Here's the thing.......All window companie have access to the same technologies (glass, coatings, films and their different configurations). The thing is that they select which ones to offer so that they can effectively market and sell a particular line "branding". I think that what Dave is saying is that Serious Windows is willing to provide him custom IGs to meet the particular criteria he is asking for. In essance all manufacturers could offer this, it just that the cost of production goes up the more options they offer, which is why more companies don't offer it (or market it in their literature).

John - "Their website gives you a range of U-factors and SHGCs for each series of windows, without letting you know which is associated with which. And then they complicate this further by showing you great numbers in their 'Glass Packages,' which refer solely to the glass itself without the frame." ?????????

Refer to the "Technical Specs" on thier website and it clearly states "Full Frame Performance" above specific U & R values and SHGC for each specific window. I don't see any ranges. Maybe you are not looking in the right place?

Here you go. It lists each specific "window" product and its correlating specifications.

http://www.seriouswindows.com/SeriousWindows_Tech_Specs.pdf

Hi. Just ran across your post. I am in the process of designing a passive solar home that I hope to only require 10-15% of the energy of a typical home contruction. I live NORTH of you, in Fort Kent, where the temperatures are even colder than in Houlton. Have you built your home yet? I am curious to how you constructed your walls? What window company did you go with? Thanks.

Myrtleboone:

It's been awhile since that original post and I'm just now getting around to breaking ground this coming Fall for the new place.   The downturn in the economy forced me to postpone things a bit. The house design shifted significantly over this time too, but I'm still going with a small home (1,214 sq ft) with super-insulated walls and triple-glazed windows.    Specifically, I'll be using some very cost-effective passive house windows made by a company in Lithuania and being sold in the US through a number of distributors.    The window company is called Intus Windows and the local rep in Maine that I'd recommend is a great guy named Christian Corson.    You'll find YouTube clips as well about these windows that will give you a good sense of them.   Christian can be contacted through his business ( Ecocor Design/Build ) either by calling him at (207) 930-5088 or e-mailing him at [email protected].   He knows his stuff and is really passionate about what he does.   

The overall building envelope I'm now going with will be a bit of a departure from my original plans.   It'll now be constructed as follows:

Exterior walls (R-67) will be comprised of a 2 x 4” load-bearing inner wall assembly filled with 3 ½” of Roxul ComfortBatt insulation, plus outer 11-7/8” TJI 560’s filled with JM Spider blow-in fiberglass insulation.  OSB air barrier will separate the sections within both roof and wall assemblies.  Basement walls (interior and exterior) will be ARXX Prime ICFs over 8” concrete slab and 12” of Foamular 600 XPS sub-slab insulation (R-65.)    Roof (R-94) will be comprised of a 16” TJI 560 cantilevered truss system filled with 16” of JM Spider fiberglass BIBS beneath a 4 ½” layer of Hunter Panels H-Shield NB polyisocyanurate bonded to OSB and topped with 5/8” of Advantech T&G Roof Sheathing.    Roofing will be McElroy Medallion-Lok Standing Seam Metal Roofing secured to the Advantech through layers of Pro Clima Solitex Plus roof lining membrane and Grace Ice & Water Shield.   Siding will consist of 1x12" D & Better Select Kiln-Dried Eastern White Pine Reverse Board & Batten siding attached to perpendicular 1x4" furring strips over a Pro Clima Solitex Plus sarking membrane to form a rainscreen and watertight envelope.

The full scope of technical details for the house can be found here.

Good luck with your project!

Litawyn