Doors and Windows - Comparing Window Companies

My house was built in 1974 and I have all Casement Andersen Windows. They are beautiful on the inside (I painted them and they look great). However, they are pretty bad on the outside, so I want to replace them.

Are wood really that much better than all Vinyl Windows?

I was looking at Vinyl Window Designs' vinyl windows. They seem great, they have a lifetime warranty on vinyl and glass. The company I buy them from does all the warranty work (I wouldn't have to do a thing). I really like Andersens, but they are pricey.

Is it the cheap (quality wise) thing to do buying Vinyl vs Wood?

Thanks for any feedback...

At the very least, I would buy vinyl clad which is vinyl over wood. If you can't afford Andersen's, Pella's, or Marvin's all at the same time, just replace a few at a time.

Pulpo,
So you would definitely go w/ some combination of wood? You wouldn't do the all vinyl?

Thanks for your input...
Joe

Just to weigh in..all solid vinyl windows scream cheap cheap cheap to me. I've seen them in $500,000.00 homes ( 4 or 5 yrs back).. (and it made my stomach churn). I'd never do that in my home.

Now if its an older home for a flip or similar..vinyl replacements and wrapping the trim is a good option.

See if Jeld-Wen is available in your area...good company in my experience...better than Pella (hack, cough (uh..crap, in my opinion) just below Andersen.....

I am not aware of any wood window that is still wood on the outside. All are maintenance free clad with vinyl or aluminum. You old Andersens were state of the art when new but no longer, why not stick with them, new Andersens that is. Yes they are more expensive than vinyl replacements, but if your house had Andersen then, it is likey upscale. Why take a step down with vinyl??? Avoid Pella. There is a 30% tax credit, up to $1500 on the replacent(material cost only) of qualifying energy products. Andersens qualifies. That would soften the cost.

No I am not an Andersen saleperson or rep, but I do install them, and think they are the best value for your window dollar.

I've done mine with solid vinyl. Went with almond since the house is browntones. (White would have been too stark of a contrast.) did them several at a time as the budget would afford it. Started with Amerimax, but had to switch over to EPI's after the first supplier moved out of the area. I'm the only one who will ever know where the brand change occured. Too much wall and a several corners between them. (The garage.)

Oh...and you may want to check into replacement sashes if the frame is ok....

Just to clarify, my brick mould is exposed and therefore will use new-build windows (whether it be all vinyl or vinyl clad wood ie. Andersen). So they will NOT be replacement style windows, they will be new-build windows.

So, would you all still go w/ Andersen/Marvin/Pella??? If so, what are your reasons? Even if I get wood I will paint them white...

Virtually every vinyl window mfgr. makes theirs available either way -- retrofit or replacement/new construction. You order them they way you want them. The ones that I've dealt with also offer the option of nail fin and exterior trim that is attached in the field (if applicable), or with the exterior trim moulded to the frame at the factory. (There's a LOT more to windows than what you'll see on the shelves at one of the big box stores.)

Some form of Low-E glass for sure, and gas filled is always an option if it makes sense where the window is being installed.

Correct joeponcho, don't go all vinyl.

Pulpo,

I'm sure that you have your reasons for saying that, and I'm pretty sure that we'll just have to agree to disagree.

I guess what I'm getting at is that we want Low to No maintenance and even if I went w/ wood, I would paint them white. Therefore, is there a HUGE difference in quality between all vinyl and vinyl clad??? Anyone?

The company I'm looking at offers all vinyl, lifetime warranties on vinyl and glass. The Wholesaler I'm getting them from is large and does all the warranty work, so I would only have to make a call and they do the rest. The company is: "vinyl window designs."

Any help or input is greatly appreciated....

Not a huge difference in Quality, as long as you are looking at quality windows. But there will be a huge difference in price.

Just to clarify my suggestion. I was recommending vinyl clad. I wouldn't want to paint either.

Vinyl or clad?? How much money do you want to spend?? A good clad window will cost conciderably more than a good vinyl. Another option, also virtually no maintenance, would be fiberglass. Pricewise, it'll fall in between vinyl and clad.

Here is my take on the window argument. Take it for what it is worth. My initial feeling about vinyl windows was cheap construction and likewise appearance. I got quote from a Marvin dealer for Ultimate insert aluminum clad replacement windows at a cost of $711.45 each with internal grids and screens. This is not installed. They are beautiful windows and of superior quality. My second quote was for Harvey Tribute all vinyl windows with low-e and argon at $275.00 each. The vinyl does not have that cheap plastic look of the orange big box windows and have a contoured sash and glazing bead that does not look boxy.
I went with the vinyl and am half way thru the install.
Just could not justify the big price!

So which brand Vinyl Window di you choose? & Why? I also can not justify the price for Andersen / Marvin...

Joe,

Window prices are like car prices -- How much do you want to spend??

I can get you from point "A" to point "B" for under $15K, or I can do it for well over $300K.

Joe.
This is the window model I installed and they cost $275.00
Tribute Windows - Vinyl Windows by Harvey (http://www.harveybp.com/product.aspx?pid=40)

They do prefer to sell to only contractors and they may only be regional in New England.

I finished my install yesterday and the job came out great.
Not the wood window I wanted but could not justify the price.

Joe,

I wonder what you finally went with. We did all vinyl and couldnt be happier. Price was great. Vinyl clad wood was much more expensive and was still vinyl looking. I have no idea why anyone would do anything less. We have had the all vinyl windows for a couple of years and still get compliments on the house look.

Performance is either equal to or better than wood clad btw.