Replies

1. 
   Aj Builder, Upstate NY Zone 6a|Jan 29, 2015 11:20am|#1

   Failed seals. I know that can happen. I have installed Pella and no problems to date. Actually have not seen a failed seal in a window I have installed for 3 decades including my own home. And if that happens most window companies have warranties.

   Be nice to hear how your home performs when completed.

2. 
   Nate G|Jan 29, 2015 11:25am|#2

   Those are some huge windows. Have you calculated that the projected BTU gain from the higher SHGC on the Pellas will actually exceed the higher loss from the windows' lower U-values vs Alpen's windows?

3. 
   True South|Jan 29, 2015 11:51am|#3

   Thanks AJ.

   Nathaniel, good question. We did do the calcs and appear to come out ahead with the higher SHGC for those windows (which will be lined up in serial in the main living level of our split level). We have some large fir trees that will cast some shade so have a need to maximize glazing there, and a cliff to the west will limit some intake also (that plus the termal mass and long eaves appear to mitigate excessive summer heat risk).

   踢球是我计划安装一个insulated curtain that is 20' wide x 12' tall and will come down automatically from a soffit each night in front of this window wall. It's two layers of UVR Poly with a 1/4" closed cell foam liner so won't be super high R-value but will also trap an air pocket and is enough to really shift the window calculation in favor of higher SHGC over U value. My builder normally installs an insulated garage door in front of his main window walls but my wife vetoed having that in the main living area so this hidden curtain roll solution is the compromise.

4. 
   True South|May 22, 2015 01:15pm|#4

   I thought I'd post an update for anyone interested that we did go ahead with a mixed package of mostly Alpen windows but also seven Pella Impervia windows where we needed a window taller than 8' (five side by side in the main room) and where we didn't care about Alpen's better U factor and only wanted max SHGC (two very large windows in the "sun space" garage).

   In summary, I am extremely impressed with the Alpen windows. My installers commented even without me asking about how nice those were, all of them straight and true with quality metal flanges. They were happy I didn't buy all Pella windows -- those had a lot of bowing in the frames and the plastic flanges just slide right off, so were difficult to install and needed a lot of shimming to give the appearance of being square with the window trim. I needed windows closer to ~9.5 feet tall and Pella seems to be the only ones doing that in fiberglass, so I think I made the necessary choice there, but Alpen IMHO is really a superior window and I'm very glad I ran across them from prior posts on this site.

   Anyway, the build progresses now -- cavities spray foamed, 3" rigid insulation attached to perimeter of the CMU shell and ready for fiber cement siding now, and standing seam roof on awaiting PV install.

   Cheers,
   Dave

1. 
   Tommy Levanger|May 16, 2019 08:44pm|#5

   Digging up an old one..... How are those Alpen's doing Dave? We are starting the window hunt for McCall, ID climate 6b and the Alpen's are on the short list. What series did you install?
   Thanks,
   Tommy