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Windows Design Dilemma

Looking for new construction vinyl window recommendations

4 years ago

We are building a new house in NC (inland, near Pittsboro/Chapel Hill, not near the shore) and I am having difficulty wading through all the information available on new construction windows. I believe I want all vinyl, and not vinyl clad or wood. My emphasis is on efficiency, functionality and aesthetics. We are doing a "modern farmhouse" type of design, so hoping for thin, flat framed windows. From reviewing other conversations online here and elsewhere, OKNA 500 or 800s, Soft-Lite Elements and Sunrise windows keep popping up as good suggestions. Am I correct in that observation? How would the pros here rank those suggestions, and should I look at others? We will be staying in this house for the next 20 years or more, so quality is important. The current design calls for large fixed windows (window wall in 2 story great room), casements and few double hung. Finish to be white both inside and outside. I would really appreciate some specific recommendation from the folks who deal with these windows day in and day out. Which models have the fewest callback issues, and what's your favorite? Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

millworkman

4 years ago

"My builder says they usually go with a brand called MI. Is this brand comparable to the brands I initially mentioned?"

No comparison at all. MI or Metal Industries is about about as Builder Grade bottom of the barrel window that there is.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
4 years ago
You are in good hands with any of those windows to be honest. Stay with the Vanguard frame series (or higher) from Sunrise. The Okna 600 is also available in new construction. Soft-lite, stay with the LS or Elements line.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I would do aluminum clad with black metal and no grids.
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Scrappy, just to clarify further as this post is getting somewhat muddled: There is (1) "Sunrise" door, and the manufacturer (Sunrise) also offers a lower cost line called Essentials. The product that I recommend is the "Sunrise", not the Essentials. While I do consider the Sunrise door to be a very good product, it would be third on my list of those three that I mentioned earlier. It has a mechanically fastened (knock-down) frame as opposed to the welded frame on both the Okna and Softlite lines. In addition, it is below the other two in both thermal and structural performance ratings (U-value, air infiltration, etc). That said, it's ratings and quality are still in the upper echelon, hence my recommendation. Ultimately, factors such as installation quality and price should be given proper weight as well... Hope that helps :)
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Thanks for the responses. I'm glad I'm looking into the recommended brands. A few more questions: Do you know if Okna only manufactures 1 type of new construction window? (I just tried going on their site but it seems to be down or has expired.) I thought that Gorell was manufactured in western Pa but I had a sales guy (he doesn't carry Gorell) try to tell me the other day that Gorell was based out of Colorado and that they were no longer going to be offered east of the Mississippi River in a few weeks time. I was surprised by this and didn't contradict him as I wasn't sure of the facts but looking at their site, it looks to be untrue. Any ideas? Thanks again for the help.
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I agree with your reasoning. With fixed windows, Air Leakage isn't a concern, so choosing a mid-grade vinyl window makes sense and Simonton is a good choice for your situation.
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Windowmaster
4 years ago
The Okna 600 comes in both replacement and new construction., its a great window. I also like your other options such as soft lite LS or Elements and Sunrise. higher end vinyl will render the best performance numbers and will have an advantage over wood windows in that regard. The key is sticking to higher end vinyl and the brands we mentioned certainly meet that.
T P
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you for your endorsements. My builder says they usually go with a brand called MI. Is this brand comparable to the brands I initially mentioned? I don't see much on them on this site.
T P
Original Author
4 years ago
millworkman...They mentioned that th eMI line they use would meet the "HERO standard" for efficiency? Does that make a difference?
millworkman
4 years ago
Nope. Not in my opinion.
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
4 years ago
+1 to the three recommended brands. Also, as mwm alluded to, they are in a different stratosphere from MI, which is he said is very much "builder grade", and not in a good way in terms of performance.
fridge2020
4 years ago
These guys are right. Here’s MI as a “hero”
T P
Original Author
4 years ago
Ha! Thank you. I appreciate your time and consideration

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