The cheaper Vinyl windows by Milgard Windows are extremely popular here in CA SF Bay region. Practically every new home, custom or else, is using them. We have seen many with exterior grilles. When we priced them in '03, they were rather cheap.

Two things to consider though. Please do not let your builder rush your decision. Building your own home likely means living in it for 10 to 20 years and making the right choices today means less money spent later. As long as there is no contractual penalties when you shop, the builder ought to let you shop.

The following is what we did to stop the "run-around". Forgive the long windedness if you are already doing this.

Windows shops, like any shop, lose interest when they detect someone is doing quick price-only shopping. I would suggest getting the Rough-Opening data from your building plans, decide on window type (Casement, slider, dbl-hung, etc) for each opening, decide on some options you may like (handle type, operating unit, inswing, outswing, etc), then lay them all out on a sheet preferrably on a nice computer printout (WORD, etc). This is to show each shop you are serious buyers.

Shops like to ask the really dumb (at least to us) question of how much we want to spend. We always answer by telling them "...it depends on what you have that match what we want...". We tell them we are no window expert so we have no clues how much it will cost. We will pay for real qualities and real values we can appreciate and afford so it is up to them to show and educate us. If they have what we want, the sky is the limit. Of course, this is a "poker game", only we know where the limit of our sky is :-). It is for the shops to find out by giving good service.

We normally leave the price question until the end. We would show them our specification, ask them to introduce or recommend two lines, one at a lower end but still meet the spec and one higher end that befit a nice custom home. We focus initial discussion on window qualities, construction, ratings, options, looks, design. They may constantly drop in a $$$ question but we hold firm and continue the poker game. We may encourage the conversation by honestly commenting on a real quality that is worth some money.

When everything is answered, we normally ask for quotes for both lines. If they have catalogs for each, we bring them home and use the catalog info to further refine our spec for the next meeting.

We normally try to call ahead, make sure they have someone who can spend 30 minutes to one hour with us to go over our spec. This also shows them we are serious and not just window shopping. It also saves us time.

May be these little tactics will work over where you are.

Good luck!

For a convincing permanent exterior muntin I would try Marvin Integrity fiberglass windows.

I agree with Mightyanvil.

Marvin knows how to do SDL that look real and good. The attention to details makes a difference. This translates to Marvin Integrity as well.

We looked at Marvin Integrity in '03 and it was really nice. The unit was made of fiberglass and very stiff and tough. They also looked very nice. They are more expensive than Milgard vinyl windows but you do pay for what you get. It is quality that one can see and touch. Integrity now offers a whole range of color choices, definitely worth looking into.

so, about how much is a Milgard vinyl in a standard size--approximately 6-7'single hung? $180??
thanks,
bridget

oh, also, some friends of ours are building a home and used casement windows with no grilles. they said that these were cheaper and they found them more attractive. I agree that they can be more attractive for a view. However, they may not look right with the exterior style of the home??

Hi Bridget,
Found our old '03 Milgard quote, we are in CA. We had no single-hung though. The quote included installation and in our area, SF Bay Region, price and labor is always higher than outside the region.

3'x4' dbl-hung, $308.
4'x3' Glider, $383.

All vinyl, all white only, all dbl-pane, low-E with Argon gas. Wood clad interior add ~20% to the cost.

Looks like you are getting a really really good price for a 6'x7' single-hung. Better make sure the shop is not quoting you a low-low end model. Be sure to check insulation, low-E and weather stripping, the DP rating. All things being equal, the higher the DP rating, the "better" the window.

We did not use Milgard and ended up using Marvin.

Our house would look really rustic with SDL but we prefer unobstructed views. SDL also makes the windows difficult to clean, especially those on the second floor.

Casement gives the slender vertical look and when well proportioned, they look really nice on practically all homes but that is personal taste. You may have to look around at other homes to see. Another way is to make a copy of the building plan elevation view and draw different window types to see if you like the look.

Have fun!

Yes. I am now looking at casements with no SDL, but am not sure if it will look right with the exterior style of the home. One of our friends is building a home similar in style to ours and they chose casement. I will drive by today to see if I like it. I prefer casements with no SDL for unobstructed view, simplicity, and ease of cleaning. So I hope this window will look right.
thanks,
bridget

Casements usually cost more than double-hungs for the same rough opening size. In my opinion, double-hungs give a more unobstructed view and are easier to clean (if you avoid the compression jamb type).

Better view comes from wider individual units and better light deeper in the room comes from higher window heads. Double-hungs can usually be bought 5 or 6 inches wider and taller than casements. More expensive double-hungs can be bought even wider.

Casements also have screens on the inside. I find this unattractive since you are more aware of the screen sufrace and its metal surround and if you live near the woods the space between the glass and the screen needs to be cleaned more often than the glass. You also need to remove the screens to clean the windows.

The Integrity does have SDL but no integral spacers and the pattern is limited to the same as if you ordered snap-in grilles. The sill has a poor drip and needs a sub-sill. However, it is still better than most windows in its price range.

It would help if you told us your budget.

I have to stay between $200 before installation for a 2'x 6' window.

The builder caught me off guard this morning and called to say he was ordering. I told him to use his brand, but get grilles/ muntins on the outside of the glass for the front windows of the house.

He called back and said the brand he used, AWT, has a series with this. But the "window guy" said that that particular window "has been causing problems." Thus, he got AWT's in between the glass grilles.

I have yet to find an out of the glass grill for around two hundred or three hundred bucks, so I couldn't steer him in another direction.

We had a really hectic weekend and my 3yr old has a stomach virus, so I didn't finish my "homework". Now I'll have cheap looking windows on my what could have been lovely house.

Lesson learned: Even when your toddler is puking right and left, and you have to visit your dying grandfather, and you have to carve 5 pumpkins with your sister in law and her 3 children all under the age of 4, and you have to babysit your other sister in law's 1yr old overnight, and make it to yet another sister in laws 21st birthday party out of town, and host guests for the LSU football game, and file papers to become a LLC all in one weekend,
WHEN THE BUILDER CALLS, BE PREPARED ANYWAY!

Oh, pooh, I guess it's done now. UNLESS, anyone can give me a window with external grilles for around 300 bucks right NOW, then maybe he can change the order while he curses me!!

goodnight everyone,
bridget