[VinceF2]

Hello all...


Considering the vast amount of know it alls on this site I figured I'd throw this out there since it seems I can't get a salesman to tell me the truth...

Wifey and I are looking to do replacement windows... looking for real life experiences with brands / models / contractors etc...

What chu got???

Thanks in advance!

Mike

[highsider]

I did this same search this summer. Basically, I just shopped around locally here. We ended up getting vinyl cased windows with some sort of "low E" rating, which apparently means they have better insulating qualities.

The main thing I noticed is sort of obvious, but you get what you pay for. The nice Pella wood framed ones look best, but are about 50% more expensive than the vinyl framed ones.

I paid $250 installed for my windows regardless of size, since they all had to be custom-built (I live in a 120 year old farmhouse). I believe the brand is "Weld Tech", or soemthing like that. They seem to work really well, latch tightly, and generally work well. I kind of wish that I had spent the money on the wood frames, because the white vinyl looks a bit cheesy.

[stevecbr900rr]

Mike i'll PM you...what your doing is right up my alley also willing to give you a good deal depending on how far you are from me.

[black]

i havea goo connection did the windwos in myhouse al 21 of them for 3500???
great windows.. great install... pm m ill give you teh name and number
i've reccomended him to 4 other people and all got great results

[R7]

Windows are the biggest sorce of heat loss in your house...it'll pay for itself in the long run to spend a little extra now on quality brands. Pella and Anderson are top of the line, Anderson being a little less costly than the Pella but probably a little beter build quality.
I've always used Anderson windows in any project I got involved in, and they even offer enough sizes to fit the odd sizes of older windows/houses.
Also keep in mind with replacement windows, less glass area, less natural light..and usually take away from the overall looks of the house/rooms.
You also still end up with that old crappy window frame in place..which is almost guaranteed not to be insulated around the jamb = why bother, you're not gaining any R-value.

Spend a little extra and put in a complete new window unit. And average Anderson window with screens and grills is about $250 and you should be able to find someone to install them for another $100-$150 each

[union]

Im not a big fan of Pella or Andersons. The Andersons are nice windows but they can be a bitch to work with and the pretty much cost more then anything else out there. In my experience Harveys are the best. They are a good window on par with or better then Andersons. They are very easy to work with which is very nice.

[Currently]

Don't go NewPro.

High Pressure sales tactics ... crappy installation.

Great window, just overpriced to hell.

[VinceF2]

Originally Posted by Currently

Don't go NewPro.

High Pressure sales tactics ... crappy installation.

Great window, just overpriced to hell.

Don't get me started with those pr*cks...


Thanks for the replies so far... interesting not one company so far as even mentioned replacing the entire window... hmmmm another thing to look into...

[Stoneman]

Yip, I believe you want 'new construction' windows, even if it's not really new construction. Not REALLY 'replacements'...

We replaced every window in our house our third winter here and were AMAZED at the lower energy costs, both in the winter & summer...

Not sure if they're still the cat's ass, but we got them thar 'low-E', Argon filled, vinyl clad winders...

The one's in the old house are Harvey's I believe. The ones in the addition are Certainteed...

Probably wunna the most worth while investments we made here...

Not much help, eh?

[stevecbr900rr]

Mike if you have existing windows which i'm sure you do than you want replacement windows. The cost of cutting back existing siding and putting trim around the windows to install new construction windows is not going to be worth it. If you insulate good enough between the window casings and the frame for the window,... even if that requires you to remove the interior trim to do so. Than you don't need to remove the whole casing to put in New Construction Windows. Go with replacements. I've been in the construction industry for 22yrs have had my own company now for 16 trust me on this one.

[Stoneman]

The company we went with charged us only $50 more per window on the install. The prices on the windows were cheaper than replacement which offset the price on the install a bit...

[stevecbr900rr]

You are not going to get anymore insulation value out of a new construction window compared to a replacement window. You might as well put that 50.00 per window towards something else in your home or a top of the line replacement.

[keeena]

Hey Mike. +1 for Harvey. Have the low-e in my house and they haven't let me down. My house gets wind often due to location and I haven't noticed any drafts or other issues. They are new construction (installed when I built the house). I can get the model if ya want.

As far as contractors go...just make sure you get lots of references & detailed quotes. Sorry - I don't have any specific contractor recommendations.

[stoinkythepig]

I have installed a few Marvins in my house. I really like them. Kinda spendy though.

[keeena]

Originally Posted by stoinkythepig

I have installed a few Marvins in my house. I really like them. Kinda spendy though.

+1. I have heard really good things about Marvin windows, definitely worth a look too.

[VinceF2]

Thanks for the replies... I'm pretty sure it was easier buying the house then it is trying to make sure I don't get hosed on windows...

I've heard everything from great to aweful on the Harvey's... I know they probably make a bunch of models... can anyone tell me what their high end window is called? My local guy was quoting me for the Classic Series at $245 a window installed... obviously the lowest I've seen so far but I've heard mixed reviews about the window...

Two other companies I've called claim to have exclusive Harveys built just for them... ???? Haven't heard their quotes yet... but am interested to see what makes these windows "exclusive"...

Simonton is another brand that appears to get good reviews... anyone use those?

Thanks again!

Mike

[Stoneman]

Originally Posted by VinceF2

...

Two other companies I've called claim to have exclusive Harveys built just for them... ????

We heard that from a coupla contractors too!

[union]

Originally Posted by VinceF2

Two other companies I've called claim to have exclusive Harveys built just for them... ???? Haven't heard their quotes yet... but am interested to see what makes these windows "exclusive"...

Originally Posted by Stoneman

We heard that from a coupla contractors too!

I havent heard that one. Harveys does build their windows but I never seen the exclusive part. You do need an account to buy from them however. There is not just going into their warehouse and saying I want that unless they have changed something.

[Stoneman]

Originally Posted by union

I havent heard that one. Harveys does build their windows but I never seen the exclusive part. You do need an account to buy from them however. There is not just going into their warehouse and saying I want that unless they have changed something.

Yeah, we figured that '...we get them made for us...' in real world means, '...we gotta order 'em, but we can get just about any size/style...'