On any job it is a good idea to get several bids.Be sure to check out everyone with the your state to see if they have a lic.After you have three or four bids you will be able to make a decision better.Hope this helps. John

Here is a link that might be useful: johnpaint

These windows are made of "Fibrex" which is Andersen's PVC and sawdust composite material that is also used in synthetic deck materials like Trex and for the sash cladding and applied muntins of Andersen's 400 Series Woodwright double-hung windows. The most annoying thing about these windows is that they won't tell you if they are the "full frame" or the "insert" type of replacement windows and how they are installed. Insert windows are installed inside the existing frame and can be unsightly. Full frame windows require replacing the trim so they are more expensive. Andersen also offers both types in their 400 series PVC clad wood windows.

Make them give you details of how the windows will be installed. I believe they play it close to the vest because Andersen expects these windows to be sold by the installers directly to homeowners without a design professional involved and they therefore want to leave the details to the retailer installer. I believe this process gives the installer too much control over the design and installation detailing and I have never trusted any contractor to put the homeowner's interests over that of their own much less actually know how to properly install a window without oversight. Call me a cynic. I don't have to tell you that the replacement window industry has been frought with fraud and misrepresentation for many decades.

Marvin makes an Infinity fiberglass version and but they too keep the details to themselves. I would prefer fiberglass to PVC is the features are the same, especially the applied muntins and spacer bars.

I'll look at my Andersen and Marvin catalogs and see if the details of these replacement windows are included.

Hey John,

You're not authorized to advertise your business here.

Please read the rules.

Michael

Get more than one bid on the windows. 4 years ago I shopped for replacement windows. I got a bid from anderson renewal,pella and a local company with a very high rating on the window mfg website, ASHRE or something like that. Anderson was $9,000, pella $7,000 and the local company $4,500. Check out the fiberglass windows. I looked at them at a home show last weekend and was impressed. They were not on the market when I purchased my replacements. The local company has an exceptional warranty,have performed quite well and have given me no problems.

so shop around. I wasn't that impressed with the andersen windows for the price they want for them. Plus they wouldn't leave us alone for more than a year. calls and mailings. ANNOYING.

You might have a local company that builds a high quality window. so check around before you buy.

I also think that in this economy you have an edge. Play one against the other if needed to get the best price. Just make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

You may want to look into Harvey windows (only available through contractors - they don't sell to the general public). I have their Majesty series which is a very nice window - vinyl outside and wood inside (they do have all vinyl options as well). It has all the typical - low E glass, double hung, tilt in, good insulation etc. Also, they have quite good service - we had a spring missing and a guy came out right away to fix it no questions asked. Anyway, just an idea - I paid about $600 per window installed (these were NEW windows and required framing etc - replacements would not be as expensive to install - I think the window units themselves were in the high 300s/low 400s).

The last time I saw a Majesty clad wood window from Harvey Industries it had an aluminum roll-form cladding and a PVC compression jamb. Have they changed it?

In general, roll-form aluminum over wood has proved to be a poor long-term low-maintenance solution for wood windows and the better manufacturers stopped making them quite a while ago. If I couldn't afford extruded aluminum cladding I would buy an all wood window and take good care of it. At least you can see if it is deteriorating and do something about it before the window has to be replaced.

We had someone out to give us a bid on windows (some to be replaced, others new). We have Anderson windows in part of the house. We were told by this window rep that the way the Anderson windows are installed makes it more expensive to replace them b/c of the way the install and fit them into the house (sorry, I'm not very technical when it comes to windows).

Have your tried the windows forum?

Some windows are installed like new windows and the trim must be replaced. Other windows are installed inside the existing window frames.

The former are more expensive and the latter are sometimes unattractive and narrow the opening.

To make comparisons it is necessary to make it clear what kind of window you are talking about rather than just referring to them by brand name.