input on vinyl patio doors - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 03-04-2009, 03:03 PM

I've been installing Simonton ProFinish 8' doors and extremely happy with the outcome. Company I'm working for wants to save money...go figure. I've pulled quotes for Atrium series 312 and a MW classic, coming in at $130 less and $165 less respectively. The integrated J is great for this situation b/c there is an extra layer of T1-11 mounted on the walls, so I cut the building fin off the door and the exterior fin mounts flush on the outside wall and the inside is nearly perfectly flush with the drywall (go figure!!).

I installed one MW door and not pleased with it. Haven't worked w/ the Atrium, but sales literature says it has snap in mounting and outside J/brickmold fin.

Can anyone provide feedback on the other units or a lead on a cheaper integrated (preformed at factory) J channel vinyl 8' door?

TRC · 03-04-2009, 08:58 PM

Can't think of any. MW not great from what i've seen. I've installed atrium windows and not impressed at all with their quality control i can tell u that. Never put one of their doors in. I like Harvey for vinyl doors but don't think you can get one in DE.

Patrick · 03-04-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRC

Can't think of any. MW not great from what i've seen. I've installed atrium windows and not impressed at all with their quality control i can tell u that. Never put one of their doors in. I like Harvey for vinyl doors but don't think you can get one in DE.

Yea the Harvey is decent, for the price. Paradigm is the best vinyl slider in my opinion, they have all the casing options for you, and come pre-set up, glass already installed. They do have a distributor in Delaware
J&L Building Materials
Distributor
59 Lukens Drive
New Castle DE 19720
302-504-0357

DavidC · 03-05-2009, 07:55 AM

We've installed a few hundred of the Atrium windows and a handful of the sliding doors. I'd agree that they are not the best on the market but do provide value for the money. There has been only one warranty claim for us to date and they took care of it promptly and without question.

I installed one of their sliding doors on my house 2 years ago and no problems there either. Unless you include the fact that my dog could not see the screen and trashed it the first summer.

Good Luck
Dave

72chevy4x4 · 03-06-2009, 06:40 AM

I was able to get the ProContrator's down to $689 each, still $114 more than a MW and $78 more than the Atrium, but well worth it in my opinion. Coming with the fixed panel installed really speeds up the process.

enforcer · 03-06-2009, 08:11 AM

instead of looking at "whats cheaper",go with whats good. Harvey windows are ok but i DO LIKE their patio doors. they are made very well. they also have a nice triple pane available now. in my opinion,for the price,you cannot go wrong with Harvey patio doors.

72chevy4x4 · 03-06-2009, 06:20 PM

the rules change when working with apartment complex's which are owned as an investment property. The desire is not what will be the best value...they have no interest in paying extra for LowE-it would make the tenants more comfortable, but there is no ROI.

I tried contacting Harvey through their website...no response as of yet :-(

Patrick · 03-06-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevy4x4

I tried contacting Harvey through their website...no response as of yet :-(

A lot of their marketing and sales support people at corporate are on the road this week for Harvey trade shows which they have in each sales territory this week.

a standard 6068 kit door with Low e is gonna run $600
If you are doing an apartment complex they will the job quoting and the price will come down

If you want exterior brickmold casing with J channel, Add $165 door comes already set up

Note, Harveys and most other companies "set up" doors simply means the frame is screwed together, you still have to install the stationary pannel, the center mull, the moving panel and the hardware.

The company that we buy from when you order set up, EVERYTHING is already put together and you simply place the door into the opening.

Patrick · 03-06-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevy4x4

the rules change when working with apartment complex's which are owned as an investment property. The desire is not what will be the best value...they have no interest in paying extra for LowE-it would make the tenants more comfortable, but there is no ROI.

Do your state building codes not require you to meet basic energy requirements with windows and doors? Around here low-e is required on most residential products to meet code, (not that ive ever seen an inspector check)

easy sider · 03-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Low E and Argon used with most vinyl windows and doors makes these products a little more energy efficient and would quailfy for Power Company Rebates and the 2009 Federal Tax Credit.

Patrick · 03-06-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easy sider

Low E and Argon used with most vinyl windows and doors makes these products a little more energy efficient and would quailfy for Power Company Rebates and the 2009 Federal Tax Credit.

NEGATIVE, while most power co rebates require U value <0.35 which is easy to hit, the Tax Credit Requires 0.30 or better. Harvey doors with Double Low-e/Argon are only going to hit .33 Infact as of right now, unless their products have triple glazing, or do not open (picture windows) they will not qualify.

This is true with a lot of companies, and I know many of these companies are not scrambling to hit .3 and get the NFRC to re-certify.

Luckily our primary manufacturer already hits <.3 with double pane low-e Argon so we can already push the tax credit.

enforcer · 03-06-2009, 09:57 PM

right now their double pane patio door with standard lowE and argon render a u-value of .31 and shgc of .29. believe it or not,double lowE does nothing to the lower the u-factor. they may add solarban70 which may do the trick. i say change the friggin spacer.
their CLASSIC double hung has a u-factor of .32 and shgc of .30 with standard lowE and argon. double lowE brings it to .30. i talked to harvey and they are in the midst of making some changes in order to bring their windows more in line with reality(tax credit). even though they use warm edge intercept by ppg,i have a strong suspicion they are using a tin plated spacer opposed to stainless steel. i'll find out.

enforcer · 03-06-2009, 09:58 PM

i meant to say double lowE brings the classic to a .31 u-factor,not .30.

72chevy4x4 · 03-08-2009, 06:56 PM

I asked the supplier if there was any way to get the Simonton ProContractor down....they came back with a cost of $687.

someone mentioned LowE as a requirement...are you sure? I think it should be, especially considering people flipping or fixing up their hoem and selling with money as a concern, not opting for LowE b/c of cost.

Patrick · 03-08-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevy4x4

I asked the supplier if there was any way to get the Simonton ProContractor down....they came back with a cost of $687.

someone mentioned LowE as a requirement...are you sure? I think it should be, especially considering people flipping or fixing up their hoem and selling with money as a concern, not opting for LowE b/c of cost.

Most stock patio doors have low-e on them to begin with, in most cases it would be more expensive to order one without.