Welcome to Windows 101
At Northern Exteriors we understand that purchasing windows for your home can be a large undertaking. That’s why we would like to help you make an informed & educated decision.
At Northern Exteriors we understand that purchasing windows for your home can be a large undertaking. That’s why we would like to help you make an informed & educated decision.
Window Styles
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| Casement | Fixed Picture | Single Hung | Double Hung | Awning |
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| Single Sliders | Double Tilt-In Sliders |
Bay | Bow | Graden Window |
| Understanding Condensation | ||||||
Ever wonder why condensation forms on your windows and what you can do to prevent it? Below is a
collection of questions and answers designed to provide you with a better understanding of what
condensation is and how to minimize it.
What causes condensation on windows?Whenever there is excess humidity in a home, it manifests itself in the form of condensation on the coldest area of a wall, which is normally the windows. The warmer the air, the more moisture it will retain, so when air in your home comes in contact with the colder glass surface, it is subsequently cooled and moisture is released in the form of condensation on the glass.
Where on a window does condensation normally form and why?Condensation often forms at the meeting rail and at the bottom of the lower sash on the interior of the glass. This is because when warm air cools, it falls down across the interior surface of the window at the same time the air's temperature is falling. The air contacts the horizontal surface of the meeting rail, which acts like a dam, slowing the air's rate of fall and creating the perfect opportunity for the trapped water vapour to escape and form on the meeting rail's surface. The air then rolls over the edge of the meeting rail and again gains speed until it encounters the lower handle of the sash. At this point, the water vapour again makes its exit and lies at the bottom of the sash.
Can I reduce the condensation on my windows?Yes. In order to reduce condensation, humidity must be controlled and air movement must be generated. As the exterior temperature drops, the humidity level needs to decrease if condensation is to be controlled.
What steps can I take to reduce humidity in my home?The two main things you can do are to control sources of moisture and increase ventilation. To decrease or control excess humidity and condensation: · Use exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. · Vent gas burners, clothes dryers, etc. to the outdoors. · Shut off furnace humidifiers and other humidifying devices in your home. · Be sure that the ventilating louvers in your attic, basement or crawl spaces are open. · Open fireplace dampers to allow an escape route for moisture-laden air. · Air out your house a few minutes each day. |
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| Installation Methods |
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Full Tear Out During a full tear out, the glass is removed from the old window frame. The old frame is removed and the new window is installed into the rough stud opening, using the building code guidelines. While a new window can be installed in the opening and secured in about 2-3 hours, it depends on the exterior façade material as to how long the entire replacement process will take. Insert or Covering the Existing Window Frame When the installation method uses the existing frame, the glass is first removed from the old window. At this point, the old window frame may be trimmed down with a reciprocating saw by removing the lips and tracks that held the existing sash or the frame may be left alone. In either case, the new window is set into place over the existing frame, sealed and secured to the home. |
