Choosing new windows for 45 year old home

3 years ago

Thank you for this forum. It is a wealth of valuable info for those of us buying windows for the first time.

We live in Western Massachusetts, and are buying a 45 year old Colonial style house with the original Andersen windows. We are having the worn out cedar clapboard siding either stripped off or covered up by Vinyl Siding, (method will be determined by which contractor we choose). We are getting four estimates, and all four have different recommendations. The one constant is that all have suggested that now is the best time to replace all 24 double hung windows, plus the one crank out window in the kitchen. We will be buying the tilt in vinyl double hung, new construction windows, probably white on inside and outside, with grills between the panes of glass, although the inside of the house wood trim is Cinnamon Stained wood. We chose vinyl white inside and outside because we assume all vinyl white/white will be the least expensive way to go.

Will the contractor be able to replace the original windows from the outside without disturbing the inside trim if the siding is removed?

By doing this, will the new window be airtight? How can it be?

If possible, could you help us decide which to have installed of these several choices?

We are comparing Pella 350 (highest rated by Consumer Reports, score of 91),

Alside Mezzo (Consumer Reports score of 54, but highly regarded by users online),

Simonton 5500 (Consumer Reports score of 73),

Andersen A Series, Andersen 400,

Ellison 1300, or

Jeld-Wen V-4500 (C.S. score 69).

Thus far we have two estimates. First is (to replace all 24 double hung windows, plus the one crank out in the kitchen) to install Alside Mezzo Windows, $12,675.

The second is to install Ellison 1300 windows, $10,500.

Any thoughts on which would be the best of the seven choices to buy? Are there other mid level options that we should explore?

We have not lived in this house yet (closing is very soon and we'd like to decide now), but assume that the 45 year old Andersen windows should be replaced now.

Featured Answer

millworkman

3 years ago

To answer your question, no new construction windows will require the interior be removed. Out of the windows you have mentioned the only one I would even consider of that lot is the A series 400 series (and they are not vinyl) and probably would be hesitant to go with that one. Consumer Reports may like Pella, but no self respecting pro I know of would touch anything Pella. Why have you not thought about a quality vinyl replacement? I would look toward Okna, Softlite or Polaris

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John
Original Author
3 years ago
Stax, you bring up several good points.

Besides the fact that the windows are 45 years old and do not tilt in for easy cleaning, and you have to hang outside the window to affix the screens, the other big reason is that the exterior of the windows casing are a clay/dull green color.

The new vinyl siding colors will be desert tan vinyl siding, off white PVC Aluminum trim, no shutters. The outer window trim will be portrait style, in 3" white. Doors will be white.

If we do not change windows we'll have a clay/dull green inner rectangular "ring" (casing) inside the new white 3" Trim.
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John
Original Author
3 years ago
Millworkman,

Okna, Softlite, or Polaris do not have dealers that service Western Mass (near New York Border).

What are your thoughts between Kensington, Atrium 450, Simonton 5500, or Thermo Expert (made by Sunrise) double hung, new construction windows?
millworkman
3 years ago
Kensington (series dependent) would be the choice there from what I know. Although I have never heard of the Thermo Expert by Sunrise. Who sells and installs that unit?
John
Original Author
3 years ago
A company in Pittsfield, MA. 01201, called Thermo Expert.

What makes the Kensington windows better than say the Simonton 5500, or the Atrium 450?
millworkman
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I was mistaken and thought Kensington was someone else. I have to beg off on recommending those brands personally. Maybe one of the pro's here are more familiar with the Thermo Expert by Sunrise brand. Typically those brands over better brands is fit and finish, performance values, durability, etc, etc.
millworkman
3 years ago
I see on the Thermo Expert site a few window brands listed/ I would use them only if they were installing a Sunrise Window and Essential Series or better. None of the other brands listed on their site would be a consideration.
John
Original Author
3 years ago
Help me understand why the Sunrise or Essential Series is better than a Kensington Quantom 2 or a Simonton 5500?
Seabornman
3 years ago
Are the Andersen windows in good shape? Do they have insulated glass with a spacer, the very thin insulated glass, or single pane glass? The installer will need to access the window cavity from the inside in order to foam the gap. Are they planning on that?
John
Original Author
3 years ago
Not in great shape. We'd like to gain energy efficiency, as well as tilt in for easy cleaning. Also, the outside of old window is Clay/green color. We are having tan color vinyl siding put on with white trim and white doors, so looking for white vinyl windows, new construction, with grid between glass.
John
Original Author
3 years ago
Which is the better and most energy efficient window, The Sunrise Vanguard or The Polaris Untraweld, and why?
millworkman
3 years ago
I will let the pros who are the vinyl gurus here answer that question for you John.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
3 years ago
They are both close John. The Sunrise typically runs a bit narrower on the frame so it has a more minimalist look to it, but the UltraWeld is going to be stronger than the Vanguard.
PRO
toddinmn
3 years ago
Just keep in mind there are many options for glass and to make comparisons with the same/similar glass package in each. Sunrise seems to have more standard packages and With Polaris you/dealer build it To a certain degree.
John
Original Author
3 years ago
I'd like to hire my carpenter to install vinyl siding, but he's not happy about possibly working with a sub who would be a certified installer from the window company. So I'll ask him which windows he can get from his supplier., but I read online that if a certified installer doesn't install the windows, warranty issues are troublesome. Dealer blames window company, window dealer blames installer. I'd rather he do the siding, but we need to do windows as well.
Meanwhile I'm getting more estimates from companies who do both siding and windows, then I'll decide.
Recap, now Looking at 25 replacement doublehung vinyl windows. Big investment , especially coupled with vinyl siding installation. I wanna get it right.
There's dozens of choices, and it's confusing because you have to weigh cost, energy efficiency, etc.. I've learned a lot here, thanks to you guys.
The Sunrise (Vanguard) dealer only sells and windows. Another contractor, Mastic siding , only sells Ellison 1300 windows. A third company, Certainteed siding and Simonton 5500 windows, which do not seem to be highly regarded here.. A fourth (not local) Alside Siding and Mezzo Windows, again, not highly regarded here.
Today is my last quote, and he's (not local) Certainteed Siding, and Polaris windows.
Any thoughts?

Choosing new windows for 45 year old home

millworkman

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