Window Brands?

What brand of windows and would you use if ya'll were to build an upper middle to lower high end spec home? "Pretty" and "insulated" are the two hot buttons I can think off. I just priced Anderson's and quite fankly $14K for 13 windows plastered me to the ceiling. I need a less expensive alternative. Thanks in advance.

Marvin for sure. Pella are ok too, but I dislike their service staff. They act like they are doing me a favor when I ask for a price. Fug em.

Marvin, Anderson, Pella and all the others have multiple series of windows. Marvin has their lower end "Integrity", their middle range "Marvin brand" and their high end "Magnum". I can easily see the magnums being $1000 for large windows. I was say the integrity is about $280 for the average size window.

Oh yeah one more thing. Don't take one estimate. When I need a window quote I fax a RFQ to every window supplier in the area. That's about 10 suppliers, about 6 will respond and about 2 will have reasonable prices.

I follow the same practice for EVERY custom order material I need to purchase.

If it was me I would learn the basics of what makes a good window, - the glass, the material the window is made out of, the Fenestration Rating, ect...

You are asking for the advice of what brand, even narrowing down to a brand is still going to leave you trying to figure out exactly which window in their line, which will all come back around to need to understanding what makes a good window based upon your specific needs & code requirements of your local building dept.

You might want to check here http://www.efficientwindows.org/factsheets.cfm

and download your state specific information.

Mike is right, though every manufacturer will tailor the windows for you. Tempered glass? Low e or low e 2? Argon gas? laminated? the list goes on of options, and each option effects the energy effeciency.

Thanks Mike and Grumpy.

Pella and Marvin are good. Pella Pro-lines would be a good match for you. The Pro-lines have the same glass as their $1000+ architect series windows - which seems to be a good selling point with folks.

Forget Anderson. They're living off their past reputation now, not their present one.

Tim

Just got a bid for Pella Thermogaurd all vinyl. Half the cost of Anderson.

It is Thermastar, but there is no fair way to compare pricing for a vinyl window and a vinyl clad wood unit; they are completely two different classes. But, I will say this...Pella's innovation as well as longevity (quality) are leaps and bounds better than anything Andersen has.

That's because they are half the quality.

What size windows are you putting in that are $1000 each? If this is a spec house you want something that the average Joe homeowner is going to recognize name wise. Andersen would fit the bill.
It never ceases to amaze me on the new developments around here that are selling for $750,000 plus and they use vinyl with drywall returns.

where does tim get his imfo? andersen has sales registering over 2 billion, furnishes both 200 and 400 series (everyone deserves a good window) custom products w/ flexiframe const, built to fit doublehungs, and a soon to be released "pocket style" double hung which will send the comp scurrying to catch up. the last thing that company does is rest on its well earned reputation.

It has been said elsewhere that the Pella Architect, Marvin Ultimate and Anderson Woodwright windows are comparable. I'm looking at new window units (mostly DH, fixed grills w/SDL) for a barn conversion/renovation project here in Massachusetts and wanted to better understand comparison of these 3 manufacturers and Jeld Wen (Norco) in terms of construction, performance & price. Clients' are typically want quality over bells & whitles. I'd appreciate any insight/direct experience.

One at a time,
Pella Architect, just bells and whistles over their pro-line. Most people can not tell the difference.
Anderson, was a great window company 30 years ago.
Marvin, nice windows if you have the money (if you have all of the money check their custom options)$$$$
Jeld Wen, can't say anything nice so I will refrain.

I install doors and windows for a living and have Pella Proline in my house. If I built another house I would use Pella again. If I had to put windows in my mothers house, she would get lifetime warranty vinyl windows (cheaper for me to install and no warranty issues).

another "expert" trying to offer advise on products he can't even spell. gee if i had a nickel. by the way proline is a very poor product as the claims due to poor rollforming are really mounting. checked yours lately?

I'll pipe in just to hear what other's are saying.

IMO I would'nt put Anderson in a dying dogs dog house. I dispise them, I hate the construction of them, I hate the fit and finish, and I hate that Anderson engineer's think it's a fun game to see how many parts they can break a window down to for assembly by the installer on the job site. We do on average 100-300 Anderson windows a year for our local HD since we do their installs, and I hate every job since I have installed and sell better....and like was said above, they're more/less selling windows based on the masses and name recognition....not innovation, all the other manufacturers picked up and ran with the ball where anderson left off.

Just me and my opinion, but with the thousands of windows we've replaced over the years...guess what the #1 window brand was that got replaced....ANDERSON. I have been in plenty of 6yr old spec houses in this area with Anderson windows falling apart or having hardware breaking or leaking seals.

No thanks, I'll stick with Pella, Hurd, Marvin, and Heartland for my go to window companies, even though Pella thinks all too highly of their product when they price them

The windows we have been installing in specs lately are coming from my Norandex siding distibutor...and the brand is Pro View....there are getting to be a lot of regional window manufacturers, and I think this is one of them. They have a good energy rating and install nicely. We don't know how they will hold up since we have only installed them for 2 years now, but I will use them in my new home..that is how confident I am.

If you had a nickel maybe you could go back to grade school with me and we both could learn to spell. If you think your response has any merit, start a poll to see who repairs/replaces more Andersen products over Pella products.

IHI, do you get your Pella windows from a Pella showroom or Lowes. I find that the showrooms have a lot of options but price very high. Lowes is much cheaper but you have to deal with retail workers.

Have you heard anything about what go dart is saying about issues with Pella? I have only been installing their windows for about 10 years and have not had any major problems. If I do run across a problem I can generally get Pella to cut me a check to resolve it.

Jay,

Down here the Norandex distibutors carry simonton windows, I have used them in the last three houses we built and I think they are great. They feel like a very sturdy window and the HO liked them as well. There is also a company called Capitol that seems to make a nice mid-priced window.