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olie16

Can't decide on windows for new construction. Please help!

Jeff Olsen
5 years ago
I am building a new custom home this summer and have been struggling with what kind of windows to put in. We have it narrowed down to two builders and we are going to decide which builder to select in the next week or two. Throughout the whole process of interviewing builders there seems to be a lot of different opinions on windows. We are building a rustic mountain ranch house with rustic wood floors, timber beams, knotty alder trim and cabinets with some modern touches throughout so it's not too rustic to keep the wife happy :) We are pressed on trying to get the house in our budget and need to make some cuts to be able to do it. I think wood interior with aluminum clad exterior would fit our house best but those windows are so expensive. One builder says we should do a vinyl or a andersen 100 series (fibrex) and wrap the interior in wood and we'd get the same look for half the cost and we'd get the house in our budget. The other builder said he has never put in a vinyl window in his life and we should cut interior finishes elsewhere to get the better windows. He mentioned Pella Designer Series with triple panes.

What are your thoughts on both of these options? Would andersen 100 series wrapped in knotty alder trim inside look really cheap or would it be a good look and a good way to get costs down? Our house will be located in Montana with really cold winters and hot summers. Are there other brands that someone can recommend?

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