Wednesday, April 12, 2000 Make buying new windows a once-in-a-lifetime experience S o you're going to replace some windows. A measurement like Solar Heat Gain Coefficient Do a little research and you'll find out that can help you compare. This measures the amount you've got 600 window companies to con of direct solar radiation that passes through a win dow and heats up your home. The lower the rating, sider. How can you even begin to choose among the less solar heat the window will allow to pass them? Many people think all windows are created through. Once-in-a-lifetime windows should also protect equal, and will quickly settle for something that looks nice and is affordable. They may find them your carpets, drapes and upholstered fabrics from selves buying windows again not too many years damage by ultraviolet radiation. Yet, there's sometimes a price to pay for such later. Here's how you can make it a once-in-a-life- performance. Many special glass systems get great time experience. Choose windows based on fea results, but really cut the amount of daylight com tures that will save you energy, time and money -- ing into the room. They may even add a color tint and will last for as long as you own your home. It's or haze to your view. easy if you pay attention to the ratings by indepen You can even cut down on noise dent organizations. Look fo r the best weather performance There are also tests that rate the sound-insulat ing properties of a window. The higher the Sound Transmission Class (STC), the better. The example of a CertainTeed window has an STC of 30, which means it is better at blocking noise than 4-inch cin der block, which has an STC of 25. Most important, warranty. Make sure the win dow company you're considering will provide you with protection -- for your once-in-a-lifetime pur chase. Warranties range widely in the industry. It's also important that the window company will be around to support you in the future. For more information about how to measure the quality of a window, visit www.certainteed.com on the Internet or call (800) 782-8777. More than just a lawnmower shop n eed a garden hose, a wheelbarrow, a good shovel or a pair of work gloves? Cliff's has them! Need a grass trimmer, a chain saw, a rain barrel, or a bottle of oil? Cliff's has them! Cliff's has one of the largest displays of lawn and garden equipment of any independent retailer in the Burlington, Mississauga or Oakville area. Have a special need? Just ask! If we can't find it no one can. After nearly 20 years of searching out quality products for unique situations, "we know our products". The claim of being "your equipment spe cialist" can stand the test. Try us. Cliff's Parts Department has over 15,000 individ ual part numbers in stock to repair your equipment as quickly as possible! From lawnmowers to snowblow ers to chainsaws, we can keep you and your equipment productive. Cliff's factory trained technicians can repair or ser vice most outdoor power equipment manufactured today. Whether you are an occasional gardener or a professional landscapes Cliff's' staff can help keep your equipment performing at its very best. Cliff's rental department uses nothing but the best equipment to help you can enhance your work project. From chippers to pruners to rollers to water pumps, we can supply what you need. We guarantee the most rea : sonable rates in Oakville. Cliff's is a family run business that is dedicated to quality products and service at reasonable prices. Try us! Visit us today at 488 Morden Road, or call us at (905) 844-4304. Windows are tested for air and water infiltra tion. A low air-infiltration rating means you won't feel cold air streaming in. For example, the mini mum AAMA/ NWWDA air-infiltration standard is 0.300 cubic feet per minute per square foot (CFM/ft2). A double-hung Bryn Mawr UTM vinyl replacement window has a rating of 0.09 CFM/ft2 more than three times better than the standard. Water infiltration ratings work the opposite way. Windows with higher ratings are more likely to keep you dry. The CertainTeed® window exam ple has passed tests under conditions that are equivalent to 5.25 pounds of wind pressure per square foot in a rainstorm of 8.5 inches of rain per hour! Compare energy efficiency ratings There are various energy efficiency ratings that will help you understand how the windows will affect your heating and cooling bills. Compare a few windows and you'll soon see significant dif ferences. The standard measure of a window's thermal efficiency is its U-value, the rate of heat flow through the glass. The lower the U-value, the bet ter the insulating properties of the window. For example, an ordinary vinyl window with double pane glass has a total window U-value of 0.50, while the CertainTeed example, with exclusive Thermaflect® Low "E" glass, argon gas and lowconductance spacer between the panes, has a Uvalue of 0.33 -- one-third better. Warm-weather performance is important, too. 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