Premium vinyl?

[JPM]

Can the pros explain what the term "premium vinyl" means when describing the top vinyl windows from companies like OKNA and Sunrise. Is the the thickness of the vinyl they use or the quality of vinyl used?

[Randy]

1. More titanium dioxide to protect from UV
2. Thicker vinyl
3. Tighter manufacturing tolerances (less slop & lower air leakage rating)
4. Good design elements (sloped sill, 3 point weatherstripping, sash reinforcement, etc.....)
5. Manufacturer with a reputation for quality control and warranty service

[masterext]

Randy hit the nail on the head i would add : More impact modifiers, color stabilizers , heat stabilizers. There are so many vinyl window companies, unfortunately most are made to meet the most minimum standard and most choose to use a cheaper grade pvc material due to cost.

[Windows on Washington]

1. Mil thickness
2. Manufacturing tolerances
3. QA and QC programs in place
4. 3rd certification of products
5. Solid manufacturer and reputation behind the product
6. Consistently delivers the product as ordered and representative of the quality that is expected
7. Premium stock materials as masterext described
8. Anything I missed on Randy's list

[JPM]

Wow, thanks for everyone's answers on this!

[Windows on Washington]

Wow, thanks for everyone's answers on this!

No sweat.

There is a reason that we feel the way that we do about the brands that we do.

[HomeSealed]

Great advice above!
Very generally speaking, an easy way to determine which products are excellent in all of those areas are simply by looking at the thermal and structural performance data. It's very rare that quality and performance are incongruent. Top vinyl windows are seeing u-factors of .25-.27 with standard double pane glass, and air infiltration ratings as low as .01 cfm in double hung config.