Weather Shield Windows and Doors

FAQs about Impact-Resistant Windows

Weather Shield Windows and Doors is a family-owned and operated business with roots in the central Wisconsin area. Over three generations, Weather Shield Windows and Doors has been providing innovative and reliable solutions to partners in the industry and now employs over 1,900 people servicing all areas of the United States. Among its specialty products are impact-resistant windows, which some people mistakenly assume are the same as double-pane windows. Here are answers to some common questions surrounding impact-resistant windows.

Q: What is an impact-resistant window?
A: Impact-resistant windows have a special type of glass that’s heat-strengthened and tempered and then bonded between two panes. If an object strikes the glass with enough force to break the window, the windowpane will remain in the frame rather than shatter into many pieces.

Q: Why would I need impact-resistant windows?
A: Homeowners in regions subjected to extreme weather conditions such as tornadoes or hurricanes can benefit from impact-resistant windows, since these provide greater protection from flying debris.

Q: Do impact-resistant windows stop intruders?
A: No glass will stop a determined intruder from entering your home, but impact-resistant windows will prove more challenging to break and make forced entry much more difficult.

The Benefits of Aluminum-Clad Windows

A leading manufacturer of windows and doors, Weather Shield Windows and Doors has an innovative customer-focused approach that has helped make them one of the industry’s premier suppliers. Weather Shield draws on decades of experience to provide the highest quality products in a number of styles and material options.

Aluminum-clad windows are among the company’s most sought-after product options. Aluminum-clad windows feature a protective extruded aluminum exterior encasing a wooden frame that’s visible from the interior. The aluminum comes in many colors and can be made to complement most any home’s style.

With wood being such a popular choice for window frames, aluminum cladding offers much of the aesthetic appeal of wood with greater durability. Moreover, the company offers aluminum-clad windows in seven different wood species and dozens of colors, providing unparalleled flexibility and variety.

With proper care, aluminum-clad wooden windows can last for decades, which makes them a highly-prized feature for new homebuyers. They also help raise a home’s value substantially more than vinyl or all-aluminum windows.

Weather Shield LITE Foundation

Founded by Edward “Lee” Schield in 1955, Weather Shield Windows and Doors is a family-owned window and doors manufacturing and supply firm. In addition to designing and distributing products suitable for all architectural styles, Weather Shield Windows and Doors gives back to the wider community through its Lives Inspired Through Employees (LITE) Foundation.

Since 1999, Weather Shield Windows and Doors has enabled its workforce to make a direct impact by supporting their favorite charitable organizations. Employees pledge a portion of their incomes towards the foundation, with their donations matched by the company. These funds have been donated to nonprofits serving children and providing meals to those in need.

The LITE Foundation has also purchased equipment for a local volunteer firefighting brigade. It also provides financial support to individuals and families facing crises. Since its inception, the LITE Foundation has raised nearly $2 million for worthy causes. In addition to corporate contributions, the LITE Foundation also hosts fundraising events, including the annual 5K Glow Walk and Run.

Additional Benefits to Installing Hurricane Impact Windows

Weather Shield Windows and Doors has been installing doors and windows in the Medford, Wisconsin area since its establishment in 1955. A family-owned business, Weather Shield Windows and Doors provides customers with a diverse menu of services and products, including hurricane impact windows.

Hurricane impact windows are different from other styles because they are designed to protect against hurricane-strength winds and contain layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between the layers of glass to keep the window intact and to prevent it from shattering into shards if the window is broken.

Impact windows offer homeowners additional benefits beyond protection during a hurricane. One of the extra benefits of impact windows is they are also energy efficient. The laminated glass is made of Low-E coatings, which can contribute to reducing the amount of energy used year-round. Another benefit is that these windows can offer protection against break-ins and environmental noise. Because they don’t shatter as easily as normal windows, they are far more difficult to break into. The extra insulation also is a barrier to any outside noise. Finally, hurricane impact windows can also help homeowners reduce their insurance premium costs. Some insurance companies will lower their rates if the home is outfitted with impact windows.

Window and Door Trends in 2020

Weather Shield Windows and Doors is a distributor of premium windows and doors serving the entire continental United States. An industry leader in windows and doors, Weather Shield partners with industry professionals to create cutting-edge designs for any application.

In 2020, several trends are taking hold of the construction industry in terms of window and door styles. One of these is sliding glass doors. Once highly popular, sliding glass doors began to lose much of their appeal in the 2000s. However, many new quality designs have stirred consumer interest, so expect to see more sliding glass doors in the upcoming year.

Colored doors and windows is another trend quickly gaining traction. Rather than settling for subdued or neutral frames, many people are choosing windows as their focus to add a splash of color to a home or building’s exterior. In addition, colorful front doors are being used to add character to a home more frequently.

Last, Aluminum is becoming the primary material for window frames. The previously popular PVC windows are being replaced by their aluminum counterparts, in part due to their sustainability.