Does anybody know of a window manufacturer who makes/sells double hung windows that are very energy efficient?
jumanji
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
We are building a home that has what I would call a farmhouse look. Does anyone know of a double hung winnow that would be considered very energy efficient. We are considering European or European style casement, tilt and turns with simulated divided lights. Truthfully, it would be a lot easier to use a conventional double hung window that would fit aesthetically with this home design. I like the energy efficiency of good casements but with the added expense of adding Simulated divided lights it may be easier to go with double hung windows. We are in climate zone 4.
Thanks
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
Hi William,
I found these in my research which i really like from Zola.
http://www.zolawindows.com/simulateddoublehung/
and Loewen makes some true double hungs (thanks to Nathan G for the reference)
http://www.loewen.com/app/loewen/test/windows/windowStyles/doubleHung/index.html
good luck.
The Zola's are SIMULATED double hungs. In other words, they are not true double hungs and the bottom pane actually is a tilt and turn while the top portion stays fixed.
True double hungs tend to leak A LOT of air because of the moveable windows. It's just part of the design.
What Zone 4 climate are you building in? Have you looked at Intus Windows?
Alok, Thanks for the information on Zola. We may have to consider a design that utilizes simulated divided lights. I have a suspicion that Zola may be out of our price range. Someone has suggested Intus as an alternative. Does anyone have experience with them.
Peter, Thanks for the information. We are building in Southeastern Pa. We are very close to zone 5. I may plan as though we are in zone 5.
William: we installed Intus triple pane Windows and doors in our new house a few months ago. Haven't moved in yet, but they seem well made, with nice hardware. We got a PH level blower door test result and the windows performed well, with no air leakage, even with the blower cranked up well beyond 50 pascals.
Price was surprisingly reasonable. They were all either fixed or tilt-turn.
For a porch outside the conditioned space, we used Kohltech double pane casements, which are pretty nice also.
Stephen: Thanks for the reply and information. I am leaning toward Intus. As you know they are reasonable when y ou compare to other European windows but still a large investment. The home we are planning will be very energy efficient but not rise to the "Passivhaus" standard. I did not want to overspend on windows, keeping in mind the balance of efficiency and cost.
Hi William,
We have Loewen windows with Prairie Grids, in our 1925 renovated home. True double hung. GORGEOUS windows with intricate details on them. Details you will be having a hard time finding from any other manufacturars. I wanted triple pane, but in the end the wife was right. Could not have true double hung in triple pane. These double hung double pane windows impressed the radiant engineer. Never forget, when going double hung, the leakage you will get will negate the usefulness for triple pane. When wanting esthetics and full double hung I fear you will have a hard time finding a better window over the Loewen. Built by menonites in Manitoba Canada. THAT says a lot about their quality as well. And yes... you get what you pay for... We're in 4C, Seattle. Glad to have chosen quality double pane, alu clad, fir, over a compromised, if even possible, triple pane "other brand" double hung. Solid locking into the rubbers on these things.. THAT Is maybe the most important thing on ANY window.
Jan,
Thanks so much for responding with great information. I will definitely look into Loewen windows. I appreciate you giving me the details as it gives me another avenue to consider. This is a new experience for us and I never realized the number of decisions to insure we end up with a quality home.
Alpen windows out of Colorado's 525 and 725 series offer double hung. Check styles and sizes. They make some amazing windows!
David,
Thanks for the heads up I will check them out.
Hi William,
This reminds me of exactly what my cousin had asked me sometime before. He was building a new house and the only criteria he wanted the windows to satisfy was to have those be energy efficient. We found a place near Toronto who provide durable, energy efficient hung windows( http://www.landmarkquality.com/windows/double-hung/ )who had a great collection and many options to choose from. Not only that the variations in color and the type of glass is also an added advantage.
Ask manufactures, I’ve found that historic areas like NY, have fixed double hung that look like double hung...they tilt and turn which makes them much more energy efficient l...like Zola?
You'll have to become familiar with and compare specs of similar double hung windows. They all sell "energy efficient" windows. Frame choices (Vinyl, Wood, Vinyl clad wood, Composite, Fiberglass) all have positives and negatives (i.e. cost) The skillset of the installers is the most important piece and that's a local issue.
Cardinal Glass provides the glazing for the vast majority of window manufacturers in the US so just about any local window supplier can build an energy efficient window for you
Fake, or more politely, simulated DH windows are still fake. I believe that all (especially visible) elements of a building should reflect its true nature to the greatest degree possible. Sure, use a European casement or tilt turn with simulated divided lights, but make the divisions an overall grid, rather than faking a 6 over 6 DH. That said, we've been using Loewen DH in zone 5 and found them terrific windows and had no problem passing blower door tests.