New House windows recommendation

[chiefsfan1]

So the wife is wanting new windows. The current ones are the original to the house built in 1955.
They are storm windows.
we had one company out last night. The window is made by VIWINTECH ultra 6000.
Many more will be asked to come out. This one is locally owned.
Its mind boggling of the choices and of course the price tag...
After research it seems Pella is a bit overrated and Anderson as well.
Staying away from the $189 windows!

 

[SHOZ]

I've had two sets of 'lifetime' guaranteed replacement windows. They are good until they start to get moisture between the panes. Unfortunately the lifetime warranty is only as good as the company is around.

First set lasted about 10 years. So I went to a local 40 year old company to get the second set. But their lifetime guarantee was from the manufacture who sold off the division and then that company went out of business.

 

[06AllAmerican]

We replaced all our windows last year with a local business. We choose Soft-Lite windows. So far energy use is down about 22% summer and 31% in the winter.
We had one little problem with one window and we had a new one (sash) in days.

 

[Lapham3]

There are a number of good brands. They can get a bit too expensive for me as those two you mentioned have pretty good reps now and are too costly. My problem is the installers often also want the big $ for a job two guys get done in a day or less. Anderson 'Renue' wanted $12k to do 4 5'x5' sliders and a patio door=no thanks!

 

[Boomer]

Look at Sunrise Windows. We have had the for five + years and are very happy with their appearance and performance.

 

[philipp10]

I am very passionate about window choices. First off you need to decide the type of window and the materials you want it built from. Vinyl, wood, composite? Double hung, casement etc. Then start shopping around. Personally I prefer a wood, double hung with an exterior cladding. Marvin are my favorite with the aluminum exterior cladding. Have installed a few and am thrilled with how they last, how they feel etc. They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for in windows. IMO, too many cheap vinyl windows being sold that will end up in the landfill in 10-15 years.

 

[Egg_Head]

Did anyone else besides me think this was a discussion about Windows 10? Just kidding.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: chiefsfan1
So the wife is wanting new windows. The current ones are the original to the house built in 1955.
They are storm windows.
we had one company out last night. The window is made by VIWINTECH ultra 6000.
Many more will be asked to come out. This one is locally owned.
Its mind boggling of the choices and of course the price tag...
After research it seems Pella is a bit overrated and Anderson as well.
Staying away from the $189 windows!


What I do not like are the replacement windows they put the new window inside an old window frame. I know cheaper and easier, but I just think they make the house cheap looking. Thats my opinion.

The last house I did renovation on we installed several Marvin windows. Many of them custom sized. There were window opening surrounded by cobble stone, so the best window was a custom size.

I would look at Renewal by Anderson. I have not bought any just read and looked.

 

[Warstud]

The last discussion on windows here... from someone that installed alot of windows... said to go with Anderson.

 

[Lapham3]

The Anderson factory is near by, but when I built a home in 1989 I used Marvin=also very good stuff. They broke a custom one on the truck and I had a replacement in a couple days. Those yellow Marvin trucks are on the road day and night=great quality and service. Hope it's the same these days.

 

[philipp10]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
The last discussion on windows here... from someone that installed alot of windows... said to go with Anderson.


Not a fan of the Andersons (factory close by) because of the vinyl used on the outside as cladding. How long will that last?

 

[SHOZ]

The vinyl cladding last a long time. 30 years of more. It's the sealant they use to separate the glass that makes the difference between long life and fogged up glass.

 

[opus1]

Originally Posted By: chiefsfan1
...
After research it seems Pella is a bit overrated and Anderson as well.
Staying away from the $189 windows!


I have a Pella storm door and, being polite, I'm underwhelmed. If their windows are the same quality, you're wise to avoid them.

 

[philipp10]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The vinyl cladding last a long time. 30 years of more. It's the sealant they use to separate the glass that makes the difference between long life and fogged up glass.


Well for me, 30 years is not long enough. I want 50 minimum. Vinyl and sunlight do not work well together. The vinyl gets brittle and then the hail takes it out. Why not spend a couple extra bucks and get aluminum. It will last forever.

 

[SHOZ]

Originally Posted By: philipp10
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The vinyl cladding last a long time. 30 years of more. It's the sealant they use to separate the glass that makes the difference between long life and fogged up glass.


Well for me, 30 years is not long enough. I want 50 minimum. Vinyl and sunlight do not work well together. The vinyl gets brittle and then the hail takes it out. Why not spend a couple extra bucks and get aluminum. It will last forever.


Exposed aluminum frame is terrible for stopping heat transfer. I have large overhangs on my house so hail isn't an issue for siding or windows.

On the south side of my house though there are two fully exposed to the sun vinyl windows that the vinyl cladding is still in great shape after 30 years.

 

[Hokiefyd]

We put new windows in our home a few years ago. On the advice of a general contractor friend who helped me install them, we went with Jeld-Wen. We used the Builders line (their standard grade) and have been very pleased. They're all double hung and with argon-filled Low-E 366 glass. We physically removed our old windows and frames, and installed new construction windows. We replaced our Masonite siding with new vinyl at the same time, so everything looks right. The new construction Jeld-Wen windows had all the correct brick moulding and J channels for the siding, so there was no extra trim work required.

What I really like about the Jeld-Wen windows is the window is set at the very outside of the frame, so it's nearly flush with the outside of the house. I think it looks better that way, but it also offers very deep window sills. I combined that with extra wide stool moulding to create a nice deep window sill effect (good for plants, cats, etc).

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: chiefsfan1
So the wife is wanting new windows. The current ones are the original to the house built in 1955.
They are storm windows.
we had one company out last night. The window is made by VIWINTECH ultra 6000.
Many more will be asked to come out. This one is locally owned.
Its mind boggling of the choices and of course the price tag...
After research it seems Pella is a bit overrated and Anderson as well.
Staying away from the $189 windows!


Andersen or JELD-WEN.

Also, keep in mind that your house was built prior to 1978 so that means you may be required to use an EPA Lead-Safe certified contractor to replace those windows. Removing and replacing windows definitely can require such a contractor as it disturbs paint, requires old trim removal, siding sometimes have to be removed/cut, etc... If it raises any dust( which it will ) the certified contractor is required as well due to the homes age.

This is a Federal law that applies to all states so it will apply to the OP. Make sure that you don't violate the law as the fines are quite large. I worked in the construction field( new home construction as well as remodeling )when this law first came out in 2008 and was in the process of getting certified when I got sick and had to stop. By 2010 the law was in full effect.

 

[Brian Barnhart]

I had some Norandex vinyl windows installed about 15 years ago. Went to get some broken parts replaced, and they said they can't figure out who made them (I assume they mean which sub-contractor made them), even though I gave them the Norandex numbers right off of the window. No fogging yet on any of those 6 windows. But I definitely would stay away from them since they have been of no help some years later even though they are still making windows.

 

[chiefsfan1]

Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: chiefsfan1
So the wife is wanting new windows. The current ones are the original to the house built in 1955.
They are storm windows.
we had one company out last night. The window is made by VIWINTECH ultra 6000.
Many more will be asked to come out. This one is locally owned.
Its mind boggling of the choices and of course the price tag...
After research it seems Pella is a bit overrated and Anderson as well.
Staying away from the $189 windows!


Andersen or JELD-WEN.

Also, keep in mind that your house was built prior to 1978 so that means you may be required to use an EPA Lead-Safe certified contractor to replace those windows. Removing and replacing windows definitely can require such a contractor as it disturbs paint, requires old trim removal, siding sometimes have to be removed/cut, etc... If it raises any dust( which it will ) the certified contractor is required as well due to the homes age.

This is a Federal law that applies to all states so it will apply to the OP. Make sure that you don't violate the law as the fines are quite large. I worked in the construction field( new home construction as well as remodeling )when this law first came out in 2008 and was in the process of getting certified when I got sick and had to stop. By 2010 the law was in full effect.


You are correct. The company we had out the other night brought that up.
Thanks for the advice. this is just the beginning....

 

[JTK]

Yep, I've got two no name vinyl ~5'x4' replacement casement windows in my home with broken parts that I can't find anywhere. Even the screen frames are plastic and odd. They're probably 15-20yrs old.