Comments on: Is bigger better? http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-bigger-better Tue, 22 May 2012 15:44:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: lee http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4900 lee Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:06:50 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4900 Well, the larger's seem to have it. We decided to go with the larger window for the sake of more light. We ordered the first of them on Wednesday. In typically ironic fashion, this window is 62% larger than the dormer window, but only cost 21% more. In the bad news department, the Marvin rep pointed out that the window is rated for a U value of 0.31, and thus does not qualify for the energy efficiency upgrade tax credit. The cut off for the tax credit is 0.30. The window would be U 0.29 without the true-divided-light spacer bars, but Robin is a big fan of those, so we end up paying for them twice. Having a hard cutoff for the tax credit is kind of dumb, since people with those horrible 70s aluminum frame windows with a U factor of 1.00 or worse would benefit just as much from a 0.31 window as a 0.30. For that matter, the government standards require a SHGC of 0.30 or lower as well, which would be totally wrong if you were updating the windows on a passive solar house. Well, the larger’s seem to have it. We decided to go with the larger window for the sake of more light. We ordered the first of them on Wednesday. In typically ironic fashion, this window is 62% larger than the dormer window, but only cost 21% more.

In the bad news department, the Marvin rep pointed out that the window is rated for a U value of 0.31, and thus does not qualify for the energy efficiency upgrade tax credit. The cut off for the tax credit is 0.30. The window would be U 0.29 without the true-divided-light spacer bars, but Robin is a big fan of those, so we end up paying for them twice.

Having a hard cutoff for the tax credit is kind of dumb, since people with those horrible 70s aluminum frame windows with a U factor of 1.00 or worse would benefit just as much from a 0.31 window as a 0.30. For that matter, the government standards require a SHGC of 0.30 or lower as well, which would be totally wrong if you were updating the windows on a passive solar house.

]]> By: charity http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4898 charity Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:07:16 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4898 I didn't see a big difference between the two either. I say go for more light! :) I didn’t see a big difference between the two either. I say go for more light! :)

]]> By: Rachael http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4891 Rachael Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:13:21 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4891 They look pretty much the same to me. They look pretty much the same to me.

]]> By: Jessica http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4875 Jessica Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:58:11 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4875 I actually preferred the original but I think that is because it changed the proportions in relation to the downstairs smaller windows and the negative space around the opening, but if you are changing the sizes on them also I bet that will go away. Then again, I am familiar with your house and judging from other peoples comments nobody else is going to notice. It's definitely not a huge difference.....I love light, so.....hard call. Do whatever your little heart desires, it's not a make or break decision. :D I actually preferred the original but I think that is because it changed the proportions in relation to the downstairs smaller windows and the negative space around the opening, but if you are changing the sizes on them also I bet that will go away. Then again, I am familiar with your house and judging from other peoples comments nobody else is going to notice. It’s definitely not a huge difference…..I love light, so…..hard call. Do whatever your little heart desires, it’s not a make or break decision. :D

]]> By: Benita http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4874 Benita Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:18:33 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4874 Well, I had to look at both pictures carefully to even see the size difference in the windows, so I'd say go with the larger one. Well, I had to look at both pictures carefully to even see the size difference in the windows, so I’d say go with the larger one.

]]> By: Leigh http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4865 Leigh Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:53:43 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4865 I love light so I would absolutely prefer the larger window. I agree with Lynn though, visually, there isn't a lot of difference between the two photos. I love light so I would absolutely prefer the larger window. I agree with Lynn though, visually, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two photos.

]]> By: Lynn http://farmfolly.com/2009/12/is-bigger-better/comment-page-1/#comment-4864 Lynn Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:35:27 +0000 http://farmfolly.com/?p=3027#comment-4864 Hi Robin & Lee - I showed Randy your blog - he & I both say to put in the larger window to replace as many of the other windows as you can, as long as it isn't right beside a smaller window. The larger window does not look dominating in the altered photo you showed, it's not much different looking, really, than the smaller window. As long as you don't think introducing a new window size will affect the appearance of the house with the other windows or the future window treatments you plan on installing inside. Good luck with your decision! Hi Robin & Lee – I showed Randy your blog – he & I both say to put in the larger window to replace as many of the other windows as you can, as long as it isn’t right beside a smaller window. The larger window does not look dominating in the altered photo you showed, it’s not much different looking, really, than the smaller window. As long as you don’t think introducing a new window size will affect the appearance of the house with the other windows or the future window treatments you plan on installing inside. Good luck with your decision!

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