I am sure it is a downgrade to their teton product. The siteline builders grade product is long overdue for an upgrade. I have a feeling it will be the rantoul tradition plus and with the end of teton series this fall we will see the norco we all used to know dissappear.

planetjc, thanks for the response, but I'm not familiar with all of the lines you mention. Do you mean that the new Siteline EX is likely to be not as good as the current Teton series, but better than the current Siteline series? And what is the rantoul tradition plus--is that different from the current Tradition series? I remain confused...

I know they are supposed to offer the Phantom bug screen system with matching wood pieces. IÂve been waiting about 4 months for this option. I really want it built in.

Jeld-Wen Service:

Thank you for your response. Our Siteline EX series is due to be released October 15, 2007.

We are putting on an addition to our house, and our architect and builder are suggesting Jeld-Wen Siteline windows as a less expensive alternative to Weather Shield windows. While the architect is aware of the recent name changes of the Jeld-Wen lines, the very recent design change from Siteline to Siteline EX needs to be clarified for me and for the readership of this forum. In reading this thread, I see that the initial question by coast2 on August 25 was not really answered. It would be helpful for a knowledgeable person, such as tanquen (Jeld-Wen Service), to explain what design changes have been made in the Siteline ES line. Thank you.

Well, DH and I are just finalizing our window order for our new home and we selected the Teton over the Siteline EX (and Sierra Pacific Windows). I'll be happy to share the differences we learned between the two (sorry I can't answer waldstein's question about Siteline and Siteline EX) from a consumer standpoint - someone else will have to chime in for a technical review!

FYI, the only Siteline EX samples available were handmade and not exactly "ready" to show as sales samples because they were a bit crude. This was one of the reasons we decided to go with the Teton, because we didn't want to be the guinea pigs for the Siteline EX. I'm sure when they come out with the production samples, more people will have confidence if they see a true sample of the finished product.

One difference we noticed was the exterior; the Teton window is recessed and the Siteline is flush (similar to the Custom/Pozzi window). I don't think either one is "better" but it's more a matter of personal preference and what fits your style home. We're doing mediterranean, so recessed is better for us.

The crank handle (we're doing casements) on the Siteline EX was a folding handle, vs. the Teton's regular stationary handle. We liked the folding better, but luckily you are able to order the Teton with the folding handle as a very inexpensive option.

The interior wood trim on the Teton is larger and more detailed than the Siteline EX, which we like better (these are our first wood windows, so more visible wood is better for us!)

However, the deciding factor for us is that we really liked one of the Custom/Pozzi colors (Redwood) and we found out that Jeld-Wen would do a special run of the Teton in that color, but not the Siteline EX. For a brief moment, we thought about going with the Custom/Pozzi just because the color was pretty important to us, but we're glad it worked out this way (and so is our budget!) Also, by getting the Custom/Pozzi color, we're also getting the Kynar 500 resin system, which has a 20-year finish warranty.

One more thing, the price difference was very, very insignificant...the Siteline EX came in at about 5% less than the Teton.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Home Building Blog

I asked the Jeld-Wen Customer Service to explain the differences between the to-be-discontinued Teton series (which is not shown on their Website and can be ordered only for about two more weeks according to a local dealer), the old Siteline series, and the new Siteline EX series (which some dealers have not actually seen yet). Here is his reply (name withheld because I did not ask his permission to quote this here):

"I am happy to hear about your interest in JELD-WEN windows. I am not sure if you are interested in casement (crank out windows) or double hung windows but I will cover a few things that you may or may not know about our windows.

1) Teton windows are only available as casement/awning type windows.

2) The old siteline product had casement/awnings and double hung windows.

3) The new EX window takes the best features of the Teton and Siteline casements and combines them. The sash is essentially the same as the Teton, concealed locks, folding nesting hardware and more hardware color options.

4) The new EX double hung window has easy tilt latchesÂthe old siteline was a compression tilt product (you have to push the jamb liners in to tilt the window).

5) All of the Windows feature AuraLast wood. AuraLast wood is warranted against rod rot and termite infestation for 20 years. While I consider all JELD-WEN windows and doors superior, in a wood (unclad) window this is clearly the best choice."

Just an update...we decided to go with the Jeld-Wen Custom/Pozzi line after all, so I won't have any further feedback on this topic. Good luck to everyone with whatever you decide!

Some of you may be interested in the following link to a PowerPoint presentation on Siteline EX. I found it just by Googling. I don't understand all the terminology in it, but it seems to add some info to what's in this thread so far.

http://scottkendall.com/siteline.pps

I have just moved into a new construction house completed in November 2010 (chicago area). The house has JeldWen Siteline Ex Double Hungs through out (57 windows) and every window is allowing drafts where the sashes seat at the top and bottom as well as the bottom corners. The distributor sent out a service tech whom applied "peel & stick" weather stripping and this did eliminate 90% of the draft problem. The distributor now wants to do the same fix on the entire house but I am reluctant to allow such a non-permanant / maintenance nightmare fix to $41,000 of brand new windows. Thoughts? Is this common for the Siteline EX Double Hungs?

While I'm not familiar with that model of Jeld Wen Window, I can tell you that most issues with air infiltration are installation related. These days everyone "thinks" they can install windows.