Replies

1. 
   superwork | Aug 15, 2004 02:25pm | #1

   Dan see what the anderson selection 's are . Not the most expensive windows out there. But they are good .

2. 
   Hooker | Aug 15, 2004 08:44pm | #2

   Hey Dan,

   I've always been a supporter of Marvin.  Lots of selection and options, cost is reasonable, and the quality is there.  I'm sure several manufacturers are able to give you what you are looking for.  Check out Marvin or their other line, Integrity.  Same quality, less options=less cost.

3. 
   draket | Aug 16, 2004 02:14am | #3

   Dan,

   I responded to a similar question on another forum so I'll post the same response here. I hope it helps.

   I am not a window expert, but I have had several hundred conversations with a variety of professionals, many who I would consider to be experts in this field. From these conversations, I will give you my overview from what I have learned regarding wood and cladded wood windows only. For advice on windows made of fiberglass, solid pvc, or metal, someone else will have to jump in. Of coarse it is way more complicated than my breakdown because there are SO many different window manufacturers making SO many different products. Warning, this could be depressing. Wood windows have been around forever. A well designed and well made traditional wood window is considered by most knowledgeable builders to be the very best all around window in this category. The big problem with these is maintenance. This window will have to be finished inside and out and than periodically maintained or re-finished. This could be a big job which most people these days don't want the hassle, so they turn toward the APPARENTLY maintenance-free clad products. Wood windows which are cladded are not built the same as a traditional wood windows. Vinyl clad wood windows have been around for a while. When they were first introduced, they were pretty much only offered in white. As darker colors on the exterior have become very popular, these products have had problems. Though you will hear some vinyl advocates who claim these products are fine, depending on the UV exposure, many of these colors are fading and deteriorating in the sun which means they are not a no-maintenance window. I have spoken with several very experienced window sales distributors and builders who will not sell or install these windows in sunny locations. Their alternative is the aluminum clad wood window. Traditional wood windows have the four sides of the frame with the bottom (the sill) having a significant slope to divert water away from the window unit. To cut manufacturing costs, most of the manufacturers have designed their aluminum clad units with all four sides of the frame being the same profile. Problem here is this leaves the sill flat which does not divert the water away. Unlike most vinyl clad windows where the corners are welded or seamless, the aluminum clad windows are mechanically fastened in the corners and use a sealant as the weather proofing. Since sealant such as silicone have a limited life-span, it is only a matter of time when these mechanical-siliconed corners are compromised and fail. Since the sills are basically flat where these corners are, you could be asking for trouble in areas with exposure to rain. If you don't mind the maintenance go with a good traditional wood window. If you don't want the maintenance, have lots of rain and limited sun, go with vinyl clad. If you have lots of sun and limited rain, go aluminum clad. If you have the sun and the rain and don't want the maintenance, you will have to roll the dice! You are doing the right thing by looking for advice from others besides salespeople. Regards, Gordon http://www.leakywindows.com