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There are many materials available for window hardware. Hardware can serve two important purposes: energy efficiency and interior design. In terms of design, you will be guided by your personal taste. The climate of your area may determine what kind of energy efficiency you will need to be concerned with. Wood is the most common type of window hardware and is has been in use for many years. It is easy to work with, both for professionals and amateurs. It is the material of choice if a project involves any kind of intricate carving or detail. It is almost always used in custom designed windows. You can paint or stain window hardware to almost any finish you want that will complement your home décor. Wood is also an excellent material for energy efficiency. However, wood does require maintenance over time. If you do not re-stain or re-paint your wood finishes periodically, the finish will start to peel. This not only looks awful, but the exposed wood will start to rot. However, if you keep up the maintenance by painting or staining regularly, wood lasts a very long time.
Steel window hardware is used on windows, but most often for basement windows. Sometimes you may find it in older homes; newer homes, with their energy efficiency requirements would not do well with steel. Both heat and cold can leak through steel window frames.It is a very strong material and so it is usually the choice for hurricane shutters. Steel also needs the regular maintenance of painting, or it will rust and eventually corrode. Aluminum window frames have the strength and durability of steel, but they do not have the maintenance requirements of steel window frames. The colors of aluminim frames are baked on, and so do not have to be repainted constantly. But it is an energy "leaker" just like steel is and will allow the heat from a home to escape. Vinyl has become the window hardware of choice lately. Vinyl is energy efficient and Vinyl window frames are just about maintenance free; they don't need to be painted and a quick swipe with cleanser on a cloth will keep them looking like new. The color is put in the manufacturing process, so it will never peel or scratch and there is a wide variety of colors it is available in. Fiberglass is a material that is just recently being used as window frame material.
It has the properties of durability and energy efficiency since there is little to no heat loss if it is insulated properly. However, this perfect combination of factors does not come without a price: fiberglass is the most expensive material for window frames. If you are in a climate where it is extremely hot, you will want to choose a window frame material with a low "U" factor. This will keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
In a cold climate, you want to keep the heat in and cold out and you should choose a window frame that will do this. If you use energy efficient material and a lot of insulation, you should be able to do this. Insulated glass will add to the energy efficiency. They have two layers of glass with a gas between the layers that acts as an insulator. If you have to replace windows in a cold climate, you should think about this.
Another thing to consider when replacing windows is the architectural design of the house. Old fashioned wood windows would not completely modern contemporary designed home.
It may come as a surprise when looking for shutter hinges that there are a huge variety of styles and functions available. After all, surely they are just a standard piece of ironmongery used to attach the shutter to the frame? The importance of choosing the right hinge should not be overlooked when adding shutters as part of your home improvement project.
Although, shutters are largely used to create a particular look in modern homes, they have played a much more functional role in homes of the past. They were necessary for keeping the house dry and safe during bad weather, and for protecting expensive glass from smashing in high winds. In some parts of the world, where strong storms and hurricanes are common, shutters still need to be strong enough to perform these functions. These shutters are closed from inside the house and are fastened with a strong latch.
Shutter hinges were traditionally made from cast iron, a very strong and durable material, able to sustain even the roughest storm. When trying to recreate authentic shutters, reproductions of these ostentatious cast iron hinges are available, usually in more modern metals.
There are number of traditional styles of hinge to choose from, most commonly the strap style and the mortise hinge. The strap incorporates a slim bar style bracket, wider at the base near the panel edge, and coming to a point towards the center of the shutter face. These hinges can include decorative touches such as a spade shaped end to add a touch of character to your design. The mortise hinge was also made from cast iron and resembled the letter N where it joined the panel to the wall.
These reproductions can add beautiful and authentic detail to your home decoration, but if you prefer to have your hinges hidden and solely functional, more subtle modern designs are available that will not detract from the design of your shutter panel. These sleeker designs are particularly suitable for modern minimalist homes.
To achieve a compromise, you may consider a nickel or brass hinge that does have decorative elements but is not as ornate as a cumbersome cast iron hinge. This can still give a modern effect whilst adding a little extra detail to your shutter face.
Modern shutters provide a stylish alternative to window blinds or curtains. The various materials available include wood, vinyl or metal, each with its own particular advantages and styles. All of these can be enhanced by ensuring you choose the appropriate hinge, in terms of size, material, level of detail and strength. Selecting the right hinge can be crucial to the overall effect of your shutters and this piece of window hardware should not be economized on.