We all like the summer sun – but too much sun inside your home is a nuisance. Maybe you don’t sit or work in certain rooms at certain times of the day. Or your furniture, floors or drapes are getting bleached out. Possibly you can’t watch TV in west-facing rooms until the sun’s gone down. Maybe you start sweating opening your energy bill – and not because it’s a warm day. Perhaps time for some window treatments.

Over time, a high “solar load” (as it’s called) can damage your home and even your eyes. Here’s what can make the difference: windows and window treatments designed to minimize summer’s heat and glare. And there are lots of choices available.

 

Options For Beating The Heat

Outdoors, let’s start with the “organic” solution. Our grandparents answered hot weather by planting trees – nature’s air conditioner – around their homes, and you can, too. A large deciduous tree on the east, west or northwest corner of your house can cut energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Plus, trees tend to add to the value of your property.

If you don’t want to wait that long, though, another option is awnings. These upgraded old stand-bys offer new styles and materials that can match any home. Some products are retractable, so you can roll them out on sunny days and roll them back when it’s cloudy.

 

Indoors, window blinds offer huge flexibility, and there’s a product for every room in your home. To use them as a decorative element, look for blinds that attach outside the window frame; you’ll be able to pick from a very wide range of colors and materials, including metal, wood, and fabric. If you want blinds that “disappear,” though, look for integrated shades, or shades that are literally built into the window by sandwiching them between layers of glass. Pella makes these in motorized and manually operated versions. What is the benefit? You get the functionality of shades without adding window treatments to your rooms, plus the shades are forever protected from dirt and damage. (Especially useful if you’re trying to reduce allergens in your home.)

Special Heat Reflecting Glass

Then, consider the window glass itself. Special heat-reflecting, low-E (or “low emissivity”) glass creates windows that reflect the sun’s heat-producing rays in summer and help retain warmth in winter. These windows are double-glazed units containing two panes of glass with an inert gas trapped between them to increase insulation. The inner layer of glass is treated with a super-thin metal-based coating that blocks ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun, yet lets in “visible” light. Once winter returns, that same coating will reflect warmth from your heat sources back into the room to help keep your home comfortable and energy costs down.

Window Film

A final option is window film. There are lots of products in this category, including special heat-control and glare-control films that adhere directly to your existing windows. Some are an easy-to-install, DIY weekend project where you can buy materials at a big-box store. Other products are more technical; you’re probably wise to call in an expert rather than applying these films yourself. In either case, window films are generally easy to maintain and easy to clean. Be advised, though, that you may need to re-do them every year.

Let’s Enjoy Summer, Indoors or Out

There’s no reason why you can’t have your home as comfortable as you want it, year-round. At McCann Windows & Exteriors, we’re happy to help you create the home that’s just right for the life you lead in every season. Please give us a call with any questions about restoring, repairing, or replacing your windows and home exterior. We’re ready to serve you, and estimates are free. Just call (847) 892-4071, or schedule a consultation here.

Be cool!
Kevin McCann

A new class of glass has arrived. It’s called “smart” or “dynamic” or “active” glass, and it has the potential to make your space more comfortable while also cutting your energy bill—all at the flick of a switch (or less).

What makes glass “smart” or dynamic is its ability to go from clear to opaque (or vice versa) in the blink of an eye. If you’ve ever seen eyeglasses that turned into sunglasses when the wearer went outside, you’ve seen dynamic glass.

After being used in commercial buildings for years, “dynamic glazing” is now showing up in products for your home. Have you ever wanted to “dial down” the sunlight in certain rooms that get uncomfortably hot or bright? Would you like to skip expensive curtains or shades in parts of your home and still have privacy? Ever wished you could temporarily “fog” the windows in a particular bedroom or bathroom to avoid people looking in? “Smart glass” makes all this possible by enabling smart windows that change appearance on command or in response to set conditions.

And lots of manufacturers are getting into the smart window game, including familiar names such as Pella and Marvin.

Glass That Performs Different Ways to Save Money and Create Space

Smart windows come in various modes, depending on your need. Some use a coating that responds to heat or light; others use a ceramic glaze or liquid crystal film that shifts color in the presence of electricity. Whatever format you choose, though, smart glass can lower your energy bill and even the cost of decorating your home.

Here’s how. I love the summer sun—that is, until it bleaches out my floors and furniture and jacks up my cooling bill. With smart windows, though, I can flip a switch during the hottest part of the day to trim the light coming in my windows. As soon as the sun passes, I can change the window glass back to clear again and enjoy the view.

An alternative kind of window doesn’t rely on electricity to change color. Instead, chemical coatings automatically respond when the amount of light or outdoor temperature hits a set point. On sunny summer days, the glass goes translucent to block light as the temperature rises. Sunny day in the winter? The glass stays clear to let in warming rays.

But dynamic glass can do more than affect windows. Think of a conference room at work with active glass walls. Flip a switch, and one of the walls becomes opaque, so it can be used as a projection screen or just to provide privacy. Now, take that idea into your home. Imagine being able to create a “room” or workspace in an open floor plan via a room divider made of dynamic glass. Flip the switch—and you’ve given an overnight guest a private place to sleep or defined an office in the middle of a busy home.

This is “magic” glass: Now you see it; now you don’t.

What Kind of Smart Glass is Right for You?

There are four basic kinds of smart glass technology. Deciding what’s right for you depends on your particular needs.

Electrochromic glass. These windows use a ceramic coating sandwiched between two layers of glass that darkens when electric voltage is applied. To reverse the tint, simply apply voltage again. This feature can be turned on from an electric switch, programmed timer, light sensor, motion sensor, or smartphone.

Photochromic glass. Like clear eyeglasses that transform into sunglasses, these windows darken in response to strong light. On the plus side, they’re automatic and effective at reducing glare. On the minus side, they’ll darken on a sunny day in winter when you actually might want to let in light.

Thermochromic glass. These windows are heat-sensitive. When the temperature rises to a set point, the glass transitions to a tinted state; as exterior conditions cool, the glass becomes clear. Again, these require no input from you. Another bonus: In winter, these windows won’t darken on sunny days.

Liquid crystal technology. These windows laminate a thin layer of liquid crystals plus a conductive metal coating between two pieces of glass. The material stays milky until electric current is applied; then the crystals “line up” and the glass turns transparent. While great for protecting privacy, liquid crystal windows aren’t effective in blocking heat or light.

Smart Film. A further option for the DIY crowd is “smart film.” This material embeds liquid crystals in plastic sheeting that’s Wi-Fi-enabled and paired with a smartphone app, and which can be cut to fit existing windows. For the homeowner who’s less than expert, though, this technology might be trickier to use.

We are Here to Serve You

At McCann Windows & Exteriors, we’re happy to help you create exactly the home that’s perfect for you, season after season. Please give us a call with any questions about restoring, repairing or replacing your windows and home exterior. We’re ready to serve you and estimates are free. Just visit https://mccannwindow.com or call (847) 892-4071 to schedule a time convenient for you.

Tips on Window Safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission, windows rank as one of the top five hidden hazards in the home.

I’m not happy hearing stuff like this. I want you to be proud of your home, I want you to enjoy coming home to it, and I want you to feel safe and comfortable whenever you’re there. So here are a few tips for window safety and keeping you and your family (including pets) healthy this year by minimizing the risks associated with home windows.

1 | Close the Window on Home Invasion

I’ll start by saying: Thank goodness for windows. They’re more than a way to let in light and air. They can also provide a life-saving escape route in the event of an emergency, like a fire.

Unfortunately, they can also provide a way for intruders to get in—lots of us like leaving windows open in warm weather. Go ahead, but remember that ground floor and basement-level windows provide easy access to strangers and critters. Keep an eye on these openings. You don’t want to find uninvited guests having a field day with your belongings.

 

Window Integrated Security Sensors

Pella and Marvin have window security technology to help assure your home is safe and sound.

Pella Insynctive technology allows you to monitor your windows and doors virtually anywhere. This option is available on select windows and doors.

Most people get in the habit of locking their doors when they leave their homes, but windows are more likely to be left unlocked. Casement, or crank-out windows, are excellent because even when you forget to lock them—if they’re shut all the way, they’re still challenging to open from the outside. If you shut and forget to lock a glider or double-hung window, a would-be burglar will be able to push them open.

Marvin Lift Lock hardware Auto-locking systems are an excellent solution for the forgetful window operator. Marvin’s auto-locking system automatically locks a window when it’s closed. In addition to locking automatically, Lift Lock is installed at the bottom of the lower sash on a double-hung window instead of the check rail like on a standard double-hung window. Placing the lock at the bottom makes a window much easier to open when it’s located in a hard-to-reach area like behind a bathtub or over a kitchen counter.

Install Smarter Windows and Doors

Marvin Lock Status Sensors are integrated into the window itself, so you don’t see any unsightly wires, and they are hardwired, so you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries.

Laminated Glass is Tough

A window fitted with laminated glass is not so is not easy to penetrate. Laminated glass is made by sandwiching a thin, virtually invisible vinyl film between two layers of glass. That thin layer won’t prevent the glass from cracking, but it will stay in place within the window sash or frame if it gets broken. Also, a benefit of laminated glass is its better sound reduction qualities, which is an excellent feature if you live on a noisy street.

Keep Your Stuff

There are several ways to keep your valuables out of sight. Installing curtains or blinds can be a simple and effective solution. Various window glazing options allow light inside but obscure the view.

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2 | Don’t Fall for Anything—Ever

Open windows on higher levels in your house pose a different problem – safety. Unsurprisingly, children are more prone to this kind of accident. First, they’re curious. Second, they don’t have a well-developed sense of danger. Third, they’re children, so they’re crazy. (I’ve raised three. I can say that.)

Each year, about eight children under the age of five die from falling out a window. Another 3,300 are seriously injured. Let’s stop the madness! A few simple precautions can easily save a life. (By the way, these tips hold true for the family dog or cat as well.)

• Tip #1: If you must open a window, pick one that children can’t reach. For instance, open only the upper sash if your home has double-hung windows. Window Opening Control Devices (WOCDs) are designed to prevent a small child from opening a window wide enough to climb out.

• Tip #2: Never place chairs, beds, sofas, or anything a child can climb up near a window. You are better off positioning all furniture on a non-windowed wall.

• Tip #3: Don’t count on window screens to prevent a fall. They aren’t engineered as safety devices and won’t necessarily stop a child from flying out. Request a Kidsafe ruler to check your window opening.

• Tip #4: Putting shrubs or other soft landscaping material such as wood chips under windows can greatly reduce injury in the event of a fall.

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3 | Don’t Get Hung Up on Blinds

Effective December 2018, new rules require new window covering products (like shades or blinds) to arrive cordlessly or with inaccessible/short cords.

Unbelievably, about one child per month in the U.S. dies after strangling on window blind cords. Almost two children per day end up in emergency rooms for the same reason. This is a terrible thing, so please—if your home has small children in it, only purchase cordless window covering products.

If your home already possesses window blinds with cords on them, take precautions to deal with the potential risk of strangulation. Consider replacing your blinds with cordless or motorized versions. Alternatively, you can retrofit blinds with a wand for adjusting them in lieu of cords or chains. Free retrofit kits—and more information—are available from the Window Covering Safety Council at windowcoverings.org.

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4 | If It’s Broken, Don’t Fix it. Clean It Up. (Carefully.)

When dealing with a broken window, it’s easy to forget just how dangerous glass can be. But give it extreme respect: The edges on broken glass can be razor-sharp.

If a window breaks in your home, first get all children and pets out of harm’s way. It’s a good idea to put on gardening or construction gloves if you’ll be picking up glass pieces. Consider calling a window expert if there are large chunks of glass still attached to the frame; you may not want to handle those on your own. Collect the smaller glass pieces with a vacuum or broom and dustpan; then wipe down the area with a wet cloth to pick up any tiny particles. It’s also important how you dispose of broken glass in the garbage so as not to pose a risk to trash collectors or your family: Wrap larger pieces in heavy cloth or the like and tape up the whole bundle before putting it in the trash.

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How Can We Help?

At McCann Window & Exteriors, we know that, of all the beautiful spaces in the world, the best is the one you call home. Please reach out if we can help with concerns regarding your house’s windows, doors, or siding. We’re standing by to help you create the home you feel safe in and absolutely love. Learn more about McCann Window & Exteriors by visiting https://mccannwindow.com or calling (847) 562-1212.

Kevin McCann

 

Window safety: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/home-furniture-furnishings-and-decorations/window-safety