Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a listing of the most frequently asked questions we encounter:

Q. What is safety glass and why do I need it in my home or office?

A. "Safety glass" is a term given to specific types of glass that when broken will break in such a way as to minimize potential injury to people. This is in contrast to standard "plate glass" which can be deadly due to the large sharp spear-like pieces that are created when broken. Safety glass come in all types, sizes, colors and shapes depending on the application. The most common types of safety glass are Tempered, Laminated, Acrylic and Polycarbonate. Uniform building codes have been created that address specific applications for residentail and commercial buildings and assure the public's safety when followed. Be sure to use a licensed contractor who is aware of all building codes when having glas replaced in your home or office.

Q. What are dual pane/insulated units?

A. Most new homes being built today are built with dual pane or insulated windows. These terms are typically used interchangeably. Dual pane windows are compsed of 2 pieces of glass joined by a spacer, which creates an "air-space" between the two panes. It's this air-space that creates the insulating properties that makes theswe units so energy efficient. The size of the air-space determines for the most part how efficient the window will be. For instance, a unit with a 1" air-space will be much more efficient than a unit with a 1/2" air space. Other factors like "Low-E" or tinted glass can also increase efficiency.

Q. Only 1 side of my dual pane window broke, so why do I have to replace both pieces?

A. Dual pane windows are manufactured as airtight units that are able to resist fogging due to a material in the spacer called desiccant. When either the inner or outer piece of glass breaks, the desiccant becomes saturated and ineffective which requires replacement of the whole unit. Although insulated units are more expensive to replace than single pane windows, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Besides the obvious energy savings benefits, insulated units also provide some important security benefits. Usually when a dual pane window breaks, one side stays in tact keeping air conditioning or heat from escaping. Unlike single pane windows, it also keeps your home secure until the new window can be installed.