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What is the difference between "R-Value" and "U-Factor?" What is a low-conductance spacer? Can I paint or stain my windows? What are some common misperceptions about vinyl? What happens to my vinyl windows in a fire? How do vinyl windows compare with windows made from other materials? What is desiccant? What is laminated glass? What is PVC? What is solar heat gain? What is tempered glass? What is the ENERGY STAR® Program? What is the difference between "R-Value" and "U-Factor."? "R-Value" is used to measure the thermal resistance of thermal insulation. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. "U-Value" is used to measure the rate of heat flow through a glazing system, the lower the U-Value, the better the insulating quality of the window. U-Value can be compared to R-Value, which is the resistance of a material to heat flow by dividing 1 by the U-Value. (Thus, a U-Value of 0.5 equals an R-Value of 2.) Back to Top What is a low-conductance spacer? Metal used to keep the dual panes of glass separated in insulated windows. Traditionally aluminum was used as a spacer, however is an excellent conductor of heat which led to heat loss and condensation. More modern windows now use low conductance spacers, or metal that does not conduct as much heat. Back to Top Can I paint or stain my windows? One of the benefits of vinyl windows is never needing to strip, paint or stain them. Painting your vinyl windows can void your warranty. However there are those rare occasions where painting is the only viable option available, especially when trying to match an existing color. The key to getting good results when painting vinyl is all in the prep work. Rough all surfaces and making sure they are clean and free of dirt, dust or moisture. This will insure that the paint will coat evenly, provide good adhesion and will bond with the panel surface. Superior Replacement Windows recommends that you use a high-quality exterior paint and apply with professional-grade painting tools. We also suggest that you check with your local painting store, hardware store or homecenter for professional advice on which type of paint – oil, latex or acrylic is best suited for coating a prepared vinyl surface in your particular climate. Back to Top What are some common misperceptions about vinyl? Can vinyl be recycled? Yes. The industry has been recycling vinyl for years and now, post-consumer vinyl recycling is growing with about 5 million pounds of post-consumer vinyl (primarily bottles) currently being recycled. An estimated 1,100 municipal recycling programs that include vinyl are in place or planned in the United States. Is there a market for recycled vinyl? Yes. In 1989, the University of Toledo identified nearly 100 uses for recycled vinyl. The potential demand for recycled vinyl is estimated to be about twice the supply. Can PVC give me cancer? No. PVC is biologically inert and is not metabolized when ingested, implanted or inhaled as dust. It is not carcinogenic. Does PVC require a large amount of energy or waste any of our limited raw materials when manufactured? No. PVC requires less energy and limited natural resources to be manufactured. In addition, PVC products generally have longer service lives than similar products made from traditional materials and use less energy throughout their lives. The replacement of traditional materials and other plastics by PVC is environmentally beneficial, because it significantly reduces the use of limited raw materials like petroleum, trees and metals. PVC uses chlorine, a virtually inexhaustible resource that can be produced with desirably low environmental impact. Does PVC from landfills leach toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater? No. PVC is not toxic. It is insoluble in water so the additives cannot be extracted at high enough rates and in sufficient quantities to be hazardous. In fact, flexible PVC membranes and rigid PVC pipes are used to line, cap and drain the latest types of regulated landfills because of their proven safety, impermeability and long life. When incinerated, does PVC produce acid rain? No. All municipal solid waste (MSW) produces corrosive hydrogen chloride when burned, whether PVC is present or not. Current MSW incinerators are designed for the highly corrosive conditions of combustion, including the presence of hydrogen chloride among the many other acid gases produced by burning MSW. The incineration of MSW containing PVC does not cause unique problems of dioxin formation, since MSW contains no PVC, but still produces comparable levels of dioxins when it burns. Does PVC contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer? No. PVC is one of the most environmentally efficient materials. It minimizes energy consumption and therefore minimizes the production of carbon dioxide. Making products out of PVC requires a lot less energy than making the same products out of steel, aluminum, copper and glass. Less energy production means less carbon dioxide produced from burning fossil fuels. Back to Top What happens to my vinyl windows in a fire? It burns, but only if there is a constant flame source to keep them ignited. Vinyl will not burn on its own, but under extreme temperatures the vinyl material will start to melt. Back to Top How do vinyl windows compare with windows made from other materials? The performance and longevity of vinyl windows compare very favorably to those of other building materials. Vinyl windows and doors are rapidly becoming more popular as more builders and homeowners learn about vinyl's outstanding value and economy. Long-lasting beauty, low maintenance and excellent thermal efficiency ratings give vinyl windows a winning edge over other types of replacement windows. Vinyl is recyclable and environmentally friendly. Vinyl won't pit or peel over time with only simple care and cleaning, windows can keep their beautiful appearance for years to come. Back to Top What is desiccant? Sometimes moisture from the air can get inside the insulating glass unit when the unit is assembled in the factory. Desiccant is the material used in spacer systems to absorb moisture trapped inside these units. If the moisture is not absorbed it could condense ("fog") inside the window. Back to Top What is laminated glass? It is a type of safety glass made with two or more layers of glass bonded together with a clear mylar membrane. Upon impact (if the glass is broken) it will remain intact because the membrane adheres to the glass. Therefore, it reduces the risk of personal injury or property damage from falling shards of glass. Laminated glass has also been proven to be effective where security is a primary concern. It can help protect against vandalism, forced entry from a variety of handheld weapons, and common "smash and grab" thefts. In some cases, laminated glass has been known to reduce sound and noise transmitted from outside the structure. This application for laminated glass, in combination with noise reducing elements in the window itself, are commonly used in structures near airports, rail lines, highways and in hotels. Back to Top What is PVC? PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride and it is a thermoplastic. How is PVC made? PVC is made of two primary ingredients: salt and petroleum. Salt and water are subjected to electrolysis which produces chlorine. The petroleum is creaked in a refining process which yields ethylene. The two components are then combined to form Vinyl Monomer. The product is subjected to a catalytic process called polymerization, which results in the PVC Resin. The resin is not useful without additives, but it is the basic building block for the vinyl thermoplastic family. How is resin made useful? Resin is made useful by compounding or mixing the resin with other products to produce usable mixtures. The other products can include UV stabilizers, lubricants (both external and internal), titanium dioxide for weatherability, plasticizers and colorants. What other types of products use PVC? PVC is graded according to its purpose. There are two types of PVC: general purpose and film grade. General purpose is used for pipes and siding. Film grade is used in films, medical products and profiles where clarity, dimensional stability and weatherability are critical. Back to Top What is solar heat gain? It is the amount of solar radiation that passes through the window system into the interior of the building. In the summertime, when the sun is shining, solar radiation comes into the building as heat, further increasing the inside temperature of your home. It can be reduced by using a window system with a lower solar heat gain rating. Back to Top What is tempered glass? It is a type of safety glass made of heat strengthened glass. Upon impact (if the glass is broken) it will break into very small particles, reducing the risk of personal injury or property damage from falling shards of glass. Back to Top What is the ENERGY STAR® Program? The ENERGY STAR® progam was created by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers in the recognition of energy-efficient products. This program also promotes the environmental and economic benefits of these products through the ENERGY STAR label and other program activities. Back to Top |
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