Frequently Asked Questions

No. Trapped air can be one of the best insulators you’ll find, and it’s FREE!  Through extensive research we have found that there is no tangible difference in having foam or air insulating the frame of the window.

The Endur spacer from Cardinal Glass Industries.  This stainless steel spacer with two separate seals separates the spacer from the glass and limits heat loss.  The Endur spacer also has the lowest seal failure rate in the industry based on laboratory testing.

Yes.  All of our windows are manufactured with LoE (Emissivity) glass that has a special coating applied on the glass surface.  This coating allows short-wave energy to pass through but reflects long-wave infrared energy, improving the U-value.

Argon Gas is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, non-toxic gas that is six times denser than air. It’s used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce temperature transfer for better thermal efficiency.  The insulated glass unit is filled with Argon Gas via metered evacuation chamber at Cardinal Glass Industries prior to production of the window.

R-value is the resistance a material has to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. U-value is the amount of heat transferred through a material. The lower the U-value, the slower the rate of heat flow and the better the insulating quality. When shopping for windows or doors, look for higher R-values and lower U-values for the most energy-efficient products possible.

Insulating glass improves the quality of Minnkota Windows and Doors by:

• - Improving the performance of the U- and R-values of your new windows and doors.
• - Reducing condensation. 
• - Helping keep the heat in and cold out during winter. 
• - Helping keep the heat out and the cold in during summer.

The performance and longevity of vinyl compares favorably to those of other building materials, and vinyl often costs less to produce. Vinyl is rapidly capturing market share as more builders and homeowners learn about vinyl's outstanding value and economy.

Yes.  Minnkota Windows are manufactured with uPVC, or unplasticized PVC.  This means there are no harmful chemicals inherent to other types of vinyl on the market.  uPVC is entirely green and offers no toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

Egress requirements indicate a minimum opening size that certain windows must meet. These requirements tend to vary according from region to region, so please contact your local building code official for egress requirements in your area.

Condensation, or "sweating," is a natural occurrence on all windows and is caused by excess humidity, or invisible water vapor, present in the air. When this water vapor comes in contact with a surface which is at a cooler temperature, the vapor turns to visible droplets of moisture.
Minnkota Windows have many features built in to keep the temperature of the glass as warm as possible and thus reduce condensation. Our insulating glass units provide superior energy efficiency to reduce the potential for condensation. However, there is no such thing as a condensation-free window in high humidity conditions. Controlling the amount of moisture in your home is the most effective action you can take to avoid condensation.