Okna Insultec vs Provia aspect

[Soccermom62]

So I’ve gotten 2 quotes that are very similar in terms of labor costs and reputation. The decision is going to come down to pro-via vs okna. What say the experts??

[Ricknez]

What was the scope of the job? How many windows? I will tell you that okna manufacture’s a better product, I dont think anyone would dispute that.

[Soccermom62]

Scope of the job was 18 windows (full house) replacing the original 1980s Andersen windows with the strings.

Quotes for the windows came in within a thousand of each other. Similar reviews of install-so I think it comes down to quality of the window.

We are in Northern VA too, so some cold winters and hot, muggy summers.

[masterext]

If you are in Northern VA, you may want to reach out to “Windows on Washington”. The owner ( Eric ) is a very nice guy and runs a very respectable business. I think he offers the Okna product as well which is a step or two above the provia product.

[TheWindowNerd]

The Okna is a better window.

I also suggest you check in with Windows on Washington.

[HomeSealed]

Okna by a mile.

-It beats the Provia both thermally and structurally while boasting a slimmer frame with more glass.

-Okna is a proven top performer that designs and engineers its own products and has been for decades, Provia can say neither.

The Provia window is not awful, don't get me wrong, but if you are in a position to have one of the better windows available today at a similar price point, that is an easy decision and better deal if all else is equal.

Lastly and most importantly, if your Okna quote is from Windows on Washington, that makes this even more of a slam dunk. If its not, I'd recommend checking them out. Best in the business.

[Delaware Mike]

Another vote for WOW if they service your area. Top notch. I install both of those series and the Insultech 500 is way better. The weatherstripping and meeting/check rain (middle point between upper and lower sash) in a double hung is better thought out and engineered on the OKNA window. The ProVia Aspect is sort of okay, but I utilize it currently as my bottom "mission impossible" budget entry level window only when I have to. You have to upgrade too many things on it to get it out the sewer.

[fridge2020]

Definitely Okna. I've tried out these Provia's and to say I'm not impressed would be an understatement

[5DH]

Okna by a mile.

-It beats the Provia both thermally and structurally while boasting a slimmer frame with more glass.

-Okna is a proven top performer that designs and engineers its own products and has been for decades, Provia can say neither.

The Provia window is not awful, don't get me wrong, but if you are in a position to have one of the better windows available today at a similar price point, that is an easy decision and better deal if all else is equal.

Lastly and most importantly, if your Okna quote is from Windows on Washington, that makes this even more of a slam dunk. If its not, I'd recommend checking them out. Best in the business.

I'm not a windows expert so forgive my ignorance, but can I ask why? I was also looking between these two exact products.

When I compare the Provia Aspect ComforTech DLA to Okna 500 Heatseal Deluxe:

Provia U-Factor is 0.27 and Okna is 0.26
Provia SHGC value is 0.28 and Okna 0.27
Provia Air Infiltration 0.05 cfm/ft^2 to Okna "less than 0.3"

The air infiltration number is not very precise to compare - Okna says exact values need to come from the dealer - but the U-Factor and SHGC values are basically the same so these windows look very comparable to me in terms of performance. So when you say "Okna by a mile" what is that based on? Because to the lay person it's not clear based on performance ratings. I am waiting on exact quotes but I suspect the Okna windows will cost me 20-30% more.

[Windows on Washington]

The Okna Insul-Tec is a 0.02 so 2.5X tighter than the Aspect.

If you look at the two of them side by side, the Okna is generally thought of as the "prettier" as well. The Endure is bulky and chubby looking. The Aspect does have slim lines like the Okna 500 here.

If you haven't had them quoted yet...I'd start there. We don't see a huge spread in the pricing here, but if all things are relatively close, I'd much rather have the tighter window.

[5DH]

The Okna Insul-Tec is a 0.02 so 2.5X tighter than the Aspect.

If you look at the two of them side by side, the Okna is generally thought of as the "prettier" as well. The Endure is bulky and chubby looking. The Aspect does have slim lines like the Okna 500 here.

If you haven't had them quoted yet...I'd start there. We don't see a huge spread in the pricing here, but if all things are relatively close, I'd much rather have the tighter window.

Got it - thanks for the additional information. I got the Aspect quoted out and will get the Okna quoted next week.

[Ricknez]

You could also look at the Okna 600 or soft lite elements.

[HomeSealed]

Good points by WoW above. I'd add the following:

- seemingly small differences in the ratings can indicate much larger differences in quality and engineering. Larger differences in this area will mean a greater discrepancy in performance when a window is a year old, 5 years old, 10+ years old, etc. This is why there are windows that perform very well for 30+ years and look like new, while others that had "comparable" ratings are profusely leaking air and are ready for the scrap heap by year 10. I wouldn't quite put the Provia in the latter category, but certainly not the first either.

- the way that the ratings are achieved is relevant as well. For instance, using stick-on pads at the meeting rail/interlock on a vinyl window to block air leakage is not a permanent solution (they fall off and/or slide out of place). Rather, it's lazy engineering and/or cost cutting, neither of which is a hallmark of a great window... On that same topic, Provia doesn't even engineer their windows in full, they essentially buy a "kit chassis" created by others, and which is therefore similar to some other middling products that could be called cousins if not siblings.

- the way that Provia brings the product to market is of interest as well. There really aren't any "window specialists" that offer it, at least not as their primary window for the reasons that I've mentioned. It doesn't check out to the expert eye. It is however a nice brand name (based on their very good entry and storm doors), gets decent numbers out of the box, and is reasonably priced and available everywhere. This makes it the window of choice for a lot of roofers, general contractors, weekend warriors, etc. My own personal opinion is that anyone recommending that window as your best option doesn't know much about windows... and then if that is the case, what can you expect when it comes to the quality of installation?

Just my $.02.

[Windows on Washington]

Well said HomeSealed. The differences and engineering will show on a new product...and even more so as it ages out.

While Provia is well know for their door manufacturing, the window side of the equation has had some growing pains. Not unexpected given a new product launch, but kind of like buying a first model year car...you're gonna be taking the brunt of the learning curve.