Window question

[hovermn]

I'm at the point in building the perm. where it's time to install some windows. I'd like to go with larger windows this time around, but I have a question about insulation qualities.

I'd like to put in 4 windows, all new vinyle double pain insulated glass, but the sizes are 36X24 and 48X36 siders. My last house had 30X24 I believe, but I never liked the size, or maybe it was the placement. Anyway, will I be sacrificing a lot of heat using the larger windows? I'll be running an RV vented furnace. Think I'll notice a huge difference in run time because of the window size?

The house is 6.5' X 17' fully insulated and wrapped.

[fishinalot]

I would stick with the 30 x 24 windows. I have mine 40" off the floor, and I'm able to see the tip-ups while sitting down and see out them great while standing up.

[hovermn]

Thanks for your advice. 40" sounds like a pretty good measurment. But, I have to say that I'm still interested in having larger windows. I'm sure smaller ones will help maintain heat better, but does anyone know if there's a big or minor difference in keeping things toasty? I'm willing to sacrifice a little heat for better scenery

[Loogie]

Q = U·A·(Ti - Ta)

Q= Total hourly rate of heat loss

U= Heat transfer coefficient

A= Net area for heat transfer

Ti= Inside temperature 68f

Ta= Outside temperature 10f

Thermal pane window has an R value of about 2.

Your old windows were 20sqft of area, so your looking at about 2320 BTU of heat loss per hour.

Your proposed windows have an area of 36sqft, so that would be a heat loss of 4176 BTU per hour.

This does not take into account if your windows were or are leaky and does not account for heat loss from your walls, floor or roof.

So all things being the the same, changing the windows would take an extra 1856 BTU of heat per hour to keep the same level of comfort. If you have a 18000 btu furnace, it would mean about 10% more run time or about 6 minutes per hour.

You can use the same formula above to calculate heat loss from the rest of your fish house.

I'd say go for the big windows.

[DARTER]

Just a side note. Slider windows are the least efficient of all window styles. Avoid them on any house!

[hovermn]

what would you recommend then?

[DARTER]

No need to get so technical on fish house windows imo. It would be fine to install a slider, just not a very good design for a window is all i'm saying.

[hovermn]

No, I understand that. The way I look at it, I'm not trying to heat this thing all winter long, just weekend stuff. So, I'm not as concerned as I would be say, if it were for a homested.

However, I know very little about window styles or types. Your opinion was that sliders should never be used in a fish house. My question is, what would be your option for a window? With a statement like that, you must have a preference?

[DARTER]

A slider is fine for a fish house. I said avoid if possible. If you have one on hand by all means use it. Your heat loss will cost you less than buying a new window over the life of your house. If I had my choice of window for a fish house it would be an awning style window. Less wind, rain/sleet and also the locking mechanism is more sound. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Mike L]

I'd stick with sliders.

[hanson]

Its an ice shack, put what you want in there.

The first time you open the door to go to the bathroom, you'll lose more heat than your windows will ever lose when they are shut.

I picked up a couple sliding windows from Menards, they are approximately 2' H x 3' W or so. Thats a rough guess. They are insulated, have a depth that fits quite well in a 2" stud wall, nailing flange on the exterior, etc. They cost me around $50 as well. I have been very happy with them.

[hovermn]

Yeah, I believe this thread went way behond what I had intended. Loogie gave me the info I sought after, and I apologize Loogie for not thanking you for that. In the end, all I wanted to know was if there would be a noticeable difference between large (for a fish house) and regular size windows. Not knowing formulas made it a hard question to answer :-)

Anyway, my last fish house has 3 slider thermal windows and I really like them. This time around, the house is larger and I figured I may as well do it up right. 4 3X2 windows oughta do it.

It's just a fish house, but I've decided to go with sliders from Lowes. I've looked at all of the big box stores and lowes' Pella windows were my choice. For the price, they seem very well built. Also had to get the J channel for less hastel

Anyway, thanks again for those that replied. Now if only I could find a cure for wrinkles in the rubber roof