Which Vinyl Windows Are the Best?

First developed in the 1970s as a cheaper and more efficient solution to glass materials within window replacement, vinyl has since emerged as the single most popular window replacement material across the United States.

The general choices are between vinyl and wood windows, the latter being much more expensive.

While wood windows offer a premium feel and near lifetime guarantees on most products of that type, there is really no comparison with the value proposition of a vinyl window.

The vinyl window is constantly being innovated and iterated upon, and there are vinyl windows that can be purchased now that provide near-perfect insulation and protection from the outside.

The Double Hung Window

The type of window we are going to be looking at today is the “double-hung” variety.

This is by far the most popular and useful type of vinyl window, as it allows two points of articulation that can be opened or closed for ventilation.

Okna: The best manufacturer of Vinyl Windows in the U.S.

Because the vinyl window starts from a disadvantaged point against wood windows – typically being known for worse insulation and air infiltration – there is one really important factor you need to look for in vinyl window companies.

That factor is innovation.

The benefits of vinyl windows are that their design is much easier to experiment with.

For a company like Okna, that helps it stand out.

Okna is a relatively new provider of vinyl windows, but in that time it has created a revolutionary suite of double-hung products.

Benefits of Okna Windows

Aside from the constant innovation, what does Okna do that places it a cut above the rest?

The answer is again, simple. Full customization, size, and color-matched for your home.

Ignoring the trend of plain, boring white window frames in vinyl windows, Okna offers a wide range of different tones and hues that you can use to customize your rooms.

There is a large range of different vinyl windows from Okna that allow you real freedom in what you buy.

There are even options further up the price range to emulate old, wooden style windows (done in full vinyl, of course).

As we will explore in the next few sections, each of Okna’s Double Hung products performs incredibly when ranked against its peers in terms of resistance against air infiltration and water penetration.

So, that is the benefit of choosing Okna. Incredible customization coupled with perfect protection and energy efficiency.

Okna’s Double Hung Range

Okna offers a comprehensive list of different double hung vinyl windows. Ranging from the economical to the eco-friendly, to the absolute luxury.

In this next section we will take you through the different options on offer from Okna here.

Up first is the most basic, economically sensible vinyl window replacement offered by Okna in their double-hung range, the Precision Weld 400.

Okna Double Hung Vinyl Window: Precision Weld 400. 

The Precision Weld 400 includes fusion-welded edges that allow for both a more structurally sound window replacement and some excellent heat-trapping technology.

In fact, this fusion welding is coupled with Okna’s patented “HeatSeal” Technology that is specifically geared towards trapping in as much heat as possible.

Alongside making this a much more energy-efficient proposition than others in the same market, there is the added benefit of massively cutting condensation in your Okna windows.

This use of the most modern vinyl window technology possible leads to an incredible performance by Okna’s Precision weld 400 against industry peers. This standout showing can be seen in the below table:

By far and away the most important point to note here is the superlative resistance against air infiltration.

Air infiltration is also known as “air leakage” – essentially the amount of air lost or leaked by a barrier out of a building into the outside world.

Performing 600% better than industry peers is absolutely staggering, especially in an area as important as this one.

More than anything else, it proves that the company’s claims with regard to its insulating properties are to be entirely trusted.

Okna Double Hung Vinyl Window: Insul-Tec 500

The Insul-Tec is the next up the price range. This offers all the same tech as the previous entry but focuses heavier on the insulation aspect.

Iterating on its own HeatSeal technology (the one preventing heat loss and condensation) the Insul-Tec 500 also incorporates fiberglass meshes as standard.

There is also heavy gauge handles alongside “double weather-stripping” done via internal interlocking.

The table below shows the performance of the Insul-Tec 500.

Okna Double Hung: Eco Pro 600

The Eco-Pro boasts similar successful elements to the Insul-Tec before it. More than that, it also includes a thicker grade of glass that increases the window’s soundproofing.

It comes in a variety of different formats, equipped with some gorgeous beveling options.

Here is how it performs against its industry peers:

Okna Double Hung: Enviro-Star 800

Finally, the premium. A sleek and unintrusive option that slots itself neatly into any different setting.

Its feature list is mostly like the 600 series before it, and here is how it does against its industry competitors:

This is the real draw of Okna. It has a 0.01 air infiltration rate, literally the smallest possible on the market. This shows the fact that Okna shines above its competition in terms of energy efficiency and heat retention.

To the tune of nearly 30 times.

References

https://www.oknawindows.com/products/double-hung/

https://www.oknawindows.com/product/double-hung-enviro-star/

https://www.oknawindows.com/products/

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Doors-Windows-Windows/Vinyl/N-5yc1vZaq1wZ1z0rrk7

https://acrewindows.com/blog/should-i-buy-wood-windows-or-vinyl-windows-acre-explains/