What Window companies do you guys like?

[UncleDave]

I know about Andersen, Pella, Jeld-Wyn, and Milguard, Marvin and Harvey, but Im curious if you guys have any experience with anything outside these brands and what you may think.

I've heard Amsco, and Anlin are worth a look, but know nothing about them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tbm5690]

My parents have Vector, another MN company. Their house is only 2 years old but so far so good and they seem well made.

 

[DukeOfFrontenac]

I used Okna windows in my resto. Love them. Major bang for the $.

 

[TOLSON]

Well, living in Iowa, I'm partial to Pella. My wife and I spend a lot of time in that town. We have paella windows in our condo, they have beautiful wood working. BUT!! I must admit Pella isn't very good at supporting their product over time. When we lived in Illinois we had Andersons installed, and had great product support from them.

 

[reemoeMO]

It's definitely confusing that there's both Anderson and Andersen!

 

[Wylie6G72]

Just got New South Windows to replace all mine last week. Really like them, am confident they will help this summer's electric bills.

 

[UncleDave]

My parents have Vector, another MN company. Their house is only 2 years old but so far so good and they seem well made.

I'll check em out.

 

[UncleDave]

Just got New South Windows to replace all mine last week. Really like them, am confident they will help this summer's electric bills.
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looking good.

Is the top pict aluminum and the rest vinyl/fibreglass?
The frame is pretty thin on the top pict or as they say " a lot of glass"

 

[skyactiv]

I had Champion vinyl windows installed in my first house. JUNK. Three windowpanes were replaced under warranty. My younger sister lives in the house now and one windowpane fogs up and needs replaced.

I had a custom home built last year with a walkout basement and it has $28K of Marvin fiberglass windows. I'll never go back to vinyl.

 

[UncleDave]

Well, living in Iowa, I'm partial to Pella. My wife and I spend a lot of time in that town. We have paella windows in our condo, they have beautiful wood working. BUT!! I must admit Pella isn't very good at supporting their product over time. When we lived in Illinois we had Andersons installed, and had great product support from them.

What material were your Pellas?

 

[UncleDave]

I had Champion vinyl windows installed in my first house. JUNK. Three windowpanes were replaced under warranty. My younger sister lives in the house now and one windowpane fogs up and needs replaced.

I had a custom home built last year with a walkout basement and it has $28K of Marvin fiberglass windows. I'll never go back to vinyl.

Great info thanks.

Most people like Marvin a lot and for good reason.

Whats the sway for you on fibreglass? Rigidity?

 

[UncleDave]

It's definitely confusing that there's both Anderson and Andersen!

Then there is "Renewal by Andersen", the compliant I hear is that you arent dealing with a factory but an independent rep company.

 

[Al]

Go with recommended mom and pop guys

 

[UncleDave]

Go with recommended mom and pop guys

For sure I'll pick a local installer, but I dont always like the window packages they push.

 

[doitmyself]

Here for the learning. My son has been shopping for new windows to be installed in the next few years. My initial impression is that things have changed a lot. I almost think that windows have become a commodity, we have maybe gotten past the cheap junk window fly-by-nights, and there are now high quality alternatives to the half-dozen recognized name brands. We're still collecting information.

I also think that the lifespan of sealed double pane windows is maybe 20 -25 years, no matter the brand. Still investigating that also.

Sorry I can't contribute anything useful.

 

[UncleDave]

Here for the learning. My son has been shopping for new windows to be installed in the next few years. My initial impression is that things have changed a lot. I almost think that windows have become a commodity, we have maybe gotten past the cheap junk window fly-by-nights, and there are now high quality alternatives to the half-dozen recognized name brands. We're still collecting information.

I also think that the lifespan of sealed double pane windows is maybe 20 -25 years, no matter the brand. Still investigating that also.

Sorry I can't contribute anything useful.

I would have said (and experienced) the same thing before my latest investigations.

It seems there have been major advancements in sealed double panes and some companies offer a double life warranty that even extends to the second owner of the home a double lifetime guarantee they will stay intact, of course you are going to pay for this.

 

[dishdude]

Just got New South Windows to replace all mine last week. Really like them, am confident they will help this summer's electric bills.
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Can I ask how much those half moon windows were? I have a few of those that could use a replacement but I heard they're pretty pricey. They look really nice, btw.

 

[Wylie6G72]

looking good.

Is the top pict aluminum and the rest vinyl/fibreglass?
The frame is pretty thin on the top pict or as they say " a lot of glass"

Sorry for the confusion, the first 4 pics are before and after. Aluminum replaced with vinyl.

 

[NormanBuntz]

I prefer Pella for quality, Anderson for value and service support. When you live in hurricane country, investing in good windows is paramount.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Can I ask how much those half moon windows were? I have a few of those that could use a replacement but I heard they're pretty pricey. They look really nice, btw.

Can't really get you that number, he didn't give me a sheet where he broke down each window by its individual price. Replaced 13 windows to be 12 windows, totalling $22k. But we got a two-tiered discount, one for signing same day, the other for purchasing more than 10 windows. You really will just have to get somebody to come out and give you an estimate. Advice: Get several estimates, and expect to be shocked by Renewal by Anderson's price.