Study Guide: Windows & Doors

STUDY GUIDE: WINDOWS & DOORS Learning Objectives: • The features and benefi ts of the products you sell. • How to answer your customers’ product-related questions. • How to help your customer choose the right products. • How to increase transaction sizes by learning more about add-on sales and upselling techniques. Chapter 1: Windows Module 1: Window Construction Product Knowledge: • The Jamb is the frame around the top and side of a window. • The Sill is the piece that forms the bottom member of a window frame. It sheds water away from the window and wall and usually extends 1” to 1-1/2” from the wall. • The Frame is the entire jamb and sill assembly. • The Sash (or Vent) is the frame that immediately surrounds the glass, or the entire frame and glass assembly. • The Stops are fastened around the inside of the jamb to hold the sliding sash in place or provide a meeting surface for a swinging sash. • The Mullion is the connecting piece between two or more windows fastened together. • The Stool is the fl at trim piece at the bottom inside of the window. • The Apron is fastened along the interior wall beneath the stool, to hide the gap between the bottom of the window and the wall. • The Casing is the trim around the inside or outside of the window that hides the gap between the window and the surrounding wall. Window frame materials Next, let’s look at the basic types of materials used in the window frame. Wood • Wood sash are made with mortise-and-tenon joints and glued together. • They are usually made from pine or spruce. • The advantage of wood is that it is the strongest and best natural insulator. • It is easy to work with and durable if maintained properly. • The disadvantage of wood is that it may decay or be damaged by insects. • It also requires more maintenance than other types. © North American Hardware and Paint Association 1 Aluminum • Aluminum frames are designed to compensate for the natural disadvantages of the frame material. • The advantage is that they are usually the least expensive frame material. • They are also more durable than bare wood, are lightweight and easy to handle. • However, aluminum is a soft and weak material that doesn’t hold fasteners well and it may corrode, especially if it comes into contact with a steel nail or screw. • Another disadvantage is that aluminum is a poor insulator compared to wood or vinyl, so some manufacturers insulate them with extruded vinyl and foam. • These windows are often sold with anodized coatings or factory applied paints for better durability. Vinyl • Vinyl windows are made from rigid PVC (or polyvinyl chloride). • They have internal webs and hollows to enhance strength and energy effi ciency. These hollow interiors also control expansion and contraction. • The advantage of vinyl is that it has a solid color throughout so the fi nish can’t chip or peel. • It is also energy effi cient, corrosion resistant and maintenance free. • The disadvantage is that it cannot be painted, although some manufacturers off er them in a variety of colors. Fiberglass • Fiberglass windows contain air cavities similar to those in vinyl windows. These cavities add insulation properties to the window. • The advantage of these windows is that they are stable and will not warp, crack, rot or bow. They are also easy to paint. • They are low maintenance, chemically resistant and stand up to the corrosive effects of salt and chemicals. • The disadvantage of fi berglass is that it is usually more expensive than vinyl. Composition • Composition windows blend different types of materials together, such as a combination of wood fibers and polymers, or a combination of fiberglass and other materials. Composition is usually specific to each manufacturer. • These windows usually offer a more durable and energy efficient construction than other types of windows. Understanding Window Effi ciency There are several ways to measure the effi ciency of a window. • Windows with an Energy Star approval means it meets or exceeds standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for energy effi ciency. These windows will be the most effi cient. • Another way to eff ectively gauge the energy effi ciency of a window is to see if it has a certifi cation from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC rates window with several numbers. On the next screen, we’ll learn more about those numbers. © North American Hardware and Paint Association 2 • The U-factor measures how well the window can keep heat from escaping the indoors. The lower the number, the more effi cient the window. This number is especially important during the winter heating season. • The Solar Heat Gain Coeffi cient (or SHGC) measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun. Lower numbers mean the product is better at blocking heat. This number is important during the summer cooling season. • The Visible Transmittance (or VT) number measures how much light passes through the window. The higher the number, the more light passes through. • The Air Leakage (or AL) measures how much air from the outside passes through the window into the home. The lower the number, the better the product is at keeping air out. Taking it to the Floor: Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the diff erence between R-value and the U-factor? A: The R-value measures how something resists heat loss. A higher R-value on a window, for example, means it has high insulating properties and will resist the transfer of heat. The U-factor, on the other hand, measures the rate of heat transfer, but it takes into account the airfl ow around the window and the radiated heat of the glass. The U-factor is the best way of telling how well a product prevents heat from escaping. Q: How do I know I’m getting an energy effi cient window? A: Look on the label for a rating by the National Fenestration Rating Council. It will rate the energy effi ciency of each model of window. There are a number of factors aff ect energy effi ciency, including how the frame is built, the type of glass used, the type of low-emissivity coating on the glass and the weather stripping. Q: Are there building code regulations on the windows I buy? A: Windows must meet two safety guidelines: wind load and human impact. Standard factory-built windows meet most wind load requirements. Always check with local codes to make sure the windows you buy comply. Q: What does “cladding” mean, when referring to a window? A: Cladding is an exterior layer of vinyl or aluminum covering a wood frame. It is generally only on the side of the window that faces the outside. The cladding provides additional protection and weather resistance for the window frame. Upselling • Vinyl windows have frames and sash corners welded together to prevent water infi ltration. However, in better quality windows, these seams are nearly invisible for a smooth fi nish. • Less expensive vinyl windows may twist and distort when exposed to temperature extremes. Encourage your customer to buy better quality windows designed with more vinyl and metal reinforcement. • If your customer wants the durability of vinyl, but wants a more upscale look on the inside of the home, suggest clad wood windows. These are clad with vinyl or aluminum on the surface facing the exterior of the house, and have the wood exposed on the inside so it can be stained. Add-On Sales Some customers may want new windows for their home, but are not able to aff ord the purchase and installation cost. For those customers, off er a sash kit as an alternative. Sash kits allow customers to replace only the sash without tearing out the entire window frame. The new sash will be better insulated and still save the customer money in energy costs. © North American Hardware and Paint Association 3 Module 2: Glass Single-Pane Clear Glass • Single-pane clear glass is the simplest and least expensive type of glass. • However, it has very little insulating value and provides only a thin barrier to the outside. • It can be cut to size with simple tools. Low-E Glass • Low-E glass, which is also known as low-emissivity glass, is a feature of glass that may be combined with other features. • It has a special coating on the glass that reduces the transfer of heat through the glass. • It may also be tinted to further reduce heat gain. • In the summer, the glass lets in visible sunlight and blocks out UV rays, which helps prevent fading on furniture and carpets because of sunrays. • In the winter, the coating refl ects heat back into the room. • Different window manufacturers may promote their own special glass with high energy efficiency ratings. Laminated Glass • Laminated glass consists of multiple layers of glass bonded together with a tough plastic layer in the middle. • It acts and looks like a single piece of glass, but the layers help improve insulation properties of the glass. • It eliminates most UV rays, which helps protect home furnishing from the damaging eff ects of the sun. • Laminated glass can also help insulate against noise. TeTemperedmp Glass • TeTemperedmpe glass is produced by a heat-treating process that makes it very strong and often used for ssafety. • WhWhenen it breaks, it shatters into tiny pebble-like pieces, instead of dangerous shards. This feature mamakesk it ideal for patio doors and glass shower enclosures. • It cannot be cut in the fi eld, but must be manufactured to size.

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