How did a discussion about windows turn into a cultural disagreement and charged political discussion? Left, right or wrong, please save the personal attacks. That said...I have an old (circa 1840s Greek Revival home with 6 over 6 double hung windows. Unfortunately, I had to replace them because they were in just too bad of a shape to restore economically. The closest I found in an affordable stock size and style was Brasco Boston 6 over 6 ADL (authentic divided light) windows (sash replacement kit--sash and balances only, no frame). A local mill was able to make custom wooden storms to match an original storm I found in the barn when I purchased the house. The windows cost a little over $100 each, the storms about $85.00. With a little ingenuity, I was able to make the Brascos fit into the original openings (the size difference was only about a 1/2 inch or so). From the outside, the house looks the same as it did in the photos I found at the local hisrorical society. The only drawback is the balances, which are vinyl with a spring mechanism. I was able to hide those with some creative interior trim work that doesn't look out of place. The net result is my heating bill has dropped significantly and my home is a lot less drafty. In the back turn of the 20th century addition that I had to completely rebuild due to structural issues, I bought pricey (stock) Marvin low E with argon 6 over 6 SDL's (simulated divided light windows--(prices ranging from $500 for a single unit to $1,100 for a mulled unit). The muntons are about an 1/8th of an inch thicker than the Brascos which matched the originals, but not noticeable since they are consistent on that portion of the house. Net net...The Marvins look great, operate smoothly (thanks to the quality balances) and are tight and completely draft free, but expensive. The Brascos look very close to the originals and with the storms seem to be as efficient. If I were in the position of the original poster, I would probably get removable interior storms and only put them in during the coldest months. The good ones don't look too bad and are a lot less expensive than replacing the windows. And my guess is the energy savings would pay back the cost within a few years or so. Perhaps Oberon can do the cost recovery calculation for you.

Hi toddinmn and windowsonwashington, Thanks for your advice. As discussed in another posting, we have received conflicting advice as to the best SHCG on the south windows. First a saleman from Inline, then one from Fibertec recommended soft coat on the south windows (so a lower SHGC). We have no overhang planned in the addition, awnings nor mature trees. The air conditioner runs often in the summer. I plan to call Cardinal glass for their take on what coating is best in our situation as suggested by windowsonwashington. I did not look too much at the eternity line from Inline, as we want casement windows, and I believe the eternity line is well made double hung windows. Any more opinions on double pane versus single? BTW the price of the windows including jam extensions, brick mould, false sashes, delivery and nasty taxes is coming in at around $22 000 for 24 windows and one french door (some of the windows are large and have more than one operable window). Thanks for your help. Carol

powermuffin It is a very common idea that old windows should be replaced. However original wavy glass windows with storm windows installed not only are just as efficient as modern day energy-efficient windows, they look better and last for decades well...original wavy glass windows with storm are not as efficient as new energy efficient windows. too much of a gap between original glass & storm glass, and no seal between the two. huge difference as compared to igu, add in low e coatings and inert gasses..and new windows have excellent performance. between the original glass window & the storm, convective currents set up..not so with igu's. that said...at best one gets a 15% energy savings AT BEST from window replacement. kudos to all who restore rather than spend tens of thousands replacing. there are a LOT of things you can do with window replacement monies that will actually save you money quickly. air sealing house leakage, air sealing duct leakage are two things that have a quick roi, improve indoor air quality and save you money. op you should check out the windows forum here. lots of good info there also. best of luck.

PattyFinlay, I happen to agree with you that in Hawaii (in general) you really don't need high performance windows, but if if you must install them there is a lot to be said for not needing repair or replacement in the near future. I suggested laminated with added LowE coatings not only because you can meet code with them but also for upgrades in security, storm resistance, sound blocking, fading, and energy performance over single pane and improvement over annealed dual pane in everything except energy performance, and as I mentioned previously the laminated glass with LowE coatings should meet the energy codes as well. Cardinal is the largest residential glass manufacturer in North America and arguably in the world (outside China), but they don't make windows. They manufacture glass, LoE coatings (about 70% of all residential LoE coated glass in North America comes from Cardinal), tempered, laminated, and IG units. Cardinal supplies glass and/or IG units to Pella, Milgard, Marvin, Andersen, Western, and Fleetwood, but I don't know about Breezeway or Louvers, I have never heard of either of them. Cardinal uses a stainless steel spacer system in their IG units that should have zero problems in your environment, and while there are certainly other IG systems that should do fine as well, there are also some spacers and systems that I would stay away from whether in Hawaii or Alaska, or pretty much anywhere else. It would be nice to know who you had troubles with in the past, makes it a lot easier to suggest knowing that you are not interested in certain companies because of your past experience. Also I think it's flat out dumb that the code authorities won't allow vinyl windows to be used, but again just my opinion. SInce you don't want wood, Andersen has the 100 series using Fibrex (a composite that uses vinyl as one of it's components but is not fiberglass). Pella, Marvin, Milgard all offer fiberglass options while Western and Fleetwood both offer aluminum. Again I don't know either Breezeway or Louvers. I am not sure who might offer the laminated glass option as a single pane rather than dual pane IG unit if that is something that you might want to consider, but that might be a realistic possibility from a local custom manufacturer.