Simonton 5500 v. Soft-Lite Pro (replacement and new )

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi, We are remodeling our house in Washington DC. We plan to replace all existing windows and also need to purchase windows and sliding doors for a new addition to the back of the house. Our contractor has recommended either Soft-Lite Pro or Simonton 5500 at same price. Most of our windows will be casement (to meet fire code), but some will be awning and pictures. Price being equal, is there one of these that is a clear winner? Should I consider any other manufacturers/models?

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PRO

Ultra Windows

9 years ago

I must confess that I didn't catch the fact that you're using casements, however, my advice wouldn't change if I had. Soft-lite's handling of their purchase of Gorell and their subsequent refusal to honor the warranties that Gorell had provided has left me with a poor opinion of Soft-lite. Okna enjoys a great reputation on service and that's an important consideration when making a purchase this large.

Will Okna be more expensive? Yes, but I don't make recommendations based on price, but on build quality, performance, and customer service.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Ultra Windows
9 years ago
Soft-lite Pro is the better of those two, but there are better options. Okna windows are available in DC, from Window on Washington. I'd get with them to see a level of quality that is above both Simonton and Soft-lite.
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amy2905
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you. Can you please explain how Okna outperforms Soft-Lite pro? The ratings, endurance, features? Also, Okna has a few different lines. Is there a particular one that I should consider? Thanks in advance!
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My advice to everyone I talk to is that they should purchase the best window that they can which fits into their budget. The only caveat to that, is the folks that do not have a realistic budget to begin with, but that is not a problem here. Ultimately, you are spending $5k give or take. A difference of a few hundred dollars is going to be very small if not irrelevant in the grand scheme when you take into consideration the size of the purchase and the fact that you have to live with these windows for the next X number of years. If you have the windows for 20 yrs, that is a difference $2 and change per month, or $32 per yr. When you look at it that way, it doesn't seem to make much sense to base this choice on price. My advice: Pick the window that you like better from the installation company that you like better. Easy as that. You won't go wrong either way on product (installer is another matter, but we can't really offer much on that without knowing the companies in question). Easy enough ;)
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PRO
Ultra Windows
9 years ago
Both the Okna 500 and the Okna 800 outperform the two windows you're considering. Soft-lite's Imperial LS or their Elements would be more comparable products, however, I'd still give Okna the nod.

Okna's 500 and 800 will have higher DP ratings, lower AL ratings, and lower U-Values than the two you're considering.
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amy2905
Original Author
9 years ago
It looks like Okna's casement are sold as Okna 700s. Below I inserted links to Soft-Lite Pro and Okna 700 ratings. I can't find ratings specific to Soft-Lite Pro casement, so the link is to the brochure, which seems to provide ratings for the double-hung. It looks to me that the ratings are pretty similar, although Okna 700 outperforms by a relatively small percentage. Am I missing something? I don't mean to challenge your advice but just to make sure I understand the advantages of Okna, which I believe would cost a bit more.

Okna 700 casement:

http://www.oknawindows.com/products/replacement_windows/700%20Series/?portalProcess_dd_01_4=showPublicItem&inventory_entry_id=3852

Soft-Lite Pro brochure:

http://www.soft-lite.com/pdfs/Pro_ClassicBrochure.pdf
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PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
9 years ago
Excellent advice from Ultrawindows. The shine has worn off of Softlite a bit for many contactors due to their recent handling of situation such as above. Search Gorell on this forum and you'll find many homeowners that were left high and dry on warranty coverage despite the fact that Softlite is/was still selling the good name and product of Gorell. Similar situation with Stanek and Great Day.

On product alone, keep in mind that the version of the SL casement sold as anything but their top lines is intentionally downgraded in the form of actually removing layers of weatherstripping etc.

Ultimately, you could certainly do worse than that product, but I would choose the Okna personally and decisively. In addition to the performance advantage, the Okna will provide more glass space and is arguably more attractive.
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Simonton 5500 v. Soft-Lite Pro (replacement and new )

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Simonton 5500 v. Soft-Lite Pro (replacement and new )

Ultra Windows

Comments (6)

Ultra Windows

amy2905Original Author

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Ultra Windows

amy2905Original Author

HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC

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amy2905
Original Author

amy2905
Original Author