I know this is an old thread. If anyone is still reading, I'm looking for advice on replacing our windows and sliding glass doors at our beach house. We have 8 casement windows and 3 sliding doors. We were going to go with vinyl new construction windows and doors until we started hearing negative information about the durability of vinyl. We are doing this once so want to do it right. The sliders also face south and get hot afternoon sun. Also we are undecided between white or black exterior trim (white inside) but that's a whole other decision to make! We will be visiting both Pella and Andersen this week. We are looking at possibly the Pella Impervia fiberglass line, or the Andersen 100 Series Fibrex. We need to make a decision quickly to get the product ordered. This will be done in tandem with a deck replacement and siding replacement with Certainteed vinyl white board and batten. Any advice and recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!

Hadn't really planned to reply to my own posting, but here goes. After I got all of my estimates, I decided to go with the Pella Impervias. The vinyl quotes were all higher than the quote I got for the Impervias (Pella was running a promotion), and I think the style/color/performance of the Impervias is much better than any of the vinyls I looked at. I opted for double hungs with a contemporary vent, and the Low E/Ar glass option. The local Pella shop is handling the install, and their installer is Pella certified, so I'm just going to have to trust that by using the manufacturers certified installer I don't run into any problems with the install or warranty claims.

My husband had a Pella door installed about 10 years ago. We have all kinds of weather here in STL, MO and the door is in mint condition. I can't comment on the series you're looking at my but I love our Pella door. I'm getting ready to get a bid on windows and will be looking at Pella and Anderson.

Windows on Washington: "Is there a 3rd option. The Pella 250 is not what most would call a top tier performer and while the Vytex product is nice, some of the install quality of those options is questionable." W-o-W, would you mind educating me on this? Do you know for a fact that the quality of one is superior (in this case, you seem to be saying the Vytex is better) and/or why you believe that? I'm just trying to make the most informed decision within the limited number of days I have to cancel the contract. I still have 1 more estimate to be done by Renewal by Andersen. Also, I don't suppose you or anyone can speak on the service quality/reliability, etc. of PHR and/or Window Nation? During my research last night, it seemed like PHR has a better BBB rating than WN. In WN's advertisement, they said they are rated "A" by BBB but during my research, the BBB indicates they're "not accredited" which really concerns me as it feels like it's a lie/misleading/false advertisement. Both companies seems to have their own shares of grievances that concerns me but at least it does seem like PHR has the better BBB rating. Both companies seems to offer lifetime warrantees on their windows. BTW, I live in northern VA so if anyone have any advice or suggestions, I would greatly welcome it.