Glass is cheap, until you have to replace it. I used to build those multi-point window and door systems at a start-up called AstraSeal way back in 1982. They were far too expensive and did not take off. Superb product, just more quality than people wanted to pay for. I know how the mitered corners were hidden: sanding and buffing. We only had white frames, but they were spectacular.
“Until you have to replace it…” maybe I’m the odd man out here, but at age 62, I have never replaced a piece of glass in any of my homes. That said, I can’t imagine it to be significantly different from doing so in any of the crap Andersen Narrowlines in my current residence. Maybe a little longer to get the part, but, again, glass is literally something I’ve never needed.
Wow! I am so sad that the company you built windows for in 1982 didn’t work out. Maybe they had poor marketing. Did you put those windows in your house? Do you know how to still build those windows?
@@pat6703 The parent company was out of Germany and still in business, but I don't recall their name. They were the first vinyl frame in this area and priced as high as Anderson Windows, so skepticism abounded, and I surely could not afford them.
The piece at 10:30 is the way to go. Metal and plastic are not bad as frame material but when it comes to longevity and functionality, wood is what you want to have. It's easy to maintain, repair and adjust for a loooong time.
A couple weeks ago I purchased 5 windows for an addition project and would have liked to use Schuco Windows, but that is too small of an order. The shipping charges on an entire container is over $8,000! If a company could figure out how to bundle small orders together to save on shipping, then I believe a lot more people would consider doors and windows from Europe, which are an excellent quality.
That must be for the large container. I paid that much to move a car and a whole bunch of household stuff from Toronto to Rijeka, Croatia. The shipper told be that the smaller container would have been half the price. You can also share a container with someone else, so you will pay half as much. Talk to the shippers.
Great video, why aren’t the companies in America building to these standards? He was talking about the frame locking all the way around the frame, In Italy there front door had one inch pins all the way around there door with three pins in the top and bottom, the sides have four to five of these pins. When you lock there door there are three to four turns to there lock and that correlates to how deep the pins go into the door frame.
Unfortunately most Americans cannot afford a quality built home. The problem is that Europeans pay a fair price for quality, but here in America we get ripped off if we want quality. We get badly overcharged. I've started my building project in just the last week and it is absurd what companies want to charge for mediocre hardware. I'm getting my door hardware shipped from Germany because all we can get here is dated inferior junk or badly overcharged for mediocre junk. I can get a much higher quality door hardware for about what I'd pay for mediocre hardware here.
@@MrJFoster1984 Rehau is one of the better and more expensive ones if we talking about 1 st class Rehau, because they have also a lower class as well. For non trained eye it is hard to distinguish between
They have not mentioned the "micro ventilation" function of european windows. When You put the handle to 2 clock position the window unlocks but do not opens and You has milimeter spaces around the seals for ventilation.
That is not enough ventilation, it may be used when you need to dry out some things or remove some odors of a fresh build, but airflow is too small, so no real use to get fresh air. But yeah that function is a good one for some applications
4:45 correct here in the most of the EU in passive houses (majority of the new houses are passive because of the regulations) windows are opened only when they need to be cleaned that's it
Wow Steve, Great Tour! These Schuco UPVC windows are a must have. Can these be ordered with storm glass for coastal areas? You're so right, we almost never open our windows, so that will help offset cost. I guess code may require some window open? Cheers, Eric
there are security options like laminated or pre-stressed glass, fire retardening gel, sound dampening, etc so i'm pretty sure there is some option that'd suit the need ;)
the "quad glass" is not a quad IGU. a quad IGU has really low thermal conductivity values. the "quad glass" that you see in this video is really a triple glazed IGU with a fourth window. this configuration can reduce the u-value below that of a triple glazed window alone but the u-value would not be as low as it would be for a true quad IGU.
@@ccwnyc5671 i thought that they said that the lite was laminated (not tempered), so the lite would be thicker because it was laminated. but people don't usually implement safety glass (such as laminated or tempered glass) unless a building code provision requires it. so i don't know why the outer lite was laminated (or tempered).
finally ACTUAL windows :D I've worked in a carpentry shop doing both rehau plastic and wooden windows on custom sizes (i'm a german carpenter) and yeah, it's so little difference to get custom sizes ... just in case they don't mention it: you can get white inside and color / "wood" outside, too ;)
Very difficult with the pivot and tilt windows to deal with window treatments on the inside. Screens are also an issue. I lived in Germany with similar windows. One other thing they have, in many countries, are rolladen, a metal screen built into the exterior and is used to give light control, security, blackout option. It lifts and lowers with a band that is located inside at the side of the window system.
How is there an issue? Screens are easy to to attach, so is also anything you want to put on from the inside. Any hardware store in Germany has a whole section for this purpose.
Hello another good video but I am surprised that there is no coverage on blinds for European windows. We still do need blinds on these windows and NO I am not referring to the rolling hurricane shutters they use in Europe on the outside. I am talking about blinds/shades that we can quickly operate to let light in with privacy or be completely closed for darkness and privacy. Can you shed any light on options and examples of what works in the US? Thanks.
Seen many of these style windows in action in Europe, and have also seen a showroom/manufacturer in Bosnia. Our window technology in North America is stuck in Stone Age. My dad's old place in Europe had windows made of two operable leafs, and each leaf was sealed, double glazed. So, that means that they were quadruple glazed.
you apparently are not aware of this, but they do make triple glazed windows in the US; and those triple glazed windows perform better against US testing than do european windows. the issue is that relatively few people in the US buy triple glazed windows. the problem is that there is not enough incentive given to people to buy them: builders are primarily driven by "cost per square foot" considerations, so they aren't going to do anything (by way of energy efficiency) that they don't have to do because energy efficiency doesn't sell houses.
@@paperwait9611 I know they make triple glazed windows in North America. I have used Loweven triple glazed windows as an architect on one of my jobs In Ontario, Canada. I think Pella makes them, and so does Marwin. It's not all in the number of glass lites you have in a window; there is a lot more to it. Subdivision builders don't give a crap about quality nor energy efficiency, because there is nothing for them there. Custom home builders sometimes are a different breed, but they are driven by client demands and architects requirements.
@@apscoradiales subdivision builders are trying to sell houses. most people aren't willing to pay for more energy efficient houses and, unlike europe, US building codes don't force builders to build more energy efficient houses. custom builders are generally not "a different breed" in the US.
thanks for this very interesting video. Btw, the walk through window is actually a door for balkonies or even terraces when they have large fixed windows next to them.
What are the benefits of using newer wood vs older woods? I would imagine an older wood would be denser, hence stronger. Is that not something you would want? Weight? Unnecessary? Thermal conductivity?
so question: all this built up frame locking, what kinda glass are we using and how well can it defend against a "smash and grab" entry? would this be negatively affected by 3M's Polycarbonate Laminate security coatings?
Can you buy these direct or do you have to go thru a dealer? And can a homeowner do the install themselves or do they require a contractor? I'm asking because I have found it isn't the manufacturer that makes windows overly expensive, it's the dealers and especially the contractors. If the markup isn't terrible I'm willing to purchase from a dealer but under no circumstances will I purchase thru a contractor!!
Ok, would like to see one install. We have been using these windows for about 10+ yrs. In the Faroe Islands (EU) located in the middle of the north Atlantic Ocean. Never have I've seen an install with a sloped window sill in any window or door install. So I'm just curious, if it is necessary or not. For what I have seen there has not been any issues.
@@AriSamson09 Ok so in the UK we tend to use sloped sills, probably to keep the traditional look. Sloped sills were to prevent standing water rotting timber frames. Plastic or aluminium frames won't rot. The amount of water coming out of the weep holes is negligible anyway compared to actual rainfall. So I suppose choice is yours.
These windows are so impressive. It's unfortunate that the industry in the USA is so resistant to adopt these great international ideas. Greed rules in the USA, so industry investment in advancing product design or manufacturing processes is skipped in favor of more profits. As always, the knowledge base and concern for his clients that Steve possesses are unmatched. It'd be a privileged to have him design my dram home and have Matt build it. I'm seriously considering retiring to TX in about 8 years so it could actually happen!
you're getting suckered by marketing hype. US windows are optimized to US test standards. the u-values that you see quoted for european windows are usually against less rigorous european testing standards (they are less rigorous in europe because european countries tend to not get as cold as northern areas in the US get).
@@paperwait9611 That's just false. Average winter temperatures in northern areas in the US are the same as in say Poland. You have to go deep into Canada (or to high Rockies) for it to regularly get colder than anywhere in Europe.
@@prospero768 dude, you are badly uninformed, if not completely delusional. the average january low temperature in warsaw poland is 24 degrees fahrenheit; the average january low temperature in minneapolis minnesota is 9 degrees fahrenheit (with temperatures getting as low as -15 degrees fahrenheit in a typical winter). there is a reason why US windows are tested to a low temperature of -1 degree fahrenheit while european windows are only tested to a low temperature of 32 degrees fahrenheit - that reason is that european temperatures are mild compared to continental US temperatures.
@@prospero768 do you ever look anything up? or do you always just blow stuff out of your a$$: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw#Climate en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis#Climate
Love those windows, it's been years since I have looked at windows and they have come a long way. I have been in several dozen multi million dollar homes and although they were built about 20 years ago, the materials and quality are just junk. The mass produced homes are not any better/ Here's to my new home with those quality windows.
to piggyback on baczek's statement about how glass is cheap and frames are expensive; the performance in a window is in the glazing, not the frame. so the larger the glazing area relative to the frame area, the better the window will perform. one of the reasons why US windows tend to perform better than comparable european windows under US test conditions is because, for a given set of outside dimensions, a US window will contain more glazing area and less frame area when compared to a european window of the same dimensions.
What country and what's the name of the company? I'm trying to find companies that will ship to California. Even the most basic EU triple pane windows are better than the "luxury" windows in the US.
"But I've not used them yet" What about that shipping container full from EAS haha. Love the show, love the acting. Keeping it fun and educational for all levels of viewers.
Can we have a video on best installation practices since they don't have fins? If you've already done one a link in a pinned comment or the description would be really helpful.
How do these perform for SHGC? They mentioned these have 70+% visual transmittance, so I’m wondering if they are sacrificing SHGC performance with worse coatings (makes sense in a Northern European climate) or if they are using more advanced low E coatings that offer the same performance with less visual transmittance loss.
usually higher visible light transmission goes with higher solar heating gain (the light has to get in to get the solar gain). for example, a cardinal lo-e 366 coating has low u-values but also low visible light transmission and solar gain.
European window advocates may claim 70% visual transmittance for their windows, but that's misleading because they are claiming the glass measurement and not entire window. NFRC (North American) lists the entire window performance (glass and frame), and not simply the glass performance. This is true for SHGC as well. Measuring the glass and frame combination as part of the VT (and SHGC) will result in a lower number than simply presenting the glass-only measurement...something European window advocates fail to mention when comparing performance. Three layer IGU of clear glass has a VT of 75%. while a triple pane with two layers of Cardinal 180 coating has a VT of 70%. Using low iron glass in place of regular float will raise the VT, but there is a cost involved. Also European U-factor numbers tend to look better than NFRC U-factor numbers in comparisons because U factor performance is not calculated the same in Europe versus North America. In order to get an accurate comparison the windows must be tested to the same criteria. European window performance numbers look a lot better when converted from metric to imperial when using the European test criteria than they look when tested in North America using NFRC testing criteria. Also the suggestion that Euro windows are somehow superior because they are manufactured using "UPVC" while North American windows are manufactured using "vinyl" is total crap. All vinyl windows are manufactured using UPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride), European, North American, or wherever. I am not knocking European windows, they do make some amazing windows, but I am criticizing the presentation of performance differences between Euro and North American windows because as presented it is often (intentionally or unintentionally) biased toward the European products. Let's compare apples to apples for a clear picture of the advantages versus disadvantages between them. Some European window companies do test to NFRC criteria and their performance data can be compared with North American products, and some European window companies don't test to NFRC criteria and those manufacturers may be offering misleading performance data.
@@gregcorwin8316 Wow, your comment seems to FAR exceed the expertise demonstrated in the typical TH-cam comment section. You clearly have a very deep understanding of the difference between Euro/American window manufacturing and testing. (Do you work for the NFRC or something?!) I'm curious, because many vinyl window manufacturers have a higher-end and lower-end vinyl window, and they use suspicious marketing speak to attempt to differentiate that the "higher-end" windows are also using "higher-end" vinyl. Is this just marketing double speak or are pretty much all vinyl windows regardless of price point using similar UPVC and can be expected to hold up similarly to temperature changes and UV exposure, or is there a real added value for the higher-priced vinyl?
@@gregcorwin8316 the misrepresentation of visible light transmission seems to happen moreso in ameriKKKa than in europe. in europe, what they do is point you to the data for the glazing maker (st. gobain, interpane, etc) where the glazing maker advertises various lo-e coatings with various visible light transmission and u-value characteristics. but when this data gets to ameriKKKa, people promote statistics for the glazing as whole window statistics. i think that the europeans are playing the game of providing the data, which they understand, to people in ameriKKKa, who don't understand the data. then the myth of superior european window performance gets propagated. there are conditions under which windows made in europe offer superior performance when compared to windows made in ameriKKKa. european windows tend to have superior performance under european en673 testing, but not under ameriKKKan nfrc 100 testing. what does this mean? it means that window manufacturers try to optimize window performance for their respective regions.
I live in Southern California. We usually have our windows open eight months a year, but then it’s 105 ... and then in the high 30’s F. Never lived in a building with an HRV, but wondering if it would be justified in our climate? I do have two kids with allergies, so that would make a difference. Either way, I’d scrap my junk windows in a heartbeat for any of the ones you showed in this video!!!!!
I made contact with Schüco and they would not sell to me as my job was too small for them. Stated that I had to order 40 or more windows, I have been following your shows and was sold on this window. Very disappointed that they turned me away.
My guess, it’s hard to give a ballpark figure if these are solely manufactured to order plus the shipping overseas. I have no idea what the price would be per unit if they’re built to spec for an individual project/build. They probably also only quote if you have a big enough order to make it worthwhile It’s basically a boutique building item (at least here in the US) so if you have the cash to splash do it I’m planning on a build in the near future and will be requesting a quote (I’m budgeting about 65k for windows) and hoping it will be within my budget
Started researching this brand after watching the video. Steve, can you comment on why there are so many negative comments on the Schuco company with regard to their former replacement window business? Do you think these negative complaints will translate to the current company and it Connecticut based American staffed manufacturing concern? Like so many other American based versions of foreign companies, i.e. Toyota, Nissan, etc. the American version rarely lives up to the quality or efficiency of the offshore version.
Probably a lot of homeowners and dealers left out to dry after Schuco pulled out of the US replacement window market. I was a Schuco dealer. We had zero notice. The Euro non-American double-hung stuff was just hitting the market before they closed. I did a few orders. I never got screens at all to this day. They promised us that they were working on them.
Upvc windows are in pretty much every house in the uk. Taking the ‘rosewood’ foil in the video (which went out of fashion here about 20 years ago), you still see them on the odd house and they look like they did on day one. No fading. Upvc windows are super cheap here. A 6ft by 4ft window with one opener would be about $200 supply only. They are all ‘custom made‘, you choose the position of the opening window (top, bottom, left, right) the price is the same
your statement is completely false. the belief that european windows offer superior performance to US windows is marketing puffery - it ain't actually true. the reason why european windows advertise better performance than US windows is because the US uses more stringent test conditions. triple glazed windows are sold more in europe than in the US because US building codes don't require triple glazing. energy is less expensive to US consumers than in europe because energy is more heavily taxed in europe. the US does a really bad job of given people an incentive to save energy (the US uses the "carrot" approach, stuff like energy star, instead of the "stick" approach, of assessing taxes and surcharges for energy use). one nice feature of european windows is that they are sized to order. that is because european builders are driven by renovation where US builders are driven by new construction.
uPVC is not exclusive to Europe. Many American made windows are uPVC but they are just referred to as PVC or vinyl. Don't get the impression that you have to go with foreign windows to get uPVC. If you can't find out what it is precisely made of, it probably is not worth buying.
Germans love their exterior rolladen shutters, if you keep them in the vent position (with the slits open) it keeps bugs out th-cam.com/video/BMjoJKjGEE8/w-d-xo.html
Almost every window manufacturer offers bugscreens and doors, I have seen them with the same wood-aluminium color matching the window. They just hook in to the first seal or are screwed into the window frame... The cheap option is to stick down a velcro tape on the outside of the window and attach it to that...
@@Andi89lectro I see. I would think that if you’re forking over a small fortune for these windows they would have a solution even if it is an extra cost but I’ve never seen it installed or otherwise mentioned
That is a problem! It all has to do with education of the trades, and for them to try something new. Most of the tradesmen are stuck in their ways, and do not want to learn.
They are not difficult to fit at all. Any carpenter could do it. I'm a sparky in the UK and I fitted my own in a new build, and they were signed off by the building inspector.
I think initially there would be. Short learning curve. What happens if you need a repair or replacement. That is where it becomes a bit more risky. You would be waiting 8-10 weeks to get a replacement. Still might be worth it considering the quality. Thanks
@@MillionDollarFlipper there is a lot more work involved in doing a complete installation with these windows than is the case with windows where you just nail the nailing flange to the sheathing.
Nobody makes windows form plasticized PVC! Plasticizers are additives used to make the material more plastic, aka flexible, for certain applications like vinyl sheet flooring. Saying UPVC is a different material than vinyl or PVC windows is completely false! The differences come down to the profile and possible inclusion of reinforcement.
Schuco calls it PVC-U. "PVC-U is the most frequently used material for windows in Germany. Due to its excellent cost/performance ratio and its very good insulation properties"
@@ccwnyc5671 Regardless of where they put the "U" its still the same material. My issue is that @2:43 Matt asks what the difference is between a "UPVC" and "Vinyl" window and Steve repeats the marketing nonsense that UPVC is somehow better/different than what US manufactures use despite it being the same material. All Vinyl/PVC/UPVC windows use unplasticized PVC, so other than things like recycled content (which would result in a lower quality material) and aforementioned reinforcements/profiles there literally is no difference.
@@brianc7096 Okay, but the manufacturer makes a big deal of it being PVC-U on their site. Please forgive me, but I'm a fanboy when it comes to Steve. 😄
As an American, I’m so excited to see this level of quality exists out there. And that some people are able to take it for granted because to them it is normal.
As a Central european who has lived in USA for half of my life its realy disturbing that it is impossible to find good quality in USA and if you find it has really expensive pricing. If europeans build a house they expect it dosent need any mainatnce in first century. If american build a house they expect that house will be demolished in 30 years end even then it needs often renovation. Basically only rich people have houses that have some quality and even then they seldom arent par with even low grade housing in Europe. Who will lose most on this attitude is common people who need constantly make expenses for they home and big winners are big housing industry who can sell same crap again and again.
Here you go, buddy. Doubtful that anyone willing to go triple-glazed is choosing Tyvek, though. This job has Zip-R. th-cam.com/video/C2bJ1IWewDc/w-d-xo.html
12:45 Absolutely right about the dark frames and exteriors in general. It's very much a fad and is going to look dated quickly. I would definitely lean toward white or wood in most cases. They will never look, "Oh that's so 2020."
The architect stated that the cost is mostly in the frame, so he tries to maximize the amount of glass area. For smaller windows these are no doubt too expensive for most Americans to consider buying these.
They're not really that expensive in Europe, especially in the east of the EU. I recently ordered several to replace some of the old ones in my house in Poland. The new ones are pretty standard as for 2021 standards (uPVC, anthracite gray on the outside, white on the inside, triple-glazed, triple-sealed, tilt and turn, average u-factor of 0.78 metric (imperial 0.13 or R-7.7). The price for a 75"x55" window was only $490.
@@Micha-xl5yc That is dirty cheap for a window that size. Is the window French door style and handle splits at the 75 inches so you have two 37.5" inch sides? Who is the manufacturer and how long did your window take to get to you from the time you ordered it?
@@MillionDollarFlipper The manufacturer was "MS Okna", they used Deceuninck profiles. I ordered them through their local dealer and it was supposed to take about three weeks for them to arrive, but took two weeks longer due to some covid-related issues. Yes, the window is split in two halves down the middle, each with its own handle. The windows were custom-made, but that's just the default business model for window manufacturers here. Standardized window sizes exist, but there's no difference pricewise.
This is a great video covering the potential for what windows can achieve. However, you should know that this supplier does not accept small orders. So, if you are looking to replace only a couple of windows and hoping to maximize efficiencies of the replacements for your home, this is not really a viable option.
They all have lots of chambers seen in the cross sections, and the frames are beefy. They are not ruled by the idiotic notion of narrow frames for ""more viewing area," which is childishly stupid. Frames should be ultra strong for long life and good sealing throughout that long life. American windows are an embarrassment to look at by comparison.
Been keeping an eye on these windows since we’re planning on building as soon as the lumber prices cool off Luckily we’re only about an hour west of Acton (I’ve read the Schuco shipping costs are significant) The hard part will be convincing the wife and the builder to spend the 💵 😂
Vinyl is still vinyl- UPC will still not last as long as aluminum or fiberglass. Also, I though Shuco was actually almost a generic name, and didn’t market windows under that brand per se ?
vinyl has the shortest usable life, fiberglass is a bit longer. aluminum clad wood is (as risinger put it) a "generational" window. i like how the macrowin aluminum clad wood windows have welded corners. zolawindows tend to come with swaged corners, so you see the crease at the miter (you can get the corners welded by zolawindows also if you pay an upcharge). aluminum windows are the most expensive; they seem to be even more expensive than aluminum clad wood windows.
I have been sold on these euro windows since I started watching the build show videos.
This is probably one your best videos with Steve. Great stuff!
Thank you
Glass is cheap, until you have to replace it.
I used to build those multi-point window and door systems at a start-up called AstraSeal way back in 1982. They were far too expensive and did not take off. Superb product, just more quality than people wanted to pay for.
I know how the mitered corners were hidden: sanding and buffing. We only had white frames, but they were spectacular.
“Until you have to replace it…” maybe I’m the odd man out here, but at age 62, I have never replaced a piece of glass in any of my homes. That said, I can’t imagine it to be significantly different from doing so in any of the crap Andersen Narrowlines in my current residence. Maybe a little longer to get the part, but, again, glass is literally something I’ve never needed.
Wow! I am so sad that the company you built windows for in 1982 didn’t work out. Maybe they had poor marketing. Did you put those windows in your house? Do you know how to still build those windows?
@@pat6703 The parent company was out of Germany and still in business, but I don't recall their name. They were the first vinyl frame in this area and priced as high as Anderson Windows, so skepticism abounded, and I surely could not afford them.
The piece at 10:30 is the way to go. Metal and plastic are not bad as frame material but when it comes to longevity and functionality, wood is what you want to have. It's easy to maintain, repair and adjust for a loooong time.
A couple weeks ago I purchased 5 windows for an addition project and would have liked to use Schuco Windows, but that is too small of an order. The shipping charges on an entire container is over $8,000! If a company could figure out how to bundle small orders together to save on shipping, then I believe a lot more people would consider doors and windows from Europe, which are an excellent quality.
That must be for the large container. I paid that much to move a car and a whole bunch of household stuff from Toronto to Rijeka, Croatia. The shipper told be that the smaller container would have been half the price.
You can also share a container with someone else, so you will pay half as much.
Talk to the shippers.
@Clint E
Really?
Must be using Covid as an excuse.
Great video, why aren’t the companies in America building to these standards? He was talking about the frame locking all the way around the frame, In Italy there front door had one inch pins all the way around there door with three pins in the top and bottom, the sides have four to five of these pins. When you lock there door there are three to four turns to there lock and that correlates to how deep the pins go into the door frame.
Unfortunately most Americans cannot afford a quality built home. The problem is that Europeans pay a fair price for quality, but here in America we get ripped off if we want quality. We get badly overcharged. I've started my building project in just the last week and it is absurd what companies want to charge for mediocre hardware. I'm getting my door hardware shipped from Germany because all we can get here is dated inferior junk or badly overcharged for mediocre junk. I can get a much higher quality door hardware for about what I'd pay for mediocre hardware here.
People in Germany be like: "wow, these guys get really exited about a regular old window..." 😉
Not just Germany basicaly all of the Europe
Exactly guys, I was installing these windows like 15 years ago. Rehau was a great profile 👍
@@MrJFoster1984 Rehau is one of the better and more expensive ones if we talking about 1 st class Rehau, because they have also a lower class as well. For non trained eye it is hard to distinguish between
@@altergreenhorn Cheers
@@altergreenhorn the lower class is still better than 60% of American windows manufacturers
Good timing for me! Thanks Steve. I will look into them on an upcoming custom!
They have not mentioned the "micro ventilation" function of european windows. When You put the handle to 2 clock position the window unlocks but do not opens and You has milimeter spaces around the seals for ventilation.
That is not enough ventilation, it may be used when you need to dry out some things or remove some odors of a fresh build, but airflow is too small, so no real use to get fresh air. But yeah that function is a good one for some applications
4:45 correct here in the most of the EU in passive houses (majority of the new houses are passive because of the regulations) windows are opened only when they need to be cleaned that's it
exactly. i had some buildings where we installed operational windows and then had to install "blind" handles so they got inoperable ^^
Wow Steve,
Great Tour! These Schuco UPVC windows are a must have. Can these be ordered with storm glass for coastal areas?
You're so right, we almost never open our windows, so that will help offset cost. I guess code may require some window open?
Cheers,
Eric
there are security options like laminated or pre-stressed glass, fire retardening gel, sound dampening, etc so i'm pretty sure there is some option that'd suit the need ;)
I hope you'll also post a video of the next day activities that Steve mentioned.
Hey @buildshow - what are your thoughts about some of the American uPVC brands like Alpen compared to Schüco and AluPro?
I've never seen a better analysis of windows ever.
That quad glass piece looked like something from Q Branch in a Bond flick.
the "quad glass" is not a quad IGU. a quad IGU has really low thermal conductivity values. the "quad glass" that you see in this video is really a triple glazed IGU with a fourth window. this configuration can reduce the u-value below that of a triple glazed window alone but the u-value would not be as low as it would be for a true quad IGU.
@@paperwait9611 Any idea why the 4th piece was thicker and tempered? Thx
@@ccwnyc5671 i thought that they said that the lite was laminated (not tempered), so the lite would be thicker because it was laminated. but people don't usually implement safety glass (such as laminated or tempered glass) unless a building code provision requires it. so i don't know why the outer lite was laminated (or tempered).
@@paperwait9611 You're right. They said the outer "storm glass" was laminated, not tempered. My bad.
Didn't see windows like Velux Cabrio. A window made for the roof. When opening it changes into a French balcony.
finally ACTUAL windows :D
I've worked in a carpentry shop doing both rehau plastic and wooden windows on custom sizes (i'm a german carpenter) and yeah, it's so little difference to get custom sizes ...
just in case they don't mention it: you can get white inside and color / "wood" outside, too ;)
Very difficult with the pivot and tilt windows to deal with window treatments on the inside. Screens are also an issue. I lived in Germany with similar windows. One other thing they have, in many countries, are rolladen, a metal screen built into the exterior and is used to give light control, security, blackout option. It lifts and lowers with a band that is located inside at the side of the window system.
How is there an issue? Screens are easy to to attach, so is also anything you want to put on from the inside. Any hardware store in Germany has a whole section for this purpose.
Hello another good video but I am surprised that there is no coverage on blinds for European windows. We still do need blinds on these windows and NO I am not referring to the rolling hurricane shutters they use in Europe on the outside. I am talking about blinds/shades that we can quickly operate to let light in with privacy or be completely closed for darkness and privacy. Can you shed any light on options and examples of what works in the US? Thanks.
Where can a guy from Texas get these windows?
Seen many of these style windows in action in Europe, and have also seen a showroom/manufacturer in Bosnia.
Our window technology in North America is stuck in Stone Age.
My dad's old place in Europe had windows made of two operable leafs, and each leaf was sealed, double glazed.
So, that means that they were quadruple glazed.
you apparently are not aware of this, but they do make triple glazed windows in the US; and those triple glazed windows perform better against US testing than do european windows. the issue is that relatively few people in the US buy triple glazed windows. the problem is that there is not enough incentive given to people to buy them: builders are primarily driven by "cost per square foot" considerations, so they aren't going to do anything (by way of energy efficiency) that they don't have to do because energy efficiency doesn't sell houses.
@@paperwait9611
I know they make triple glazed windows in North America.
I have used Loweven triple glazed windows as an architect on one of my jobs In Ontario, Canada. I think Pella makes them, and so does Marwin.
It's not all in the number of glass lites you have in a window; there is a lot more to it.
Subdivision builders don't give a crap about quality nor energy efficiency, because there is nothing for them there. Custom home builders sometimes are a different breed, but they are driven by client demands and architects requirements.
@@apscoradiales subdivision builders are trying to sell houses. most people aren't willing to pay for more energy efficient houses and, unlike europe, US building codes don't force builders to build more energy efficient houses.
custom builders are generally not "a different breed" in the US.
The title is not an exaggeration. These windows are AWESOME.
Can you do a video on how to find a good contractor?
thanks for this very interesting video. Btw, the walk through window is actually a door for balkonies or even terraces when they have large fixed windows next to them.
Steve, have you ever used or heard of Oknoplast Windows from Poland? They have a dealer in Boston.
Are there any domestic window manufacturers that are comparable?
Steve Baczek is awesome. If I ever have a ton of money to build a high performance house, I'm hiring him to be my architect.
What are the benefits of using newer wood vs older woods? I would imagine an older wood would be denser, hence stronger. Is that not something you would want? Weight? Unnecessary? Thermal conductivity?
They want to preserve old and big trees.
so question: all this built up frame locking, what kinda glass are we using and how well can it defend against a "smash and grab" entry? would this be negatively affected by 3M's Polycarbonate Laminate security coatings?
Had no idea that was there in Acton, MA!
Great video guys.
Are these type of windows available for retrofitting in existing houses or only for new constructions?
If you prepare a base for a window frame properly shure, ain't a rocket science, look at some euro clips how to. It is a common thing here in the EU
I have looked everywhere... I can't FIND or BUY.... 3 pane replacement windows for a manufactured home... WHERE?????
Castle The Window People make 3 pane windows.
Can you buy these direct or do you have to go thru a dealer? And can a homeowner do the install themselves or do they require a contractor? I'm asking because I have found it isn't the manufacturer that makes windows overly expensive, it's the dealers and especially the contractors. If the markup isn't terrible I'm willing to purchase from a dealer but under no circumstances will I purchase thru a contractor!!
Would like to know how to install these windows! Because they have built in weep holes, so I suppose you don't neet to have a sloped window sill?
They weep onto the sill, so the sill still needs to slope.
Ok, would like to see one install.
We have been using these windows for about 10+ yrs. In the Faroe Islands (EU) located in the middle of the north Atlantic Ocean.
Never have I've seen an install with a sloped window sill in any window or door install.
So I'm just curious, if it is necessary or not. For what I have seen there has not been any issues.
@@AriSamson09 Ok so in the UK we tend to use sloped sills, probably to keep the traditional look. Sloped sills were to prevent standing water rotting timber frames. Plastic or aluminium frames won't rot. The amount of water coming out of the weep holes is negligible anyway compared to actual rainfall. So I suppose choice is yours.
How to get Tilt and Lock European windows (and back door slider) + install in Missouri!? ...
Will love it when this smart tech costs within mainstream reach.
These windows are so impressive. It's unfortunate that the industry in the USA is so resistant to adopt these great international ideas. Greed rules in the USA, so industry investment in advancing product design or manufacturing processes is skipped in favor of more profits. As always, the knowledge base and concern for his clients that Steve possesses are unmatched. It'd be a privileged to have him design my dram home and have Matt build it. I'm seriously considering retiring to TX in about 8 years so it could actually happen!
you're getting suckered by marketing hype. US windows are optimized to US test standards. the u-values that you see quoted for european windows are usually against less rigorous european testing standards (they are less rigorous in europe because european countries tend to not get as cold as northern areas in the US get).
@@paperwait9611 That's just false. Average winter temperatures in northern areas in the US are the same as in say Poland. You have to go deep into Canada (or to high Rockies) for it to regularly get colder than anywhere in Europe.
@@prospero768 dude, you are badly uninformed, if not completely delusional. the average january low temperature in warsaw poland is 24 degrees fahrenheit; the average january low temperature in minneapolis minnesota is 9 degrees fahrenheit (with temperatures getting as low as -15 degrees fahrenheit in a typical winter). there is a reason why US windows are tested to a low temperature of -1 degree fahrenheit while european windows are only tested to a low temperature of 32 degrees fahrenheit - that reason is that european temperatures are mild compared to continental US temperatures.
@@paperwait9611 that's not what the long term weather maps say.
@@prospero768 do you ever look anything up? or do you always just blow stuff out of your a$$:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw#Climate
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis#Climate
Love those windows, it's been years since I have looked at windows and they have come a long way. I have been in several dozen multi million dollar homes and although they were built about 20 years ago, the materials and quality are just junk. The mass produced homes are not any better/ Here's to my new home with those quality windows.
Any thoughts on Schone windows and doors?
Whos the manufacturer and name of the window at 15:50?
Have u ever seen the r-11 windows someone makes in Colorado? I forget who but have seen vids on them but not recently.
Are you talking about Zola Windows?
Alpen Windows in Louisville, CO
@@TheBuilderdad I think that’s the one I’ve seen vid on some time ago.
@@hmurchison8123 zola is a window importer that used to be in boulder, but i think that they might have moved the office to oregon.
to piggyback on baczek's statement about how glass is cheap and frames are expensive; the performance in a window is in the glazing, not the frame. so the larger the glazing area relative to the frame area, the better the window will perform. one of the reasons why US windows tend to perform better than comparable european windows under US test conditions is because, for a given set of outside dimensions, a US window will contain more glazing area and less frame area when compared to a european window of the same dimensions.
In my country you can buy this kind of double window, 1600x1400 mm, for 200-300 eur, i wonder how much they cost in us.
What country and what's the name of the company? I'm trying to find companies that will ship to California. Even the most basic EU triple pane windows are better than the "luxury" windows in the US.
Amazing windows. I love the foil idea.
What is the pricing?
"But I've not used them yet"
What about that shipping container full from EAS haha. Love the show, love the acting. Keeping it fun and educational for all levels of viewers.
Can we have a video on best installation practices since they don't have fins?
If you've already done one a link in a pinned comment or the description would be really helpful.
How do these perform for SHGC? They mentioned these have 70+% visual transmittance, so I’m wondering if they are sacrificing SHGC performance with worse coatings (makes sense in a Northern European climate) or if they are using more advanced low E coatings that offer the same performance with less visual transmittance loss.
The good transmittance probably does sacrifice SGHC, but that can be fine on north facing windows.
usually higher visible light transmission goes with higher solar heating gain (the light has to get in to get the solar gain). for example, a cardinal lo-e 366 coating has low u-values but also low visible light transmission and solar gain.
European window advocates may claim 70% visual transmittance for their windows, but that's misleading because they are claiming the glass measurement and not entire window. NFRC (North American) lists the entire window performance (glass and frame), and not simply the glass performance. This is true for SHGC as well.
Measuring the glass and frame combination as part of the VT (and SHGC) will result in a lower number than simply presenting the glass-only measurement...something European window advocates fail to mention when comparing performance.
Three layer IGU of clear glass has a VT of 75%. while a triple pane with two layers of Cardinal 180 coating has a VT of 70%. Using low iron glass in place of regular float will raise the VT, but there is a cost involved.
Also European U-factor numbers tend to look better than NFRC U-factor numbers in comparisons because U factor performance is not calculated the same in Europe versus North America. In order to get an accurate comparison the windows must be tested to the same criteria. European window performance numbers look a lot better when converted from metric to imperial when using the European test criteria than they look when tested in North America using NFRC testing criteria.
Also the suggestion that Euro windows are somehow superior because they are manufactured using "UPVC" while North American windows are manufactured using "vinyl" is total crap. All vinyl windows are manufactured using UPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride), European, North American, or wherever.
I am not knocking European windows, they do make some amazing windows, but I am criticizing the presentation of performance differences between Euro and North American windows because as presented it is often (intentionally or unintentionally) biased toward the European products.
Let's compare apples to apples for a clear picture of the advantages versus disadvantages between them.
Some European window companies do test to NFRC criteria and their performance data can be compared with North American products, and some European window companies don't test to NFRC criteria and those manufacturers may be offering misleading performance data.
@@gregcorwin8316 Wow, your comment seems to FAR exceed the expertise demonstrated in the typical TH-cam comment section. You clearly have a very deep understanding of the difference between Euro/American window manufacturing and testing. (Do you work for the NFRC or something?!) I'm curious, because many vinyl window manufacturers have a higher-end and lower-end vinyl window, and they use suspicious marketing speak to attempt to differentiate that the "higher-end" windows are also using "higher-end" vinyl. Is this just marketing double speak or are pretty much all vinyl windows regardless of price point using similar UPVC and can be expected to hold up similarly to temperature changes and UV exposure, or is there a real added value for the higher-priced vinyl?
@@gregcorwin8316 the misrepresentation of visible light transmission seems to happen moreso in ameriKKKa than in europe. in europe, what they do is point you to the data for the glazing maker (st. gobain, interpane, etc) where the glazing maker advertises various lo-e coatings with various visible light transmission and u-value characteristics. but when this data gets to ameriKKKa, people promote statistics for the glazing as whole window statistics. i think that the europeans are playing the game of providing the data, which they understand, to people in ameriKKKa, who don't understand the data. then the myth of superior european window performance gets propagated.
there are conditions under which windows made in europe offer superior performance when compared to windows made in ameriKKKa. european windows tend to have superior performance under european en673 testing, but not under ameriKKKan nfrc 100 testing. what does this mean? it means that window manufacturers try to optimize window performance for their respective regions.
I love European windows, I just haven’t seen any with bug screens
I live in Southern California. We usually have our windows open eight months a year, but then it’s 105 ... and then in the high 30’s F. Never lived in a building with an HRV, but wondering if it would be justified in our climate? I do have two kids with allergies, so that would make a difference. Either way, I’d scrap my junk windows in a heartbeat for any of the ones you showed in this video!!!!!
Great windows. Have you looked at adding carbon ceramic or nano ceramic car tint (clear) to house windows? Drastically reduces heat transfer.
I made contact with Schüco and they would not sell to me as my job was too small for them. Stated that I had to order 40 or more windows, I have been following your shows and was sold on this window. Very disappointed that they turned me away.
I get that they are custom but there is never a talk on price. Ballpark? What are we comparing them to price wise?
My guess, it’s hard to give a ballpark figure if these are solely manufactured to order plus the shipping overseas. I have no idea what the price would be per unit if they’re built to spec for an individual project/build. They probably also only quote if you have a big enough order to make it worthwhile
It’s basically a boutique building item (at least here in the US) so if you have the cash to splash do it
I’m planning on a build in the near future and will be requesting a quote (I’m budgeting about 65k for windows) and hoping it will be within my budget
Is there a AAMA rating on these foil faces?
I want these windows in Salt Lake City.
Is there a Canadian Division of EAS?
Started researching this brand after watching the video. Steve, can you comment on why there are so many negative comments on the Schuco company with regard to their former replacement window business? Do you think these negative complaints will translate to the current company and it Connecticut based American staffed manufacturing concern? Like so many other American based versions of foreign companies, i.e. Toyota, Nissan, etc. the American version rarely lives up to the quality or efficiency of the offshore version.
Probably a lot of homeowners and dealers left out to dry after Schuco pulled out of the US replacement window market. I was a Schuco dealer. We had zero notice. The Euro non-American double-hung stuff was just hitting the market before they closed. I did a few orders. I never got screens at all to this day. They promised us that they were working on them.
Why is everyone saying a triple pane is only $40 more than a double? I’m ordering windows and they are 30% more than double pane.
I love those foiled wood look windows, but have concerns if they hold up to UV light and pet scratching.
Upvc windows are in pretty much every house in the uk. Taking the ‘rosewood’ foil in the video (which went out of fashion here about 20 years ago), you still see them on the odd house and they look like they did on day one. No fading.
Upvc windows are super cheap here. A 6ft by 4ft window with one opener would be about $200 supply only. They are all ‘custom made‘, you choose the position of the opening window (top, bottom, left, right) the price is the same
Regarding pets, generally you have white on the inside and colour on the outside, so you can’t ‘scratch through’ the colour, at least not inside
I have been trying to find a Euro window vendor in Wisconsin @Matt know of any?
Who is the manufacturer you didn't mention before macrowin with the mahogany skin and the three point locking system
What do they do for blinds on tilt n turn windows?
They are screwed to the window leaf
Im very interested.
Fascinating how far behind the USA is in essentially every product category.
your statement is completely false. the belief that european windows offer superior performance to US windows is marketing puffery - it ain't actually true. the reason why european windows advertise better performance than US windows is because the US uses more stringent test conditions. triple glazed windows are sold more in europe than in the US because US building codes don't require triple glazing. energy is less expensive to US consumers than in europe because energy is more heavily taxed in europe. the US does a really bad job of given people an incentive to save energy (the US uses the "carrot" approach, stuff like energy star, instead of the "stick" approach, of assessing taxes and surcharges for energy use). one nice feature of european windows is that they are sized to order. that is because european builders are driven by renovation where US builders are driven by new construction.
uPVC is not exclusive to Europe. Many American made windows are uPVC but they are just referred to as PVC or vinyl. Don't get the impression that you have to go with foreign windows to get uPVC. If you can't find out what it is precisely made of, it probably is not worth buying.
How much is a triple pane 36x36 vinyl double hung window
Are the components imported from Europe and made in USA or fully imported
Schüco needs to build a plant in the US, it can't be that it takes almost 5 moth to get your windows.
Next big thing....Wall mounted Toilett with under tiled flush case! You go Girl^^
Do they have a smart glass option ?
Nice Shoes!!!
Not opening windows? Inner city areas only maybe.
If the Schuco window tilts to vent, how do
you keep bugs out? Forgive my ignorance
Could these windows be ordered with a screen?
Germans love their exterior rolladen shutters, if you keep them in the vent position (with the slits open) it keeps bugs out th-cam.com/video/BMjoJKjGEE8/w-d-xo.html
Almost every window manufacturer offers bugscreens and doors, I have seen them with the same wood-aluminium color matching the window. They just hook in to the first seal or are screwed into the window frame...
The cheap option is to stick down a velcro tape on the outside of the window and attach it to that...
@@Andi89lectro I see. I would think that if you’re forking over a small fortune for these windows they would have a solution even if it is an extra cost but I’ve never seen it installed or otherwise mentioned
I live in Tennessee (Memphis) and have literally never opened any of the windows in the house.
Neither have I, I’d certainly go fixed in a new construction home for most windows.
In Lynchburg here, we mostly open our door walls when we want air but we definitely enjoy our outdoor temps in the spring and fall.
18:52 the company in Vancouver is called "Fenster" ?? This is basically the german word vor window :D funny.
Does the foil scratch easy?
No. You would have to be pretty clumsy to mark it. It's made of upvc same as the windows.
with your fingers no chance, maybe with a screwdriver. At least on mine, its wood texture on aluminium
@@Andi89lectro awesome. thanks for the info!!
can you pls put the URL Link for windows
Here's the link for the Schüco systems.
www.schueco.com/web2/us/architects/products
Greetings from Germyn, now you find the magic of european/german windows ;)
I would love to use these but living in Indiana who would install these and more importantly service them?
That is a problem!
It all has to do with education of the trades, and for them to try something new.
Most of the tradesmen are stuck in their ways, and do not want to learn.
I've watched a couple installation videos on tilt and turn window installation and the process looks pretty straight forward.
They are not difficult to fit at all. Any carpenter could do it. I'm a sparky in the UK and I fitted my own in a new build, and they were signed off by the building inspector.
I think initially there would be. Short learning curve. What happens if you need a repair or replacement. That is where it becomes a bit more risky. You would be waiting 8-10 weeks to get a replacement. Still might be worth it considering the quality. Thanks
@@MillionDollarFlipper there is a lot more work involved in doing a complete installation with these windows than is the case with windows where you just nail the nailing flange to the sheathing.
Nobody makes windows form plasticized PVC! Plasticizers are additives used to make the material more plastic, aka flexible, for certain applications like vinyl sheet flooring. Saying UPVC is a different material than vinyl or PVC windows is completely false! The differences come down to the profile and possible inclusion of reinforcement.
Schuco calls it PVC-U. "PVC-U is the most frequently used material for windows in Germany. Due to its excellent cost/performance ratio and its very good insulation properties"
@@ccwnyc5671 Regardless of where they put the "U" its still the same material. My issue is that @2:43 Matt asks what the difference is between a "UPVC" and "Vinyl" window and Steve repeats the marketing nonsense that UPVC is somehow better/different than what US manufactures use despite it being the same material. All Vinyl/PVC/UPVC windows use unplasticized PVC, so other than things like recycled content (which would result in a lower quality material) and aforementioned reinforcements/profiles there literally is no difference.
@@brianc7096 Okay, but the manufacturer makes a big deal of it being PVC-U on their site.
Please forgive me, but I'm a fanboy when it comes to Steve. 😄
As an American, I’m so excited to see this level of quality exists out there. And that some people are able to take it for granted because to them it is normal.
As a Central european who has lived in USA for half of my life its realy disturbing that it is impossible to find good quality in USA and if you find it has really expensive pricing. If europeans build a house they expect it dosent need any mainatnce in first century. If american build a house they expect that house will be demolished in 30 years end even then it needs often renovation. Basically only rich people have houses that have some quality and even then they seldom arent par with even low grade housing in Europe. Who will lose most on this attitude is common people who need constantly make expenses for they home and big winners are big housing industry who can sell same crap again and again.
Now add the 'blinds between the panes' option and see the price rise.
Is there a video showing how these are installed and how they're integrated with the WRB (tyvek) ?
Here you go, buddy. Doubtful that anyone willing to go triple-glazed is choosing Tyvek, though. This job has Zip-R. th-cam.com/video/C2bJ1IWewDc/w-d-xo.html
If the windows open in, what about blinds?
Blinds can be mounted onto the frame. For an example google “plissee”…
I enjoy how European build practices are discoveries in North America.. Still old worlds beats new. :D
12:45 Absolutely right about the dark frames and exteriors in general. It's very much a fad and is going to look dated quickly. I would definitely lean toward white or wood in most cases. They will never look, "Oh that's so 2020."
I did it in 2015
I usually don't look that much into the window market. I just buy them from producers like Dako.
What is the cost? Just give us a typical size cost.
If you have to ask... 🤑🤑🤑
The architect stated that the cost is mostly in the frame, so he tries to maximize the amount of glass area. For smaller windows these are no doubt too expensive for most Americans to consider buying these.
Yes, they are wonderful but who can afford them?
They're not really that expensive in Europe, especially in the east of the EU. I recently ordered several to replace some of the old ones in my house in Poland. The new ones are pretty standard as for 2021 standards (uPVC, anthracite gray on the outside, white on the inside, triple-glazed, triple-sealed, tilt and turn, average u-factor of 0.78 metric (imperial 0.13 or R-7.7). The price for a 75"x55" window was only $490.
@@Micha-xl5yc Very expensive in the USA.
@@Micha-xl5yc That is dirty cheap for a window that size. Is the window French door style and handle splits at the 75 inches so you have two 37.5" inch sides? Who is the manufacturer and how long did your window take to get to you from the time you ordered it?
@@MillionDollarFlipper The manufacturer was "MS Okna", they used Deceuninck profiles. I ordered them through their local dealer and it was supposed to take about three weeks for them to arrive, but took two weeks longer due to some covid-related issues.
Yes, the window is split in two halves down the middle, each with its own handle.
The windows were custom-made, but that's just the default business model for window manufacturers here. Standardized window sizes exist, but there's no difference pricewise.
as a european that white plastic frame is making me break out in hives
Kids in a candy store!
Window porn! Where are my CEUs from watching this?
WHY CANT WE MANUFACTURE THESE ITEMS IN THE USA?????
hmm...isn’t this a repost of an older video?
Europe makes the best
Sheesh these make all vinyl windows made in the USA look like something you'd put in a crappy cabin.
Okay extraordinary per square foot price. Glass to frame ratio what a ding dong.
This is a great video covering the potential for what windows can achieve. However, you should know that this supplier does not accept small orders. So, if you are looking to replace only a couple of windows and hoping to maximize efficiencies of the replacements for your home, this is not really a viable option.
DOES or does NOT accept small orders?
They all have lots of chambers seen in the cross sections, and the frames are beefy. They are not ruled by the idiotic notion of narrow frames for ""more viewing area," which is childishly stupid. Frames should be ultra strong for long life and good sealing throughout that long life. American windows are an embarrassment to look at by comparison.
Been keeping an eye on these windows since we’re planning on building as soon as the lumber prices cool off
Luckily we’re only about an hour west of Acton (I’ve read the Schuco shipping costs are significant)
The hard part will be convincing the wife and the builder to spend the 💵 😂
the lumber prices are mainly affecting the prices of softwoods. windows tend to use hardwoods (with douglas fir being a notable exception).
@@paperwait9611 considering the aluminum option
@@josecito976 aluminum might be the most expensive way to go, but they can give you the thinnest frame profiles among your frame options.
Vinyl is still vinyl- UPC will still not last as long as aluminum or fiberglass. Also, I though Shuco was actually almost a generic name, and didn’t market windows under that brand per se ?
vinyl has the shortest usable life, fiberglass is a bit longer. aluminum clad wood is (as risinger put it) a "generational" window. i like how the macrowin aluminum clad wood windows have welded corners. zolawindows tend to come with swaged corners, so you see the crease at the miter (you can get the corners welded by zolawindows also if you pay an upcharge). aluminum windows are the most expensive; they seem to be even more expensive than aluminum clad wood windows.