Skip to content

Window & Door Blog

Download Our Guide to Replacement Windows

Solar Energy – Energy released by the sun from 3 distinct regions of the solar light spectrum

  • UV rays 3%
  • Visible Light 45%
  • Near Infrared (NIR) 52% (where the heat we experience comes from)

Fading Transmission

  • How much fading potential comes through a window
  • Light in the spectral region from 300 to 700 nanometers
  • The lower the Fading Transmission number the better the glass is for reducing fading potential for carpets and furniture

Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)

  • How much light passes through a window
  • This is the visible light that we see
  • Near Infrared (NIR) 52% (where the heat we experience comes from)

U-Value or U-Factor

  • How much heat transfers through a window
  • The lower the U-Value, the slower the rate of heat flow, thereby better insulation performance

WINDOWS & DOORS FACTS & TIPS

A bedroom without an exterior door will require an EGRESS complaint window *All 4 criteria are required to pass EGRESS

STEP 1

20” minimum width.
(net clear opening)

STEP 2

24” minimum height.
(net clear opening)

STEP 3

Minimum Total 5.7 sqft. vent space. (net clear opening)

STEP 4

Maximum 44” sill height off finish floor.

General Window Anatomy