Which Windows?

[lumbajac]

Getting ready to build a new 2400+ sq.ft. home. Have decided on my central heating and fireplace to go with thanks to hearth.com participants. Only thing left to decide on is which windows. Based upon wanting a good window with a particular color on the exterior, I have boiled my choices down to Marvin and Weathershield. I was unaware of Marvins fiberglass window until seeing this option at a builders show today. Would like some input if anyone has experience with Marvin and/or Weathershield.

Thanks,
lumbajac

 

[jebatty]

No particular comment on these windows, pro or con, but if high quality, insulated glass is your goal, and lots of glass, then there are available some very good windows approaching the R-8 and higher range. Our windows are no longer being made, now are 15 years old, and at time of purchase advertised as R-8 (probably center of glass). We have 30' of glass facing the to the southwest, get the cold, howling NW winds of northern MN winter, and these window remain warm to the touch on the inside, no condensation, no drafts.

Check these out:
These are rated U=0.15 but are commercial.
(broken link removed to http://www.visionwall.com/Html%20Files/featuresbbenefitstestdata.htm)

These are rated R-5 to R-15 (U=0.20 to U=0.07).
http://www.alpeninc.com/product_specs/broc_fiber.html
http://www.alpeninc.com/windows/index.htm

There likely are other brands available.

 

[lumbajac]

After spending about 6 hours at our local builder's show on 2 separate days this past weekend, I've decided to go with Weather Shield for a variety of reasons. The Marvin is nice and has a good reputation, but price is a bit more than I'm in position to spend.

Additionally, I believe the Weather Shield has the best Low-E coating of any window out there... their Zo-E coating puts out some very impressive numbers in terms of U-facor and Solar Gain. Additionally, I like some of the features in their frame, and they have the exterior color in their aluminum clad line that my wife wants... I'll give her the color so long as I get the efficiency I'm looking for.

lumbajac