We just installed them. They seem fine. I have read all of the bad reviews. These were selected by our builder. He has used them in several houses without any difficulty or call backs over the past few years. On certain lines, they have limited exterior colors- white or beige. Specify how energy efficient you would like to go with the glass. Wish we had upgraded to argon gas for slightly better U factor. See attached window efficiency ratings. Here is a link that might be useful: Plygem windows

So I recently had Ply-Gem windows installed in Anchorage, AK. We had 15 done, mostly medium and large. The company here in Anchorage did a great job quoting and installing the windows (although they didn't send any touch up paint with the installation crew, which I'm still waiting for as the new windows look a bit dilapidated from the outside due to the chipping that occurs during install), with a great warranty. After the windows were installed, cracks appeared on four of the windows, which I was very disappointed with. This is just under a 30% failure rate. So, the company I used for the quote and install here in Anchorage came round to take a look and take photos. I showed them the cracks, and also the poor finishing in the exterior brick-mold (they didn't send up any touch-up paint for the exterior after install...which is on the installation company). The PlyGem rep came to the house as they said this was very unusual, based on the number of windows sold. I told him, for me, in my experience with PlyGem, they have a near 30% failure rate, which is more important to me than the 'who cares' how many they sold last year. I told him I was thinking about having my patio doors replaced and had a quote from the company here in Alaska to do just that. However, I told him that I was reluctant to go with PlyGem based on my experience with the windows. He told me that PlyGem would give me triple for double at no extra charge for the patio doors, but I had that deal already with my existing quote, so I pinned him down to agreeing that they would get me free triple glazing for the doors and I'd pay for the installation company's time and materials, less the cost of the glass. We shook hands and agreed that deal, with me reiterating the agreement as we shook hands and he left. Now, 2 weeks later, I'm still waiting to see if they honor that deal, or if the PlyGem Rep. lied to my face, which I would be furious about as the agreement we made for the free glass couldn't have been clearer. I will update as soon as I hear back from my installation company here in Alaska. So, I'd wait until you hear back from me as to the professionalism of PlyGem to stand behind their product...and promise (in person) prior to making any order with them. If they don't, I'll tell you exactly who I would go with in future and for the reasons also. ...............to be continued!!!!

Where are you located? Not a bad product, but you may very well be able to get a better performer for the price. Definitely better than most builder grade choices. The fact that you are actually researching windows in your new home building process puts you miles ahead of most folks, so do it right and do more research. Compare u-values, air infiltration, and design pressure ratings. For reference, the top products get .25-.28 u-value with double pane, DP of 50+, and air infiltration as low as .01cfm. The Plygem Premium is .19 which is actually below average as vinyl windows go. I have installed a lot of them over the years and they are solidly designed, (they were formally Great Lakes Grandview) they just don't have very tight tolerances imo. Upgrade to the stainless spacer if you do opt for that product.

We had our windows replaced a few years ago with Milgard fiberglass frames and the highest UV protection we could get (since we live in Hawaii). Yes, the UV filtering seems to be pretty good and the fiberglass frames don't warp in the heat like vinyl has a tendency to do. The house is wonderfully quiet when the windows are closed. However, I'm disappointed with the overall purchase for several reasons: The quality of the workmanship is very poor. The joints on all the windows have glue sticking out that is impossible to remove. After these few years, that glue has attracted dirt that makes the window corners look very poor. I tried GOOP and several other cleaners before I wrote to Milgard asking for hints on any ways to clean it up but never received an answer. The screens on some of the fiberglass frames are very tight and difficult to get in and out. After accidentally bending two of the screen frames, I had a local screen pro come in to build new ones and he told us that the tightness was OK for vinyl frames but should not be that tight for fiberglass. Finally, the lifetime warranty does not apply to Hawaii (and if I remember correctly - nor within 2 miles of any ocean).