HomeReplacementWindows.net
Does anyone have recommendations for replacement windows?
My wife and I just started looking at purchasing replacement windows. We had an Appleby sales rep. at our home tonight and their product is impressive but they are expensive. To put some perspective on the weather we have, we live in the South Eastern Pennsylvania area. Has anyone done any previous research or have recommendations (possitive or negative) that they would be willing to share? Thanks!
Public Comments
- We used Anderson for all the windows in our No. Maine house. Definitely efficient and well made. Some say they are energy efficient, but the really aren't as good. We moved to the south and used something else here (won't slam the co. by saying names) but is was nowhere near as good. I'd go with Andersons even though they are more expensive. Much worth it in energy savings.
- First of all my advice is for the low price range. If you want real wood and can afford it, knock yourself out. For white vinyl, there are a gazillion manufacturers. Andersen sells "Silver Line by Anderson", which just means Andersen bought the Silver Line company so they could have a cheaper line of windows to sell. An authoritative source says they're not particularly good. Ironically I heard this weeks after installing one in my living room -- but I got this 5' x 8' double slider for $130 off craigslist, brand new. Believe it or not, it's a LOT better than the vinyl window it replaced -- that was real trash.
Look for weather seals that have overlapping, interlocking flanges (hard to describe) so that when closed, the air would have to make several turns to get into your house -- not just two pieces of stuff pressed together, which the wind could push apart. Try flexing the window. The wind will try to flex it, too :-) See how strong the material holding the edge of the glass in the frame is -- a good one won't budge when pressed with a screwdriver; cheap ones can be pulled out. Traco makes a very nice window. When I bought from them several years ago, they put tempered glass in *every* window, which they can do because the have their own tempering facility, unlike almost all other manufacturers. The salesman put the sample window on the floor, stood on the glass, and flung a golf ball down on it. Impressive.
- My suggestion is to look at Kolbe and Kolbe window line. They offer a do-it-yourself kit that is very easy to install.
Includes new jambs, glass of your choice( incl low-e ) single or double pane, etc.
Live in Wisconsin and replaced ours about 16 years ago. Still looking good and performing well.
