The Window
Window Considerations
1. A straight dual pane window with one sheet of hard coat LowE provides a “U” value of only 1.93 metric (0.34 Imperial) but because it permits a lot of passive solar heat gain it will still qualify for Energy Star even into Zone “D”. To be satisfied with your window performance, we would recommend triple pane windows with two sheets of Soft coat LowE heat reflecting glass, and two half-inch air spaces both filled with Argon gas. Our windows like this provide a “U” Values from 0.86 to 1.01 Metric (0.15 to 0.18 imperial) As much as both examples qualify for Zone D Energy Star they obviously will not perform the same. When this glass selection is combined with the new silicone foam SUPER SPACER bars. (Note: Differences in the U Value ratings occur whether the window is an opening or fixed window.) The warm edge technology provided by SUPER SPACER is a huge improvement over the old metal spacer bar, thermoplastic spacer bar with the corrugated aluminum strip or even the new high bred metal “U” channel spacer bar in combating moisture on windows. The warmer the interior glass, the higher the humidity you can have without fear of condensation, the closer you can sit to the window without coolness, the less frequent the heating system will cycle (saving energy consumption) and the more even and consistent the temperature will be for improved comfort. You can have a window that is four to five times warmer than the standard dual pane for just a small percentage more in cost. Virtually every job we do is with triple pane glass, SUPER SPACER, two LowE and two airspaces of Argon. We prefer to use the soft coat LowE for its improved heat reflection performance and clearer visibility, not having as much problem with LowE haze otherwise known as a 10:00 o’clock / 2:00 o’clock shadow that can occur on hard coat LowE. Our sealed unit supplier's manufacturing procedures have been IGMA certified. IGMA stands for Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association. To obtain this certification the manufacturer has to send 20 sealed units to the test facilities, where they are accelerated tested for an estimated 40 to 50 years. The manufacturing plant and their procedures are examined. The manufacturer has to agree to document a test of one unit from each days manufacturing run. The manufacturer also agrees to random ongoing inspections of their product, its daily testing and the manufacturing procedures. The benefit to the consumer is peace of mind knowing the quality control that has gone on with their windows.
2. The vinyl extrusions of our windows are made exclusively by Acrylon Plastics Inc. (Western Profiles Ltd.) Northome Comfort Windows Inc. then cuts, welds and assembles the product in to a top high efficiency window system second to none on the market. Because we are not interested in making lower grade economy window we can spend all of our energy in the development of a superior window system specifically designed for our climatic market. I would always suggest when evaluating window product, you not only see a sample window for it's operation and hardware, but also a cross section to see construction, wall thickness and weather stripping longevity and replacement ability.
3. The wall thickness on our windows is a minimum of 2mm for exterior walls and 1.5mm on interior walls. Some window products have only 1mm thickness for exterior walls and .5 mm for interior walls. Other windows require steel reinforcing to ensure strength. Still others have less air chambers and require foam insulation to make the frames warmer, but single vinyl walls with foam don’t have as good a screw retention to support hardware and larger triple sealed units. B.F.Goodrich produces the raw vinyl that is used in our windows. They have the largest research and development department and are the leaders in weather ability technologies for vinyl.
4. The weather stripping we use is manufactured from Santoprene. The Monsanto Chemical Company developed Santoprene specifically for use in extreme temperature conditions to maintain consistency of flexibility, which means improved sealing capabilities in cold temperatures. We have always used Santoprene and as much as it is guaranteed with a lifetime warranty, it is totally replaceable with exact original replacement weather stripping. There is one Bulb-type compression seal around the perimeter of the mainframe, one Bulb-type compression seal around the perimeter of the sash and a third fin-type seal around the outside perimeter of the sash. Most windows only have two weather strips and some only have one. All corners of weather stripping are continuous and not split. We are pointing out the weather stripping because we find a lot of companies going to a co-extruded design. Co extruded means when the frame and sash are made, the weather stripping part is vinyl, made black and somewhat flexible (until it gets cold, then it stiffens up) and secured at one small point on the frame or sash. What bothers us about a co-extruded weather stripping design is the probability of the co-extrusion coming away from the frame, the lack of life expectancy, it’s dimensional stability and the difficulty for replacement. It is not anything a homeowner would be able to replace much less find an appropriate replacement material for. All the frames and sashes using co-extrusions must provide a C-channel for after-market replacement weather stripping, but it is a big inconvenience to the homeowner and as I say very difficult to find the right weather-stripping replacement of the same size and configuration especially 5 or 10 years after that particular window is no longer being made. These are our observations and analysis on a co-extruded weather stripping design. We don't mind co-extrusion for interior glazing beads, where they are not subjected to being squeezed and then released, again and again the way the main weather seals are being used all the time. The only one that co-extruded weather-stripping benefits is the fabricator, it does speed up their fabrication time, but it is at the cost of quality, longevity and repair ability. The performance differences is not something readily picked up in a lab testing wind resistance because the superior benefits really only show up when the temperature gets below 13 below Celsius. Laboratory testing does not look at longevity or replace-ability, as testing is always just done at room temperature where the differences between material would not even show up.
5. The hardware used in our window system is top of the line from Truth Hardware Company and Ferco Architectural Hardware and is protected by a limited lifetime warranty of 10 years. The openers are all ENCORE roto-gear type and can be left open at any distance, without being blown closed by the wind. The ENCORE awning window hardware pulls the sash in evenly from both sides, to the cam locks rather than pulling the sash in at the middle, which can distort the sash and prevent engaging of the cam locks. The Multi Point Lock system on both sides ensure tight even fit, without excess wear on roto gear operator. In both casement and awning windows we use the new Multi Point Lock system. A Multi Point Lock means that when you close the window and then throw the single locking lever, it will actually pull the sash in at one to four points along the length of sash, depending on the height of the window. The majority of the time the sash is being pulled in at two to three points on a casement window and one or two points on an awning window. The multi point lock system we use is the latest design and works very easily. Standard on our ENCORE hardware is folding handles, which are moulded and fold into crank case cover for a very functional but still sleek look.
6. With our method of capping and installing windows, your window glass will be mounted closer to the inside. The closer the glass is to the inside, the better warm interior air will circulate past the glass, you will have much less problem with moisture and condensation. The further the glass is from the outside, the less effect wind chill will have on it and you will have better impact protection from flying debris (from an angle). Where frames are being capped, there will be no redecorating, paint, or stain touch-up required. Another benefit of capping is because of the cave effect created on the outside there is less likelihood of rain coming in an open window. If frames are not capped, there may be a very minor amount of touch-up required. We would personally recommend capping the frames and obtaining a totally maintenance free exterior. Very few jobs are done without capping. Capping is available in wide variety of colours.
7. We have designed and created exclusively for our company and our customers a selection of vinyl mouldings. These extrusions are used during the installation procedure to provide the best seal available around your window against air infiltration and exfiltration. No one else in the industry has these mouldings. We developed these concepts through common sense and experience. They help to achieve a far higher window performance, not only due to improved seal capability, but also because the window location is brought even closer to the inside warm air currents and is more protected from outside wind chills. The vinyl extrusions also greatly improve the cosmetics, concealing 95% of all the sealants being used during the installation procedure, they protect the sealant materials from premature deterioration from weathering and UV.
8. Included in our pricing is all extra materials, installation labour, transportation freight costs, taxes, and complete clean up. The price also includes automatic replacement or repair of any minor structural wood (i.e. sill and or plate material only) deemed necessary by our job foreman. Old windows and waste materials will be stacked up neatly or will be loaded in your truck or trailer for removal. Also, upon request, drapes will be re-hung.
9. We can usually install all the windows in an average home in one day with five to eight qualified installers on most jobs. Our Saskatchewan's Workers Compensation Board Number is #56 7613 4.
10. We encourage you to contact any of our previous customers. A complete customer list is available at your request. For more information, or a free in-home consultation, please call the Northome Office.
