I’m involved in an extensive renovation project : an old corn crib being converted to a living space.
I’m a DIY’er with very little experience but a lot of good intentions. I’ve been online and at the local library to get information to make an intelligent decision (so far I’ve made more than a few bad ones) about the best brand of windows to buy.
I’m totally confused and overwhelmed. So my question is basically: is this just basically a Chevy vs. Ford choice or is there some rational way to proceed.
I’m not looking for replacement windows. Nothing extravagant or fancy, just basic double hung and casement windows. Energy considerations are important, as is overall quality and value. Any insight will be gratefully and thankfully appreciated.
Replies
All of the top brand windows are quite expensive. A lot of that comes from the many levels of overhead, profits and commissions being paid.
If you'd like to avoid that whole deal yet get a better than average window I'd suggest looking at http://www.milgard.com. I've been more than satisfied with their inexpensive vinyl windows.
Their dealership agreements allow for competitive bidding so I've been able to use that to my advantage.
<I'm totally confused and overwhelmed>
I too am a DIYer HO, who joined this site when doing my window research - hence the tag name - I know exactly where you are at. I came to the conclusion - there is no best brand - figure out your needs first, then start eliminating.
Determine if you are looking for vinyl / wood / metal clad / fibreglass or combination there of - ie: vinyl exterior & wood interior.
Will basic white do or do you want a specific color?
Do you have any large or unusual sizes that you must have? I had large windows drawn on my plans, then discovered very few manufacturers could / would make this size. (but they don't tell you this, they just quote you on their standard sizes without mentioning they changed the plans)
It will also depend on where you are at - climate etc. Do you need triple pane or will dual pane Low E work? If you need triple, then Marvin Integrity line is off the table, (and so on)
Do you want grills / other options? This will narrow the field a bit further.
I ended up with Marvin Integrity fibreglass with pine interiors. Limited sizes & options in their line up enable them to be very cost efficient. Many BTers indicted service is great from Marvin & so far, I would have to agree. Just installed a couple of weeks ago - they are very nice, but .... now I am overwhelmed (and formerly confused) by the staining / finishing process. :)
MarkTaylor111
Welcome to the world of construction.
I did countless research looking at windows.. the difficult thing is pricing.. there are several levels of pricing with regard windows..
The big box stores pay the least for a given window and they pay less for the sizes they stock..
Lowes, Home Depot, and Menards around here have windows and periodically (usually in the spring) they have sales on them.. The trick is to get the best price you can and use the ad for getting the price on the brand you want..
(they all honour others ads which means they don't have to advertize their prices)
You can also get good deals (sometimes) at surplus stores which have a stock of either surplus or wrong ordered windows..
My suggestion is to buy the windows and then decide on the opening sizes if getting a good deal is important to you.. I know it sounds backwards for common proceedure but at least that way you only have to frame for windows one time..
If you have to buy from a lumberyard or other source realize you will be paying more for them since they don't buy in the volume the big box stores do..
If you really are on a modest budget it's not terrible difficult to make a window frame for a non operating window.. Simply order double paned glass from a local glass store and even relatively large windows can come u=in well under $100 each.
As for Brands I wound up selecting Andersens.. but it really is a ford vs chevy deal unless you are looking for a given feature or style..
"If you have to buy from a lumberyard or other source realize you will be paying more for them since they don't buy in the volume the big box stores do.."Not always true!I can buy ANY Andersen unit made at my yard for less than HD chrages for the same unit, AND HD can only sell about 40% of the units Andersen makes due to their limited marketing arrangement that gives them their price break.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin
I deliberately tried not to get into contractor pricing since it was clear he was not a contractor. (I was trying to be considerate)
<My suggestion is to buy the windows and then decide on the opening sizes if getting a good deal is important to you.. >
LOL - Oh Frenchy.... you & my husband would get along.... "but honey... it was such a great deal, I am sure I can find a place to use it." Our garage / shed /attic is full of "great deals" just waiting to find a home / use.
Confused2
OH I wasn't suggesting that he buy a bunch just to have them but if he comes across a great deal on windows a few inches bigger or smaller than his plans does he have to pass them up because the openings are the wrong size?
I kind of worked it backwards.. I found out what was aviailable at what sort of price and then once I had those numbers designed my house around those sizes..
What I didn't want to do is be shoved into buying a more expensive window because that was the only size that would fit my openings..
Ok, read it wrong. Gave me a laugh though.
For value, the Andersen or Integrity by Marvin lines are my choice
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Overall quality and value plus energy = Marvin Windows. Low E Argon.
Jeff
Go shopping at local supply houses and see the product and what you like about each.
Price, features, availabilty of the right sizes, parts, longevity of company,etc= value
Only you can answer what it is for you. (double hung vs single hung, vinyl vs wood, etc)
The only thing I stress is building a rubber membrane pan under window and lapped to outside so that when window leaks, water gets back out.
(all of them will leak eventually)
If you can afford it, go with Marvin. If you can't afford it, go with Milgard single hungs and casements. I haven't yet found a vinyl double hung that seals well.
These aren't the only good brands out there, but they are safe choices based on my experiences.
Make sure you can go somewhere that has displays of what you are after, so that you can get a feel for each brand. Home shows are a great place to see many different brands and hear their pitch.
Edited 10/2/2008 12:01 am ET by lettusbee
Don't be confused Mark. There is only one choice....Anderson. Hands down the best company out there. Nobody and I mean nobody backs their product like Anderson.
I once had them replace a 15 year old picture window that had failed at absolutely no charge. My sister was renting the house. They came and inspected it and then placed the order and had it delivered. I never even asked them to do it for free!
As for installation...again the easiest and most watertight window out of the box of them all. As a carpenter I have used them all and everytime I have to use another brand we seem to say "Why aren't we using Anderson.
Just had a demo from a factory certified rep where he showed us how to straighten out a Marvin window. It was a casement style window with an awning window mulled on top. The awning top parts are all out of square compared to the bottom windows. Guess what he used? A sledge hammer! On a $1700 dollar window. Nice.
Last year Pella sent a shipment of windows to a customer of ours and they were all smoky looking. After we had installed them the homeowner noticed it and refused them. We agreed they weren't right. Pella didn't. They tried to weasel out of it for months and months. Finally agreed and fessed up to it being a change they had made at the factory. They took the windows back and said they would eat it. Then they charged the contractor with a $15,000 trucking fee. Back to the lawyers office.
Sorry to ramble. I really love installing Anderson bcause they just plain work. They have many different styles and price ranges. Wood or vinyl. Four or five choices for exteriors. Good luck!