I’m trying to select–and afford–solid fiberglass framed windows to go in the retirement house I’m building. Milgard is about the only one I see around much in the U.S. I’m in north Georgia. Anybody had experience with Milgard’s fiberglass? Any knowledge about comparative costs to the others out of Canada (and better performing, I think): Thermotech, Accurate Dorwin, and Fibertec?
Marvin has one but I don’t want it because it’s not a solid fiberglass frame–it has a wood composite core. Milgard has wood composite internal corner bracing. The 3 others reinforce apparently with nylon or “mechanically”, whatever that means.
Nobody down here knows squat, BTW. Even high-end homes don’t put energy conservation first. But it’s as relevant here for the A/C costs as up north for the heating.
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Actually, Marvin has two forms of their Integrity line. One is fiberglass on the outside with wood framing on the inside. The other is all fiberglass. That one appears to be my first choice for our retirement home.
I have not yet looked at Milgaurd but should. Thanks for the reminder.
Terry
I didn't say that clearly. The structure inside the frame is a wood composite, with fiberglass bonded all around it. Like an klondike ice cream bar. The frame is basically a wood and resin frame wrapped in fiberglass. On the exterior of the house the fiberglass is what you see. On the interior of the house, they have added a veneer on top of the fiberglass to produce the appearance of a wood window. OTOH, solid fiberglass frames have no wood composite core. The ones I've seen have a polystyrene core.
Pella also has an all fiberglass model called Impervia. Not a half bad window and not much more then a quality vinyl model. Most around here are not fan's of Pella though
I didn't even look at Pella because of the problems I hear about everywhere. Although I have heard they're getting their act together. But I don't want to be the first in anybody's New and Improved Product line.
we use Pella and have never had a serious problem, at least not in the last 6 years of me being around this particular company. Don't have much of choice though, Pella has a strong name around here and there is not a local Marvin dealer which would be my next choice.
I've installed on job with there Impervia windows and they looked pretty good and worked well, time will tell though.
MtnBoy,
How did your selection go? Any developments? Did you get a chance to contact the Canadian companies? I am also considering the fiberglas, and would greatly appreciate your experience.
Thx, Poisk
I dumped it all in the lap of my builder, who had told me I had selected some really expensive windows. He's busy pricing other things but will get back to that eventually. If you'll check back with me around mid-October I'm guessing he should have found out where the "bargains" are. Hah!And please let me know if you make any progress meanwhile. Glad to share anything I know, which is not much at the moment.
Any good luck on the fiberglass windows? Pls let me know
Nothing from the builder. I don't think he's going to find that bargain he's looking for, given the specifics of what we want. So, unless he comes up with something else, I'm going with the Fiberframe New Generation by Comfort Line. They've been around a long time.If I were closer to Canada I'd probably use one of the manufacturers' lines from up there.
There's a manufacturer in Winnipeg of fiberglass windows called DUXTON and i believe they are cheaper than Accurate-Dorwin and Fibertec. I've used them and they seemed very good, although Accurate is really really good
Many thanks; that's a name I haven't heard. I printed your message; will pass it on to our builder so he can do some Black Friday shopping. Maybe with building off they'll give him/us a deal. Yeah.
no Black Friday in Canada...sorry! Also our Thanksgiving was last month.
Mtnboy,
Comfort Line is relatively small company. I think they have sales around $12M per year. Any references as per reliability, installation, service?
All I know about is service. There's a local company I've been doing business with about 10 years. They are the go-to guys for replacement windows, and they do a lot of that in swanky subdivisions with high-end finishes and badly-performing windows. They also do new construction and subdivisions. They've won local "best of" awards here for the last 5 consecutive years. Comfort Line is the only fiberglass they carry (they also do vinyl and wood.)They have their own crews--no subbing out. So, I want them to do my installation. As to the rest, before we get too far down this road I'll need to check further into Comfort Line themselves.
MtnBoy,
Did u get a chance to check on Comfort Line?
Nope; not yet. Everything else has been a priority.
thx for getting back
The only ones I've used (in my own home where I didn't have to sell them) were Thermotech casements. Nice quality, excellent service, and decent (negotioated) price.
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Thanks for telling me. How long have they been in? And what climate are you in?Thanks in advance.