Steel conducts heat. An un-engineered steel frame will pull heat in during summer and push it out during winter — the frame becomes a thermal bridge. First-generation steel doors and windows (1930s–1980s) weren’t built to solve this. Modern ones are.
What we build in today
- Thermal break: a polyamide or PVC strut that sits between exterior and interior steel, stopping conductive heat transfer. Our frames are continuously broken — no cold spots at corners or hardware locations.
- Low-E coated insulated glass: a microscopic metallic-oxide coating reflects infrared while letting visible light pass. Our standard insulated unit is dual-pane low-E, argon-filled, with a warm-edge spacer.
- Multi-point hardware: compresses the sash against a continuous gasket. Single-point hardware lets air leak at the corners; multi-point engages 3–5 points per operation.
What you get
- U-factor 0.28–0.34 on operable windows; 0.24–0.28 on fixed
- SHGC 0.25–0.38 depending on glass package and orientation
- Air infiltration under 0.1 CFM/ft² — tighter than most vinyl replacement windows
Rebates and tax credits
Most of our door and window packages qualify for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (up to $1,200/year). We provide the manufacturer NFRC labels and signed product-performance letters for your tax filing.
When to upgrade
If your current windows are single-pane aluminum or pre-1990s steel, the payback from reduced cooling load is usually 7–12 years in Central Texas’ climate — sooner if you’re also chasing summer comfort rather than pure ROI.
Specifications
| Thermal Break | Continuous polyamide strut |
|---|---|
| Glass | Dual-pane low-E, argon, warm-edge spacer |
| U-factor | 0.24 – 0.34 |
| SHGC | 0.25 – 0.60 (varies by package) |
| Air Infiltration | < 0.1 CFM/ft² |
| Hardware | Multi-point compression |
| Credits | Federal EEHIC up to $1,200/year |
