Pook: Those questions are certainly specific to the manufacturer and the installer. These retrofit windows should not leave a very large gap to the roughed in opening and if within specs for the caulking then caulking will work but if more than the max gap then the non-expanding foam will be used. I have never installed retrofit windows so I will be learning as I watch. The installers are still some 4 weeks out. I have put in new windows, retrofit doors, and new doors with shims and foam and such but not retro windows so I’m not even sure if they use shims.

In doing electrical work I have often layed my sweaty head down on fiberglass while fishing wires down walls and certainly inhaled a bit of fiber. I too would rather inhale paper dust. I may be starting to lean towards this cellulose stuff. Aren’t all “ose” chemicals actually sugars? Lactose, sucrose, dextrose, etc. Sugar is a food source no? Certainly an energy source for organic things like bugs and mold.

Highbeam - 29 April 2008 07:01 PM

I too would rather inhale paper dust. I may be starting to lean towards this cellulose stuff. Aren’t all “ose” chemicals actually sugars? Lactose, sucrose, dextrose, etc. Sugar is a food source no? Certainly an energy source for organic things like bugs and mold.

Yes, cellulose is a sugar.  A complex one (too complex for our digestive systems to break down, for example).  Lots of bugs can eat it.  So the insulation is treated with pesticides, typically.  The exact sort used by a specific manufacturer might be a reason to choose one product over another…

Joe

Biomass grower - 28 April 2008 04:18 PM

EricJeepers, What kind of windows are you getting? How much $? I can not seem to find R10 windows out here. Only big name brand companies like pella, anderson, crestline, wenco etc.

Sorry I have been away for a while..
There are several leading manufacturers of high end glass packs.. And No Pella and Anderson are not among the list. The best R value they offer is roughly an r4. They use only double pane with argon and one layer of lo-e.
Krypton gas is 30% more efficient than argon (denser).
The windows I sell are made in Grabill Indiana by a company called Home Guard., Their glass packs come from AFG in Ohio. three panes of glass, each outer piece having soft coat lo-e applied. The center piece is clear glass and they are filled to 95% with Krypton gas.
If anyone is even thinking of replacing with just clear glass and no gas, why bother? Virtually no energy savings unless their old ones are real air leakers.
Someone said the gas will leak out within a few years???????? Most glass assemblies use a urethane glue around the edges That stuff is very sticky. Lets take this as an example.When a tire is mounted to a wheel There is not a bit of glue or adhesive used. just rubber to usually dirty rusty nasty corroded wheel. They usually hold the initial 32 psi of air for many years.
So why is a clean piece of glass and a rubber spacer with sticky urethane glue not going to seal in less than one psi of krypton or argon?
If it does leak out moisture will show between the glass and the lifetime guarantee will kick in and the manufacturer will send you new sash free.
Most people will not discuss pricing. Fortunately I am not ashamed of my asking price for an Installed white Triple glazed R-10 double hung. I sell them installed, insulated around the perimeter with fiberglass insulation caulked on the inside, PVC coated aluminum wrap on the exterior caulked with a high quality silicone caulk. Lifetime guarantee through the manufacturer for 500.00 per window.
I am a small business my best advertising is word of mouth so I do my customers a great job and they tell their friends.
Here is the link to my manufactures web site.  http://home-guard.net/

R-value when rating windows is meaningless IMO. There is more gain to how the window is installed and the longevity of the window that trying to purchase super insulated windows. It’s inevitable that the gas will leak out between panes which is why I’ve always found low-e ventilated panes to be the best windows especially for longevity. Sure a filled pane can have a high r-value, but most people would be far better installing cellular shades in the window and getting a cheaper ventilated model for total r-value.

If anyone is even thinking of replacing with just clear glass and no gas, why bother? Virtually no energy savings unless their old ones are real air leakers.

I disagree, if the old windows are single pane or aluminum frame new windows properly sealed with no gas and no coating still will be a huge improvement over the old windows.

I prefer a window I never have to replace to a window with a higher R-value that will have to be replaced.

Someone said the gas will leak out within a few years???????? Most glass assemblies use a urethane glue around the edges That stuff is very sticky. Lets take this as an example.When a tire is mounted to a wheel There is not a bit of glue or adhesive used. just rubber to usually dirty rusty nasty corroded wheel. They usually hold the initial 32 psi of air for many years.

Actually tires do not. Given a few months tires can lose up to 10PSI within a relatively short time frame even without leaks. Whether urethane is sticky or not is not the issue, thermal expansion of the panes in relation to the frame and seal is.

Also if you’re looking for the best positive seal, casements are the way to go as their seals last the longest and they have the most positive seal compared to other designs.

Sure casements seal better. But They are a much more expensive unit to begin with.
Also a casement does not fit every design.