Window Suppliers - who do you use? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

MHMConstruction · 06-23-2008, 03:17 PM

Windows are not my specialty (still do not know what is!

)

but I am getting more and more calls for window replacement jobs. This is like my 5th in a certain neighborhood here. All block homes, all built by the same guy 50 years ago. 1/2 the houses have new windows, 1/2 still have the old ones.

I've uses Lowe's (BetterBilt) and Home Depot (American Craftsman) - but that's it.

What do you window pros do? Use the local specialist? I'm getting quotes for my next job (24 window replacement) from a bunch of vendors.

Just seeing if anyone has any suggestions.

So far, BetterBilt seem to be pretty good windows - pretty easy to install, and not expensive. Plus they were good about sending out a service rep to replace a spring that was broken.

MHM

easy sider · 06-23-2008, 06:30 PM

We use Atrium 90 % and Jeldwen 9 % and other 1%. We buy direct from Atrium. In the past we bought direct from Jeldwen. The Atrium window is an excellent choice for all window needs.

cleveman · 06-23-2008, 08:24 PM

I've used Pella, Anderson, Alside, Crestline, Jenweld? and some others. I prefer the Alsides. I like a window with vinyl on the inside. I hate to have to finish the inside and you know it won't hold up for long. I did it once and that was enough.

I'll put the Jenwelds and crestlines, etc. in resales or garages. I like the Alsides in my own homes or custom builds. I think they are about twice as expensive as the jenweld & crestlines and twice as good.

MHMConstruction · 06-24-2008, 02:49 PM

I've seen Atrium around recently on bigger sites (condos)

never heard of Alsides - sounds good though -

thanks

MHM

HomeSealed · 06-25-2008, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveman

I've used Pella, Anderson, Alside, Crestline, Jenweld? and some others. I prefer the Alsides. I like a window with vinyl on the inside. I hate to have to finish the inside and you know it won't hold up for long. I did it once and that was enough.

I'll put the Jenwelds and crestlines, etc. in resales or garages. I like the Alsides in my own homes or custom builds. I think they are about twice as expensive as the jenweld & crestlines and twice as good.

Agreed. I use alside as well.

DavidC · 06-25-2008, 06:56 AM

We also use the Atriums most of the time. Average 2-300 per year over 4-5 years and we only had one job with 2 cracked windows. It was -20 degrees when installed. Atrium promptly relpaced the windows. 10 days from order to delivery on most jobs.

When customers tell me they want to buy windows from Lowe's I will ask them to get Lowe's to install them or sign this wavier releasing my company from any product liabilities. It's to protect our reputation for quality products professionally installed, they usually understand.

Good Luck
Dave

csv · 08-19-2009, 07:26 PM

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tomstruble · 08-19-2009, 07:37 PM

i usually go with simonton reflections, easy for me to get and great service
bradco carries them around here

jumbo · 08-19-2009, 08:18 PM

I usually use Simontons. I actually have them in my own home. They never even question warranty issues.

CScalf · 08-19-2009, 11:54 PM

I recently put certainteed windows in my sis in laws house, I was pleased with them, but usually I use andersen

Tru_Blue · 08-20-2009, 11:28 PM

Interesting, most of you use mainly vinyl windows. For the past 30+ years I've mostly used clad wood windows, followed by vinyl, and then fiberglass. There's a lot less competition in the wood window market than in the vinyl market, but you have to have the right type of customer who is willing to pay more for wood compared to vinyl.

CharlesD · 08-21-2009, 10:32 AM

You guys know Alside makes Windoworld window?
Aside from that I really liked the 6000 series (think it was that number)

advanced_energy · 08-22-2009, 07:05 AM

Alside makes a good window? thats news to me. the design is flawed and you will have problems with the sills. there are MUCH better windows out there. stay the heck away from american craftsman or pella vinyl windows. they are total garbage.

Dave Ruc · 08-23-2009, 05:13 PM

I have used the Allside product which is good for a low to middle budget range. If the HO wants a wood interior I do Pella and Anderson but be ready to live there for a week. My favorite is Viwinco sold by Erie Materials in CNY (For low to mid income about $180/per DH) or Park Ave (For higher income Vinyl windows)

slowforthecones · 08-24-2009, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbo

I usually use Simontons. I actually have them in my own home. They never even question warranty issues.

I'm about to replace about 40 wooden windows in my with Simonton Impression 7500. Any input on the windows?

grob62 · 08-26-2009, 11:39 PM

The question should be which window manufactuer haven't you used? I've tried a ton. Good Golly Let's do some counting,

Gorrell
Hoosier
American Crapsman
Pella
Crestline
Semco
Tempco
Caradco
Hayfield
Republic
Sunrise
Crystal
Andersen
Silverline by Andersen
Marvin
Milgard
Windsor
Winstrom
Simonton
Certainteed
Vinylguard

Deep Breath. SIGH

Caradco
Jeld-wen
Weathershield
Target
Climateguard

Did I mention Republic? I loved Republic windows. Nobody came close to these guys, in my experience. A $130 window that had less than 1 % service issues out of several thousand windows. Too bad they went out of business. I know, Iknow, they started another one, different name, same people. Whatever, I don't remember their name, but we tried them for 2 or 3 jobs and stuff was not the same....

jumbo · 08-27-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowforthecones

I'm about to replace about 40 wooden windows in my with Simonton Impression 7500. Any input on the windows?

I've only used the 5500 series. I'm by far no window expert. But I have to say, I've been pleased with them. I even did a replacement patio door, customer calls me 6 months later and tells me when the sun hits the door just right she can see small scratches in the glass. I went to take a look, funny all the scratches were knee heighth where it looked as though her 5 grandkids were running their hotwheels across. Any way, I called my supplier, told him the situation, I had a door 3 weeks later. I couldn't fcukin' believe it.
Another plus for me is, they usually have my windows delivered in a week to 10 days.

quality1stconst · 08-27-2009, 06:28 AM

Simonton are great replacements and we also use Andersen. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT use Feather River doors from Home Depot. JUNK!!!!! The front door in my house had to have the transum replaced, the seal was junk on the bottom of the door and both sidelights leaked water from the get go. There was NO sealant around the bottom 1/2 of either sidelight.

bwalley · 08-27-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MHMConstruction

Windows are not my specialty (still do not know what is!

)

but I am getting more and more calls for window replacement jobs. This is like my 5th in a certain neighborhood here. All block homes, all built by the same guy 50 years ago. 1/2 the houses have new windows, 1/2 still have the old ones.

I've uses Lowe's (BetterBilt) and Home Depot (American Craftsman) - but that's it.

What do you window pros do? Use the local specialist? I'm getting quotes for my next job (24 window replacement) from a bunch of vendors.

Just seeing if anyone has any suggestions.

So far, BetterBilt seem to be pretty good windows - pretty easy to install, and not expensive. Plus they were good about sending out a service rep to replace a spring that was broken.

MHM

If windows aren't your specialty why are you doing them?

Betterbilt are crap windows, if you think they are good windows, you haven't seen or installed a good window.

How are you able to bid window work when you don't have a Florida contractors license? How do you pull permits?

slowforthecones · 08-27-2009, 01:53 PM

wow that sounds like a stinker of a customer.... kids damage and she tried to say your windows are bad.