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Mon, Dec 10, 12 at 23:51
| Hello everyone - this forum has been really helpful. I'm looking at the Integrity wood ultrex replacement windows. The consensus on Integrity seems to be pretty much that a nice looking solid, reasonably priced choice. But it is a leaky, drafty window. Do people agree? anyone who in the Washington DC area with these windows? Also have quotes on Trimline, Infinity, Weathermark and Starmark, Andersen. Hard decision. Is it really worth paying $4k more for slightly better performance? I'm guessing it would take a very long time to recoup $4k in energy savings. But I want to be toasty warm in my house and not feel cold air blowing through my nice new windows. Please weigh in if you have these windows installed (or are experienced installer). |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by millworkman (millwork4u@gmail.com) on Tue, Dec 11, 12 at 7:33
| Who is the 4K price more than if it is Trimline, Weathermark and or Starmark from what I can tell they are not in the league of Integrity period (Weathermark and Starmark must be regional as I see nothing on them on the web). Infinity is generally more expensive than Integrity and Andersen can be depending on the series. No one stated that Integrity is a "leaky, drafty window". The statements have been is that there are other windows, vinyl fiberglass etc with better performance numbers. The Integrity is still a solid performing window no matter how you look at it. |
This post was edited by millworkman on Tue, Dec 11, 12 at 7:38
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| Integrity is a pretty good window but not Marvins top product. higher end vinyl and composites will outperfom the integrity. that said, no one is saying the integrity is leaky. that would be more of an installation related concern. StarMark is a composite and offered in certain area's in the northeast. i think "Windows on Washington"offers starmark as well as Okna/ HiMark . they serve your area if im not mistaken. |
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- Posted by HomeSealed (My Page) on Tue, Dec 11, 12 at 10:10
| As mmarsel mentioned, the Starmark is a composite and is actually the at the top of that list of choices. It indeed is not in the same class of the Integrity as it pertains to performance-- because it is better, not worse. All that being said, the Integrity is a very well built window. I actually offer both of those products and each have their pros and cons which appeal to different customers. The Starmark has nearly unrivaled thermal and structural performance and the option of a synthetic stainable interior. I look at it like the Infinity on steriods. The thing that is nice about the Integrity is that it offers a nice price point, looks good, and has a real wood interior option if that is what you desire. If ultimate performance (and a lifetime warranty)is your goal, go with the Starmark. If you want a real wood interior, the Integrity is a good option. You really won't go wrong either way, it just depends on your priorities/preferences... I also attached a link to the Starmark site as it was mentioned that it was hard to find. |
Here is a link that might be useful: starmark windows
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- Posted by millworkman (millwork4u@gmail.com) on Tue, Dec 11, 12 at 10:16
| Ok thanks I stand correct on the Starmark, I appreciate the info as it was not a product I had heard of. |
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- Posted by HomeSealed (My Page) on Tue, Dec 11, 12 at 10:24
| Kinda regional as mmarsel mentioned. Popular in the northeast and popping up more now further south and in the Midwest. It is made by Okna. |
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| I have installed these windows in my house in the last 90 days. I just had the window vendor out today. They all leak warm air out the top sash. I received a call from Integrity today saying one of their reps will contact me in the coming weeks. All windows were found to be properly installed but I did have higher humidity in the house. There is NO condensation on the windows but I was told at least twice that they are concerned about the moisture. The only problem with the moisture is that it shows that the windows leak at the top. I have no moisture issues on the windows what so ever, just on the outside of the top sash. Temp today is 5 degrees F. |
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- Posted by HomeSealed (My Page) on Thu, Jan 31, 13 at 22:03
| Flextech, how is this problem manifesting itself? Generally speaking, air leakage in that type of temperature is foing to show up as frost around the seals. |
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- Posted by windowsonwashington (My Page) on Fri, Feb 1, 13 at 8:04
| +1 Frost at the interlocks and other meeting points. Do you have any pictures? While the Integrity windows is the tightest window on the market, it certainly is well above average and this is a new complaint. Are the windows showing moisture at the top sash, interior surface? |
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| No moisture on the inside. I do not consider this as a moisture issue but rather a warm air escape issue. I love the windows but was disappointed when I saw this. Hopefully they will make it right. |
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- Posted by windowsonwashington (My Page) on Fri, Feb 1, 13 at 9:00
| Post up a picture of the window when it is nearly shut in the head jamb. Might just be a case of some additional weatherstripping or it could be a fitment issue. |
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| The alignment is perfect. It is obviously a weather stripping issue. I think it is funny that the Marvin customer service rep called and left a message stating to keep the moisture down etc when moisture on the glass isn't even the complaint. If they used something other than a vinyl type of weather stripping for the jamb it may operate better. It could easily be solved I think with a foam strip at the top, but I wouldn't think you would need to do that on new windows. Like I said, I cannot bad mouth them without giving them the opportunity to fix. |
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- Posted by windowsonwashington (My Page) on Fri, Feb 1, 13 at 10:43
| The fact that it is not condensing on the interior surface does not necessarily mean that the humidity isn't high. It does mean that the glass is working well and that there is not that much conduction at the glass/spacer level. If, however, there is still some air/moisture leakage at the sash interface, that moisture can leak out and condense/frost on those coldest sections of the frame. What does the outside of the home look like? Any vents or bushes in front of those windows? I would also recommend removing the screens to get more air flow in front of that window. |
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| WonW, I appreciate your efforts to explain it to me, but I still do not comprehend. The problem is not the frost but rather that the windows are leaking with the frost only showing that the window leaks. If the frost was not there and I used a thermo imaging camera, I would see heat escaping at the top. No? And since heat rises, I am trying to figure out why it is all the way down the side. thx |
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- Posted by windowsonwashington (My Page) on Fri, Feb 1, 13 at 18:36
| If the humidity is high enough, you could get that frost effect on the windows. What does the outside of the home, on those windows, look like. Is it doing it on all the windows? |
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