I am looking at replacing the single-pane windows in my house for better efficiency and also some noise reduction. Can anyone tell me the quality pecking order on different brands – ranking quality low to high?
We basically have a middle class home in a middle class neighborhood and I just want to go towards the middle quality level. It won’t make sense for us to get the highest quality and we don’t want to buy anything that is cheap and won’t stand up.
Recommendations would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Replies
I use Jeld-Wen almost exclusively. Came recommended here in the forum and I've never been disappointed. Price is not bad either.
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
See my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Anderson and Marvin are generally considered the safe bet around here. Like car companies there are all different price points and options.
Don't forget the tax credit if you get windows with a U rating of .30 or LOWER.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#c1
http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm?EE=1&RE=1
good point cause Marvin doesnt have glass to meet stimulus but Andersen has the Smart Glass that does on the 400 series and I think their renassance replacements - over priced due to installation franchise
Marvin has many (hundreds of?) different glass packages that meet the stimulus requirements.
Here is a link for double hungs.
http://search.nfrc.org/search/cpd/cpd_search_productline.aspx
Thanks for the link, and I will have to bust my salesmans *** for wrong info
no trouble -
I installed my own Andersen replacements. I already had Andersen's and the replacements essentially "dropped in". If the current windows are Andersen's and the frames are square and true- could be a great option for OP.
I installed their replacements when they first came out but now in Mass. you have to be in the franchise and cant purchase. The ones i put in were Woodwrights, very pricey
Two different things we're talking about I think. If the OP already has Andersen, they make retrofit sashes and jambs to fit the old frames. Slick as snot and I bought them directly from the lumberyard. Even did my own measuring. Had to swallow hard before pulling the buy trigger due to my own measuring, but it really was simple.
Depending on the overall condition, you might consider Marvin tilt-pacs.
k
The Company I work for sells Jeld-Wen windows and a product called Peter Kohler. I am from Nova Scotia, where the Kohler product is manufacture so I may be a little biased. That being said, I have installed both products my self, retrofit and new constrcution and Kohler hands down has a better product.
Your key points to look for are depth of the vinyl frame, weather the vinyl extrusions have intagrated returns and mouldings or are snapped together. And of course energy efficiency in the way of Loe/Argon and spacer technology.
-Jeff