Windows and doors

Once we got Hart (out designer from Purcell Timber Frames) off and running with the design, we had to decide on windows. Hart recommended a great local company (Boardwalk Windows) to build the windows for us. Unfortunately they only do double-pane wood windows. And after doing a lot of research on windows I became determined to go with triple pane fiberglass windows. This is basically the standard for passive houses.

The cabin has a large bank of windows on the south side, and sparser windows on the other three sides. We got quotes from Boardwalk, Pella, Serious Windows, Thermotec, but in the end we went with Accurate Dorwin. Even though Pella and Serious are American, Thermotec (Canadian) seems to be the main supplier for passive houses in the NE USA. Accurate seem to have an identical product with a much better price point and much better customer service. After the initial quote Thermotec stop responding to me, and Serious was having serious doubts whether they could ship to Canada. Pella are considered top quality in the conventional building industry, but they only off double-pane vinyl windows. I think they have the reputation from a very successful marketing arm and some fancy features.

I can go on about the window research, but I recommend visiting
http://www.efficientwindows.org/
, and the Energy Nerd also has some comments about windows, and German passive-house windows.


As for doors, we want doors with good insulation value. This means a fiberglass insulated door. The choice is much more limited but we are going with Richersons Doors, which can be ordered through most door companies.