Blog #11 - Shopping for windows for our custom home

Window deliveries are 20-30 weeks out so we had to start shopping for windows and sliding doors for our house. Especially because our house has A LOT of windows. All the three floors facing east are essentially a wall of siding doors. The west on the other hand is full of windows. Just a preview of the west facing windows!

Rendering by @notionworkshop, Architected by @stephensoncollective

After a lot of research and keeping the following factors in mind, we decided to go with Kolbe windows.

1. Energy efficiency: We were looking for windows with a high energy-efficient rating, such as those with Low-E coatings or high-performance glass packages.

2. Style: We wanted to choose windows that complement the style of our home and fit with our design preferences. We also wanted sliding doors that were each 5-6 inches in width and 10 ft high.

3. Material: We wanted an option of both wood and Aluminum cladded windows. Climate was a huge factor in this decision. Since the PNW gets a lot of rain, we wanted the exposed windows to be aluminum clad.

4. Price: Because of the sheer volume of windows, we looked for companies that provide good value for the price, considering energy savings, durability, and performance.

5. Warranty: Look for windows with a good warranty, covering both the product and the installation. This will help protect your investment and ensure that you get the most value for your money.

6. Professional installation: Professional installation was important for ensuring that our windows were properly installed and will perform as intended. Although our building is going to find a vendor for installation, we wanted to go with a window company that provided all the support needed during installation.

Choosing windows with low-emissivity (LOE) coatings

Low-emissivity (LOE) coatings are thin, transparent coatings applied to glass surfaces to reduce the amount of heat that is transferred through the glass. LOE coatings work by reflecting heat back into the room, while still allowing light to pass through the glass.

The return on investment of different low-emissivity (LOE) coatings on windows depends on several factors, including the cost of the coating, the type of window, the climate, and energy savings. In the Pacific Northwest, the ROI of LOE coatings varies but can be substantial, given the region's moderate climate and high energy costs. Here are some factors that impact the ROI of LOE coatings in the Pacific Northwest:

1. Climate: The Pacific Northwest has a mild climate, with moderate temperatures, making it ideal for energy-efficient windows with LOE coatings.

2. Energy costs: The region has some of the highest energy costs in the country, which increases the potential for savings from energy-efficient windows.

3. Type of window: The ROI of LOE coatings will vary based on the type of window, with larger, older windows typically offering greater savings potential.

4. Coating cost: The cost of the LOE coating is a key factor in the ROI calculation. Higher-quality, more expensive coatings may offer greater energy savings, but the ROI will depend on the specific product and the cost.

LOE 276 or LOE 360

Low-E (low-emissivity) 276 and 360 are two different types of low-emissivity coatings used on windows. The numbers refer to the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of the coatings, which measures the amount of solar heat that is transmitted through the glass.

• Low-E 276 has an SHGC of 0.276, which means it allows 27.6% of the sun's heat to pass through the glass. This type of coating is typically used in climates with moderate to hot summers, where some solar heat gain is desirable, but not too much.

• Low-E 360, on the other hand, has an SHGC of 0.360, meaning it allows 36% of the sun's heat to pass through the glass. This type of coating is typically used in climates with cool to mild summers, where a higher level of solar heat gain is desired to help keep the home warm in the winter.

In general, Low-E 360 coatings tend to be slightly more expensive than Low-E 276 coatings because they are designed to provide a higher level of solar heat gain, which requires a more advanced and technologically advanced coating.

Final Decision

For our west and east facing windows we have decided to go with LOE 360 coatings since we will have direct sunlight getting into the house. For North and South, we decided to go with LOE 270.

Windows and Doors cost :

Overall, our windows and sliding door budget was 10% of the overall budget. That’s how many windows we have. 😊