Learn About The LAS Difference | LAS Shutters + Windows

At LAS, we are proud to be more than just a window and shutter manufacturer. We are leaders in making products for the Gulf South region. The LAS difference is evident in every piece we produce at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the Northshore, ensuring that we don't rely on others for our products. This autonomy in production allows us to maintain the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Every LAS window and shutter is carefully designed to handle the specific difficulties of our area, like storms and hot weather. Our products are durable and energy efficient, with storm and Energy Star ratings.

At LAS, we stand out for our innovative and high-quality windows made with E-glass. This showcases our dedication to excellence and sets us apart.

E-glass, or low emissivity glass, blocks infrared and ultraviolet light but lets visible light pass through. It reduces the amount of harmful light that enters. This type of glass is commonly used in windows to protect against UV rays.

E-glass helps to keep interiors cooler and protect against sun damage. Our approach to incorporating E-glass involves:

Proprietary Coating Techniques: Utilizing thin layers of silver and other reflective metals, we significantly reduce the emissivity of the glass. This process ensures that heat stays outside during summer and inside during winter, offering unparalleled insulation.
Optimal Coating Orientation: Unlike typical practices in colder climates, LAS optimally places the E-glass coating on the second surface of the outside pane, facing inward. This strategic placement is ideal for the Gulf South, reflecting solar energy and keeping homes comfortable and energy efficient.
Advanced Low E Glass Types: LAS distinguishes between hard coat (passive Low E) and soft coat (solar control Low E) technologies, choosing the latter for its superior performance in blocking infrared light—crucial for our air conditioning-dominant climate.
Exclusive Use of Cardinal® LoĒ³-366 Glass: Recognized for its exceptional insulating properties, this soft coat Low E glass boasts impressive U-Value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient ratings, making it the best choice for minimizing energy costs and enhancing indoor comfort.

By integrating these advanced features into our windows, LAS delivers a significant impact on energy savings and indoor comfort for our customers.

Unlike many in our industry, we take immense pride in manufacturing all our windows in-house, at our expansive 60,000 square foot facility on the Northshore. This promise guarantees top-notch products and helps our community by keeping production nearby.

Key Highlights of Our Manufacturing Process

In-House Production: We create each LAS window in our facility to guarantee high quality, meeting our standards through strict quality control.
Skilled Craftsmanship: Our team has skilled craftsmen who have perfected their skills over many years. They carefully craft each window with precision and care.

When you choose LAS, you're not just getting a window. You're getting high-quality products that last a long time, made with care and skill.

The industry was getting ready for changes to the Energy Star program. LAS was not only prepared for Version 7.0, but had already been exceeding its standards for years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continuously updates Energy Star criteria to promote energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and help consumers save on utility bills.

With the transition to Energy Star Version 7.0 that was set for October 23, 2023, featuring stricter U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) requirements, LAS's Weathergard window line already exceeded these benchmarks, showcasing our commitment to leading in energy efficiency and sustainability.

Key aspects of Energy Star Version 7.0 include:

Enhanced Performance Criteria: The energy efficiency standards in southern regions have been improved. The maximum U-factor is now 0.32 and the SHGC is 0.23. This is a significant change from the previous standards of 0.40 and 0.25.
LAS’s Proactive Compliance: Unlike many brands facing challenges with the new stringent requirements, LAS has been ahead, exceeding Version 7 standards with our base window configurations for over a decade, without additional costs for upgraded glass packages.
Energy Star Certification: Indicators like U-Factor, SHGC, Visible Transmittance (VT), and Air Leakage (AL) on the Energy Star window sticker help consumers understand the thermal performance and energy savings potential of LAS windows.

By choosing LAS, customers not only prepare for the future of energy efficiency but also invest in products that offer superior insulation, lower energy consumption, and contribute to a healthier planet. Our Weathergard windows exceed Energy Star standards, offering customers the latest technology for sustainable living.

At LAS, we focus on being precise when installing windows and shutters. Our lead installers hold certification through the Installation Masters Certification Program to ensure quality installation. This program highlights:

Targeted Training: Over five days, our installers delve into installation techniques, design considerations, and teaching methods, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of best practices.
High Standards: Installers must pass a rigorous 168-question exam with at least a 90% score, reflecting their mastery of the field.

Key Benefits:

Quality Assurance: Certified installers mean fewer callbacks, reduced water intrusion risk, and enhanced energy efficiency.
Peace of Mind: With professional certification, LAS installers bring improved owner satisfaction through expertly installed products.

Choosing LAS certified installers ensures your windows and shutters not only meet but exceed industry standards, offering superior performance and durability.

LAS WeatherGard III windows stand out in the realm of safety and durability, showcasing the window difference that sets LAS apart. Approved by the stringent Wind and Impact Window Ratings of the Florida Building Code, our windows represent the pinnacle of protection against harsh weather conditions.

Whether it's our proprietary HomeGard windows in FBC Impact Rated, FBC Wind Rated, or Standard Non-Rated configurations, each option is designed with the highest standards in mind, featuring:

Customized Protection: Tailored options using appropriately gauged aluminum and Lockdown Bar Systems meet specific code regulations.
Rigorous Approval Process: We promise safety and quality with Florida Building Code approval, providing the best protection for our customers.

If you want to know about wind and impact ratings or our approval codes, contact LAS for more information. Experience the LAS difference with windows designed to protect and perform under the toughest conditions.

LAS is committed to providing the highest quality installation, ensuring our windows and shutters stand as your home's first line of defense against the elements. Our installers are OSI Certified, a testament to their expertise and dedication to excellence in every project they undertake. To complement this high level of skill, we exclusively use the OSI QUAD MAX Caulking System for all our installations.

Why OSI QUAD MAX?

Versatile Application: OSI QUAD MAX sealant is great for sealing windows, doors, and siding inside and outside. It works well with different materials like fiber cement, cedar, brick, and stone. You don't need a primer when using this sealant.
Exceptional Bonding: It adheres effectively to various surfaces such as metal, fiberglass, vinyl, wood, and glass. This creates a durable seal that remains intact for an extended period.
Superior Performance: OSI QUAD MAX is a strong sealant for siding and windows. It is very durable and works well in any conditions. It is considered the strongest sealant available. It is the strongest sealant available.

By integrating OSI Certified installers and the OSI QUAD MAX Caulking System into our installation process, LAS guarantees a seal that not only protects your home from weather and wear but also enhances the overall performance and longevity of your windows.

We employ a state-of-the-art powder coating system for our aluminum shutters, ensuring each product not only endures but thrives against the elements. This innovative painting method encapsulates durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal in one seamless process.

How It Works

Electrostatic Application: We begin by applying electrically charged powder coating material to the aluminum shutter. This electrostatic process ensures the powder adheres uniformly until it is fused with heat, creating a bond that's more resilient than traditional wet paint.
Energy Efficient & Eco-Friendly: Powder coating stands out for its minimal environmental impact, emitting far fewer hazardous wastes compared to conventional methods. It's a choice that benefits both your home and the planet.
Three-Step Perfection: Our application includes pre-treatment, powder coating, and curing steps, each meticulously carried out to guarantee a durable, long-lasting finish with a uniform appearance.

Why Powder Coating?

Enhanced Durability: Utilizing an electrostatic process, electrically charged powder is applied and then fused with heat, creating a bond far superior to traditional wet paint. This results in a shutter that's not just durable, but also resistant to chipping, fading, and wear over time.
Eco-Friendly: Powder coating is a greener alternative, emitting significantly less hazardous waste compared to conventional painting methods. It's a choice that reflects our responsibility towards the environment.
Efficient and Economical: Our in-house powder coating process reduces the overall cost and accelerates delivery. Without intermediaries, we provide value directly to our customers.
Customization: LAS's ability to match custom colors ensures that your shutters perfectly complement your home's aesthetic.

When choosing shutters for your home, the quality of the product and the integrity of the service matter immensely. LAS stands apart in the industry for several key reasons, each contributing to the LAS difference.

Material Excellence: We craft our shutters from aluminum, a choice that guarantees longevity and resilience. Aluminum shutters last longer than wood or vinyl in our climate. They won't rot like wood or warp and crack like vinyl, making them a durable addition to your home's exterior.

Innovative Design: At LAS, innovation starts with ownership. Each LAS shutter is the result of our own engineering, designed in-house. This contrasts sharply with the industry norm of using third-party designs, granting us the unique ability to continually refine and enhance our products.

Trusted Manufacturing: With over 60 years in the business, LAS not only manufactures but also warranties our shutters. This seamless integration ensures that when you need service, you deal directly with the source. This guarantees accountability and quality assurance, which is uncommon in today's market.

Professional Installation: Our installation team comprises LAS employees who have been extensively trained on our specific products. This ensures that we perform every installation correctly, maximizing the performance and durability of your shutters.

Superior Coated Finish: We utilize AAMA 2604 powder coatings, a choice that far exceeds the industry standard for durability and resistance to environmental stresses. This high-quality finish ensures your shutters maintain their color and resist wear, significantly outperforming alternatives like liquid paint.

Authentic Louver Design: LAS shutters feature full-shaped hollow louvers, maintaining an authentic and aesthetically pleasing look. This design choice reflects our commitment to quality and aesthetics, as opposed to the cost-saving measures of flat solid louvers found elsewhere.

Advanced Theft Protection: Security is a paramount concern, and LAS shutters are designed with customized hinges and hidden bolts, making them significantly more secure against unauthorized removal compared to the exposed bolts used by many others.

Reliable Service: Should your shutters require service; LAS is just a call away. LAS offers a direct line for support, showing our dedication to customer satisfaction and reliability. No confusing service paths here - just straightforward help for our products.

Choosing LAS means opting for shutters that offer not just superior design and durability but also the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're supported by a company that stands firmly behind its products. Experience the LAS difference today, and see why our shutters are the preferred choice for homeowners seeking quality, durability, and unmatched service.

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Julia,
On behalf of Lighthouse Louisiana (formerly The Lighthouse for the Blind), please convey my thanks once again to your coworkers for supporting our summer camp for children who are blind. It is a rare thing to see a corporate family like yours, where people get together and give from their own hard-earned paychecks to local groups that are doing good work in the community. As donors, sometimes it’s hard to know what donations to organizations we care about are actually being used for. We consider LAS an important investor in our work, and we cannot thank you enough for helping us serve our clients.

Thank you,
Erin McQuade Wright
Director of Development

We just finished getting new windows from LAS and I can’t be any happier. From start to finish, this job was done professionally. The salesman, Garrett, came to the house on time and explained the windows and the process and answered any questions that we had at the time. He indicated the person who would do the measurements would call and set up an appointment within two weeks and the the windows would be built and installed in about 5 weeks. Well, the job – from the initial estimate to complete install – was three weeks. The installed that completed the job did an excellent job of install, caulking and cleanup. We can’t give them a higher rating. The most amazing thing so far is the look and how much it has cut down on outside noise. I highly recommend LAS and since they are local, from repairs to employing people, we keep it right here at home. We are very satisfied customers.

The LAS Difference

The LAS E-Glass Advantage

The LAS Craftsmanship Difference: Locally Made, Globally Recognized

Key Highlights of Our Manufacturing Process

Leading the Way in Energy Efficiency: LAS and Energy Star Version 7.0

Certified Excellence: LAS’s Installation Masters

The Window Difference: LAS’s Impact-Rated Excellence