Windowwizards & OKNA foam fill issues

[thermex]

it was'nt the balance,it was another reason why they stopped,it escapes me at the moment.

[Briant73]

however,there were so operational issues with the balance due to one side of the extrusion being totally filled with foam so they only partially filled the jamb.

I didn't see this in the video or the letters. Did I miss something?

They mention in the video there was a change to less foam since the sales materials were released (at least I think they did!). As to the rest of the information it's coming from various users who may or may not be representative of OKNA or WindowWizards. I have not seen any information on their respective websites addressing this issue. I did a google search but did not find much from either company addressing the issue other than the letters on the Fox website.

When searching I found this supposedly from the installer who was fired/let go and what his claims are http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/4 ... 461976.htm I would say a little over the top at points but it seems to be his side of the story.

[buddy110]

Thanks guys. I love the quality and smooth lines of the window. I just want the warranty to be there if we ever need it.

I'm sure the warrantee will be fine. What you pay for, and what you get is quite another story it seems. If after reading this you're not shaking in your boots then please, let me know. I have a couple bridges for sale

[Windows on Washington]

I mentioned in a previous post that I would cut open an Okna window and post up my findings.

Let me start by clarifying a few things before I go over what I found. I am going to post up the pictures that I took during my dissection of an Okna DH500 Insul-Tec Deluxe (foam filled). If this information appears to place Okna in a positive light, that does not classify me as an Okna “apologist”. Okna is one of the brands that we sell and install. However, if for one instant, we believed that Okna was purposefully misleading consumers or shipping a deliverable product that did not perform up to the numbers that are listed, we would no longer offer the window. We would simply encourage customers to select another one of the premium brands that we install.

The windows in question were a private label product produced for Windows Wizards. It was based upon a DH300 (Comfortworld 3000) and later a DH500. A private label product is typically produced to the customer’s specifications and I will let people read into that whatever they may. I am sure there are all sorts of legal documents between Window Wizards and Okna that will prohibit the exact details, product specifications, and nature of the foam fill from being released.

Back to the dissection. The window in this case was a customer’s window and not a sample (thank you Mr. Lee and your new window is on order). We wanted to select a large (73” tall) window so that the opportunity for foul up was as great as possible (it is harder to foam fill longer extrusions). The window in this case was also produced prior to the release of this story to ensure that it would have been representative of Okna’s “pre-accusation” production.

The foam fill on the window appeared to be very complete. The window was cut into sections at about 6” intervals and I would estimate the overall foam fill to upwards of 95% of the chambers specified for foam fill. That appears to be very good and especially when you consider that it is very easy to have a bridging situation when injecting foam and create void spaces. I think the industry average is about 65%-75% to be considered fully filled.

I did notice one section that lacked what I would consider full fill. The bottom part of the lower sash stile (vertical section) seemed to tail off as it approached the bottom rail (lift rail section). You can see this in the pictures. The bottom rail does not have foam fill specified because it needs to maintain the weep pathway for water to exit the window if it gets behind the glazing bead. The sill is not foam filled because it does not line up with the frame stiles (vertical sections) during the welding process. If you installer is injecting foam under the sill during the installation, this is the preferable technique.

Please see the pictures below.

[Windows on Washington]

More pictures.

[Windows on Washington]

More pictures 2

[Windows on Washington]

More pictures 3

[buddy110]

When was this window manufactured?

[Windows on Washington]

More pictures 4

[Windows on Washington]

More pictures 5

[Windows on Washington]

When was this window manufactured?

June of 2009

[buddy110]

Hmmm. Doesn't the problem exist in windows manufactured between 2006 and early 2009?

[WindowInfo]

To make it a little easier I uploaded Windows on Washington pictures. Here they are...


























Here is the OKNA Brochure on the 300 Series...

[buddy110]

Nice, beefy looking extrusion.

[Windows on Washington]

Perhaps the "Contractors Forum" on the other site might be a better choice for personal discussions.