Replies

1. 
   Jim_M | Oct 09, 1999 05:22am | #1

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   I've used Kolbes in the past and they have worked real well. I am going to try Weathershield out though because I don't like my local Kolbe supplier.

2. 
   Guest_ | Oct 09, 1999 06:27am | #2

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   Aluminum clad holds up very well. If you want as maintenance free an exterior as possible with large color options & a wood interior, it's the way to go.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 09, 1999 08:21am | #3

   *Sparky:FYI, there are 2 types of aluminum clad windows. One is the type where the sheet metal is wrapped around a wood window. The other is where the exterior of the window is formed from extruded aluminum, and then attahced to a wood interior.My experience with painted aluminum is that after 20 - 30 years the paint becomes chalky - but doesn't peel. Of course, you gotta assume that the paint they use now a days is probably more high tech than something from 20 years ago.As far as painting amumium - read this - it should help.http://www.askthebuilder.com/cgi-bin/column?274

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 10, 1999 08:09am | #4

   *Does anyone know if the type of thermal break in the aluminum cladding makes much of an impact on the overall thermal efficiency of the window?

3. 
   Sparky | Oct 13, 1999 12:37am | #5

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   Matt G. THanks a lot for your info and especially the link to the "painting aluminum" issue.It was a huge help and the aluminum clad windows are not looking too bad for my building project. SPARKY

1. 
   Designer_Donna | Oct 13, 1999 03:15am | #6

   *Hello from Ottawa Canada. I'm in the midst of trying to educate myself, to then turn around and advise a client on what type of windows to purchase.We will be replacing all the windows in their three storey early 1900's brick home. They have no preference for finish (vinyl / aluminum) other than -of course- they want the exterior to be maintenance free. I'm about to read through a article from FHB issue #97 September 1995 titled - "Taking a look at Windows"........Is this the latest and greatest article on this topic?....1995! Any info on more recent articles would be appreciated, or any hands-on advice....By the way, these clients can afford the best, but they need to know why something is considered the best.ThanksDonna

4. 
   Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 03:45am | #7

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   Donna:

   There was an article about 4/99 in JLC. It addressed energy efficiency and windows. It covered different window technolgies such as coatings, films & gas fill.

   Also, here is some URLs:

   http://www.efficientwindows.org/

   http://www.nwwda.org/

   http://www.thermotechwindows.com/guide.htm

   Casey:

   The thermal break is the wood interior. As far as the effect of Al. cladding on energy eficiency, with the Kolbes that I just boungt, the effect is minimal.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 04:41am | #8

   *Matt - Did you consider the K-Kron treatment Kolbe+Kolbe offers instead of aluminum clad? - jb

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 06:15am | #9

   *Jim:Actually, I used both... K-Kron on the brick portions of the house (front & sides)- I wanted the brick mold look, and clad on the sided portion (back) of the house.I think they are a good value for the $. Nice fit & finish. The insides are stain grade.The only negitive things I can say about Kolbe - the way the interior stool fits on is a little weird, and they seem to operate kinda stiff.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 06:20am | #10

   *Jim - We've put in a lot of Kolbe & Kolbe with the K-Kron, and I like it a lot. No problems so far.

5. 
   Designer_Donna | Oct 13, 1999 07:32am | #11

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   Hi Matt G.
   Thanks for the info. The Thermotech website is excellent...lots of good technical info...and to think it's in my own backyard here in Ottawa. Their fibreglass pultrusion construction sounds appealing for our climate. I knew that Marchand made this type of window but they are extremely high-end...I'll check into Thermotech's pricing this week.
   Thanks again
   Donna

6. 
   Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 09:42am | #12

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   Nick, Matt - here in our mild climate aluminum was king until the mid 80s when vinal took over. We seldom use wood windows here. Last week I spent a couple days lookin' at wood sliding glass doors, and that K+K with K-Kron was the best lookin' thing I found. If I were in the market for wood doors + windows, I'd have a hard time not thinkin' seriously about them. Still don't like the Pine all those companies use though. - jb

7. 
   david_ingle | Oct 14, 1999 04:04am | #13

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   I usually build upper bracket homes and have tried most of the major brands( Anderson,Weathershield,Marvin,Pella,etc).I perfer to use the Pella. They may be a little pricey, but I think they're a little better window. Another consideration I have is the local dealer/supplier....and I believe most areas are setup the same way as here.....the dealer will help you if you need them, not just sell you the product and let you work out any problems you may have, they have their own service department. They also have a good line of replacement accessories to help out with replacements(i.e...to make windows fit existing openings in brick). Most of these homeowners want maintance free homes now-a-days or as close to that as possible, so cladding is definitely the way to go on the windows in my opinion.

8. 
   Guest_ | Oct 14, 1999 04:04am | #14

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   Any body have experience using Aluminum clad windows? It seems every manufacturer is offering them.My only concern is how do they hold up to the elements? Does the finish peel,haze,crack,fade?, and if so ,can these be repainted and would it be a pain in the neck? I know most companies offer a ten year warranty.All input really appreciated. Sparky