deciding between okna 500, softlite imperial ls, and the vytex potomac

9 years ago

I'm looking to replace about 20 vinyl double hung windows and have gotten multiple quotes. So far, for comparable double pane Windows, the best I quotes I received were from a vytex installer at 505/window, with the soft lite installer coming at 555/window. Both are excellent deals I believe, but am also waiting on the okna 500 dealer who said they would match the soft lite dealer. So I have two questions. First, the vytex window has AI rating of .05 while both the softlite and the okna's ratings are at .02. Will the difference be noticeable? I'm trying to seal my house because it's really drafty and my whole house humidifier is really struggling because of that...My humidity is at about 10%. Second, I've sorry of made up my mind to go with the oknas if they could price match, but is it really worth the extra 1000 or so over the vytex? They all seem to offer solid warranties. I could definitely use the extra 1000 on new blinds...

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Comments (6)

millworkman
9 years ago
If your house is that drafty perhaps investigate insulating better? The windows while an important part are only a piece of the puzzle. If the walls cannot keep heat in the best window in the world will not do much......
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PRO
Uneeda Home Improvement Co., Inc
9 years ago
The difference between .05 and .02 is negligible both
windows have great AI numbers. The Okna 500 is a great window but I have never seen the Vytex product so I can't answer your question.
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Based on input here, I am kind of ruling out the Berkshire Elite. I went back and got a quote from another company and they quoted Vytex Fortis windows. He said they do Sunrise, but they have a great relationship with Vytex (factory is probably 10-15 miles from here), the Vytex is just as good as Sunrise, and we could get a better price/deal on the Vytex. His quote on the Vytex (lifetime window warranty from Vytex, 10 year labor from the contractor) was as follows: Energy savor plus R-4 rating (double pane)=$6,997.00 Energy savor max, Triple pane r-5 rating =$7,972.00 Energy savor Ultimate Triple pane , Krypton r-6 rating,=$8,322.00 They also offer an Energy Savor max triple silver low-e coating: Cost for the Energy savor max 3S r-5 rating is $8,372.00. Energy savor Ultimate 3S, r-6 rating is $8,522.00 The triple-pane R5 has a U factor of 0.2, SHGC of 0.25, VT 0.42. I believe the AI is 0.05. The triple-pane R6 has a U factor of 0.16, SHGC 0.25, VT of 0.42. AI is the same at 0.05. I don't have CR ratings. These are the values for the base windows - not the ones with the triple silver low-e. I don't have any info on how that coating affects the ratings. In addition, I found out there were some discounts from the Okna dealer that I didn't account for. The updated price of the 1800 series triple pane is $10696 ($764 per window). I double checked - the contractor's labor warranty is lifetime. For reference, the quote for the Okna 1800 lists a U factor of 0.19, SHGC of 0.23, AI of 0.01, CR of 75, and VT of 0.37. The Okna contractor said they would use low expansion foam during the install. The Vytex installer said they would use it if needed (and probably because I brought it up). As of now, I think I have narrowed it down to these two options. What would you guys recommend? Is the Vytex triple silver low-e coating any good / worth it? Is the R5 Okna 1800 ~$2000 better than a triple pane R5 and/or R6 Fortis? Thanks.
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toddinnm, I thought the same thing until you really read the forum and delve into the details. They are coy about it but hardly honest. It appears (knowing but I have learned now) that the board operator slightly undermines the Mezzo in an effort to promote the other version (Revre) of the product. See if you can find the same criticisms of the Revre as you can the Mezzo. You won't. It is all very carefully done and wasn't until I really started to dig deep and try to cross compare that I noted it. I have invested way too much time in this apparently but I more than a bit jaded once I realized that the information was biased at best and nonfactual at worst. The disclosure about their involvement with the window company is a new development and I think in response to some information that came to light on this forum. I think it is a bit disingenuous to say the least as a casual reader of the site would never locate or realize that information. You appear to be a window pro based on past posts and certainly know your window. Would you use a Mezzo or Revre window? Happy New Year everybody.
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We are trying to narrow things down between Okna 500, Vytex Fortis, and Soft-lite Pro (or maybe LS). They all seem to be energy-efficient "enough," so our primary factors will probably be the final negotiated cost, aesthetics, and ease of use/operability. Unfortunately, I have not been able to see all three windows side-by-side. If I could compare them side-by-side, what differences would be obvious? For instance, the Vytex rep said that the Soft-lite Imperial LS has significantly more vinyl (more bulky?) than the Fortis? Is this true? If so, how does the Okna stack up? Any other deciding factors?
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I was also interested in Okna, but the dealer that offers the Soft-lite also sells the Okna windows. He said he didn't carry the 800 series, but had the 500 series - which I was told did not offer the horizontal internal grids for my transoms. They seem to offer the Elements as their top window followed by the Okna 500s and then the Soft-lite Bainbridge LE as the step down. I was given references by both the Elements and Restorations dealers we are considering, and I am planning to drive by a few of their jobs to see what we think. My current wood windows are 32" x 62" DHs with 27.5" X 27.5" visible glass for both the upper and lower sashes. The Soft-lite Elements visible glass measurements from the dealer are 24.43" x 27" on the top sash and and 25.43" x 28" for the lower sash. So ultimately with the inserts, I'm looking at a loss of visible glass of 3" on the top sash width and 2" on the bottom sash width, but the heights are a wash. The loss of glass is a real issue with my wife mostly for the affect it might have on the exterior of our home. I'm going to get the VG measurements for the Restorations windows as well just for comparison. I know my wife and I will ultimately have to pick what we think is best, but if we decided to go with the Restorations, is it still durable enough in your estimation to be considered a good choice here? I'm concerned mostly about durability and my wife mostly about aesthetics. The Restorations seems to be the middle ground for us...also, the Restorations dealer sent me an updated estimate that is $ 500 lower than before (transoms were not added up correctly initially) so now we are at $12,500 which is a little more in line with the other window estimates.
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PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
9 years ago
A few thoughts:

1) As Uneeda stated, an AI of anything under .05cfm is excellent.

2) The Vytex unit posts some pretty solid numbers as well. That said, I'd place it third of the three products. It's slightly behind in the ratings, and the company doesn't have quite the same track record and footprint as Okna and Softlite. Again, not a bad choice though.

3) Good advice from MWM on assessing the insulation and air sealing in the home.

4) That pricing is very good on any of the three products. You've done well in that area regardless, just make sure that your installation options are all apples to apples, and perhaps take a closer look at each dealer in regards to their reputation and your level of trust with them.
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Kenneth Levine
6 years ago
I am also trying to determine between soft lite imperial Ls and vytex potomac. I know i am late, does the OP have any info or any pro’s ?

The two of those windows look at be very energy efficient and seem to be made very well. One thng i noticed was the vytex potomac seemed to look a little nicer? Both had a nice design on the sash but the vytex was a little more narrow ( more glass). The potomac also had a “ magnetic seal”. The imperial did not have that option but did have every other option. The two seemed very close.

any opinions here and am i missing anything? Both were prices somewhat closely but the vytex was cheaper by $560. 14 windows in total.

vytex being 565 per window and the imperial being 605 per window. Both are duel pane glass with argon and foam filling in the window.
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PRO
User
6 years ago
You are kind of splitting hairs. Both are top tier windows. The newly designed Vytex Potomac is very sharp. I would install either window in my home. Where are you located?
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Kenneth Levine
6 years ago
Yes, vytex was sharp looking. Maryland, near Delaware border.

thanks for your opinion.
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deciding between okna 500, softlite imperial ls, and the vytex potomac

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millworkman

Uneeda Home Improvement Co., Inc

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