I'm looking into replacing eight windows in my home in Indiana. Using the information I have learned by reading this forum, I narrowed my options to two, and I'm having trouble picking one.
The windows I need are:
- one 3 section sider 84*60 with 1/4 /1/2 1/4 ratio
- two 2 section slider 54*46
- one double-hung 24*36
My choices are:
1. Provia Aspect with TLA glass for about 7600
2. Sunrise Vanguard with Omega 12 glass for about 9800
Both installation companies are similar in reputation and will not offer other window options.
My thoughts:
I know Provia Aspect is not as good a window as Sunrise Vanguard. However, Provia is offering a triple-pane against Sunrise's double-pane. The Sunrise salesman is claiming superior performance with two panes, but the U factor of the Sunrise is quite a bit worse than the Provia (0.27 vs. 0.19). He also claimed that since the windows I'm replacing are all western facing, the Omega 12 glass has superior SHGC (0.21 vs. 0.23). Here in Northwest Indiana (i.e., next to Chicago), I feel resistance against cold (U-factor) is more critical compared to heat (SHGC). Looking at the numbers, not sure how to read Sunrise vs. Provia in air leakage (<0.3 vs. 0.09 cfm/ft²).
Looking at the numbers, would the triple pane of Provia perform better than the double pane from Sunrise? Does the improvement in quality from Sunrise to Vanguard justify the increased cost at one less pane? Any recommendation for someone I should speak to in the area?
I appreciate your help!