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Old 04-20-10, 01:05 PM   #1
Daox
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Default Superinstulated windows

At some point I really need to rip the walls down on my 2nd floor and insulate them. At the same time, it would be great to replace the single pane windows up there. Of course, I was thinking of using a highly insulated window. I hadn't been doing any actual research on this, but I stumbled upon this link in an advertisement over on EM today. Looks like a window place that can provide some pretty darn high r-value windows. Up to R11 if you don't need it to open, and 7.7 if you go with a casement type! Not too shabby.

Alpen high performance products

My question is, do you guys know of any other suppliers of windows I could look into?

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Last edited by Daox; 02-27-14 at 08:13 AM..
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Old 04-21-10, 04:29 PM   #2
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any pricing informaition? When I got ours replaced, it was quite expensive, but the windows made a big difference... the difference between having to use the AC to keep the house cool enough to manage during our Alabama summers (100degF+) and just opening/closing the windows to regulate temp. We went through Champion, the windows were just too much better. otherwise we would have gone with Window World, who claims to have super efficient glass, but the overall windows are not as good. Not sure if either company is around in Wisconsin.
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Old 04-22-10, 09:51 PM   #3
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The Serious Windows (now Alpen) are the best windows I am aware of.

Last edited by Daox; 02-27-14 at 08:14 AM..
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Old 01-26-12, 08:37 AM   #4
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I just contacted a local distributor of Serious Windows last night. I should have a quote in my email sometime today for 30"x60" casement windows so we can get an idea on their pricing. I'm planning on installing two of them in my office which has been in the works of a remodel now for months. Even if they're on the expensive side I think I'm going to go with them just to give them a shot. As I mentioned in the first post I need to replace about six windows in my upstairs as I go through and insulate the walls. If these work out to my liking I'll probably be using them up there as well.
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Old 01-26-12, 10:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
My question is, do you guys know of any other suppliers of windows I could look into?
A lot of our discussions and the energy reduction goals we are shooting for make Passive House standards relevant.

The European market is more mature than in the US simply because energy prices are about double.

As far as I know, Serious Window is one of the better manufacturers in the US.

But one window that has gotten higher ratings is:

Integrity Windows and Doors - Integrity Windows

Also try:
To compare apples to apples, you may need to convert from SI measurements to US, so here is a slider to use:

http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHo...0Converter.swf

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Old 01-26-12, 11:24 AM   #6
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We have one Serious dealer in western MA and I got some quotes from him recently. As I recall it was around $40 a sq. Ft. For inoperable and closer to 50 or 60 for operable. Pretty damn expensive. Personally I'm just going with double pane and adding inserts. That's what most of the builders I know do.
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Old 01-26-12, 11:34 AM   #7
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Default Passive House Windows Discussion...

BTW, I came across a pretty good discussion thread on windows over at Passive House US:

passivehouse.us • View topic - Passive House Windows

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Old 01-26-12, 12:21 PM   #8
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Well I got my quote and I about fell over. I was expecting $400-600, nah, think twice that. I'm still thinking about it though. I would really like to see first hand how nice these are. But I'm obviously finding it very hard to justify. I may get quotes on the 525 series to see how that effects the price. They're still ~30% better insulated than a high end Anderson (which would probably be my alternative if I don't go with these).

Quote:
725 Series 30x60 Casement, White Ext-White Int. $992.00 each
Same as above with White Ext and Oak interior $1172.00 each

925 Series 30x60 Casement, White Ext-White Int. $1080.00 each
Same as above with Oak Int. $1205.00 each
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Old 01-26-12, 12:29 PM   #9
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Default High Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program

Well Daox,

While you're still reeling from sticker shock, you might as well check out this government High Performance Windows Volume Purchase Program.

The idea is that Uncle Sam incentivized some companies to make high performance windows in a volume large enough to create economy of scale.

Might work for you.

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Old 01-26-12, 01:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox View Post
Well I got my quote and I about fell over. I was expecting $400-600, nah, think twice that. I'm still thinking about it though. I would really like to see first hand how nice these are. But I'm obviously finding it very hard to justify. I may get quotes on the 525 series to see how that effects the price. They're still ~30% better insulated than a high end Anderson (which would probably be my alternative if I don't go with these).
Yeah. A regular sized window from Serious is about $ 900. Come on! For a window? You can buy really nice double pane winserts for $50 a piece.

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