The Okna 500 Series Insultec Deluxe window offers both great looks and energy-efficient features at a great price. The 3¼” Depth Welded Mainframe is 100% pure vinyl with a beveled colonial exterior which features curves that are not only beautiful, but also allow for maximum weld surface resulting in strength and years of long lasting performance. The 500 Series Deluxe package also features foam-filled extrusions instead of your basic hollow vinyl frame and sash.

Okna utilizes the Heatseal warm edge glass spacer system, whereas most window companies still use a full-metal spacer allowing for transfer of cold. Clima-guard Low-E glass is also usede for optimal thermal efficiency. Meanwhile, the gap between the double strength double pane glass is filled with Argon gas which improves window performance by reducing the transfer of cold between the inside and outside of your home much like the Heatseal spacer system.

The 0.25 U-factor of the 500 series currently exceeds present and future energy star standards set by the federal government. In addition to the excellent U-factor, the Okna 500 features a class-leading 0.02 air infiltration rating, currently around a 1000% better than the industry average of 0.20.  Okna helps achieve its low air infiltration rating in part by utilizing a bulb gasket seal along the meeting rail of the top and bottom sashes. This helps to reduce draft and increase thermal performance.

The OKNA 800 window already exceeds the January 1, 2015 mandate by offering a 0.26 U-factor for double pane glass. In addition to an already excellent U-factor, the OKNA 800 has an air infiltration rating of 0.01, which is approximately 3000% better than the industry minimum. The industry average for air infiltration is 0.20 which is why many companies to not post their rating. Meanwhile, air leakage accounts for 25-40% of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical home, according to test results from AAMA.

Some of the feature and benefits include:

• Full 3 1/4″ Depth Welded Mainframe with foam-filled frame and sash
• Full integral interlock along the meeting rail with triple weather stripping
• Heatseal warm edge spacer system – for excellent protection against the transfer of cold from outside to inside pane of glass
• Elegant, beveled profile gives the window the traditional look and feel of wood windows with the performance  and ease of maintenance of a vinyl window
• Leads the industry with a 0.01 Air Infiltration rating – 3000% better than the industry minimum standard (Air leakage can account for 25%-40%of the energy used for heating and cooling a typical home)
• 11-coat Climaguard Low-E coating
• Magnetic weather-stripping, similar to those used in refrigerators, eliminates drafts and greatly improves the thermal performance of the windows
• High density composite reinforcement bar along the center meeting rail give the windows outstanding structural performance

How to Read/Interpret Vinyl Windows Ratings

Become familiar with the components of the window label and write down the ratings appropriate for your area before shopping. Here’s what to look for:

1. U-factor. This is how much heat/cold transfers through the entire window frame (glass and vinyl). The lower the U-factor, the better the window resists heat/cold transfer. Vinyl windows with gaps in the framework (i.e. mechanical frames) will have a higher U-factor than a fusion welded window.
2. SHGC–Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. The SHGC is the ability of the window to block the sun’s heat. The more heat a window blocks, the lower vinyl windows ratings will be for heat gain.
3. Visible Light Transmission. The more light that is allowed to flow through the glass, the higher this rating will be.
4. Low-E glass. This glass has a transparent metallic coating that reflects heat back into the home in winter and reflects heat away from it in the summer.
5. ENERGY STAR rating. An independent organization tests and rates the energy efficiency of windows. ENERGY STAR windows qualify for a tax rebate through 2013.