The following is my opinion. The very best mower engines (in order) are probably: #1 Kawasaki #2 Honda commmercial #3 Briggs OHV #4 Briggs Quantum #5 Honda GC #6 Tecumseh #7 MTD - Chinese engine #8 Kohler - Chinese engine The Briggs Quantum, Honda GC and Tecumseh are all well suited for residential use. I don't have experience with the MTD and Kohler Chinese engines. My opinions are different than some of the experts. I look for the best value. I don't care if the engine is less sophisticated than the other models. If I were looking for a mower for residential use, my choice of engines (in order) would be: #1 Briggs Quantum - Because of the low price, this engine is the best value for home owners. If you hit a rock the top engines will be just as dead as the cheap Briggs. The Briggs Quantum is the easiest engine of the bunch to service. Dealers usually carry the spare parts for servicing. The carburetor is simple to remove, clean, and repair. The valves and valve guides hold up very well. The most common problems are (a) dirty carburetor (b)fuel lines that deteriorate and (c) the plastic air filter housing sometimes warps. #2 Honda GC - This engine will have the same problem as the Briggs Quantum - a dirty carburetor. The carburetor is difficult to service bacause of the installation design. #3 Tecumseh - The basic engine is durable, but the carburetor has the plastic venturi tube with o rings. After a few years, this design deteriorates and carb repairs/replacements are likely. The cheap oil pump is a good feature. #4 Briggs OHV - This engine would make a good boat anchor. The compression release is very sensitive to high altitude. There were some problems with the sparkplug gaps and the carburetor throttle plate sticking. I feel it is a heavy design. #5 Kawasaki - best engine made. Has full oil pressure lubrication. Expect problems related to old fuel. This represents less value to the home owner because of the cost. #6 Honda commercial - 2nd best engine made. Expect problems related to old fuel. The plastic air filter housing warps where it attaches to the carburetor. This represents less value to the home owner because of the cost. #7. MTD Chinese - For a few years, dealers will not have parts. I don't know anything about this engine and the report card has not been developed. #8 Kohler Chinese - same as the MTD. I like the Toro because of the cast aluminum deck.

I think I am particularly sensitive given it's proximity to where I sit. For people who notice noise level of appliances, I've seen several comments about the Marvel being noisier than other brands... and I find that the noise is noticeable for mine... but if you're not in a quiet environment, it probably doesn't make a difference.

I am looking to install about a dozen or so "XX" dual slider windows in tandem. Basically, I plan on putting one window on top of another. This is similar to what the company "Soundproof Windows" does, except I'm ordering standard windows and having my contractor install two in tandem. Hopefully Oberon can chime in on this one. I did hire an acoustical engineer... however he is not aware of the STC rating for these unique XX dual slider windows. Basically, it's a horizontal slider where both windows (left and right) slide independently. I need these because I have planter boxes directly outside the windows and I want access to the entire section from inside the house. The planter boxes are not accessible from the outside because they are either two or three stories up (homes are three stories tall). Does anyone know if the XX dual slider is appropriate in achieving a high STC rating? My goal is 50 STC with these two windows in tandem: First window (outside) Dual pane 1/4" lam, 5/8" air space, 1/8" plate glass Second window (inside) Single pane 3/16" lam Note that there is about 2 1/2" of airspace between the two sliding windows. So technically, when both windows are closed, I have created a "triple pane" window with a 5/8" airspace and a 2 1/2" airspace. And 3 varying window thicknesses - 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4". Total mass in glass is 9/16" and this doesn't include the two laminate films between two panes which I assume add about 1/8" more. And the reason why I need a ridiculously high 50 STC is because these are bedrooms and the property is located right next to a highway. Any advice is appreciated!

You know what is so great about my Pella at least my older Designer Series....YOU can remove the inner pane of glass.... case it gets fogged...and clean or fix or change out parts for the shades... I sure miss my Rollscreens... still wanna get them eventually we will install them ourselfs....like we did in our former home of over 40 yrs... I pass on any series but the Designer.... course you still have to do preventive maintenance on any door and window..... This money pit home we bought 3 yrs ago has fogged peeling windows... Double paned and seals have failed. thank goodness 2 widows are single paned....... We did find some used awnings that help a lot....and a used patio cover for the front deck..... I read some brochures on doors they all recomend some type of overhang the sun is so extreme and does so much damage. We replaced two basement tall window first year here.... they are unfortuntely not Pella.... but they work so far. The previous owner and builder ..put in thick panes of glass framed in plain old pine painted.... that did not open. It is a walkout basement with a view of the woods Poor Hubby put in two NEW 32 by 36 or so Dhung windows on top of each other. Worked but I hated them.... I just was trying to save money......so I had to tell him how I hated the look.. He finally agreed and we ordred a size that fit better ,tall ,like over or close to 6 foot tall... so now the view is cut in half....instead of fourths...LOL But I will live with it... cause it took( Craigs List looking ) over two years later to find tall casements used... but they might eventually go in a greenhouse. Hubby declared he was tired of installing windows.....this is our are this 3rd home... and prob last But he did 3 so far, himself... we had a guy install the 2 DH smaller ones in the kitchen ..we took tose two from the basement . does not look so great ,as the guy did not remove the window frame... . He just stuck the whole shebang 32 by 36 dH in the old junk peeling frames.. and covered the exposed wood with formed and aluminum he formed on the spot... We had him cover all the old peeling window frames. If I known I would later find nice Pellas I would have saved the money he charged for covering the old wooden frames.... LOL Since we are seniors... I can live with those... we still have not finished the interior on the 2 kitchen windows....Matter of fact we still gots lots of stuff in boxes from the move.....LOL first home 40 years.....too much stuff I have bought used and new pella designers from Craigs list, Habitat Restore stores etc. Most we had to drive hrs away to get.. but the savings were like 1/6 the price.... It took 3 years to find a bunch of them.....so I might live long enough to see them in this money pit house.... Just my long story....