At Euro-Custom Doors and Windows, we are determined to supply our customers with the most energy-efficient doors and windows possible. We have received many questions over the years from our customers regarding energy-efficiency. Here are some answers to the most common questions. 

Is wood an energy-efficient building material?

According to the Temperate Forest Foundation, wood is the most efficient, most ecologically friendly building material we have. Wood is the only 100% renewable, recyclable, reusable and biodegradable building product we have. Wood has an R-rating 2,000 times greater than aluminum. 

How can I make my entryways more energy-efficient?

You can make the entryways more energy-efficient by installing the doors properly. If you are not sure how to hang a door, you better hire a professional to do the work for you. Usually heat loss in an entryway occurs around the door rather than through the door, but, if you have heat loss in the bottom of the door, you are probably using a poor weather stripping. 

 

Does Euro-Custom Wood Doors and Windows offer special glazing (glass) options?

The glazing: (or glass) Yes, we offer Low-E insulated glass units. Some glazings are also made of tempered glass, to resist breakage, and some are made of laminated glass, which not only reduces breakage, but, if the window does break, the glass shards will be too small to cause injury. Also, laminated glass offers security against easy entry for windows located in areas where “break and enter” may be a concern. Double-glazed windows have two layers of glass separated with a spacer. It is the minimum standard allowed by the National Building Code of Canada. Air trapped between the glass layers provides some insulating value. We will be able to assist you in determining what options work best for your project. 

What is U-Value?

A U-Value measures how well a window insulates heat. That is, how efficiently does it keep heat out of the home in the summer and keep heat in the house in the winter. The reason a lower U-Value is better than a high one is that lower numbers mean that a particular window is allowing heat to transfer at a lower rate.