Window Specifics

I have decided on Fiberglass window frames, from a well-known maker.

Generally, glazing on the south and east wants a higher Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and all windows want a low U-factor (highly insulating). Low U-factors come from multiple glazing and low-E coatings, but these reduce the amount of visible light transmitted (VT) to varying degrees. 

At 7,000 ft altitude of Taos, Argon filling is only available in certain sizes because the panes are sealed around the edge and the gas expands and breaks the seal unless the gas is filled at high altitude or the edge spacer is of special design. At 7,000 ft the shorter glass dimension (excluding frame) must be ≥20 and <25 inches.

Milgard Ultra

Available through Alpine Lumber, Angel Fire, NM

Spacers EdgeGuardMax, which is stainless steel from PPG, reducing condensation at the edges.

SunCoat Low-E2 or hard Low-E coating with Argon filling for high visible transmittance, and higher solar heat gain (SHGC) for south-facing windows.

Possibly SunCoatMax Low-E3 for north-facing windows.

Fiberglass screens in extruded aluminum frames.

Frame is 2 3/8” wide. Frames come with fold-out nailing fins, except for “Full Block Frame”. How are these installed? They can be screwed in. Clips are not available. 

Specifications here.

Pella Impervia

Available through Lowe’s, Española, or Santa Fe showroom.

NaturalSun Low-E glazing on south and east-facing windows. AdvancedComfort Low-E glazing for north-facing windows.

White inside, brown or tan outside

Between-glass traditional 3/4” contour grills.

Pella InView screens

Block Frame (no nailers)

Clips (3 each side + 2 top and bottom) are screwed into window frame, then into the wall box. 

Cross-sections here.

Marvin Integrity Ultrex

Available through Solar Glass Windows, Santa Fe. Bob Heller 505/231-5313.

This may be the only window available with Argon filling for high altitudes. We may have to specify tempered glass for smaller windows.

Exterior ‘cashmere’, interior ‘stone white’. Hardware finish ‘almond frost’.

Rectangular Grille between panes, white inside. 11/16”

Fiberglass screen with aluminum frame

Sheetrock return is available.

Exterior trim is available, but I don’t know enough to specify.

Nailing fins are removable and brackets are available for installation. 

Installation instructions have small drawings and are hard to read.

Diagrams, specs, here.

WeatherShield EnduraShield

Available through Window Depot of Taos (575) 758-4473 or SunWest, Santa Fe.

Exterior Brick Red color; interior seems to be stained, primed, or painted wood.

Installed with clips (per installation instructions).

Section drawings here.  

Can be ordered without integral nailing fins.

Thermal performance data here.

Available with Warm Edge spacer

Fibertec

No dealers listed. I have asked (25 Oct)

Fiberglass casement windows in their 300 series.

“Heat Mirror” film between the panes.

Jeld-Wen

Dealer in Taos (Design Glass)

Offer only Aluminum, wood, or vinyl - no fiberglass.

“Our windows feature an aluminum spacer bar. Our Custom Wood line is a custom product that upon approval from the plant can be manufactured using structural foam spacers.”

Cascade

Closest dealer in Albuquerque.

Per their web site, they only offer PCV (vinyl) frames in 3 1/4” width. 

Colors: white, almond, gray are available, exterior painted optional

Warm Edge spacers standard, SuperSpacer optional

Low-E and argon optional

Sierra-Pacific

Showroom in Taos. [Turns out that the local dealer gives very good customer service. This was my ultimate choice, and I'm happy with it.]

Make only wood and aluminum-clad window frames.

Drawings are not available on their web site.

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