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Gorell vinyl replacement windows & Pella installer concerns

17 years ago

I'm about to replace the windows in my house, and have narrowed down my list of potential contractors to four. The window manufacturers that are being considered are Gorell, Seaway, Pella (Impervias), and Great Lakes. In addition, one of the contractors also offers Alside, a brand I don't know much at all about.

Three contractors are local outfits and have good reputations from what I've heard, the other is the local Pella store. The Gorell brand windows looked like a great option, and the contractor said they only deal with Gorell windows because they think they are the best. I've seen that name mentioned a few times when doing searches on this forum, but there hasn't been any in-depth discussion about the brand and if they are worth the money.

I've only got 6 windows in my house, 5 of which are pretty large (36" x74"), and I'm interested in sliders or casements (house is modern ranch style). Since I don't plan on moving anytime and would like the home to be more comfortable and energy efficient, I'm not looking to short myself just to save a few bucks now. I'd rather spend the money to get exactly the right thing and have a good, worry free set of windows, than cut a few corners and increase my chances of risk. The Gorell windows are 5300 series sliders, with AC master glass option, insulated frames, and a non-white exterior finish. Anyone else like their Gorell windows, or do some of you who install windows have good experiences with the company?

I like James Dulley's newspaper column and he suggested that fiberglass windows are one of the best options, so I decided to check into the Pella Impervias and give them some thought.

My biggest fear with the Pellas are not the windows, but the installers--even though the store I went to was a Pella store, it is not owned by the Pella corporation and the installers for the Pella store aren't Pella employees. I've read most of the previous posts to this forum describing the horror stories where the installers had not installed the windows correctly and the Pella company refused to help the homeowner, and I don't want anything to do with that.

Does anyone have any experiences with the other window brands mentioned?

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Comment (1)

tmgeorgo
Original Author
17 years ago
Hadn't really planned to reply to my own posting, but here goes. After I got all of my estimates, I decided to go with the Pella Impervias. The vinyl quotes were all higher than the quote I got for the Impervias (Pella was running a promotion), and I think the style/color/performance of the Impervias is much better than any of the vinyls I looked at. I opted for double hungs with a contemporary vent, and the Low E/Ar glass option.

The local Pella shop is handling the install, and their installer is Pella certified, so I'm just going to have to trust that by using the manufacturers certified installer I don't run into any problems with the install or warranty claims.
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Its too bad OP couldn't just stay on the remodeling forum - why did he feel compelled to come here? This forum was set up specifically for the preservationist/restorationist (vs remodeler) so we wouldn't have to be bogged down with this and the vinyl siding issue every other post. Ughhhhh enough already. It's a lot like debating politics and religion. There are beliefs you are either on board with - or you're not. Re: old house windows, the beliefs we preservationists/restorationists operate from are a) there are very little energy savings with new windows (ie most heat loss is via gaps, air leaks, lack of insulation in basemen and attic and very little through the panes of glass/windows themselves); and b) when you add up costs of manufacture and shipping, short operating life, inability to repair them, etc. the "green" alternative really is repair/restoration of old double hung wood windows and c) cost - huge expense, short operating life & inability to repair adds up to not a very wise purchase Unless original windows are missing or too hopelessly trashed - some original windows from 1940s onward weren't great quality to begin with.
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I'd be more concerned with his methods of installation. Many times an installer who is used to installing low end windows often times is more interested in getting the job done quickly than taking his time and doing it correctly. Some of the questions I would have would be, 1. Does he use fiberglass insulation or foam such as Dow or Hilti? Foam being the preferred method. 2. What type of caulk does he use? Quad being the preferred type but some of the installers still use silicon inside and out. BTW nothing wrong with using Silicon on the inside. We use it b/c the fumes are less toxic and noxious than the Quad for the first 24 hrs. 3. What does he do to level the window on the existing sloped sill? I'd ask him these questions to get a conversation started about his install technics and then ask for some references from jobs he did 4 or 5 years ago and call the people and get their input. I'd also ask for the addresses of a few homes he's done recently and visit them. Pay close attention to the capping and caulking. If the exterior molding was a Contoured Colonial type, did he just bend the trim coil into a "U" shape and cap or did he take the extra time to fabricate a piece that matched what was there. Also look to see if he made a rain diverter on the top of the window if it was installed into siding. He may very well do a good job for you but I'd still check on the above suggestions before signing a contract.
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The idea that all of the windows from big box stores are "terrible" isn't quite accurate. That said, there are more than a few gaps in the story and information here that make it difficult to make an accurate recommendation. Simonton makes a decent window in their upper end lines and it is better than the other product that you mentioned here.
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