OKNA Eco Pro 600 with grids

[willwils]

That's a good observation. I went to the Okna dealers shop and the very experienced owner( not the salesman), showed me an deluxe(foam filled frame)OKNA window w/grids b4 install like I was quoted. The label showed the .27 u factor. See label ATTACHED.
But I'm between the OKNA double hung EcoPro 600 deluxe(Heatseal warm edge spacer) and the Alside Mezzo "ClimaTechThermD" w/foam cavity + stainless steel spacer etc from a different window dealer. I didn’t consider his suggested alternate Northeast brand window. These I insisted on to get both brands @ .27 u factor. For 4 windows(1 w/tempered glass for bathroom). However, i can't find any Alside windows on the NFRC website! Associated Material download is too big to view.. Mezzo OKNA is $3,815.00 and Alside Mezzo is $3,640.00. Which would you recommend?

[WindowsDirectCinci]

Okna hands down, you’ll find Alside listed under AMI and the “foam cavity” is laughable compared to virtually every other brands foam filled frames

[willwils]

Thanks for the quick reply.
Mezzo to get the .27 u factor is saying it's an 'ENHANCED" CAVITY FOAM OPTION. Is that what your referring or something else from Alside? Also, theirs the issue of the Mezzo Stainless Steel Intercept warm edge spacer vs the OKNA Heatseal(Duralite?) warm edge non-metal spacer and whether it will hold up over time. Do you still think the OKNA is better choice?

[Ricknez]

The frame of the mezzo is flimsy. Okna is the better choice by a mile.

[willwils]

BTW, both dealers quoted with white aluminum capping. Is that normal for white vinyl replacement windows? Or is it compensating for poor measuring? Once many years ago in my old house the contractor must have measured short and stuffed in fiberglass insulation + 1/4 round on inside to fill-in the gaps. But, I don't recall the capping. The measuring + poor manufacturer(B.F. Rich) weatherstripping etc were so bad the mfg supplied new windows several years later & I paid for another contractor to measure & install.

[Ricknez]

Capping has absolutely nothing to do with measuring and capping is 100% normal.

[HomeSealed]

1) As the other pros have stated, the Okna is an EASY choice here. It is worth a substantial premium in this comparison, the fact that the $ is close makes it truly a no-brainer.
The Mezzo has been the window of choice for Window World for some time if that offers added perspective.

2) Exterior capping covers the exterior trim to reduce maintenance. Its purpose is not to cover measuring errors.

3) Regarding your previous install, while its hard to know without more details, its not uncommon on a replacement window installation to use 1/4 round on the interior, particularly on casements where it is needed to cover the edge of the window. Fiberglass or foam (preferably) foam should be used to seal around the window as well, and then the exterior is typically finished with aluminum cladding.