Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

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kdisterh
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Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#1 Post by kdisterh »

Hello, I am hoping for some advice on these 3 quotes for 24 double hung windows + 3 picture windows for a total of 27 windows. I currently have 25 year old single pane windows. My top priority is reducing air infiltration and plan to be in the home for ~10 years or more and I live in Kansas.

Revere Berkshire Elite triple pane (similar to an Alside Mezzo but better) - $14.6k
.04 air infiltration
.21 u
.26 solar
.45 VT
steel spacer (upgraded foam spacer is an additional $1728. Is a foam spacer really necessary with a triple pane unit as there is no direct contact between inside glass and outside glass? It DOES seem necessary for a double pane.)

ProVia Endure triple pane - $21k - Double pane $16k
.05 air infiltration
.19 u (.27 double pane)
.18 solar (.21 double pane)
.35 VT (too dark?)
foam spacer

Soft-lite Elements triple pane - $24k - (I'm waiting on double pane quote)
.01 air infiltration (best you can get)
.19 u
.24 solar
.4 VT
foam spacer

By the performance numbers and internet reviews, the soft-lite seems like my dream window but is very costly. It doesn't seem to be that much better than the Berkshire by the numbers. I could take that ~8k difference and use that to get my siding painted and wood rot fixed. What are your thoughts?

randy
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#2 Post by randy »

Revere Berkshire is made by Alside and it isn’t any better than Mezzo. The only reason the AL rating gets that low is by using stick on pads at the corners, and the reinforcement is a joke. In a windy state like Kansas, choosing a window that’s as air-tight as possible is important. I seriously doubt their AL rating will remain that low over time as the pads fall off. It’s not a window that any of the pros here would ever recommend. Their stainless steel spacer has a poor reputation for failure, so it is a worth upgrade if you go that route.

I have no experience with the ProVia, although some of the pros here consider it to be a worthy option.

Soft-lite's Elements line is stellar, and in the elite category of vinyl windows. If you plan to stay in the home for 10 years or more, it would be the best choice.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#3 Post by Windows on Washington »

No comparison between the book ends in this case.

The SF runs laps around one in terms of performance and has a much more proven track record than both.

If we use your timetable as stated before, you are paying a premium of about $2.25 per day over the Berkshire and $0.83 over the Provia.

I know it has gotten better, but I still think that is a flawed comparison between the 1st and 3rd choices.

Have you discussed this with the SF salesperson?

fridge2020
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#4 Post by fridge2020 »

kdisterh wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 5:22 pm Revere Berkshire Elite triple pane (similar to an Alside Mezzo but better) - $14.6k
No, no better. Same window, different name.
Like the guy said above, if this is more than a 10 year purchase for you, you want the better window which is softlyte

kdisterh
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#5 Post by kdisterh »

Thanks guys. That +9k difference is a tough pill to swallow but I will think on it more. It is no argument that it is a better window, but mighty costly. The soft-lite sales rep started at 39k and then got down to 24k and may get a little bit lower after talking to the company owner but I'm still waiting to hear on that number. I haven't heard the double pane quote yet either but would you consider double pane still a great choice for the soft-lite over the Berkshire? Everyone I hear from seems to think triple pane is an extremely rare install, and likely overkill option for Kansas.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#6 Post by HomeSealed »

Triple pane would be a wise choice for Kansas, although I'd take the better window with double pane over an inferior product with triple pane. Its not unreasonable IMO to expect higher end quality products to more than double the service life of lower end stuff, so that really needs to be accounted for in your investment analysis.

kdisterh
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#7 Post by kdisterh »

Update: The soft-lite sales rep got back to me with the double pane price. $20.7k so still over 6k more expensive than the mezzo for similar thermal numbers (on the edge of energy star requirements for ufactor and shgc). If you guys say the overall construction is better and will last longer then so be it! :)

$20.7k double pane
.26 u
.28 solar
.51 VT
.01 air (same as triple pane)

TheWindowNerd
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#8 Post by TheWindowNerd »

Yep the SL window is much better.
You could look at the Imperial LS, the Elements dealer may not have it.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Quote advice-Berkshire Elite, Provia, Soft-lite

#9 Post by HomeSealed »

Despite the small spread in thermals, I would say that quality difference justifies the cost based on my experience with both products. You should be able to expect decades of relatively problem free performance from the SL, while the Berkshire would be less likely to offer that.

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