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What is the best full replacement window?

12 years ago

In your humble opinion, can you please tell me what the best full replacement (construction) double hung window is for North Carolina?(long hot summers, winters can get in the teens).

> Vinyl is not an option.

> Must have interior that can be painted.

To date I have looked at Anderson Woodright, Lincoln, Marvin, Pella Architect, and am none the wiser. It appears all could have an issue, and installation makes all the difference.

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Comments (6)

millworkman
12 years ago
From those listed I would take Marvin and run from the rest. Marvin in my opinion is far and away the best wood window. You may want to look at Kolbe & Kolbe as the next step down in price. The correct glass package will also help make an incredible difference. What is you lot like, tree coverage etc, house to face what direction?
millworkman
12 years ago
I should have not lumped Andersen in with all the rest, they make a good product. I feel they would be the middle ground between Marvin,Kolbe and the others you mention.
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The answer to your question depends on where you are financially and what the house is like. I'm thinking this is not a colonial mansion in Moorestown, NJ. The vinyl siding gave it away. With that in mind, there is no way I would spend that much money on those particular windows. I would replace the rotted parts of the sills. This is most likely only the outer 2 inches or so, where moisture has been trapped under the ext trim. I would also replace the brickmolding (ext trim). I would then have these openings wrapped with the aluminum of your color choice, making sure that that is sealed properly, and also installed behind whatever drip cap is above. What I'm describing is not expensive work, perhaps app $200 per opening, including material. It is also not time consuming work, and fairly straight forward. I would then choose a quality replacement window with an insert installation, preserving all your interior trim. I would think you could have all this done for less than $1k per window or so. It could be argued that the technically correct way to do this right is to gut the openings and go with full frame methods, all new everything in and out. But replacement windows are called replacement windows for a reason. It is not always desirable to replace everything. For instance, if those wood windows of yours have a rope and weight balance system, then there is a large weight pocket behind the jambs. It's just not worth it to take all that apart unless you're wealthy or doing it yourself. Just get the best window you can. I suggest fiberglass framed so that you won't lose glass space. If that doesn't bother you, high end vinyl will work as well. But don't skimp on the window. If you do, you will be back in the same boat in less than 10 years. One more thing. The aluminum wrap on the outside can be bent in such a way to have a brickmold profile. This is much more professional and attractive, and shouldn't cost any extra if you have true professionals doing the work. Good luck!
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Good point, some of the jambs from the bottom (lower corners) do have problems also, and I want them all to match, so I don't think I can pick and choose which method for what window. Also, there is one window that is a basement egress window that is in a concrete surrounded area. It has rot through to the framing. Can't go bigger, and we're already on the edge with the egress limit. So I'm not sure a full frame replacement (slide-in) will work there. Believe me, I don't really want to remove the whole window, down to the RO if I can help it. Let's assume for a moment, that I could salvage the existing frames, what is the best quality replacement option if I want clad w/ wood inside, and in DH?
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Has anyone heard of the brand of vinyl replacement window Okna Enviro-Star (800 series) Double Hung windows? Also which replacement window product is better Vinyl, Composite, or Fiberglass? I live in Va. and I was told that with our occasionally cold winters the fiberglass can crack? I have received about 5-6 estimates and everyone has an opinion which product is better, the estimates that i have received per window including rapping the wood around the window have ranged from $500 to $1,300 per window. It's crazy, I need help!!!
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20% would be pretty extreme IMO. Glass loss may be a little more than a "non-issue" in some cases, but 20% is high, and furthermore there are many times where it can be truly negligible. Think about an old double hung window with an aluminum storm that sits on the blind stops and measures about 2.5"+ from frame to viewable glass. This is extremely common (at least in my area), and that is just about where a reasonably slim lined replacement window can measure for visible glass as well, within a 1/4" or so. I think we can agree that the measurement of viewable glass on the prime window sash of that original wood window is irrelevant if it is impeded by the view of a storm window frame. Is 20% loss possible? Sure. Depending on the window coming out and the window going in, but I tend to agree that the glass loss is indeed overstated, and that the number would generally be far less than 20%.
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Alberich
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you! I figured Marvin is a favorite, but came across a web-site the other day with 300 complaints about wood rot and poor customer service, so that kind of takes them down a notch. Unfortunately, it seems that all window companies have complaints--most I presume due to bad installations. Half of my house is in the shade all day facing North. I have only read a bit about Kolbe online--will need to visit a showroom to take a look.
Reading through this window forum I have found many posts advising to use "less famous" brands that offer a better product at a competitive price. However, very few actually mention names to look for. I wouldn't mind using a different brand, if only I could get a name!
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
12 years ago
Loewen makes a great wood window if you are looking to expand your search and have a competitive offering to the Marvin.
dgmarie
12 years ago
he complaints on the Marvins were from a long time ago, something about a painted exterior. If it makes you feel better, I replaced all my windows with Marvin ultimate casement replacements with metal outside and painted wood interiors. It was a huge job. Two weeks to install them all. I shopped windows for years before I decided on them.
millworkman
12 years ago
Marvin's issues were in the late eighties to early nineties when they produced a Flex-kron finish which was essentially a prefinished factory painted exterior. It turned out after settling millions of dollars in complaints that the finish itself was not the problem it was bad or faulty primer that was allowing the wood to rot from the inside beneath the surface of the paint. But after the disaster that became for Marvin in replaced windows and or frames as well as $ they decided not to produce a prefinished exterior wood window again.

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