At Renewal by Andersen of Long Island our customers often ask us about the safety of our wonderful home improvement products. We talk about our replacement window and patio door safety features, frame colors and fabulous Fibrex material, energy efficiency ratings and space-saving designs. And, many times the discussion includes questions about how to get the highest return on investment for homeowners.
Home safety and security are important for many homeowners. Because your family’s safety is important to the Renewal by Andersen of Long Island team, too, we’d like to take a few minutes to discuss the role window design and style choices affect the safety of family members who live with disabilities and mobility issues.
We hope the tips below help you make better decisions during the replacement window buying journey.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) recommends homeowners choose interior and entrance doors with wide openings to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Sliders and casement windows which open fully are two good style choices for windows. Each room also needs a minimum of one operable window that is large enough to allow safe, efficient egress. Remember that during a fire or other emergency requiring rapid exit, someone may have to carry or lift a disabled person through the opening.
It is important to choose a replacement window style that has a locking mechanism that is easy to reach from a seated position. A person in a wheelchair, or one with problems reaching above their head, may have difficulty raising a window with a vertical sash, such as a single- or double-hung window. The “best” window may be one that can be open with one hand, or one that has an easy grasp crank-style level.
Some situations require thoughtful planning and intentional control over window operation. Homes with family members who have dementia or reduced cognition, as well as homes with very young children may benefit from adding:
Think about how your family uses every room in your home. Remember that most older adults will gradually become less mobile and be at greater risks of falling. An operable window over a counter or behind a bathtub with a crank-type lever mounted on the lower edge is preferable to a sash window that requires a “tip-toed reach” to open. The first option also eliminates the need for a step stool or ladder, which could be difficult for aging adults to manage.
While thinking about window styles and functionality, remember to consider furniture placement, flooring and traffic patterns that may pose safety risks and challenges for your loved ones.
Finally, look beyond the indoor spaces to make sure that landscaping and structures outside the home will not interfere with an emergency exit that requires using the window to get out in a hurry.
High performance replacement windows are built to fit your existing window footprint – which saves you money compared to an extensive construction project. However, when it comes to making sure your family members are all safe inside your home, you may want to make a few modifications to window sizes. We can help you evaluate every window in your home to make sure your home is safe and comfortable for everyone.
Renewal by Andersen of Long Island has a large portfolio of beautiful styles and optional accessories that will allow you to design high-performance windows for your home that are beautiful, safe and efficient. Your safety is of the utmost importance to our team. Please schedule an in home consultation today discuss your needs. Simply fill in the short form on this page or give us a call at 1-888-313-9052.
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