oldfrt

I found this in DYI in response to someone looking for ideas on replacement windowin her home.

Biased Opinion or Fact?

As Posted by OP:

Now I"m totally confused. I spoke with a colleague who does a lot of architectural preservation work, and he sent me the following:

"I'd never use a vinyl replacement window, not because I'm a snob (although I am) but because I've yet to meet a manufacturer who'll guarantee me more than 10-15 years (AT MOST) on the product. As you no doubt know, the product consists of two layers of glass with something like argon pumped between them. As the window goes up and down and up and down, the gasket sealing the glass begins to fail. This results in almost certain clouding (and a gradual tailing off of the e-value.) So you're stuck with windows that are clouded and of dubious weather-tightness.

I think you get more bang for the buck by having the original windows (which of course, look nicer) reglazed. Then spend the money on a high-end storm system, properly caulked.

If you do go with a replacement window, then go with a clad unit (a Marvin, maybe) or a wood one with the sill. Even the most expensive windows you list here are frankly sh!t and they will eventually ding and look cheap."

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tomstruble

to me 10-20 yrs is the usefull life of vinyl windows,maybe to 30 yrs for a clad unit
everything has a useful life span

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Tom

paul100

I think they are mistaken on a few points. Vinyl replacements windows do come with longer warranties. The company we use is B.F.Rich. They offer a lifetime warrnty with a 10year glass breakage warrnaty(breakage can include a rock hitting it or baseball or really anythign that breaks the glass)

I really dont know what "e-value" is. I have heard of r-value and u-value.

I dont know how lifting and closing a window will wear out the seal for the glass. I can see the weatherstripping around the sash wearing out from lifting but not the seal of the glass.

Patrick

We offer a lifetime warranty on frames, mechanical and glass for both seal failures and accidental breakage. Only one accidental break per year. But still thats for life and is backed up by the manufacturer. Of course we aint selling these things for $250 an opening either.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

CScalf

doesn't certainteed offer lifetime warranty on the entire window?

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loneframer

The emissivity of a material (usually written ε or e) is the relative power of its surface to emit heat by radiation. It is the ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature. It is a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed energy. A true black body would have an while any real object would have

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thermax

too bad this guy knows absolutely nothing about windows. a well engineered vinyl window with a high performance glass package can last for decades with no seal failure or matenance. try that with a wood window. the guys is full of crap.

HusqyPro

Perhaps this childhood photograph I found of the author will explain a few things.

Bad experience with vinyl leaking?

Attached Images

 

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72chevy4x4

back to reality...I've do a lot with the Simonton Reflections replacement and with 100% replacement for the first 20yrs and and 75% up to 50yrs - that's a selling point! some of their lines have the glass breakage warranty covering of all things a baseball...

a long time ago after purchasing a couple of windows for my own home from Lowes, just after 1yr the panels were clouding up...they wouldn't do a thing about it. That's why I don't sell a variety of windows brands-choose one reputable company and know your product.

For Tomt, why would they say a vinyl window has a 20yr lifespan versus 30yr for a clad window-is it the glass they claim if failing sooner?

buddy110

True. The main issue with vinyl windows is the coefficent of expansion and contraction compared to tat of glass. That's what causes the seal failures and air leaks. High performance fiberglass OTOH will outlast ANY vinyl window, regardless of the written warrantee.

Most high end vinyl window companies do. However it's almost always prorated after 10 years just like a roof

Century Man

The OP asked if his buddy was stating fact or offering opinion. I think opinion and regarding his position I learned that you can't argue with ignorance.

"I'd never use a vinyl replacement window, not because I'm a snob (although I am) but because I've yet to meet a manufacturer who'll guarantee me more than 10-15 years (AT MOST) on the product. As you no doubt know, the product consists of two layers of glass with something like argon pumped between them. As the window goes up and down and up and down, the gasket sealing the glass begins to fail. This results in almost certain clouding (and a gradual tailing off of the e-value.) So you're stuck with windows that are clouded and of dubious weather-tightness.

I think you get more bang for the buck by having the original windows (which of course, look nicer) reglazed. Then spend the money on a high-end storm system, properly caulked.

If you do go with a replacement window, then go with a clad unit (a Marvin, maybe) or a wood one with the sill. Even the most expensive windows you list here are frankly sh!t and they will eventually ding and look cheap."

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