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New Construction Windows - Vinyl?

12 years ago

I'm building a new house in CT that will have a lot of windows. I want to make sure that our windows are very energy efficient. After doing some research I found the Okna windows to be one of the most efficient. We're friends with a couple of builders and they are recommending aluminum clad wood windows. They seem to be negative on the vinyl windows. For price and efficiency it seems like the Okna 5500 new construction windows with the triple glass and krypton gas are a no brainer. The window dealer said we should have our carpenter make the wood extension jams. The carpenter is saying that's crazy have the manufacturer put them on the window. So now we are worried about proper installation. Are the vinyl windows like Okna better suited for replacement windows? What should I do? Go with Okna or go with wood windows made by Hurd or Anderson? I would really appreciate some professional advice.

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Comments (9)

mmarse1
12 years ago
Unfortunately builders wouldn't know an energy efficient window if it him em in the head. High grade vinyl actually has better structural ratings than any wood window out there. Why wouldn't an installer want the extension jamb attached tom the window?
millworkman
12 years ago
I have always been a traditional wood window guy myself. However after reading windowsonwashington, skydawggy and various other proponents of vinyl and doing my own research I would have no problem today having them installed in my own home. They would only be a high quality vinyl window as I have come to understand the benefits of quality vinyl and the pitfalls of junk and would not at all be afraid to recommend the Gorrels, Okna, Sunrise and Polaris's of the world.
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Two problems with vinyl- one in a thousand may consider vinyl windows as the high quality high performance product.. I am curious how you know that it's one in a thousand and not 1 in 10 or 1 in 100 or even 1 in 10,000? Do you have data to back this claim? Vinyl is most often the money saving lower cost selection. Unfortunately this is very often true, i do agree with your point. This was Matt Risinger's mistake. This leads to less interest in better products because they're likely higher cost with fiberglass closer in price. Do you have data supporting this claim? So info on what makes for a vinyl window that competes in quality with fiberglass is not discussed. Again do you have data supporting this claim? No one is debating that there aren't total junk vinyl windows, there are, just as there are total junk wood windows. But you seem to be saying that since people don't know that there are different quality levels between different vinyl windows, that there are top quality vinyl windows available, then by default all vinyl windows are bad. Fiberglass windows are a bit different because of the nature of the materials used, and the limited number of window manufacturers who use fiberglass. It is a more expensive and more involved process for the manufacturer, so that results in the potential for more care taken in manufacturing. I think it would be fair to say that the spread between the very top and very bottom quality fiberglass units isn't as wide as between top and bottom quality wood windows or vinyl windows. And it's a verifiable fact that the very top end vinyl windows do exceed the best wood or fiberglass windows in basic window U-factor and air infiltration performance values.
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Doug144
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you mmarse1 and millworkman. Mmarse, you confirmed my belief that most builders are just not familiar with vinyl windows and their benefits. To be clear, the installer wants the extension jam attached and doesn't want to build the jams for each window. Millworkman, do you have a preference amongst the brands you mentioned?
Doug144
Original Author
12 years ago
Can anyone tell me if I'm getting fair pricing? For an Okna new construction standard double hung I was quoted $333 +$120 to add 3 glass and krypton gas. This does not include installation or the extension jam.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
12 years ago
What size and other options?

I would ask for a triple pane argon price as well. The Krypton is very expensive right now and you get a very efficient (u-factor 0.19) out of triple argon deluxe package.
Doug144
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the advice WOW. The size is 37.46 x 56.62. New construction double hung. Pricing is $333 +$85 for triple argon or +$120 for triple krypton. I have a call into the dealer for pricing on the extension jams. Are there any other options I should look into?
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
12 years ago
Deluxe would be my only other recommendation.
Doug144
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks. Do you think the pricing is good?
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
12 years ago
It is impossible to say what company to company pays for their product or what the cost of doing business in a give locale is.

That price does not seem to be out of phase with a good triple pane argon window.

That being said, I would absolutely require the factory applied extension jambs as part of the deal.

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