Frequently Asked Questions
To initiate a window/door order first contact our office either by phone or e-mail with any questions you may have. Our knowledgable technicians will assist you with technical information and provide options to ensure you get the window/door package you envision. Once a package and price is agreed upon we will provide shop drawings to be approved and signed. Once the shop drawings are signed a 2/3 deposit will initiate the manufacuring.
Manufacturing time is typically 6 to 8 weeks for a normal window order depending on the level of security. Then the windows are packaged in a certified fumigated crate and shipped either by air or ocean cargo. Ocean shipping takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks plus customs clearance which is normally 2-3 days but could take up to a week if retained by homeland security.
The crate (or container) arrives by truck and is unloaded at your project site. We ask that your contractor have at least 2 to 3 able bodied workers to assist in the unloading and placing of the units. Security windows are heavy and to avoid potential damage enough manpower to handle the units safely must be used. Depending on the size of the order we send a factory representative to recieve the order and supervise the installation.
Typically security level A3 is sufficient for most residential applications. A combination of A3/B1 level can be utilized with ground floor or more accessible windows having a higher level of security and less accesible windows (2nd or third floor, patio) with less security or none (standard glass).
Bullet resistant windows are rated by what ammunition they are certified to block. The difference in cost and weight varies greatly from UL 752 level 1 ( 9mm ammuntion) to level 8 ( 7.62mm rifle ammunition). Factors which influence which level to choose are: budget, construction (the walls need to be equally fortified), anticipated threat.
Steel reinforced UPVC, wood, Multi-chambered aluminum, aluminum - clad wood, and bronze - clad wood are all materials available for our security windows. Each frame was engineered to house thicker heavier glass which is the main security element of our windows/doors. For security levels above B1/C1 we recommend aluminum frames. Bullet resistant windows have reinforced aluminum frames. Again like we mentioned above the type of frame material will depend on design and budget as each different frame material has it's own pricing structure.
A Tilt & Turn window is removed from it's hinge, the frame is placed inside the rough opening on shims, it is levelled and plumbed. Using the pre-drilled holes in the frame a hole is drilled into the wall and the hardened steel bolts provided are drilled into the wall. The space between the frame and the wall is filled with polyurathane foam. Then replace the window on it's hinges. A fixed window is similar only the glass is removed.
Our windows are installed with hardened steel bolts which go through the window frame and into the rough opening framing. For level A3, B1, and C1 windows normal 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 framing is sufficient. The steel bolts work in brick or insulated concrete forms (ICF) as well. For levels above C1 one must fortify the framing around the window. There are bullet resistant fiberglass panels that are designed for the walls which one could purchase to strengthen the wall. If you are going to invest in a bullet resistant window it would make sense to reinforce other elements of the home.
LowE (low emissivity) is a reflective coating applied to the inside of the inner glass pane.It reduces the emission of radiant infrared energy, thus tending to keep heat on the side of the glass where it originated, while letting visible light pass. This results in glazing with better control of energy - heat originating from indoors in winter remains inside (the warm side), while heat during summer does not emit from the exterior, keeping it cooler inside.
U-value Is an insulation rating. It is used to describe how energy efficient a building component is. It rates how much heat is conducted through the combination of materials which make up a window. a low u-value indicates good energy efficiency. Our standard windows have a u-value of 0.21. R value is the inverse of u-value.
Sound is measured in decibels or dB. Our A3 level security window blocks out 42db of sound from outside noise. Our B1 window blocks out 52dB of noise.
If you have any questions please call or e-mail us.