Window - Glass Insulated Single & Double Pane
The fundamental reason to create a sunroom or other type of enclosure for your home is to enjoy nature without actually being outdoors. This dynamic relies on the installation of as many glass windows as possible in the enclosure. One feature that can reduce quite a bit of the cost is the window frames. Since your enclosure is likely to be custom made, designing the structure around standard window sizes should be relatively simple. Custom made window frames can raise the cost of your enclosure exponentially, typically without a similar increase in the aesthetics of the final product. And don’t forget that you may need to replace one of those windows someday, due to a particularly bad storm or errant baseball, and the replacement cost of custom windows is quite high, when compared to that of standard windows.
Without the proper selection of glass quality, however, the very element that makes the room can break it. Even if you extend heating and air conditioning into your enclosure, without the appropriately insulated glass, this effort will be futile. For most locations, industry standards are in place to help guide you in the selection of glass quality. However, in more extreme climates, whether hot or cold, alternatives will need to be considered. Among the options for the glass in your windows are:
- Single paned glass
- Double paned glass
- Glazed for UV protection
- Argon willed glass for extra temperature insulation
When selecting glass, you will be exposed to all sorts of vernacular that can be very confusing. Following are a couple of terms that will give you a basic window glass education:
- U Value: The lower the U value number, the better the insulating quality of the glass.
- Low "E": Low emissivity glass is glazed with an incredibly thin metallic layer that allows light to pass through while it reflects heat energy.
- Daylight transmittance: Measures the amount of visible light that is allowed through the glass.
- UV block: Measures the amount of ultraviolet light that is blocked by the glass. The higher the number, the better your protection.
Click here to complete Enclosure Guide’s FREE ESTIMATE QUOTE FORM to find a contractor in your area who has experience in the type of windows you are considering.
"We decide to transform our cold, breezy deck of our master bedroom into a quiet enclosed area. With the help of Enclosure Guide, we found the right solution and the right contractor to bid and complete the job.
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