Not sure what model the Grandview is since it is not listed on Vytec's site. The price on the 5500's is super low, maybe they are not including capping or?. The 5500 is a good midrange window but i'd make sure you're comfortable with the installer and get the details of the install in writing. The pricing on the Okna's may be in your range, you won't know until you get some bids.

+2.
There must be an error on the Simonton price (maybe product only?), and the Vytex is not half bad.
You will be hard pressed to find a good window under $500 installed without taking some sort of risk, IE: a company without a location, brief history, low $$$ product or install, etc.

Vytex make a pretty good window. The vytex grandview is made for a company called window nation.

Not familiar with Vytex, but there performance numbers on there top 2 lines rival the top performers in vinyl.

I do know both the vytex fortis and potomac are deceuninck extrusions. Finding quality for $300 ? Thats just ridiculous, you are asking for trouble. 450 and above seems to be a realistic threshold. If a company is pricing too low, you really need to question their longevity.

This post was edited by mmarse1 on Wed, Jan 28, 15 at 7:52

Thank you for the feed back, once starting my looking into windows I found builder grade/box store windows to be a bad choice... with that I decided to wait and try to save a little more for window replacement, but the predicament I have is probably similar to the average home owner who is not living in their dream home. Quality vs. price vs. time in current home. Replacement windows only add so much to resale value, but If I saw low grade windows I would worry about what other cheap products are in the house. Installation might be more important than the windows themselves considering water infiltration... I understand $300 is low, but that is over the average box store window instillation. $500 is just what I have the ability to pay at the moment, So maybe I should wait even longer for a better window?

The $300 quote for Simonton includes installation with no strings attached? If it does it surely wouldn't include capping which the other bid probably does. Did you get any more bids that are similar in installation and detail?

Hi toddinmn, The Simonton window estimate was from Home Depot. I wanted to get a couple estimates and the sales rep was pretty pushy. I asked about buying just the windows and he said they don't sell just the windows, they have to be installed by their installers. Which from my expectations is a gable. I have an estimate from Anderson for $20,400... so not even an option. Also an rough estimate at $800 for Marvin Infinity which if I could swing I think would be a good choice; however, I have seen a lot of negative reviews. I have also worked on a lot of houses with Marvin windows and have never observed any negative issues with them. I am in the process of getting a Himark and maybe some other estimates. So far Window Nation seems to be the best option, they used good quality culk, insulation... It's just still a little out of reach.

I promise you that Home Depot is not selling that window for $300. I'd price out the Okna 400 and 500, any Soft-Lite, Sunrise, Polaris in your area?

Thanks toddinmn, I'll try looking up vendors in the area for those. I have seen vinyl lite in the area, anyone familiar with them.

You may want to look into UniFrame windows as well. Its an absolute tank.

Any info you would like to share fosterg, to help back up your claims? I have never heard the vinyl pro's on here mention this window at all (not saying it may not be a good window but.....).

Its a very heavy window, i installed quite a few in my day. The bottom sash is slightly wider than the top and is notched in order to make the jamb air tight.
The window is very air tight and just as solid as they come. There is also plenty of foam fill in the extrusion.
The meeting rail is reinforced with solid fiber glass as well as a bulb seal type of weather stripping at the meeting rail which is different than the typical mylar. Although, triple mylar is abundant throughout the rest of the window.
The sill has a nice slope that immediately drains water unlike many others where the slope is somewhat flat. The outer edge of the sill is very strong compared to many others and is a dream from an install point of view. I had to shim the heck out of plenty of windows and still had bowing/ frowning at the sill.
Another dream to install was called the quantum window. Set nicely and never any bowing. As much as i like the sunrise window, there were plenty of times i needed to drive screws through the sill and plug and seal the holes despite using sill shims. The sill was not very strong and gave me some grief.
That was my my big issue with them. Other than that issue, the window was strong. Be warned, sunrise has a few models, we installed their vanguard series.

What is the link to their site, I googled it and seemed to show quite a few different sites. What is their AI numbers?

I dont know what their actual air number is but i can tell you this: on a very cold day you feel absolutely no air migration whatsoever. I have installed a window with a .01 rating, installed it correctly and still felt some air, although much better than the original window. Thats why i dont put that much faith in the actual ai number unless its over .12. I seem to remember champion leaking a bit more air on their larger( wider windows).
Unlike a ufcator, an air number can be somewhat manipulated during testing.
I probably installed every window ever made and know the good from that bad especially due to me handling some of the service{{gwi:807}} calls.

This post was edited by fosterg on Fri, Feb 6, 15 at 10:15

Dave,
Unsure of your location. DD just installed Gerkin vinyl windows in a spendy new build. DH 4800s, U Factor .30, SHGC .22.

Visited Des Moines with over 13 inches of snow and below zero temps. Impressed with the solid performance of multiple "walls of windows".

Disclosure: installed Eagle Talons 2 years ago (several large eyebrows and window walls) in new build and are delighted with the Eagles.
~bgj

Thank you for everyones input, I did look up several other windows, but ended up picking Onka 500 with what I believe to be a very good installer/dealer. It's pushing the budget a little, but in the long run I think this is probably the best choice in my location.

looking forward to seeing how it goes in a couple months.

Dave,
I have started looking for replacement windows and was wondering about the Okna 500 window. Did you ever get them installed? Are you satisfied with the results?

Window Nation Grandview vs Barrington Which is better? It looks like the Barrington is the entry level and the Grandview in mid-grade

Probably better to just start a new thread. Are those your only two options?

YES

17 windows for 8500 instlled plus removal and replacement of all 17 my levelour blinds 1 tempered