Simonton 5500, 6500 vs. Alside Sheffield
jubyruby
11 years ago
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Comments (24)
millworkman
11 years ago
PROWindows on Washington Ltd
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Simonton 5500 vs. Soft Lite Bainbridge
Comments (3)I prefer the Bainbridge. Either choice would provide a substantial upgrade over the alside/window world product IMO. I'd add that you should not be deterred by subcontractors in general, as some of the best installers are subs. What you want to avoid is companies that have a revolving door of poor quality subs due to their low pay rates....See MoreAndersen vs. Simonton for little country house
Comments (4)Over the past 15 years of construction, my practice has been to refrain from using plastic or vinyl windows in insulated structures. My opinion on the disposable aspect of plastic/vinyl windows was confirmed in a late '07 Consumer Report study. Plastic/vinyl windows do not provide longevity in performance ratings once exposed to the environment. Wood remains the most practical material for window construction. Adding an exterior cladding also adds low-maintenance benefits to the wood construction. I would suggest that the lowest quality wood window would still provide at least twice the long-term benefits in energy efficiency over the highest quality plastic/vinyl window. In regards to your comment on the removal of the exterior siding in order to add insulation, this would be the ideal time to purchase the best window within your budget. Generally, the major expense involved in window replacements (i.e. retro-fitting) is "custom sized" replacements, or the labor involved in retro-fitting new "standard sizes". If you elect to install a disposable window today, it will cost you a lot more in 5-10 years when you have to replace/retro-fit replacement windows within your "new" walls. Regarding your question on sizing, double hung window sashes generally operate more effortlessly when the width-to-height ratio is at least equal, or the height dimension greater than the width (per sash). However, I don't believe that you would have any energy performance issues. Lastly, keep in mind that both window products you reference utilize a large percentage of plastic within the window construction, and plastic = disposable. There are likely many other window dealers in your area that can provide all wood windows or wood windows that utilize a metal cladding, which will far outlast plastic construction....See MoreGenerations windows, by Simonton or Renolds, are they good?
Comments (2)0.22 vs. 0.29 U-rating? I believe that U-rating in the US is in BTU/hr/sq.ft. If that is the case, look up your "degree-days" and multiply out: (0.29 - 0.22) BTU/hr/sq.ft./degF * 14 windows * 12 sq.ft/window * (?) degF-days * 24 hr/day * 1/100,000 therms/BTU * (?) dollars/therm if I understand the units properly. With Nebraska having around 6000 degF-days/year that works out to something on the order of 17 therms a year. I don't know what your utilities run, but in San Francisco gas is $1.25/therm. Even with heating inefficiencies included, it looks like a couple dollars a window, at most, per year. Unless the difference is a tax incentive or not, it doesn't seem as though the $75 difference per window is justified by heat loss through the pane alone....See MoreSimonton vs Pella Replacements
Comments (16)Wow: as a newcomer let me first thank you for spending time here. I just realized that the 5500 has a lift rail too. You see they don't bring their best window when they make the sales visit. In fact I think I saw an Alside so I will have to visit the store. Similarly I only got to see the Bainbridge and Barrington. i can live with a lift rail to get what counts. on the simonton I'm getting double strngth glass, pro solar (I see that there are upgrades available to this), full screens, colonial grids between glass,and clad aluminum exterior casings ( is that standard) and wood grain interior. 9 windows one picture rest DH, 5 are 70 inches with standard 30 inch opening. Average cost 720 per window. Don't have a soft lite quote yet for LS but it looks like it maybe 100 more. are there any options like super spacer (?) 1 inch insulating glass, low e 366 that I should add to improve ratings?...See More
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