Small Project Design

I am working with a client that wants to replace dark green aluminum windows with dark green vinyl windows. I have found only a couple of manufacturers that will paint their white vinyl. Does anyone know of a vinyl window manufacturer that will make a dark green color vinyl where the color is integral to the vinyl rather than painted? Thanks.
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John Downie AIA
John V. Downie, Architect
Newton MA
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Take a look at Sherwin-Williams' VinylSafe paints: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/palettes/vinylsafe/

They have some darker greens, but nothing I'd really call dark green.  The reason is that with vinyl, you can get buckling with darker colors heating up the underlying vinyl in the sun.  For example, from the AZEK tech sheet - "Use a 100% acrylic latex paint with a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 55 or higher."  The less light reflected, the more heat the underlying vinyl absorbs.

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Thomas Bank AIA
Owner/Architect
Simply Stated Architecture, P.C.
Lemoyne PA
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Andersen makes a forest green window which you can purchase in their Woodwright Series.  These are very good vinyl clad wood replacement windows.

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John Lehman AIA
Lehman Associates, PC
Highland MD
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Goodness, is there a reason the client is set on vinyl?  Studies show that vinyl windows last only about 20 years, actually begin to degrade at 7 years - pulling away from the glazing and losing efficiency.  Fiberglass is more durable, retains its efficiency far longer, and is available in lots of colors if your client is dead set against wood clad.  Lots of good quality fiberglass windows available in your area.

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Elaine Adams AIA
Denver CO
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Hi John,
There are good reasons that few manufacturers will paint vinyl dark colors. Vinyl windows already have serious expansion/contraction problems with temperature change and dark colors make the problem worse. Paint also does not adhere well to vinyl so has poor durability. I know that vinyl windows are inexpensive, but feel that they are a very poor value over the long term and would never spec them myself. Have you looked into fiberglass? It's a much stronger material and at least Marvin Integrity is available in a very nice dark green.

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Jean Terwilliger AIA
Architect
Jean Terwilliger, AIA, Architect
Cornwall VT
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Have your client go fiberglass, forget vinyl.  Marvin Integrity has a dark green exterior color.  See link below

http://www.integritywindows.com/Fiberglass-Windows/Double-Hung-Ultrex/

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Stephen Wagner AIA
S.E. Wagner, Architect
The Plains VA
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Marvin's color system with their fiberglass units is superb--very durable, high quality.  Similar to that on their aluminum units.

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J. Kevin Ruedisueli AIA
Kevin Ruedisueli, Inc.
Waterford VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2012 12:43
From: Stephen Wagner
Subject: dark green vinyl windows

Have your client go fiberglass, forget vinyl.  Marvin Integrity has a dark green exterior color.  See link below

http://www.integritywindows.com/Fiberglass-Windows/Double-Hung-Ultrex/

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Stephen Wagner AIA
S.E. Wagner, Architect
The Plains VA
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How about dark green fiberglass windows - greener is every respect! Marvin Integrity makes them, with paintable wood on the inside (any color you want) and (also paintable) virtually indestructible fiberglass on the outside.

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Judith Wasserman AIA
Bressack & Wasserman
Palo Alto CA
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John:

Andersen makes their windows in a dark "Forest Green" color that is very nice.
They are the only manufacturer that extrudes a very thick vinyl over a solid wood frame, providing a superior vinyl window.

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Andy Caldwell AIA
Sr Architect/Designer
URS Corporation
Washington DC
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