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Replacing ALL my doors/windows, please recommend a brand!

9 years ago

We have an independant contractor doing the installing (yes he is experienced). He is works for himself, not a true GC. So I can't go through a dealer that insists on warranty only if they install. I need windows/patio doors I can purchase independently. I have been considering Simonton as I can purchase through a local supply house. I am re-siding my entire home in vinyl, so I guess I am looking for a vinyl window? I am only beginning to research this part of my exterior project. I have 5 patio doors, 7 windows. My budget we are aiming for is $10,000. Suggestions? Advice? Thanks!

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Comments (9)

mmarse1
9 years ago
Thats very unrealistic. Any time someone tries to save a few bucks and hires their own handyman, the outcome is almost always negative.
PRO
Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
9 years ago
So the installer doesn't have a contractors license? My company we don't do installation and we only work with contractors so having an independent contractors is fine, but they should be licensed and not a handy man. What area of the country are you in. That could help determine the brand as well.
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Millworkman, let me explain a little further... I've been trying to research vinyl windows for weeks and feel just as lost as when I started. Can you point me to some decent spots to find reliable product comparisons & information? Seems that most of what I've found is either marketing fluff, has info about the companies but not the products, or is mostly opinion that seem all over the board -- one person like XXX and that's all they install, another hates XXX and says to stay away, lots say they love their new windows... I have tried to stay away from the box stores but went to HD for a quote because they carry Simonton -- turns out they only carry them through their installers & you can't walk in and buy. HD ended up quoting me the Silverline -- which I *KNOW* I don't want. I went to Lowes (Pella) just for comparison sake. The other quotes come from local builder supply shops and I'm running out of options. Is there somewhere else I should be looking for quotes? HomeSealed, We're located in North East Ohio not far from the Provia headquarters in Sugarcreek. There's lots of 'local' options as it seems every Amish guy in the area is building vinyl windows. :-/ Don't want to go *that* local. :) Any other regional suggestions would be welcome. We're looking for 12 windows, mostly double-hung and the quotes are coming in in the $5500 - $7000 range, which we can afford but we're not far from our limit. Maybe that price range only gets crappy windows?? Was hoping to install myself so as to put the money into better windows rather than installer labor. Mmarse1, thanks for the suggestion, I'd not heard of any but Soft Lite. I'll check them all out.
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See my feedback on the other board as well Jim. The old rule is the installer is 75% of the process and the product is 75%. Obviously the math doesn't add up but it goes to show that they are both equally important and just as significant. While most installers don't usually know the real deep ins and outs of window performance, they know what is a quality product by handling it. If you know of a good installer, the hope is that they would have a very good idea as to a solid window in the area as well.
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The Integrity is a nice option. Are you needing the look of wood? I would kick out any company, regardless of material, that is going to cap over wood rot. Best bang for the buck is still going to be the vinyl family at this point and inserts, even with some sill rot that gets repaired, are absolutely allowable and proper if done right.
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+1 on wow, I do not believe you will find a quality wood/aluminum clad window at all in that price range. I personally do not like Pella, (although there Architect and Designer series are decent windows in my opinion but the fact that they market the low end crap they do turns me off to them as a whole). SDL's generally add considerably to the cost and I do not remember the figures now per lite. Tudor style houses if I remember correctly have tall windows plus the fact that they are casements (which are inherently more expensive)will make a budget of probably close to 1 to 1 1/2 that price more realistic. Add in the fact that your in the Chicago area with harsh winters and you need to not buy junk.
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PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
The 10K is for the 5 doors and 7 windows?

Are the doors going to be Sliding doors?
happyallison
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm in southern Indiana. Yes I would have sliders. My contactor is licensed, he started in windows and doors, but worked for a large GC for years on large high end condos and got into tiling and flooring as well. I have seen his work on another project in person.
uneeda
9 years ago
From the Simonton line the Reflections 5500 and the Impressions 9800 would be your best choice. They are both good solid windows in their standard form not requiring upgrades.

If you find the above windows break your budget the best value in Simonton’s less expensive windows would be the Reflections 5050 with low-e/argon added and upgrading the screen frame to extruded. I would not purchase the Assure for the few dollars it would save.

The Reflections 5500 Patio door would be the best choice ordered factory assembled with low-e/argon added.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
Is you budget just on the materials or materials and labor? It is really lean if you are the latter.
jellytoast
9 years ago
When we purchased a new window for our kitchen, we went through a local lumber/construction supply yard. The guarantee is through the manufacturer, not the installer.

We used Milgard in the kichen. I love it and it has a great warranty. In the rest of the house, which were replaced several years ago, we used Certainteed (now Ply-gem) which I despise. Every year we need to replace at least one dual-pane panel due to contamination issues between the glass. They cover the glass replacement, but not the labor and those charges are not cheap.
happyallison
Original Author
9 years ago
Ouch jellytoast, that's exactly what I want to avoid.

We budgeted $10-15,000, however of course we are going over in some areas so trying to cut in others.

Thank you for the Milgard and Simonton suggestions. There is a supply warehouse close by that carries Simonton and I've heard they have great prices.

I'm also waiting on an estimate on the Marvin Infinity line? It's fiberglass so I guess not comparable. I don't know anything on fiberglass yet.
happyallison
Original Author
9 years ago
I did include labor though we are estimating around $3,000 from how its looking (Per his quote)

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