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aksmith42
Registered Users
Posts:28
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| 01/23/2008 6:32 PM |
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i was wondering what your opinions were on triple pane windows, are they neccesary? I am looking at some from American Dream windows and doors out of Tennessee.
thanks,
adam |
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dmaceld
Registered Users
Posts:435
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| 01/27/2008 12:14 AM |
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For starters go to www.nfrc.org where you will find all kinds of info about windows. Triple pane by itself is good, but not tremendously better than double. What really matters is the entire window assembly. Loose fitting frames, or frames that conduct heat, will negate all the benefits of low-E glass, triple pane, reflective glass, you name it. Super windows poorly installed are no better than cheap windows properly installed. Windows are a lot more than just panes of glass, they're a whole system and you have to do the whole system properly.
The web site has what's called fenestration data on thousands of windows. Find a few windows you are interested in and get the exact identifying info on them. Then look up the data in the database on the web site and compare the windows.
Go to jlconline.com forums section and search on windows, or vinyl windows, in the exterior finishing forum. You won't believe what you'll learn. Wood windows vs. vinyl, clad vs. painted, and on and on. You'll also read how vinyl windows are considered cheap ****, but also how one vinyl window, which is triple pane, is one of the top windows on the North American continent. Sadly, it's not US made.
Happy data hunting, and happy learning!
BTW, casement windows are tighter than double hung. I don't really like casement windows but that's what I'm putting in the house I'm ready to build, because they're better.
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Building house - what a way to spend retirement! |
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dmaceld
Registered Users
Posts:435
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| 01/27/2008 12:29 AM |
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Posted By aksmith42 on 01/23/2008 6:32 PM
I am looking at some from American Dream windows and doors out of Tennessee.
There are over 600 companies in the NFRC list of certified window companies. American Dream Windows isn't one of them. Draw your own conclusions.
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Building house - what a way to spend retirement! |
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Jelly
Registered Users
Posts:220
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| 01/27/2008 4:03 AM |
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| Hey Mac, are those casements out-swinging or in-swinging? I've been looking for an American (or North American) manufacturer of in-swing vinyl casement windows and can't seem to find one. |
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dmaceld
Registered Users
Posts:435
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| 01/27/2008 10:58 AM |
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Posted By Jelly on 01/27/2008 4:03 AM
Hey Mac, are those casements out-swinging or in-swinging? I've been looking for an American (or North American) manufacturer of in-swing vinyl casement windows and can't seem to find one.
I'm using Andersen vinyl clad casements. They're out swing. The good vinyl windows are Vinyltek, http://www.vinyltek.com/, but they're outswing also.
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Building house - what a way to spend retirement! |
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Ian with ICF Builders
Posts:0
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| 01/28/2008 3:22 PM |
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| This could be construed as a selfish plug however, I wouldn't be the one selling these windows. I'm a fan of Heinzmann windows out of Germany...they are higher end windows, (and doors) however, when closing them, it is like closing a bank vault door. My opinion on triple pane windows is not that high ever since we built a house along a busy road and the architect specified a triple pane window for the windows on that side of the house. I won't mention brand names, but they kept having small issues such as failed seals etc. whereas the double pane windows from the same manufacturer didn't have the same issues....The owner felt that the triple pane was probably too much for the engineered design of the window vs. that of a double pane....something that I have since learned to be fairly accurate. Heinzmann windows are constructed with tolerances etc. much higher than anything we run across here in the US. We use these in the Caribbean where impact and thermal performance is key. Look up Heinzmann at www.europeanwindows.com Another brand that others will tell you use hardware that is of lesser quality(still heads over the N. American stuff) but the windows look similar is Schuco. Again, these are not run of the mill windows, these are high end. |
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blackdogarch
Registered Users
Posts:31
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| 02/03/2008 1:14 PM |
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| It may seem redundant or old fashioned, but I would suggest using storm windows. I have replaced all the windows in my home with low-e, argon double glazed wood, and doon and addition with new of the same windows units. The old windows have the old triple track storms and the difference in comfort adjacent to the woinws is amazing. Despite having the double glazing the third layer still keeps the wind from wicking away heat. I have started building my own based on the screen sizes, and the difference is worth it. Triple pane units may do this by the numbers, but run it against the costs for storms. |
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martyrh
Registered Users
Posts:3
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| 03/10/2008 12:11 AM |
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No one has mentioned Fiberglass windows? I'm looking to build (live in AK, moving to WNC). Costs more than wood or vinyl, but can be painted and doesn't expand/contract like vinyl does. Advantage to fiberglass, can be painted whereas vinyl can't. Fine Homebuilding had a great Winter Issue 2008, great articles, including windows. A few links they listed links:
www.efficientwindows.org
www.windows.lbl.gov
www.rehabadvisor.org
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martyrh
Registered Users
Posts:3
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| 03/10/2008 12:16 AM |
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dmaceld - Thank you for that weblink, forgot to say!
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GreenHomeImprovements
Registered Users
Posts:3
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| 03/21/2008 12:29 AM |
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Posted By Jelly on 01/27/2008 4:03 AM
Hey Mac, are those casements out-swinging or in-swinging? I've been looking for an American (or North American) manufacturer of in-swing vinyl casement windows and can't seem to find one. Plenty of companies own other companies and list all of their products under one company name. Most window companies also offer private labeling for their products for select dealers this makes NFRC reasearch a chore without the proper data.
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Ma B
Registered Users
Posts:2
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| 04/01/2008 9:54 PM |
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| I agree with GreenHomeImprovements, "Plenty of companies own other companies and list all of their products under one company name. Most window companies also offer private labeling for their products for select dealers this makes NFRC reasearch a chore without the proper data." This is a difficult way to sift through information. |
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