Since 1951, Anchorage-based Capitol Glass has been supplying residential and commercial customers in Alaska with glass, windows, and mirrors. In fact, the company, previously known as Capitol Northerm, designs and manufactures its custom windows “specifically for Alaska’s northern climate,” the company writes. “Built in the north, for the north, Capitol Glass windows and doors are your best choice for keeping your home warmer (and quieter) while saving you money on heating your home.”
As Alaskans frequently face sub-zero temperatures, windows made in the continental U.S. are not suitable for the state’s climate. If windows cannot handle these conditions, they can let in cold temperatures and even cause moisture issues. This is all the more pressing given that windows can take up about 15% of wall space in the average residence. To be best equipped for this, Capitol Glass introduced numerous features to enhance insulation and noise reduction. The company makes double-pane, triple-pane, and four-pane windows. Even the double-pane windows do not allow cold air to pass through because they are sealed with rubber gaskets rather than tape, and they use foam rather than metal spacers between the panes to prevent expansion and contraction. Additionally, every window has a wider-than-typical pocket between the panes, filled with argon gas, which is about 1.4 times as dense as air. “Taken together, these two innovative techniques enable Capitol Glass windows to provide exceptionally high levels of thermal and noise insulation,” the company says.
Additionally, Capitol Glass makes its frames from UPVC vinyl and fusion-welds the vertical and horizontal pieces together, rather than screwing the corners together. Through the process, the company creates stronger frames with no gaps through which water can leak, ultimately contributing to longer life cycles.
Using thicker material and channeled frames, the company says “Capitol Glass windows can withstand winds up to 165 mph.” This translates to the windows having a higher R-value, a measure of insulation, than typical windows. “This is not only a good way to give you confidence in your home’s ability to stand up to Alaska’s winter, it’s also a great way to increase your home’s resale value,” Capitol Glass writes. The windows are also Certified Alaska Tough by the Cold Climate Housing Research Center. “If your windows are Certified Alaska Tough, you know they can withstand the worst winter conditions anywhere,” the center wrote. In fact, Capitol Glass promises that customers can “feel confident placing your baby’s crib near a window.”
Photo Courtesy Capitol Glass Windows and Doors
Because these windows more effectively block cold air from outside and retain heat inside, Capitol Glass customers reduce the energy needed to stay warm, thereby saving money on heating costs. “With heating oil prices rocketing up to $10 a gallon in some remote areas, many Alaskans are wishing they had installed better windows when fuel was cheap,” the Cold Climate Housing Research Center explained. “Save money now and rest easy in the future with Certified Alaska Tough windows.”
In addition, Capitol Glass is the state’s sole manufacturer of insulated glass and windows that is certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The certification process involves rigorous, comprehensive testing of glass units in six different sizes at independent labs. It is no wonder that the company is so confident in the reliability of its windows and the associated cost savings that it offers a 20-year warranty and promises to cover labor costs if an insulated glass unit fails within the first 10 years. “If you save money up front only to have to replace your windows in a few years, you haven’t really saved money,” the business notes. “Bottom line is, we believe we make the best windows available in Alaska, and we’re willing to stand behind our product.”
Photo Courtesy Capitol Glass Windows and Doors
“Made in Alaska by Alaskans for Alaskans,” Capitol Glass touts. “We manufacture our glass right here at our shop in Anchorage.” The company custom-makes all of its windows to meet any requirements or preferences, ranging from unique shapes and sizes to specific colors. The company is listed by both Buy Alaska, a statewide directory of Alaskan-owned businesses, and Made in Alaska, which promotes products primarily manufactured or crafted in the state. Additionally, the company supports an American supply chain. It sources raw materials from Cardinal Glass Industries and Hartung Glass Industries, two of the country’s biggest glass manufacturers.
Photo Courtesy Capitol Glass Windows and Doors
Finally, Capitol Glass adds that when windows cannot keep out the cold, frost can build up on them. “You’ve got gorgeous Alaska views outside. Make sure you’re seeing it all with high-quality windows designed for Alaska’s northern climate,” the company summarizes. With its products, the company says customers can “instantly add value to your Alaska home.”
