How do You Make Windows that Can Save a Child’s Life?

The Window Geeks aren’t shy about espousing the virtues of new windows. They make a significant difference to your home, especially when it comes to energy efficiency and comfort. For one amazing little boy in Calgary, though, the difference they’ve made is truly mind-blowing – they’ve given him a sanctuary from UV radiation, allowing him to enjoy his indoor space just like anyone else, and potentially added years to his life. In this blog, we dive into the science behind the magic.

While new windows always offer a range of benefits to homeowners, the usual options were not going to cut it in this case. The Davis family needed windows that would block 99% of UV A & B radiation for their son Jake, who has the first confirmed Canadian case of ERCC1 deficiency. This means his cells are unable to repair any damage they endure, including that from the sun. These special windows were exactly what they got – and Centra Windows and Centra Cares, along with our fantastic partners at Cardinal Glass and Novatech, were more than happy to provide them for free given how important they were for Jake’s health. This gift thankfully allowed the family to divert funds to other efforts to protect him.

So how are windows able to block out over 99% of that radiation? It comes down to the glass coatings and panes. All the windows were triple pane with high-performance low emissivity coatings. These consist of a thin transparent layer (typically made of silver, zinc, or tin) which blocks certain types of light from the sun and repels heat, vastly improving energy efficiency and a window’s U-Value.

These incredible windows comprised a pane with a 360 (triple) coating, a second pane with a 180 (single) coating, and a third pane of 6mm laminated glass. All three together create a barrier that allows young Jake to enjoy his home without suffering life-threatening cellular damage. He’s now able to do things that most of us take for granted – like look out his windows, or enjoy the sunlight.

We’re honoured to have had the chance to be able to make a difference for Jake Davis, and so proud of our partners Cardinal and Novatech, who helped make this happen, as well as our terrific installers who gave up their Saturdays to put in these new windows. To learn more about the Centra Cares Foundation and the charitable work we do in our communities, check out our Centra Cares page.