Discussion Board Forum for Vinyl Windows

My impression from reading the threads on this board is that folks rarely order laminated glass and wonder why. It offers security, noise reduction, and ultra reduced UV penetration. Is it because it is simply more expensive, or is it because burglars typically don't break a window to get inside a h...

Hi all: What is standard practice to secure the IG unit within the frame? On an Amsco window I saw in a showroom (external glazing bead), a glazing bead strip was missing. It appeared the IG unit was only held with double sided tape. Is this standard practice or should there be additional butyl or s...

To order with or without capillary tubes is the bottom line question. I would rather not have the capillary tubes. First of all, I don't know if they are meant to be left open or crimped shut. If left open, it would seem to me that the dessicant would saturate quicker than with a sealed unit. Simont...

Thanks Skydawggy. The quote from ABC Supply had 1" IGU and SuperSpacer on everything. I will inquire about the other packages. I have two trapezoids and two half rounds and I understand special shapes must have 1" IGU with SuperSpacer. I had thought maybe I would find a different manufactu...

Hi all: I'm struggling here between Simonton 5500 and Amsco (sliders). My biggest concern is with the 6000 ft. altitude here in Denver. Local argon filled windows such as Milgard, Amerimax, and Champion don't seem to be nearly the quality as either of the two above choices. Here are the pros and con...

Depending on how old your windows are, just new windows alone will probably help with noise reduction. Laminated windows are known for reducing noise and many manufacturers such as Simonton, Amsco, Gorell offer them. Check out this excellent link Oberon provided. Page 45+ will give you an education ...

Thank you Oberon. Perhaps I will give the plant a call. What are your thoughts on Amsco windows? They build them using Cardinal IG units. Cardinal fills them with argon and then ships to Amsco. The Cardinal IG is 3/4" IGU and can be made with 2.2 mm glass. This is in contrast to Simonton with 1...

Today I was reminded the Prism Platinum has a 7/8" IGU value with intercept spacer and will meet ETC values with argon fill. This may be the answer to my altitude concerns with a 1" IGU at 6000 ft. According to the plots in the link Oberon posted, the smaller the air gap, the higher in alt...

So I was reading on the Amsco site that the lifetime warranty does not cover several items but what I found most disappointing is that they do not warranty against chalking - even due to natural weathering. Isn't vinyl chalking a thing of the past?? Do other manufacturers exclude chalking from warra...

Hi all: My general contractor referred me to Amsco Windows. If you saw my post about windows and altitude, you will know that I'm in the Denver area at 6000 ft. Amsco is in Salt Lake City (elevation approx 4300 ft.). The window IG's are supposedly made by Cardinal - I don't know if they are argon fi...

I'm only considering laminated for some of the windows. We face a fairly busy road and I understand the laminated package will drop the STC value by about 5 points. This seems pretty significant since from what I understand a drop in ten points results in a drop of a person's perceived sound by one ...

Excellent link Oberon. Thank you. It seems my Simonton configuration has everything stacked against it according to the Cardinal information. Specifically, I had to go to a 1" IGU to meet 30/30 and the Simonton 9800 has double strength glass. My guess is that a laminated package might make the ...

Hey Buddy110. You know our geography! Thanks for taking the time to reply. I need to study my Colorado map again but I don't think Simonton's 7000 ft. limit is exceed during transport between Denver and the Simonton plants. I was concerned about this, as well as final installation and internal press...

Hello everyone: I'm ordering some Simonton windows and need to decide between capillary tubes and argon fill. They will most likely be manufactured in Illinois or Oklahoma at about 700 ft and shipped here to Denver at 6000 ft. Simonton advises capillary tubes for 7000 ft and above. Is 6000 ft starti...

Is the Simonton Generations slider from Norandex identical to the Simonton 9800 Impressions slider - with particular regard to integral nail fin flange, both sashes operable, applied lift handle, and interior/exterior detailing in the lineals?