Protecting Your Home

While you choose windows and doors for intrinsic features, it may be a good idea to also consider the room in which you are designing. Certain operation styles can help strengthen security and safety in your home.

• Keep windows closed and locked when not in use. Some window locks make it easier to see whether the window is open or closed.
• On first floors, you might consider combinations of picture and awning or casement windows. These windows are harder to pry open when locked. For a living room, consider combos of awning windows above or below a picture window.
• Local building codes usually have egress requirements for bedrooms, specifying the size and height of an opening you need to allow in the event of a fire or other emergency. Often, casement or sliding horizontal windows can be a good choice for meeting these codes. Be sure to discuss egress with your contractor or dealer.
• A basement window can be a particular challenge if you're also looking to ensure egress. Horizontal sliders are an excellent way to achieve ventilation and permit egress in window wells.
• If you have walkways or paths near your windows, you may want to consider windows that don't open out such as horizontal sliders, single hung and double hung.
• Tempered glass is extremely strong. When it breaks, it shatters into little pebble-like pieces without sharp edges, reducing the likelihood of injury. Window and door manufacturers offer tempered glass for use in patio doors, side lights and windows in children's rooms, and in many cases, there are required codes for the use of tempered glass in bathrooms. Talk with your contractor or Local Milgard Dealer to find out what's applicable to your home.