Discussion Board Forum for Vinyl Windows

THD, I've been through this process of looking at the differences between 2-air, 2-argon, 3-argon and 3-krypton glass units just recently. Here are the NFRC certified u values for a upper-mid grade DH window I looked at recently with an intercept spacer: [1p no air: 1 (they don't actually sell/rate ...

I am only working on intuition here (I have not done these tests), but I believe one could do the following to check for a major argon/krypton gas leak in a window: - Have a known good window and a suspected bad window on the same side of the house with very similar outside glass temperatures. The w...

I would like to point to another thread which I believe has some good information on window frame insulation (see the posts by FenEx here): http://www.replacement-windows.com/windowbb/viewtopic.php?t=1162 In short, it seems that insulation R-values are too hard to predict when stuffed in window fram...

thd, I appreciate your comments, and I am always happy to see salespeople who are striving to be honest and provide the customer information and value, not hot air. I do think you were a little hard on Mass. window guy, though. I'm sure BBB practices differ by state quite a bit, as he said. HipKat, ...

It isn't just that they are not a member of the BBB - the board of directors of the BBB terminated their membership for continued poor treatment of customers and being involved with a rebate scam that finally resulted in a state attorney general getting involved in a lawsuit. How exactly is looking ...

This is especially sad to me because I loved the Schuco windows the company was offering, the price was reasonable, and I liked the salesman fairly well in addition. According to the BBB, they were regularly involved in misleading pricing games and rebates that never paid back as promised.

A BBB membership can be revoked in my state (here is what my BBB says about my local dealer): Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to unresolved complaint(s). On September 9, 2005, this company's membership in the BBB was revoked by the BBB's Board of Dir...

I considered DIY as well. I decided not to, though, even though I've had success with other things around the house (I know my limits!). You might consider getting someone experienced with windows (a capable handyman, etc.) to help you with the first two at least. Or if you have really big second fl...

I think what they want you to assume is that “optically tuned Low Eâ€

Hmmm, I looked today, and my Schuco dealer recently had their BBB license revoked. I think I'm back to the drawing board... Surprisingly, on the other hand, the local Window World has a 3-year completely clean record! Maybe part of this is because people choosing less expensive windows expect a litt...

If I'm wrong (and I admit I may well be for a reason I don't comprehend yet) and you buy some high R-value insulation, you're only out a few dollars with no benefit. I do agree with you the important thing is having some type of insulation/caulk/etc. in the gaps. I just believe higher R values shoul...

Many vinyl designs are advanced enough that they can expand some and still not stick. Here is a reference or two on the expansion rates, in case it helps. Based on the location of the web pages, you can probably see the bias and ignore the absolute differences, though the relative ones should hold t...

I guess I wans not precise enough. I didn't say "large airspaces", I said "larger airspaces" and I meant relative to the airspace that might be completely consumed by caulk only (I know some of you prefer minimally expanding foams to caulk, and I can see the reasons why). I think...

I personally consider that site to be way less-than-perfect as well, but it is the only one I know about that doesn't come (only) from a single company selling windows. Sadly, the DOE and consortium couldn't come up with anything better. One issue I have with the site is the much better efficiency r...

Yes, there are installers that will cover caulk and waranty it for the life of the window. I know it sounds odd, but I've talked to two window dealers willing to drive out to my house and recaulk anytime the caulk starts to break down on the interior or exterior of the wall (assuming the consumer ac...