Way off topic...New windows

[Whaledriver]

Anyone with some knowledge on replacement windows? Mine are pretty well used up. I live around 7800 foot in Colorado. Had Anderson come out and gave a laughable quote. Champion was a high pressure used car salesman that was a no go just on principle. Looking at Amerimax possibly. Supposedly a higher end vinyl made in Loveland. A little hesitant on vinyl due to the UV eating everything with sun exposure. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bubblehide]

The quality of most of the Vinyl's today hold up well, so I wouldn't let that worry you. I have no idea what manufactures you have near you, so you might first want to throw out some brand names that at least have supply houses close to you, so you can keep shipping costs down. I would also suggest trying a couple reputable contractors to see what they can offer for what price. Anderson, is on the high side, so no surprise there, but keep in mind that they aren't giving you any breaks on the installation. I've done construction work for a living in the past, and still do some in my summers, once in a while; I've generally installed Milgard windows (you might want to check them out). But I have also installed Pella (very pricey), even windows from Home Depot. Keep in mind that any window that faces the sun, you will likely want some type of low energy transfer film or film baking on it to reduce the thermal transfer (light energy to heat energy). Additionally, an aluminum framed on a window is going to have a much much higher thermal transfer (the frame only), than a vinyl or wood window. As far as the most maintenance free, I'd go vinyl, as there is no painting other than possibly some trim pieces.

 

[BigDog00]

The only advice I can give you is to spend a little bit of money on them. We built a house a few years ago and the builder used cheap contractor grade windows. Needless to say every single window leaks. We tried to upgrade them but he had already ordered the cheap ones.

 

[Jimbo V]

I had a buddy who used the place in Loveland. He was happy with them. They sell based on the fact that they are built at Colorado elevation so their double panes are more effective (I know that's vague). He said they were half as much as the Pella quote he got. I have window from the late 70's that leak beyond belief so I will be dealing with the window purchase headache sooner than later.


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[Bubblehide]

@BigDog00, Leaks from where? When the vast majority of windows leak, it's almost always due to faulty installation, not the window. What material are the windows made out of?

 

[BigDog00]

@BigDog00, Leaks from where? When the vast majority of windows leak, it's almost always due to faulty installation, not the window. What material are the windows made out of?

They are cheap Geldwin vinyl windows. They are sliders and leak at the top and bottom of the part that slides open. We have to clean dirt out of the track about 2-3 times a year. I know windows leak but when the wind really blows you can feel it moving in/out. We do have a casement window in our living room that doesn't seem to leak so bad. I would have liked to have them install all casement windows, but we were too late on getting them ordered.

 

[SHTF]

Going through this same thing now. Wife and I just refinanced our home got a lower rate and cash out to do the Windows and Siding. We just finished with 6 estimates.

We got 1 last Bid we are waiting on final #'s from them.

We are definitely going vinyl windows

So far Colorado Windows and Siding is the best price. Last one we are waiting on is Superior will let you know. How many windows you after?

Get lots of Bids thats the best advice I can give you.

Whoever gives us the best deal and most value I can send them your way. Send me a PM if you want we can work out the details. We have done alot of foot work on Colorado Companies and 6 bids is no easy task so if you want to piggyback off our experience let me know.

 

[Old_Navy]

I put in Marvin windows several years back. Did the install myself. 3 bedrooms & master bath, me & the wife. For the patio Door & kitchen
window a buddy from work helped & we got them in over a sat & Sun.

this is the kitchen, fixed center pane W L + R sliders. 122" wide 40 " highhttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SAIgpaeuGIc/UQoBbPcY81I/AAAAAAAABXw/cEuHYUPZHyIPCOgWv4kZRMuacyorCtHpgCCo/s640-Ic42/100_1129.jpg

 

[SHTF]

I had a buddy who used the place in Loveland. He was happy with them. They sell based on the fact that they are built at Colorado elevation so their double panes are more effective (I know that's vague). He said they were half as much as the Pella quote he got. I have window from the late 70's that leak beyond belief so I will be dealing with the window purchase headache sooner than later.


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This sounds like Champion Windows. They build them in Colorado its part of their Pitch. They are very expensive though. Great windows based on what he showed us.

 

[husky390]

Give Pella and Millgard a call since it doesn't hurt to have more quotes. Both are in Denver. The problem you're going to run into is labor costs. Everyone is so busy, they're not going to offer deals, especially outside of the Front Range.

With that said, hit me up if you need a garage door. I have a friend who tailgates.

 

[Whaledriver]

Hey guys really appreciate all the responses. I am going to get a few more bids and see what is offered. I think vinyl will be the direction we go. Thanks again.

 

[carlc]

Be careful by going with the cheapest bid, you don't spend a week in Alaska with a Walmart sleeping bag do you?

I am a contractor by trade, mostly siding, roofing and windows. Andersen's are very high quality, and worth the money. Pella, milgard are close behind. Check the warranty, and more importantly, the transferable part, which can be huge at selling time

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[SHTF]

One of our lowest Bids are using Millgard other is using Vista Windows. Either way we are on a budget so we can't drop 50k on windows and siding so whoever can get closest and has the rep to back it up is our strategy.

 

[Greg Beck]

Be careful by going with the cheapest bid, you don't spend a week in Alaska with a Walmart sleeping bag do you?

I am a contractor by trade, mostly siding, roofing and windows. Andersen's are very high quality, and worth the money. Pella, milgard are close behind. Check the warranty, and more importantly, the transferable part, which can be huge at selling time

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X2. Having done construction for 15 years I've seen more than my share of bad windows and bad installation!!

 

[sodaksooner]

I have had good luck with the reliabilts I bought from Lowes. Vinyls but I have wood trim. They will install a wood trim pc(don't know the proper name) where I couldn't get that with Pella. I have had one set for ten years and still going strong. Mine are double hung, low E glass, all the bells and whistles for a lower price, and several were custom sizes too.

I would have no problem buying them again.

 

[bbrown]

Keep in mind almost all these window companies utilize a separate third party company (sub-contractor) to do the actual install. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (I'm a subcontractor myself) but they usually get paid by the window or opening so faster=more money. Your contract will be with the window company so if there is any issues you will have to go through them and they will work with their sub to make things right. Not sure if its possible but I would almost insist on a company rep form the window company is at your house during the install to supervise.

I have 2 buddies who went through the window replacement process on their houses in Fort Collins. The first used American Exteriors out of Denver - decent windows but the installer sucked. Way too many problems with their workmanship and even had one window installed upside down. The window company ended up bringing in another installer to make things right but ended up as quite the process. The second used Amerimax - windows seemed to be the same quality and the install went better but you could still see where they cut some corners and had to come back to fix a few things.

 

[mod700]

Good advice so far, Anderson and Pella's are hard to beat in my book,( I'm general building contractor) . The proper installation of the windows have a huge influence on the performance aspect. The cleaning/prep of the existing opening of the window, as well as proper water proofing during the re-install can make or brake the deal. Might be worth checking to see if you have any family or friends with a reputable contractor contact to help you.
Mike

 

[Whaledriver]

Yep no going cheapest bid. Learned that lesson a long time ago. Just trying to the find the balance between quality and value.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

We are doing the same thing at my house right now. We're going with Pella, but I'm doing all the installs myself. Quality materials, and I don't have to worry about someone doing the job right.

 

[NorthernMN]

I will start by acknowledging that I currently work for one of the Marvin family companies. That said, of our three brands Marvin, Integrity, and Infinity you should consider getting quotes for at least the Infinity brand. Infinity is sold "installed". It will be sold through a dealer who will come and measure your existing openings. The units will be built to your openings as all our windows are. We do not sell a vinyl window. Vinyl is not thermally stable. The Infinity brand is a fiberglass unit (branded Ultrex). Being fiberglass of course you have color options and they can be painted if you ever choose to. Lifetime warranty from a company that has been in business for over 100 years.

If you want to do the installs yourself then find a deal to quote the Integrity brand. It is a full frame window in an almost limitless selection of sizes, styles, colors, and interiors. I moved from Minnesota last year where our corporate HQ was. In my home there I replaced my windows with Infinity units. Being an employee I was able to buy them and install myself. Here in Oregon where I am living now every place I looked at buying had cheap vinyl windows including the house that I ended up buying. I will be starting replacements this summer.

Windows are filling big holes in your walls. Don't cheap out and put inferior windows in those holes. There is a reason you don't buy arrows at Walmart....