Window And Door Guys???

[slonezp]

I'm getting quotes to replace the windows in my house. Can I get some reccomendations on different brands? I have already gotten quotes from Anderson and Alside. Alside is vinyl and half the price of Anderson which is basicly a composite decking material. Virtuly the same transferable warranty. Anderson says vinyl windows are not made for the "hot/cold" of the Chicago area and are designed for more temperate climate. True/false? What other brands do you recommend? What ??? should I be asking these guys? I'm looking for a window with good quality and warranty. Not looking to break the bank, but willing to pay for quality.

Thanks

[deaknh03]

Go with Anderson. I have put in a lot of windows and when customers try to go cheaper it always ends up with them complaining about the windows they chose and regretting not spending on the andersons. If its a place your gonna live in for the forseeable future, make the investment.

[Sam]

We just put in Lincoln windows in our house and office.

Good windows and a lot less than Anderson.

Check with a local contractor for his input before you make a final decision.

And look in the Yellow Pages for places that sell various window brands and visit them getting information.

May I suggest staying away from Loews and Home Depot plus other large box stores adn those TV ads that promise a window for $89, etc.? Go to the retailers who actually know and sell various brands of windows for the best advice and guidance.

There are a lot of windows to select among and you can go off the deep-end make a selection unless you have professional guidance.

[Catt]

Do a Google search for Alside window reviews, you will not be impressed!

Check the independent certification from the National Fennestration Rating Council (NFRC) with respect to the R-values of the windows and specifically the glazed or glass portion of the window.

Look at Anderson, Pella and Marvin windows

[Jigfishn10]

I pushed Andersen for years. Great window, a little more expensive and they always stick by their product. I still have clients who ask me to come and repair a window that was installed 10 years ago and i can call Andersen for a part and they have it. Can't beat that!

[Sfritr]

Do a Google search for Alside window reviews, you will not be impressed!

Check the independent certification from the National Fennestration Rating Council (NFRC) with respect to the R-values of the windows and specifically the glazed or glass portion of the window.

Look at Anderson, Pella and Marvin windows

X2

[quanjig]

Power windows

[Lund Explorer]

I know you said you didn't want to break the bank, but you may want to look re-siding the house at the same time if it will need it in the next few years. That was our project last summer, and it worked out great. Some of the beneifts:

1. Stick with the company's standard sizes which are cheaper.

2. Siding now fits perfectly to the new windows.

3. Chance to add 1/4" insulation and Tyveck <sp>. Our house could use the extra insulation and was old enough it didn't have house wrap.

Also before the project starts, start watching the sales flyers for the wood you'll need to do finish work on the inside. The stuff goes on some crazy sale prices a few times a year. It took us two months to find a sale but saved close to half on cost.

Stick with a quality window maker, buy the E-Glass option, plus make sure it is rated for your area to qualify for the tax breaks. We cut our heating bill by almost 40% the first winter! That paid back a lot of the extra cost we had doing the project.

[skunked_again]

ive been in the window business for almost 20 years and i wouldnt have Anderson windows for free. the reason for this is the hardware is cheap, the glass however is some of the best on the market. i install Alside, Milgard, and Sunrise. out of those 3 i like Sunrise the best. i wouldnt install the Milgard Ultras in my house. reason being the hardware again. Milgard Tuscany is a great unit. anything Sunrise or Alside will be a good unit, the glass in the Alside units being a lesser grade. as far as vinyl goes, dont let that stop you. if installed correctly youll have no problems. another option is Heartland. .. Guardian Climaguard is what i put in my new house, and i love them.

feel free to pm me with quotes and questions.

[skunked_again]

also, do rough opening installs if you can swing it, much better over the pocket installs.

[slonezp]

Thanks guys. I had the 2 quotes and have 3 more lined up next week.

Lund Exp. I live in a townhome so siding is not an issue for me.

skunked. I may contact you next week after I get the rest of the quotes.

[Hammer 4]

I agree with Skunked..I've installed about 1000 window over the last few yrs. here in so. cali..I've used a few different brands, and I've always had great luck with Milgard, their tech support is great if you need it, and the warranty is as good or better than others.

[South FLA]

Here in Florida PGT windows are great for windstorm protection, consider the R value of windows when purchasing. I like sliders instead of double hung if going with heavier windows, double hung windows are heavy are eventually going to sag.

[Aaron]

I would bypass vinyl products. They can warp in extreme temperatures. Have you looked at composite/fiberglass windows?

I work for a window manufacturer and have built both vinyl and fiberglass framed windows. I have seen the finished products and much prefer the look of fiberglass/composite windows with powdercoated finish.

[skunked_again]

I would bypass vinyl products. They can warp in extreme temperatures. Have you looked at composite/fiberglass windows?

I work for a window manufacturer and have built both vinyl and fiberglass framed windows. I have seen the finished products and much prefer the look of fiberglass/composite windows with powdercoated finish.

im not a fan of fiberglass. too many problems that goes along with the material over an extended timeline.

vinyl will warp. the myth is that it will never stop warping. typically once vinyl finds its happy spot, its there for life. its also the reason why pros will not paint vinyl, it adds to the warping. the latest vinyl windows have venting frames, which cut down on trapped heat, which is the leading cause of warping.

vinyl surrounds holding glass in front entry doors............i bet there is at least one poster who reads this and says: "Hey, my vinyl surround is warped and cracked to hell". maybe more.

there is a lot more who think: "Mine looks fine".

the second are the posters who have better vinyl or a more current design. im sure there are posters who have had a different experience, what ive out lined is "in general".

the pic is the leading reason i dislike fiberglass, and i see this a lot.

[slonezp]

I had Gilkey come out yesterday and it looks like the best window I've seen yet. Although not cheap. He showed me 3 types of vinyl saying the "grayish" vinyl from Canada is pure and is what they use. The "blue/white" and "off white" area mix of vinyl and filler and are the ones that warp. They are also triple paned. He used to be a Renewal Dealer and said they had issues with screws loosining up during shipping and believed the product was inferior. I also didn't care for the hard sell from Renewal "Sign now and you get it for this price" "Sign after today and the price goes up another 10%" The Pella guy is coming tonight.