Columbia Falls Window Replacement

Recent Projects, Windows
February 4, 2025

Columbia Falls Window Replacement

Wow! We really got the timing right with this project! Now that this cold front moved into the Flathead Valley we are especially happy to have helped our Columbia Falls window replacement customer last week :-). Brrr! Imagine swapping the glass in a window this large this week. No thank you!! Plus this cold is supposed to stay for another week, oof! Stay warm and safe out there folks!

The weather here in the Flathead Valley really can throw glass, mainly window glass, for a loop. The extreme cold can shock the glass into cracking or breaking. The industry term for this is thermal stress and it occurs when part of the window glass becomes hotter or colder than the surrounding glass. The temperature difference puts too much strain on the window glass and crack!

Ways to Prevent Your Windows Breaking are:

Having proper insulation will prevent temperature fluctuations within your Flathead Valley home. Steady temperatures are good for glass!
Weather stripping will seal up the gaps in your windows and limit window drafts. No drafts equals a lower energy bill & less stress on your windows & the window glass.
If you have old single pane windows, consider upgrading your windows to double pane or even triple pane windows. Double pane and triple pane windows can withstand the low and high Montana temperatures much better than single pane windows.

Window Condensation

Also it’s really common for windows to condensate when the temps get low. When warm moist air comes in contact with the cold window glass surface it starts to condensate. Window condensation is especially common in hot humid rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Ways to Prevent Window Condensation are:

Limit the amount of moisture in the air. Run the bathroom fan, have the oven fan running while cooking, using a lid while boiling water, and having proper dryer ventilation all help prevent window condensation!
Use a dehumidifier. If the air in your Kalispell or Whitefish home is too humid a dehumidifier can help a lot as well!
Also leave interior doors open and promote air circulation so that dry air can mix with moist air. Moisture wants to reach an equilibrium so having the dry & moist air mix is a great way to help prevent window condensation
Lastly, newer double pane or triple pane windows will have less window condensation issues than older single pane windows!

FAQ

Custom Glass Blog

What's possible with glass?

When a lot of folks think of glass windows and custom glass shower enclosures come to mind right away. Other lesser know glass products are glass partition walls (mainly in office buildings), glass ceilings or floors, glass store fronts, glass accent walls (can be made to look like stone and backlit, a really nice look), and glass art (many times found in hotels and airports). There’s some interesting glass projects here in the Flathead Valley: some highlights include a glass breezeway and an infinity end hot tub made out of glass!

What's the best way to clean my custom glass shower?

Custom glass showers look great and clean easily when properly installed and cared for! Glass manufacturers often apply a protective coating to the glass which helps with ease of cleaning as well. Water and a squeegee work the best for a weekly cleaning. If the glass needs a bit more help, then a mild eco friendly soap like Dawn, Windex, or SprayWay and a microfiber rag will do the trick. For hard water situations, use CLR. Remember to rinse and squeegee after using a cleaning product though!

How is the glass that Precision Glass install protected? Does it have a coating?

Precision Glass installs custom glass that is protected by EnduroShield. The coating helps the glass repel water and dirt. Incredibly the coating is only 2 molecules thick! This is vital as it could start to change the clear quality of the glass if it was too thick.

How thick is the custom glass that Precision Glass installs?

We offer glass in various thicknesses ranging from 1/8 inch to 1 inch depending on the type of glass and application. The most common custom glass project is a custom glass shower and we typically install 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch tempered glass for these projects!

Does Precision Glass replace windows?

Precision Glass is definitely able to help folks within the Flathead Valley window replacement projects! Has one of your windows been damaged? Give us a call and we can schedule a consultation!

Does Precision Glass offer custom tempered glass for tabletops?

Yup! Precision Glass offers tempered glass for tabletops which is much stronger and more resistant to shattering than regular glass.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass, often referred to as “toughened” or “fully tempered” glass, is heat-treated safety glass that is approximately four times stronger than the surface of regular annealed (non-safety) glass of the same thickness.

When tempered glass is broken it shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces. This characteristic “dice” break pattern minimizes the risk of serious injury.

What about mirrors? Can Precision Glass help?

The team at Precision Glass can help bring your custom mirror ideas into reality!

Does Precision Glass install glass for commercial buildings?

Yes, Precision Glass offers glass installation services for commercial buildings including storefronts, office buildings, and more. Feel free to connect with us to discuss your project in detail.

What other learning resources does Precision Glass have?

We love to dive deep with glass learning at Precision Glass but most kind of glaze over after a bit :-). Click here for more glass learning and glass terminology.

(406) 471-9644

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