to purchase casement replacement windows. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can add quite a bit to your home's re-sell value.

Read more: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Casement-Windows-Accessible-Airy-and-Affordable.13957.html#ixzz0cLNtI0QP

Single Hung Windows Are the Name of the Game

Have you been trying to find the perfect window type to fill up the gaping holes in your apartments which will allow light to enter and yet keep out the heat and the dirt? Then single hung windows are the perfect choice for you. Even though you might wonder whether opting outside of the usual range that your interior designer has chalked out to you, trust me, it is a risk worth taking. Single hung wood window or double hung wood windows are the best options if you want a quieter and a more somber ambience for your room. They cut off the sunlight completely when shut, and are the best tools for protecting your privacy as well.

Replacement double hung windows for the same consist of double hung vinyl windows, double hung replacement windows and double hung sliding windows. These windows have an added advantage of being easy to maneuver and work around with. Moreover, they come with a tilt that can be used to help it shape itself so that they can be easy to clean and wash down.

Double hung window construction is not an easy task and is done with meticulous precision and expertise. The formidable fortification needed to build these windows needs double hung window fabrication done carefully and by experienced hands as well. Double hung colonial windows are usually the best and the most popular of these kinds of double hung windows. Used equally frequently in maritime climate houses as well as warm climate houses, these double hung windows and single hung windows are undoubtedly the most comfort providing of all window variances.

Comparison of double hung windows usually is done more on the quality and the mobility of the windows than the price or the quantity of materials used. Motorized double hung window is one of the more evolved of the lot and is technologically superior to the others. These use motors to slide shut or open and hence provide ease of use and teeth to the publicity of the double or single hung windows' image.

Double hung sliding windows have become the more popular as they gel well with any interior design that your apartment or house has. Also, cleaning and washing these windows have no issues to deal with. Travel resorts also opt for these kinds of single hung windows or double hung windows. The reason for this is that they are not only an epitome of an eclectic mix of security with style. Also, the basic tool that these resorts use to attract tourists is the view they provide from their rooms, be it a sea-beach r a mountain cliff side inn. Single hung windows provide just that and more. Single hung windows sans ridges provide a smoother view through them and hence are popular.

On the contrary single hung wood windows and double hung wood windows are used in luxury bathrooms to provide privacy and yet a suavity and elegance that is hard to match with the installation of any other window available.

These single hung windows and double hung windows are usually available from nearby stores or you can pick and choose from the numerous online portals that have put them up for sale over the net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Formby

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Trends in Wood Front Door: Setting the Tone for the House


Creating the perfect entrance with wood front doors will enhance the front of your home, and create an incredible first impression. Wood front doors are easy to install, maintain, and will provide security. With unlimited options and finishes, finding the right style to compliment the home’s architecture is a snap. The current trends in wood front doors are styles that are more highly designed. Arched tops, particularly on a double door will give an entrance a powerful stance, making the ceiling seem taller, and more extraordinary. Creating an arch with the sidelights following the curve has a designer appeal and high end look. Arched doors are available in a multitude of woods, including cherry, alder, mahogany, teak, or knotty pine.

The the wood species and finish needs to flow with the architecture. If a home is more rustic with stone or other natural materials, then a distressed knotty pine or alder wood will provide a stunning effect. Knots and distressing add character and life to the wood front doors. Homes are taking on a more dressy appearance with some of the new building trends. A more formal home will require a wood front door that is more serious. Cherry and mahogany woods will finish to a rich, warm tone with a soft sheen. Teak doors can be finished to a rich mellow brown that has a stately feel. The glass inserts will be more decorative with bevels, and are sometimes more prevalent in the design. The entrance to a formal home will be more spectacular when a French style door or one with side lights included.

The formal styles are showier, bringing more attention to the entrance. Wood door design is much more creative with the inclusion of design elements such as curved accents, circles, and metal accents. Multi-panels and layered moldings have a huge impact, and are some of the most popular requests. The hardware being used is also more important to the overall design of the entrance, rather than fading into the background. Builders and realtors feel that wood front doors are a smart investment in which the homeowner will see a return on their investment if they sell. Another buying trend for doors is investing in better materials – in other words, buying once. Homeowners expect a quality design when paying a better price and a wood front door is something they are asking for. Architects and builders are also making entrances grander so that better materials such as wood are a must.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Bay or Bow Type Windows



Bay windows are a multi-panel window which projects beyond the outside wall of a home. They are usually made of a center window which is parallel to an existing wall and two other windows that connect the wall to the center window. Because bay windows extend beyond wall of the home they are good at making a small space appear larger and more welcoming.

While the center window is most commonly a fixed (or picture) type the other windows may also be fixed or may open to offer ventilation to the room. Casement and double hung windows are most commonly used as the “flankers” for the center window but a variety of options are available. Bay windows are excellent at bringing light into a room and offer a much wider view from inside the home. Additionally, they offer a stylish addition to the outside view of the home.

Bay Window Details:

Bow windows are similar to bay windows but they tend to have more panels (commonly four or five) that are a consistent size. By having more panels the bow window gives a semi circular, or “bow”, look. Any of the windows may be fixed or operable windows, depending on desired ventilation.

Bay/Bow Window Considerations

When deciding between fixed and operable windows for your bay/bow window you may want to consider.

* Fixed windows will insulate and seal better, making them more energy efficient.
* Operable windows will allow for ventilation into the room.
* Fixed windows will offer a better view, there is no sash or hardware to get in the way.

If you choosing between types of operable windows keep in mind:

* Casements offer fuller ventilation when opened.
* Casements offer a better seal when closed.
* Double hung windows will not obstruct any outside walkways or plants that might be outside your bay/bow window.

Sliding / Gliding Window

Sliding window can also be referred to as gliding or slider windows. A sliding window has two sashes with at least one that slides horizontally past the other. While one sliding sash and one fixed sash is the most common option it is possible to purchase windows which allow both sashes to slide.

While sliding windows are not as effective as modern casements at sealing out air, they still do a much better job than older windows that they are replacing and are known for their ease of operation. Sliding windows are a better choice for homes in warm/dry parts of the country as their seal will not be as crucial as in a wet and cold area

Sliding windows may be a good choice for areas where an outward opening window (casement or awning) might get in the way such as decks, walkways, etc...