Comments on: Industry Reacts to ENERGY STAR® Criteria http://www.dwmmag.com/index.php/industry-reacts-to-energy-star%c2%ae-criteria/ Door and Window Manufacturer/Shelter Trade Publication Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: jack man http://www.dwmmag.com/index.php/industry-reacts-to-energy-star%c2%ae-criteria/comment-page-1/#comment-350 jack man Thu, 21 May 2009 16:47:28 +0000 http://www.dwmmag.com/?p=975#comment-350 The key comment made is the energy factors do favor vinyl windows. Simply put, it is easier and cheaper to manufacture a vinyl window to meet the 30/30 requirements of the tax credit. However, as many sad homeowners have found, long term use of vinyl windows does produce sagging, uneven fit and air infiltration. What good is an insulation rating if the wind can blow right through a sagging, poorly closing unit? But, and this should come as no surprise to people who are knowledgeable with window construction, vinyl windows aren't the only ones which are likely to fit poorly and leak over time. Perhaps the word "cheap" should be substitued in the sentance, "Cheap and poorly made" windows regardless of wood or vinyl construction are likely to sag, and fit poorly. Cheaply made refers more to the thickness of material not just the material type. A thin frame and sash wood window, clad with aluminum or vinly is just as likely to perform poorly over time. A well made window, be it wood / clad or vinyl, which thick, strong frames and sashes will hold up. And yes, they will cost more than the cheap competitor products. At least one vinyl window manufacturer namely, Solaris of Canada, makes a window that not only meets 30/30 but is strong enough to resist sagging and certain units surpass huricane strength. Unfortunately, it is not, however a cheap window rivals the price of a well made wood clad unit. The biggest surprise can be found looking at the most well known window brands. Buying these well known brands that are heavily advertises, does not gaurantee the window will be strong enough to hold up. Major brands offer both a "good window' and a "cheap" window. If you are purchasing these well known brands be sure to ask and see the difference in physical construction. It is not possible to lower the price of a well made unit without reducing it's performance. Remember too, it's not just the U factor that relates to longevity. Longevity is a factor of strength and can only be appreciated by comparing size, thickness and strength of materials. Thicker components and thicker material (thickness of vinyl or thickness of aluminum cladding) are a key component in gauging window longevity. The key comment made is the energy factors do favor vinyl windows. Simply put, it is easier and cheaper to manufacture a vinyl window to meet the 30/30 requirements of the tax credit. However, as many sad homeowners have found, long term use of vinyl windows does produce sagging, uneven fit and air infiltration. What good is an insulation rating if the wind can blow right through a sagging, poorly closing unit?

But, and this should come as no surprise to people who are knowledgeable with window construction, vinyl windows aren’t the only ones which are likely to fit poorly and leak over time. Perhaps the word “cheap” should be substitued in the sentance, “Cheap and poorly made” windows regardless of wood or vinyl construction are likely to sag, and fit poorly.

Cheaply made refers more to the thickness of material not just the material type. A thin frame and sash wood window, clad with aluminum or vinly is just as likely to perform poorly over time.

A well made window, be it wood / clad or vinyl, which thick, strong frames and sashes will hold up. And yes, they will cost more than the cheap competitor products. At least one vinyl window manufacturer namely, Solaris of Canada, makes a window that not only meets 30/30 but is strong enough to resist sagging and certain units surpass huricane strength. Unfortunately, it is not, however a cheap window rivals the price of a well made wood clad unit.

The biggest surprise can be found looking at the most well known window brands. Buying these well known brands that are heavily advertises, does not gaurantee the window will be strong enough to hold up. Major brands offer both a “good window’ and a “cheap” window. If you are purchasing these well known brands be sure to ask and see the difference in physical construction. It is not possible to lower the price of a well made unit without reducing it’s performance. Remember too, it’s not just the U factor that relates to longevity.

Longevity is a factor of strength and can only be appreciated by comparing size, thickness and strength of materials. Thicker components and thicker material (thickness of vinyl or thickness of aluminum cladding) are a key component in gauging window longevity.

]]> By: Phil Warnell http://www.dwmmag.com/index.php/industry-reacts-to-energy-star%c2%ae-criteria/comment-page-1/#comment-323 Phil Warnell Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:00:14 +0000 http://www.dwmmag.com/?p=975#comment-323 This disparity between the 30/30 tax criteria and those of Energy Star I find not only mind boggling, yet will only serve to confuse the consumer further as to what constitutes being an energy efficient window. Between the lack of understanding and vision that the one size fits all approach represents being with 30/30, it is then undermined further with Energy Star having southern R Values too low whe one considers today how simple and cost effect to be improved considerably. The truth is between the special interests groups and politicking, the US government has now committed multi-millions to a tax incentive program that in the northern climate zone under 30/30 will give little or even a negative result as opposed to even double pane uncoated glass. In the south although the improved solar control mandated by Energy Star will bring better result the reluctance to admit the necessity for double paned glass lessens having this even greater potential efficiency being reached needlessly. Couple this with what the initial Dade country reports revealed that dwellings with double pane glass had a marked improvement ofver single in terms blow out in hurricane conditions and it becomes an even less justifiable position. With the current economic crises in which energy self sufficiency is a key component for economic recovery and future growth I’m afraid government, Energy Star and many in the industry have still to realize the money and effort needs to be and easily can be spent more wisely. Regards, Phil. This disparity between the 30/30 tax criteria and those of Energy Star I find not only mind boggling, yet will only serve to confuse the consumer further as to what constitutes being an energy efficient window. Between the lack of understanding and vision that the one size fits all approach represents being with 30/30, it is then undermined further with Energy Star having southern R Values too low whe one considers today how simple and cost effect to be improved considerably. The truth is between the special interests groups and politicking, the US government has now committed multi-millions to a tax incentive program that in the northern climate zone under 30/30 will give little or even a negative result as opposed to even double pane uncoated glass. In the south although the improved solar control mandated by Energy Star will bring better result the reluctance to admit the necessity for double paned glass lessens having this even greater potential efficiency being reached needlessly. Couple this with what the initial Dade country reports revealed that dwellings with double pane glass had a marked improvement ofver single in terms blow out in hurricane conditions and it becomes an even less justifiable position. With the current economic crises in which energy self sufficiency is a key component for economic recovery and future growth I’m afraid government, Energy Star and many in the industry have still to realize the money and effort needs to be and easily can be spent more wisely.

Regards,

Phil.

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