OKNA Eco Pro 600 with grids

[willwils]

I've got quotes on OKNA 600 & 800(2 different dealers), Alside Mezzo, Vinylmax Franklin, Gentek Signature(think it maybe same as Alside?), & Provia. Here's the thing.... I'm leaning towards the Okna 600, but must have flat grids between the double pane glass(per my HOA). After questioning the dealer and him checking with Okna I learned that those grids are aluminum! Also that caused the u factor to go up to .29 instead of .27 w/o grids. Should I be concerned about that and that they say the frame is more narrow than some. Didn't like the small lift handles on the Okna 800 especially since it was much different than the other vinyl windows we've replaced b4 all which had the wide lift handles. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[Ricknez]

If they are double hungs, the factor would remain .27 regardless of grids. Thats a fact for the Okna.

[TheWindowNerd]

You can order the 800 with out lift handle. Most of us open and close our window the same way: unlock the sash , wrap your fingers under the CMR and push up. To close put your hands on top of the sash CMR and push down then lock. Clean and easy, many of our clients like it that way.

[Delaware Mike]

You don't need to be worried about the slimmer profile of the ONKA frame platforms. Their extrusions are well engineered and designed to be strong enough not to have any bowing and warping. It has to do with cross "I-beam" multiple walls as reinforcement for strength and not just bulky larger extrusions with bigger and less reinforced chambers. When I pull out builder's grade 25-year Capital MI low-grade vinyl DH units, they have much slimmer frames and sashes to cut cost and aren't strong enough and feature almost too much glass more like a dated aluminum window, thus the OKNA frames will be more robust than something like that. Sounds like the 600dx is the most ideal for your concerns and is certainly much more of a window than some of the other products that you're considering. All internal grids are aluminum that I know of by the way.

[willwils]

Thanks all. Tried to make another reply but got deleted as was the draft. However, tried to copy/paste and also attach nfrc data dealer/contractor sent me showing increase from .27 to .29 ufactor for the proposed 600 ECO pro w/grids, but this website or my computer won't allow(only 555 kb when converting word doc to pdf). Delaware Mike do believee all brands use aluminum for grids?

[willwils]

BTW, for clarification, these are DOUBLE hung windows. One would be in bathroom and was told that requires tempered glass. Is that correct in Pennsylvania?

[Delaware Mike]

Yes, from my experience. The temps could get pretty brutal inside of the lite's of glass, thus the material must be very strong. We, along with many of the other pros here install or see these units and NFRC labels everyday and I don't see the numbers jumping like that. OKNA internal grids would look no different than even Andersen, Marvin, or Pella's contoured internal grids. You can google the universal building code for tempered glass and bathroom application and proximity to the tub and drain to see if you actually need that.

[Windows on Washington]

BTW, for clarification, these are DOUBLE hung windows. One would be in bathroom and was told that requires tempered glass. Is that correct in Pennsylvania?

Tempered is required inside of wet areas so most bathrooms require it.

[Ricknez]

All window companies use aluminum grids between the glass.
If you add grids to the Okna 600 double hung, the Ufactor does NOT worsen and go from a .27 to a .29, thats simply not true. The salesman is wrong.

[willwils]

Thanks. I would think that if salesman asks OKNA they should be able to definitively provide the NFRC CPD rating number for the quoted windows, right? I say that since Okna refuses to discus with me directly.

[Delaware Mike]

Like Rick stated, the salesman is incorrect.

[Ricknez]

The Okna 600 "deluxe" double hung is a .27 factor regardless of grids or not. The non deluxe, is a .29 regardless of grids. If you are getting the deluxe which is a foam filled frame and sash, it will be a .27. That may be where the salesman's confusion arises from.

[HomeSealed]

+1. I believe the sales rep is probably comparing deluxe to non-deluxe. Grids don't change the u factor.

I'd also reinforce what the other pro's have said, in that the 600/eco pro is a strong window, and also that the aluminum grids are pretty universal regardless of product. This is not unique to Okna for better or worse.

What color are you considering for the window? I only ask as some colors only have contour Gbg's available, particularly the woodgrains. If you are choosing white then you are safe for flat grids.

[WindowsDirectCinci]

just to chime in grids usually change the SHGC a point or so. Not sure about with Okna but Id assume the same. Maybe the rep is referencing that

[masterext]

Thats a good point windowsdirectcinci. He may be referring to the sghc which is much more inconsequential than the U-Factor. As far as grids, aluminum is standard for every manufacturer that I know of. I do think Okna offers flat grids with black exterior.