What is the Rought Opening on your Basement Windows?a
The rough opening (R.O.) can only be determined by the type of installation application. All of our basement window products are sized to fit in standard cement block basements. It is important to accurately measure any opening before proceeding with installation.

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Rough Opening (R.O.) VS. Tip-To-Tip (T-T-T) Measurements?
The rough opening is the opening area left for the product to be installed. The tip-to-tip measurement of the window is the actual measurement of the window unit from the factory. Tip-to-tip measurements are from the body of the product and exclude the fin.

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Can the Hopper Basement Window be Reversed?
NO. The hopper window is specifically designed to be installed with the handle to the top and inside of the house.

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Are the Vinyl Fins on the Basement Products Nailing Fins?
No. The fins along the sides of the window are for new construction sash block installation. The notched fin along the bottom is designed as mortar grab once the mortar wash is applied. The sash block fins can be scored and removed for replacement window applications. It is important to leave the mortar grab fin in place at the bottom even in replacement applications. Please note, the mortar grab fin may be removed under particular new construction and replacement applications.

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What is Mortar Wash?
Mortar wash is the term applied to the mortar applied in the space between the bottom of the window and the top of the block. This mortar should be sloped on both sides of the sill.

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Your Installation Instructions Describe Screwing the Window through the top only. Can I put Screws in the Sides and Bottom?
We recommend hanging the window using the two pre-punched screw holes provided at the factory. This does not allow the window to be pulled out of square. Once the sides are caulked in place and mortar wash is applied the window is secure. Screws can be fastened into the sides of the window with caution. Proper preparation in shimming the sides and making sure the window is plum before fastening the window is paramount. Failure to do so may cause the window to deform and fail.

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Can I use the Existing Mortar on the Bottom from my Original Window?
The most positive and secure method of installation is to remove the window and the mortar and re-apply the mortar wash after installation.

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Your Utility Window is Offered in Tempered Glass. Do all Windows have Tempered Glass?
The most positive and secure method of installation is to remove the window and the mortar and re-apply the mortar wash after installation.

NO. Our non-insulated utility window is our only product offered with DSB Tempered glass. Our insulated version of this utility has insulated glass, but the panes ARE NOT tempered. Our insulated basement window products ARE NOT tempered.

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What are Weep Holes?
Weep holes are specifically placed water drainage holes. These holes can be found on our slider products. Do not cover these holes for any reason.

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I Bought a Hopper Window, and there are No Weep Holes.
Weep holes are only required if the unit does not have specific ways to remove water. Our hopper windows all have been designed with a true sloped sill to facilitate water removal. Therefore, on our hoppers, weep holes are not necessary.

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My Window Doesn’t Fit. Can I Plane the Window Down?
No. Vinyl extrusions are hollow. The average wall thickness is approximately .070 (just a hair over 1/16″). No material can be removed.

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Do you Offer Custom Size Windows?

Currently Duo-Corp. only offers a stock size window program.

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What Colors are Available?
Currently, all Duo-Corp. products are available in white only.

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My Window Leaks.
Some of the most common problems of window failure is result of installation. Is the window square in the opening? If the window is a hopper, is the handle up and inside. If the unit is a slider, were the weep holes covered or clogged during installation. If the window is below grade in a window well, is there proper drainage in the well. Duo-Corp. will stand behind its products 100% and will assist you in any way to obtain your satisfaction.

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What is Egress. Will this Window Meet the Requirements?
Egress was originally established as a required opening minimum to provide firefighters with breathing apparatus’s uninhibited access through the opening. It has evolved in definition to an escape with numerous criteria that vary at the state and local levels. Check local codes for requirements.

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What is the meaning of the terms R-Value, U-Value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient?
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures the fraction of the heat from sunlight that passes through a window and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower the value, the less solar heat is passed through the window.

The U-Value indicates the rate of heat loss through a window and is expressed as a number between .20 and 1.20. The lower the U-Value, the greater the window’s resistance to heat loss.

The R-Value is the inverse of the U-Value and represents the overall insulating value of the window. Higher R-Values indicate better-insulated window products.

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Insulated Glass comes in All Thicknesses. The Greater the Airspace, the Better the Unit?
No. This is a common misconception. Insulated glass provides a pocket of air to enhance its R-Value. However, too much airspace can create the reverse of the desired effect. And coatings such as Low E glass can provide better insulating values with less overall airspace as is the case with our Basement Double Slider.

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This Helps. But I Need More Information.
For more information regarding specific questions or issues please contact your dealer or us direct. You can contact Duo-Corp. at (330)549-2149 or at the WWW at Duo-Corp.com.

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