We're building and I volunteered to do the window research, not realizing how complex it was going to be.  I think we're narrowed down to InLine Fiberglass (Toronto, CA) or Marvin Integrity; fiberglass casements; double glazed.  The InLine windows are priced "al acarte".  Their base prices do not include a wood interior nor a "brick mold" which is essentially the external flange that the siding would butt up to (oak vaneer interiors and brick molds are available for a upcharge).  The Marvin Integrity line comes standard with a pine interior and that exterior flange that I mentioned.  There is a $3,000 difference between the two (InLine is higher).  I've read that InLine is, perhaps, a better window but I cannot figure out how to find the hard facts to convince my husband.  The customer service has been wonderful at InLine and I have pestered them half to death so I feel strongly that I would prefer to go that direction.  I've tried using the NFRC web site but it is way too much information for a non-professional.  However, $3000 is a lot extra to spend if they are comperable windows.  Any feedback would be appreciated.

Cathy,

We selected the marvins. Is SDL available with inLine? I think cosmetically an SDL beats GBG (grill between glass).

We're not using any grills.

Oh, and what is SDL?

Hi Cathy,
I built my dream home last Fall and I used Inline windows. We investigated all fiberglass windows at the time, including the Integrity. While Inline was far more expensive, I was troubled by the fact that there didn't seem to be a lot of performance information about the Integrity line of windows available. So, we figured, that if it wasn't published, it probably didn't test well. We have a beachfront home in a stormy windy area and it's so nice to cozy up and watch the elements and still stay warm with my new windows. Are you dealing with Mark? He's so nice.

Maureen

I'm nominating Mark for sainthood!!  He's been great and I even got to visit him and the factory when I was in Toronto in November.  Our house project is part of a research project NYSERDA is doing so I've had to bombard him with questions.  I am convinced that InLine is the way to go but my husband is always the question-er so that is why I was looking for hard data to compare InLine with Integrity.  The NFRC web site is a nightmare to navigate and that is the only place I know to pull up information.  That's why I was hoping someone on this forum might be well versed.  Cathy

Cathy,

I have been frequenting this forum less and less since the completion of my cottage, but I installed Inline windows myself, and am quite pleased with them. I have a cottage north of Toronto, and as mentioned before, in another thread, I can now sit by the windows and enjoy the scenery on those bitter cold days.

Before I selected Inline, I did plenty of research myself. I too found the NFRC site overwhelming, but that is just a source for thermal performance.

Inline windows are physically better than most, if not all other fiberglass window manufacturers. Take a look at their structural ratings, air ratings, and water ratings.

I once read on a website that 35% of heat loss takes place through air infiltration/exfiltration, so naturally you want a window with a very tight air rating. Inline has great ratings, but I was unable to find any of Marvin's physical ratings online, let alone the air infiltration.

There are many factors that will contribute to the thermal efficiency of your windows, not just the U or R value.

Keep that in mind and good luck with your project.

Mike

Thanks for the input Mike.  I appreciate it!  Glad your cottage is living up to your dreams.  Cathy

Cathy,
Did you want grids? I think that they may change the values somewhat.

Maureen

No grids.  They reduce efficiency, I think, and are one more added cost.  Plus we like the feeling of the outdoors coming in.  We are going to have a 16 foot sliding door at the south end of the living room and 6 foot sliding doors in the master bed room and den/spare bedroom...also facing south.  My husband found a math error in my addition so the difference between InLine and Marvin is not as great as I had thought.  What is hard to get used to is that these higher end companies price out their windows a la carte so you have to think of each thing and ask for a price.  Marvin is like most American mass produced windows and everything is included.

Do you have any photos of any of your windows from the outside?  Did you get the brick mold? 

BTW, Mark from InLine broke several bones in one hand over Christmas.  He's really struggling to take care of everything with a cast on.

Cathy

Hi Cathy,

Yes, we did to the brick mould and we have pictures that I'll try to post.... but, you have to promise me to look at my angry ocean pictures too.

I'd love to see angry ocean photos!  Where are you living?  The Northeast, I assume.  US or CA?

I agree that a spacer between the glass may lower efficiency but SDL's are purely decorative and are simply an applique to the outside of the window. They will not affect a window's rating. Cosmetics only.

Leonard

I had to make a similar decision not too long ago. I was deciding between Marvin Integrity and Fibertec windows. The Fibertecs were quite a bit more expensive, but we ended up going with them anyway. Fibertec was able to tune the glazing for our southern exposure windows for a higher solar heat gain. The SHGC for the Integrity windows is pretty low -- good for a warmer climate but not so good for colder climates. Air infiltration was much better on the Fibertecs, as well as much better U-values. (.18 vs .29)

A heat loss/gain analysis on our house showed that we could size our mechanicals down from a 5-ton system to a 4-ton system, just because of the more efficient Fibertec windows.

All that being said, I do think that Integrity windows are a good value.

I learned way more about windows than I ever wanted to, but I feel that we made the right choice.

Good luck with your decision!

Camille

Maureen:  Did you use the low profile brick mold or high profile?  Low profile just sticks out a bit and the high profile actually wraps around the edge of the outside of the building. 

Did you try to post the photos?  I'd love to see the windows and would love to see the ocean.  Cathy

Hi Cathy,

 

Sorry for not answering you sooner.  Was out shoveling.   We used the aluminum with nail fin.  I'm gathering a couple of pictures for you now.

It'll be great to see photos.  Mark wants me to pass them along to him as well.  Do you need my email address?  Cathy

It might be easier for me to send pictures directly to you.  I tried to include  pictures during the building process to this response and the files were over the limit.

try [email protected].  Thanks!  Cathy