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GBlist: Windows in "Affordable Housing"

In a message dated 97-08-30 06:43:00 EDT, you write:

<< First or all, I'd better be careful here because I have yet to have these
 windows installed and in use in a project of mine. I have one of each of
 the three manufacturers deliver to my offices a sample window, and my
 partners and I have gone over them fairly thoroughly. I have a client who
 has taken delivery of a shipment of these windows from Thermotech, but we
 have yet to fully experience them in action.
 
 I think these windows make sense for good houses in my (NE) climate because
 of their general level of quality and durability (we'll see about the
 latter, but it looks promising). But most especially because of the glazing
 upgrade oppportunity mentioned in my last posting - one can buy a decent
 (double pane low-e, argon) glazing panel now and upgrade in ten or twenty
 years (in principle) to a superglazed panel when the market place costs are
 more in accord with the *real* costs - ie as the hidden environmental costs
 are revealed and progressively become factored into the market place.  The
 sash and frame remain.  All that embodied energy and effort invovled in
 producing and installing the bulk of the window can be there, and be good
 for a very long time. The glazing panel can track independently. Long life
 ... loose fit... low energy - it is really hard to get this combination.
 The *loose fit* between the glazing panel and sash (I should mention that
 the sash can be retroactively accept a triple glazed panel where a thinner,
 double glazed panel was previously)  ... is a valuable quality I think. And
 one that contributes a special shade of green-ness to those prodcuts that
 think about things in this way.
 
 Bruce Coldham
 ARC Design Group >>

Bruce,

I find your post and decision-making most interesting.  You have made a big
leap from "window as disposable in 5 to 7 year" item to "window as a living
part of the long term dynamic of a house.  Kudos....

However, I am still interested in the "starting point" for determining the
appropriate window for your use/climate/lifestyle, etc.  It seems that you
doing some type of cost-benefit assessment to "justify" the more expensive
first-cost windows.  Any insight you can share with those of us trying to
encourage better window choices?

By the way, what are the NFRC U-value and SHGC ratings on those windows? And
are you using the same glazing on each orientation? and what about the
"greenness" of the framing materials?  Any info you can share is appreciated!

Chris Mathis
MCSquared

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