Marvin Integrity

9 years ago

I have going around and around about what are the most appropriate windows for my new construction in northern NY. Even though some of these questions have been addressed by others, I have been told that it bad manners to hijack another's thread, so I am starting a new one.

My most important consideration is energy efficiency, and so limited my search to companies who offered triple-pane windows, with u factors of 0.2 or less. I have looked at Kolbe, Loewen, and Marvin. Because the only window supplier within 100 miles was a Marvin dealer, I thought I would start with them.

We spoke a lot about the Ultimate and the Integrity lines (both from Marvin). I decided to get a quote for each of these lines; 35 windows, mostly fixed and casement, and 3 doors. The dealier told me that if I want triple pane in the Integrity line, I am limited to these two styles, which was agreeable to me. The total quote was about $44,000 for the Ultimate and $32,000 for the Integrity.

The u factor for most of the Integrity is 0.2, except for three doors, which were 0.3, and not available in triple pane. The same 35 windows in Ultimate were actually worse, at 0.23. I asked the dealer "why" and he said that the Ultimates had some "thermal bridging" aluminum parts, and that it's not significant.

What are your opinions out there? The difference between .23 and .20 is 15%. The windows (at .20) account for over half of total heat loss for the house, so I don't think 15% is insignificant.

The 1700 square foot single story house will have R30 walls and R50 roof.

I still am going to give the window list to another dealer, who sells Kolbe and Loewen, as well as Marvin, and see what he says.

Comments (9)

PRO
Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
9 years ago
Seems like you're on the right track so far with those window options and brands. The difference in numbers from the Marvin Ultimate and Integrity is exactly what the sales person said. Aluminum is not as well of a thermal break as fiberglass.

I don't deal with triple pane as much in my climate zone so there might be others on this forum who can put more value on those numbers than me. To me it doesn't seem like a huge difference.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
Given the efficiency of your structure, the U-factor of 0.23 is not impressive and I would opt for the better performing Integrity in this case.

There are even better windows out there but you need to look at some of the Canadian fiberglass companies but you can get into the mid-teens in some of their windows.

You can do that easily in several vinyl window companies as well.
Related Professionals
Berkeley Window Contractors · Cicero Window Contractors · Mill Valley Window Contractors · San Ramon Window Contractors · Coshocton General Contractors · Fairview General Contractors · Fort Salonga General Contractors · Melville General Contractors · Norwell General Contractors · Rotterdam General Contractors · Springboro General Contractors · Hayward Carpenters · Kissimmee Carpenters · The Hammocks Carpenters · North Richland Hills Carpenters
Mrs_Nyefnyef
9 years ago
I am wondering if you really need the triple-pane. You may have more options if you don't require triple-pane. I can only speak from my experience. I am in the Chicago area. Last fall I replaced a wall of 5 windows in the master bedroom with Marvin Ultimates, double-pane, not triple-pane. With last winter's polar vortex situation, the outdoor temperature was below zero almost every night for months. Despite below-zero temps and this region's famous howling winds, the bedroom with its new double-pane windows had no drafts, and the comfort level improved 100%.

The experts here can maybe advise on how beneficial triple-pane is over double-pane. I just thought I'd suggest that alternative.
lkbum_gw
9 years ago
It depends on a lot of variables, but as a rule of thumb, the heat loss due to infiltration (air changes per hour) will exceed the heat loss through conduction. In winter months this can really affect comfort as more air changes will lower interior humidity. A tight sealing window is key to comfort.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
+1 to lkbum's comments.

Take if from a guy that spent a good bit of time doing his research before building a lovely home.

I will be giving the board a full review of lkbum's window performance after spending several days as an unwanted guest at his lovely home....
lkbum_gw
9 years ago
Ya know, it could take a couple of weeks, depending on the amount of beverages it takes to adequately perform the research. The cat likes the large stools we used.
PRO
Ultra Windows
9 years ago
Wow, beverages AND cats. You'll never get Eric to leave now.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
Sign me up.

Don't show that picture to Millworkman.

He is partial to one cat and one cat only. Grumpy hath stolen his gentle heart.
millworkman
9 years ago
House guest, did you say house guest????