Window glass for WI

11 years ago

Wow, so glad I found this place! So I am shopping for windows in WI just outside of Milwaukee. I have had several quotes and at this point I am completely confused on what type of glass is best for me here because everyone says something different.

Champion has 366 glass that has a pretty good uvalue, and low shgc. They say that this protects my carpets and furniture and helps the uvalue.

Wasco is pretty much the opposite. They had a higher u factor , but also a very high sghc. They said that this is the best for our weather here. The said it was 180 glass or something like that.

Third guy says both are wrong! LOL. He said that we don't want either extreme, but the best u value with a balanced shgc unless my home is is designed for solar gain. He said that we don't want to block the heat as much in the winter as the Champion option would (I got the same glass from another vendor too), but that the Wasco glass wouldn't help either because my home is not made to take advantage of the extra sghc. This probably made the most sense, but what do I know!

Why is this so complicated, and why do companies offer options that are not suitable for the weather here? I don't know which is right and wrong, but clearly someone is right and someone is wrong! HELP!

Is there anything else that I should also consider? TIA!

PS: Sorry for the novel!

Featured Answer

PRO

Windows on Washington Ltd

11 years ago

Can't they all be wrong?

The Champion guy is dead wrong and may actually give you a window that performs worse than your existing units.
The 2nd and 3rd guys are both somewhat right and somewhat wrong.

Milwaulkee is certainly at an extreme of climates where triple pane is a reasonable and advisable option. To the extent that the 2nd guy is correct on maximizing passive Solar (i.e. higher SHGC number), it only applies to the South facing windows and I would not trade a window with a better overall U-Factor for a window with a worse U-Factor and better SHGC in many cases.

You need a triple pane window in that climate and manage the heat by keeping it in the home. This will also lessen the potential for condensation formation.

Best thing about all of this is that you have one of the best window companies around in your backyard. Call HomeSealed and ask for Brandon. Tell him you are from GardenWeb and that Eric said to give you a call.

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Comments (8)

Wendy Schmitz
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Eric. I'll look into Homesealed. So it sounds like the third guy is closest, but maybe I should put the higher sghc glass on the south? I only have 2 small windows on the entire south side of my home. One is a bathroom and the other a laundry. I have heard mixed things on triple pane. Some say it is needed, and others have said it will never pay itself back? I suppose I'll have to mull that over. Do you have any thoughts on Stanek windows? The ratings on that look pretty good, but I read somewhere that they had warranty issues recently?
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PRO
Ultra Windows
11 years ago
I too would recommend Brandon @ Homesealed. Getting the right window is only have of the equation, with a weathertight installation being the other half. Brandon is a true professional and has the knowledge to help guide you through the process to ensure you get the window you need at a price you can afford.
eastbay10
11 years ago
Your questions about triple pane can really be answered in how long you plan to stay in your current home. If it is short term, I won't upgrade. If you plan to stay awhile, then it may be worth the investment. Your local utility can probably provide a cost versus return or payback analysis for you.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
11 years ago
Whether triple pane is worth it depends on what company "X" is charging for it as an upgrade over double pane. What you have to compare from and investment standpoint is the cost of the upgrade, not the cost of the unit in total. Given that you only have the two small units on the South side, don't bother with the SHGC question. You home, unless purpose built for it, is not set up to take advantage of the passive solar. Get the most efficient and airtight window you can afford.
fridge2020
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Stanek denies warranties

Re: Stanek, see the link. Looks like ownship transferred in 2013 and all previous warranties were washed away. See point 1 on the link. On point 2, apparently there were so many angry homeowners posting that the editor had to post a justification and lock the comments!

In that climate I'd probably go triple pane as well. A high shgc window for your home would be less efficient and a bad choice. I'd write that guy off for even recommending it.
maries1120
11 years ago
Another recommendation for Brandon and Homesealed. We were looking foe a new door/sideline and 1 window. We met with several contractors and just signed with Brandon. He was great to work with. We have some time to wait for the install but I am very comfortable and confident in him and his company. I didn't feel that way about all the others and one was a Stanek window dealer.
mamiller1056
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I live in the Chicago area--suburbs north of Chicago. My climate is not much different than yours. I chose Marvin Ultimate windows, but not triple pane. I simply did not want to spend the money for triple pane. I have now lived with these windows through 2 winters - one of them was that "polar vortex" one where every day for weeks was below 0. I am very happy with my windows - everything was snug, no drafts, and I didn't get the condensation I used to get on my old windows.

I also chose the LoE 272 coating. When I looked at samples of the LoE 366 I could see tinting that I didn't like, despite the contractor saying I wouldn't notice it. Sorry, I just didn't agree that I wouldn't notice it, especially in the dark days of Nov-Feb. IMO, in our climate you want the winter benefit of LoE 272 more than you want the couple months of summer benefit of LoE 366. I am no pro. Just MHO from my purchase experience and living with my Marvin Ultimate double-pane windows.