Tennessee Window Advice

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tnconsumer
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 9:47 am

Tennessee Window Advice

#1 Post by tnconsumer »

I am looking at replacing my wood double hung windows with vinyl inserts.
I live in suburban Tennessee in a 10 year old house.
I have over 20 windows to replace.

Here are the quotes I received.....

Pella 350 1/2 of Units Sun Defense/Argon Dual Pane U=.27 Shgc=.21 VT=.48 Air=?
1/2 of Units Low E/Argon Dual Pane U=.28 Shgc=.28 VT=.53 Air=?
All Units have foam insulation in frame.
Full Screens
SunDefense in west facing units.

Price Index=100%

Softlite Barrington Triple Pane Ultra U=.26 Shgc=.27 VT=.44 Air=.07
No Foam
Full Screens
Note the triple pane was a promotional upgrade.

Price Index=102%

Provia Integra 301 Low E/Argon Dual Pane U=.3 Shgc=.28 VT=.53 Air=?
No Foam
Full Screens

Price Index=102%

Softlite Imperial LS Triple Pane LS U=.22 Shgc=.24 VT=.40 Air=.02
Foam Insulation in frames
Full Screens
Note the triple pane is a promotional upgrade.

Price Index=111%

Sunrise Verde Dual Pane Solar 12 U=.28 Shgc=.21 VT=? Air=.04
Foam Insulation in frames
All Glass is Solar Clean
Full Screens with OptiView

Price Index=155%

Questions.....

1. Am I looking at comparable windows?
2. Is there another window brand that I should consider before making a decision?
Note...Okna is not distributed here.
3. My favorite is Sunrise from a price independent point of view.
My favorite is Pella from a price dependent point of view.
Am I not considering anything important?
4. Is foam insulation in window frames a significant benefit?
5. How important are super low Air Infiltration numbers?

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Tennessee Window Advice

#2 Post by Windows on Washington »

I am not sure if you could call all the windows comparable.

The LS is the best, in my opinion, of that bunch.

I am not a fan of any pocket sill and the Pella 350 is equip that way.

Depending on the manufacturer, foam inside the frame can make a decent difference or can make nearly no impact at all.

Evaluate the two sets of thermal numbers side by side and see where the value lies.

Lower air infiltration numbers are not the end all be all of performance, but if you can get a window with better air infiltration, you absolutely should.

Once you get past the U-Factor, the Air Infiltration rate in the next most significant determinant of overall performance in the home.

tnconsumer
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 9:47 am

Re: Tennessee Window Advice

#3 Post by tnconsumer »

How useful is the foam in mitigating sound?

Is there any other brand which I should consider?

I am a bit concerned about low VT numbers...should this be a concern?

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Tennessee Window Advice

#4 Post by Windows on Washington »

Foam will help deaden some of the sound vs. a hollow chamber but if the mil thickness on the vinyl extrusion is good, the difference will be negligible.

Most of the sound is carried via the glass vibration and on air leakage.

Foam around the window for an airtight seal is a must for both air and sound tightness.

You are going to loose some visible light going to a window with Low-e regardless but the trade off is increased energy efficiency.

There are trade offs to everything but if you are concerned and it looks dark to you, don't go into a 3 coat low-e or a triple pane window.

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