Sf Window Factory

Information may not be reliable

-As of March 19th 2008 SF Window Factory / United Glass & Aluminum has become a Certified Local Business Enterprise (LBE) in the county of San Francisco-
SF Window Factory offers- -Custom SF Window Factory Vinyl Windows made here in San Francisco -Windows and Doors from every manufacturer along with some exclusive manufacturers
United Glass & Aluminum offers-
C17 Glazing Contracting providing the highest quality of service available in San Francisco
LBE Certified as of March 2008, we have installed hundreds of storefronts, and custom jobs throughout California and Arizona

Free Design Services
Get your business's glazing needs, storefront, or home glass needs designed by the same folks that will install it too! With over 12 years experience designing and installing glass all over the city, we know a lot about what works good and looks great at the same time, weather needs and other things some designers miss.
Our courteous staff is ready to answer any questions you have regarding your glass needs. And don't forget to ask for what's the latest in technology in glass these days. We may have a glass solution to your needs you may not even know about.

A: Our windows have 6 main features that set our windows apart from the rest; window grade, our spacer, inside glazing, open tilt, our stainless steel balancers, and cost.
SF Window Factory Windows are commercial rated, meaning they're built tougher than residential rated windows. Commercial rated windows must withstand storms, and weather abuse, because they're often put in high rises where the winds are the strongest. Looking at a cross section, commercial vinyl windows straight away look thicker in construction.
For the spacer (the material used between the two panes of glass) we use only the best; Edgetech's SuperSpacer. SuperSpacer is great cause it wicks moisture from the air between the glass reducing chance of condensation inside. Older and still currently sold options including aluminum and plastic take few measures to reduce condensation inside.
Our windows have what's called inside Glazing means that we can replace your window from the inside reducing your costs of added ladders or scaffolding much of the time.
Our windows are Open Tilt windows which refers to single hung windows, and is a feature that allows the user to lift the lower sash, pull two easy accessible clips, and the sash will tilt inwardly for easy cleaning.
Our balancers (what provides ease of pressure when opening or closing a single hung windows) are coiled stainless steel, and are the best material to withstand the Bay Area's changing weathers.
SF Window Factory vinyl windows are priced to compete with most manufacturers that offer none of our window's benefit, at roughly 1/5 the cost of similar built commercial rated vinyl windows. We're good and we know it, and so will you when you get any windows replaced with SF Window Factory Windows. Single Hung, Sliders, Picture, and Casement offered in white or almond with any type of glass you wish, all at your fingertips located right downtown on Howard between 7th and 8th. Our 10,000ft factory and showroom offers you every kind of solution to any of your glazing needs. And who better to install your windows than the folks that make them with our seasoned installers United Glass and Aluminum who have been installing in the city since 1995.. The City is famous for producing only the highest quality, and we strive to uphold this long standing tradition, and hope you'll feel the same. top

A: We offer free design services because we enjoy doing it, and we've found that utilizing our hands on experience from the thousands of installations has given us insight in to how best to design certain spaces. Of course what you want is what we want to give you. We just hope you'll utilize our experience in getting there. Here's just a few images from our gallery. top

A: Tempered means glass that's been kiln fired making it both stronger while at the same time altering the composition of the glass so that when broken, the glass will crumble in to small fragments or stones reducing risk of getting cuts. It's often referred to as safety glass. Its more expensive then regular glass, and needs to be cut to size before being fired. If you'd like to find out more about tempered glass, wiki has some good information about it here. top

A: Sadly the usually poor artwork of graffiti or tagging has evolved just as the glass industry has evolved. Now the latest thing to "tag" a wall or window with is acid which etches in to the glass ruining the glass and creating a major headache for business owners where such tagging is popular. Currently there is one preventative measure one can apply to a window to fight this, anti graffiti film which is a thick plastic film of varying thickness that bare the brunt of most acid tags. Once tagged without the film, business owners are left two choices either to have the glass sanded and polished literally grinding off the etching, or replacing the glass. At SF Window Factory, we currently don't offer or advise grinding off the etching since the glass distortions that result have been met with mixed and often unsatisfactory results.
The other thing taggers use is sharp objects like keys to scratch the window. Again, the anti-graffiti film is your best defense against such tagging. Once tagged, you'll need to replace the film, and since the cost of replacing the film is about 1/4 the cost of replacing the glass many business owners are embracing this new defense. top

A: It takes roughly two years to pay yourself back for the investment in double pane windows.
Variables include: Frame manufacturer, type of glass used, existing building insulation, and climate where window is. There are other factors but these are the main variables. top

A: We charge $85 for a licensed technician to come to your business or home. Its been our experience that only by seeing the project first hand can we give you an accurate estimate and offer as many options that are available. We're happy to give you a free estimate over the phone after asking a few questions, but we try to make very clear these types of estimates are rough at best not being able to see the project in person. top

A: Being the only window manufacturer in the city of San Francisco has it's advantages. Besides delivering our commercial grade windows in record time (sometimes as little as 3 business days), we're also just down the street if after the installation, your window needs any further servicing. Our windows come with a 10 year guarantee, and often last as long as 20 years or more due to the 6 things that set our windows above the rest (see first question). top

A: Low E (E for emissivity) is glass that's been given an additional coating on one side to block UV rays reducing UV damage to interiors and blocking heat and cold from the outside. During winter months, or in San Francisco's case our chilly summer months, Low E glass also reflects radiant heat back from the inside keeping your business or home warmer. Though different levels of Low E exist, most people speak in terms as if there's only one level of reflectivity of radiant heat. top

A: Sure, its called safety lami glass. Safety lami glass is two layers of regular glass sandwiching a layer of clear or translucent plastic. When this glass is broken, the glass breaks but remains attached to the plastic minimizing dangers of getting cut, while also keeping the integrity of the barrier in tact. Yet a determined thief with a brick or hammer can eventually punch a hole through safety lami glass perhaps to reach in and open the door. Safety lami has reduced many a thefts in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco. Its slightly more expensive than laminated glass. top

A: Sure, its called acoustic glass. Similar to safety lami glass, acoustic glass is two layers of regular glass sandwiching a layer of plastic with sound reducing qualities. 101 noise reduction says: metal, glass, and materials that are stiff conduct sound much like metal conducts electricity, while foam, and plastics don't. top