Need help with windows

HorseFeathers

Thanks! If it was up to my husband, he would slap in any old window. LOL! But I won't let him!

Timberwright

Horsefeathers,

I would tend to stay away from regional window manufacturers, the reason being they might not survive this downturn. Andersen is nation wide and they make a good product.

Some of the Milguard windows have a life time guarantee. They will replace anything that goes wrong for as long as you own the house. This includes window breakage. All seals will eventually fail and they cover this as well.

If you have Jeld-Wen in your area run away screaming.

The other consideration is if you go with a window that Home Depot sells, and your total is over $2500 you might qualify for a volume bid price. It doesn't hurt to ask.

HorseFeathers

Thanks Timberwright, We drove out to Home Depot yesterday and I was quoted $760 for a 3.0 x 5.0. That was double hung tilt, Low E4, w/wood on the inside, vinyl on the outside, *sun-smart coating to make it right at .3 or below for U-Factor and SHGC, and their new screen product. It took me FOREVER to get that one quote from the fella that worked there and I'm not sure he got everything right either. Poor guy, I can't say he didn't try but you could tell, windows were just not his thing!

jaros bros.

What you really need to do is find a reputable lumberyard. Their salesman will come right to your door and measure your windows and give you different quotes on brands. Home Depot and Lowes are not reputable lumberyards.
Marvin Windows and Anderson are the only two brands I would choose from. Depending on price, the Marvin Windows are the better of the two, IF you go with their ultimate clad series.
This leads to your second option. You could also go on Marvin and Anderson's websites and use their distributer locations to find one near you. They likely will have a showroom and they will really work to get your business. They have reps that are really knowledgeable and easy to work with.
I'm not sure why people settle for cheap vinyl windows and are happy getting 10-15 years out of them when for a little more initially you can get a decent window that last for 25 minimum. Good luck!

Josh Jaros (The Woodlands, TX)

wrangler

I was browsing throught the Marvin site and it does look like they have a great line of products. The only thing I didn't like were the balances... rope & pulley/block & tackle with nylon rope. I have had to replace many of those style windows here in Florida due to failure, but that may have something to do with our high humidity and heat. Do they offer other style balances (was too lazy to read through every pdf they had on their site)? The constant force balances in the Alside windows is one feature that has always drawn me to them. It uses a coiled strip of stainless steel (much like that of a clock spring) to maintain the travel of the sash.
Though I have not looked at them lately, I recall that the American Craftsman windows used to use the block and tackle style of balances. With Texas' drier climate, it may not be a factor, but here in Florida, it seems that almost every window I replaced had bad balances, be they spiral, B&T, counterweight.

__________________
Man of many hats

Plumbvoltage

Our contractor installed windows by a company called Paradigm when we built 2.5 yrs ago. The lumberyard where the materials came from carried them. They also carried Anderson and recommended these. So far so good we havn't had any problems and no drafts.

Timberwright

Horsefeathers, what window manufacturer was he quoting?

HorseFeathers

Those were Andersens. We are still shopping.

Anyone have any reviews on the fiberglass windows and doors? Should we steer clear of those or are they good insulation and last? I haven't seen any but according to one salesman, look just like wood.

I am really taking my time and doing my research. It's hard earned money and I know I don't want to make a poor and hasty decision. My husband is pressing me so we can move along on our project.

jaros bros.

Marvin makes a great fiberglass window. Fiberglass and glass expand and contract at virtually the same rate so that's good for the seals. I have installed a few and I think they are great. No warping issues like with vinyl. Comes in different colors. No painting. Check out the Marvin website and do a locater and then have a rep come out give you some ideas and quotes.

Josh Jaros

4just1don

Emily or any others that care to answer.

How do the Gerkin windows factor into that list of good, better, and bests??

I had those used as replacements a few years ago and am quite happy with them,,,no cold drop, cant feel ANY draft or cold on inside of windows,no frost, no fog even when 20 below outside!!

EMILY P

Gerkin they must be region window player. Even consumer reports does not have them listed, nor did any Window MFG books or Pro Sales Books, never heard of them. Were did you purchase them? And hollow vinyl and or solid wood? Price per window? You tell me since, you purchased them, how would rank them..if your happy with them great!

Timberwright

In that case Horsefeathers they were not Andersen windows. Andersen has their own sizes and you have to conform to their rough openings. Your inclination was correct that the Home Depot associate didn't know what he was doing. They will have someone who has been trained to take orders correctly. Ask for the millworks specialist and ask how long they have been doing that job. If it is less than a year look elsewhere.

joel v.

Even though this already has lots of replies I will add my 2 cents. Jensen and Gentek are both junk IMO. For residential construction there are alot of Strassburger windows going in houses. Good windows. Strassburger is based out of kitchner, ontario though. Pollard also makes very nice windows. At a commercial job I was at recently at ,all they were using were Pollard windows. Those windows were top of the line though. Not all Pollard windows would be though. Like said 'You get what you pay for '

HorseFeathers

Ya know, I never would have dreamed in a million years that buying windows would be this dang complicated.

Wahoo

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any reviews on Atrium windows. I am going to look at some new wood/aluminnum clad windows I found on craigslist and would love advice.
I hear ya horsefeathers, bying windows is the pits. Esp when your trying to save money by buying overstock.