6 Little-Known Window Facts

Today’s windows do many things that help turn houses into homes. These glass units insulate, illuminate, secure, and beautify spaces. They may look simple, but they are actually advanced and have evolved over millennia to operate the way they do now.

Here, Renewal by Andersen® of Rapid City talks about six facts you probably did not know about home replacement windows.

1. The Romans Used the First Glass Window

In 15,000 BC, the first window was nothing more than a hole in the wall. It was not until the time of Romans that glass was incorporated into the window design. The first unit with glass was discovered in the ruins of a bathhouse in Pompeii.

2. Fenestration Has Its Provenance in Latin Vocabulary

Latin was one of the two official languages of the Roman Empire. It should no surprise that the term “fenestration”, which refers to the arrangement of windows in a building, is of Latin origin. It came from the word “fenestra”, which can be translated to phrases like “opening for light”.

3. Double-Hung Window Overtook Casement Window in the US in 18th Century

Prior to Robert Hooke’s invention of the double-hung window in the 17th century, casement window replacement was the norm. The double-hung window became the most popular unit in American in the following century since its design supports the weight of large glass.

4. Andersen Corporation Trail-Blazed Several Window Norms

Our parent company introduced the first factory-installed window glass at the turn of the 20th century. In 1920, Andersen Corporation pioneered window mass production, making fenestration units much more affordable.

In the ‘60s, the brand gave birth to double glazing, which remains the standard practice in the country today. Decades later, the company spearheaded the development of low-emissivity glass.

5. The Average American House Has Eight Windows

Any experienced awning windows installation contractor could probably attest to this piece of trivia.

6. The Burj Khalifa Houses 34,348 Windows

Globally known as the tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai has over 27,800 more windows than the Empire State Building.

Entrust your project to Renewal by Andersen of Rapid City to enjoy the advantages of the most groundbreaking window innovations today. Call us at (605) 388-2644 to schedule your free consultation in Spearfish, SD.