So, I had finally decided to order Marvin Integrity windows when I thought I would do one last bit of research. I checked out the on the window efficiency rating though a Government of Canada website. (same as the US NFRC ratings). I discovered that Integrity is not rated for climate zone C, which I am in, only A&B. I spoke to the Marvin rep who said the U value on Integrity is .29, but needs to be .28 to be rated Climate zone C. He didn’t try to tell me it didn’t matter, but that the little bit of diffence may not be an issue – as not only am I at the bottom of zone C bordering B, but the windows are for a seasonal residence. ( although it will be heated year round with geo-thermal heat and we will use it sometime in the winter, when the weather is decent, not -40)
Has anyone in northern cold states had experience with Integrity windows? Should I be concerned?
Replies
Don't know a lot about ratings & such, but Integrity's are about 90% of what I & other carpenters use here in my little area of Minnesota. You should be fine, IMHO.
Mike
Thanks Mike, can I ask how the pine is to stain? Do you condition it first?
I don't do any finishing of them, my painter takes care of that. Not sure if they condition the pine or not. I do know they get stain custom matched to give the pine the same color as the window casing.
Mike
Any raw pine is a good idea to condition first. I install the Integrity line and yes, when it's stained, I always use the Minwax conditioner.
Instead of conditioner -- use a shellac wash coat.
What is a shellac wash coat? Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Light coat of shellaccan be rubbed on like washing with a rag.Shellac is a good conditioner.
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Thanks so much, I really appreciate the advice. I wish I had found this site earlier in our process.
On a similar matter, with pine tongue & groove interior siding, someone told me that the back side of the boards needs to be coated /finished? Something about it then drying evenly? Does this make sense?
Absolutely. Thinned down coat of shellac works fine.
I used the Minwax pre-stain on my Andersen 400 windows, but they still came out blotchy. What is the best way to try again? Sand them down and perhaps use the shellac wash? Thanks.
You may have stained the windows too late after applying the Minwax stuff. there's only a 45 minute (or something like that) window of opportunity, otherwise it won't work.
But yeah, I would do the shellac wash and try it again.
I would not be concerned in the least. Keep in mind that testing is done under optimal conditions. The composite material used in the Integrity windows is more likely to remain in the same condition 5-10 years from now, while wood frames and sashes will have done some moving and wil not longer fit quite as tight.
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
A point of clarification on;
"Integrity is not rated for climate zone C"
It would be more accurate to say;
"Integrity doesn't meet the Energy Star requirements for Zone C"
(for American readers the CDN version of E-Star for windows has four zones, cleverly named A, B, C & D. Zone A is the warmest zone; essentially the banana belt around Vancouver. Zone D is the coldest zone; essentially the land of the white bears).
That is absolutley more accurate -thanks. Upon a little further research, there are no dual pane windows energy star rated for climate zone C. Only triple pane makes the grade. Since we are having geo-thermal lake loop heating, we had decided dual pane with low 3 & argon would be enough for a mostly seasonal residence. I have ordered the Integrity - apparently the first in Winnipeg to do so. Crossing my fingers it will work out ok.
It'll work out. If you need more..add storm windows. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07