Tägliche Haupterneuerung-Spitzen

Yesterday we wrote about the overlapping screens for our ENERGY STAR rated windows.

Today we write about the locks, or more specifically the locking mechanism.

Now, I know, I know … another boring topic …. unless you happen to be in the market for replacement windows and are trying to gather information from an independent source (like DailyHomeRenoTips.com ) before you commit several thousands of dollars replacing your own home’s windows.

Now, in some of the windows from our prior homes, we had the type which would swing out away from the window frame.

When closed, we would lock them for both:

• Security reasons, and
• In the winter to prevent heat from escaping from any gaps which might exist between the window frame and the windows

Now, in all prior homes we would need two handles to secure or lock this type of windows. This is because there would be a two locks, both on the same side, one near the top and the other near the lower part of the frame.

Our ENERGY STAR rated windows contain not two but 3 interior locks inside the window frame yet there was only one locking handle, as shows in the picture below:

This was because within the window frame both locks were connected to each other. When the lock handle on the inside of the home was used to lock the window, the mechanism inside the window frame caused both locks to engage.

Above is a picture of the locking mechanism inside the window. And, if you look closely in the lower left of the picture you will see the top part of the interior window lock handle.

Here is another picture showing both the three interior window locking mechanisms which are controlled by the single interior lock handle:

Now, is this a big deal? No. However, having only one lock handle on the window frame is much more eye appealing than having two. and having three window locks which lock the window to the frame has to be better than only two.

Windows last a long, long time. Much nicer to only see one lock handle in the many years to come.

Check to see how many lock handles your potential replacement windows, ENERGY STAR rated or otherwise, contain. See how much more, if any, it would cost to have only one handle to support the two internal window locks.

Now you know.