Windows are both a functional and aesthetic piece of hardware for your home, but do you actually know what goes into designing and creating one? Renewal by Andersen® of Central PA discusses the little-known facts about making windows.
Glass Wasn’t Originally Used in Windows
Did you know that glass only started becoming the norm during the 14th century? Before that, windows were covered with animal skins or were often left open. By the 17th century, however, glass makers were already creating crowned glass, which made the glass panes thinner without sacrificing their strength.
On the topic of glass, we offer some of the highest-rated glass for our replacement windows. Our High Performance™ Low-E4® glass is engineered to reduce UV light intrusion – perfect for summer. It’s 56 percent more energy-efficient than other glass panes,
Casement and Sash Windows
Sash windows started appearing during the 17th century and had heavy-leaded glass and window frames. While these were innovative during their time and were very pretty to look at, they were difficult to operate and very heavy. Early sash windows were also susceptible to drafts, making them very unappealing to homeowners at the time.
Manufacturers solved the problem of drafts by the 1900s when they invented the casement window. Back then, they were made of either wood or steel, and could be mass-produced at a lower cost than sash windows. The superior airtight sealing of the casement window spelled the end of the old sash windows by the turn of the century.
Windows and Aesthetics
Finally, did you know that windows started becoming symbols of wealth during the Victorian era? These were the days when everything was visually appealing and striking. You were considered classy at this time if your home’s window only had one or two glass panes. It made sense since larger glass panes were very costly to manufacture at this time, whereas small glass panes were relatively cheap to produce.
Turn to Renewal by Andersen of Central PA for all your window needs. Give us a call at (717) 591-4900 for more information on our window products and services. We professionally install replacement windows throughout York, PA.
