Hi,
I’m doing a full gut rehab on a 130 year old frame house, and will need 33 new windows for it. A combination of Casement and double hung aluminum clad windows.
I haven’t heard much about Hurd, and am not sure where they fit regarding Anderson, Pella or Marvin windows. I don’t wish to start a flame fest, but want to know if they’re a good company, with good customer support compared to the others.
They’re certainly cheaper than the others, and I cannot seem to find good information describing their construction strengths and weaknesses compared to the others, which would help in the decision making process.
They did have a major issue (class action law suit) with some UV filter material that warped and made the windows difficult to see out of, but i don’t know much else.
Which window manufacturer provides the best customer service?
Thanks in advance for any advice and information.
Replies
oz
Your answer could be area specific-a local distributor/supplier of a brand sometimes makes all the difference in how problems are handled. I've seen over the yrs and changing of distributors that what once was a good "company", is now less than suspect-with even no changes in the product>
I have Marvins in our house (for 24 yrs). Totally satisfied. Just looked at a house that had recent replacement (not w/replacement windows) of some large casement banks of windows along with ganged up patio doors. Beautiful-easy operating and the homeowner claims much less $ than the Eagle group that they installed in a couple other places in this home.
I work on homes that have Andersens from a long long time ago-right up to just a few yrs old. Most of the maintanence on these windows has been handled well (as far as parts) from Andersen. That you can still get parts and pcs. over a long time span is a good thing.
Pella-used to have a great supplier here. Since they retired and the operation moved up into Detroit (area)-service is so so. Parts are often mis-supplied so the ordering process goes on and on. I hate it.
Pella as well had a crap design for their cladding that they have now finally changed to something that might just last and not rely solely on sealant.
Hurd? no experience. If it's a JeldWen company-I'd be wary. I am not impressed with most of the Jeldwen line of product.
As with most anything-you'll get a bunch of different responses I'm sure on this subject. The cost of windows are so high that either you love 'em because you shelled out all that dough-or you hate 'em and don't say diddley because you shelled out all that dough.............
Best of luck.
one other thing.........
Are you talking "new construction" windows or replacements?
In a 1950's house (now not real old, but getting there.) I replaced with Andersen's Replacement windows of the time (10/15 yrs ago). Removed the stops, slipped the units in and trimmed out just like the usual replacement windows. These looked good-clad outside-nat. wood interiors. Not big and bulky frames/sash sides like their vinyl counterparts. If your old frames / trims / etc are in good condition and you don't want to remove and re-install those elements-something to consider.
Also-Marvin used to have what they called Sashpack (or close) windows-knocked down jambs with sash I believe. Might investigate that as well. No direct experience with that.
Mostly "new construction"
These will be mostly new construction windows, as some of the windows are a bit out of shape, due to a bit of sag in some areas, and water dmaage in others.
Some areas i will look at again, and could candidates for replacement.
The house is in Chicago, so we'll need windows with good thermal properties.
Since the house is in a landmark historical zone, the front windows need to be restored using the existing all wood double hungs. The front of house faces south, so we're going to use storm windows to add and extra thermal barrier.
All new windows will be in areas that don't get much (if any) direct sun light, so I'd likely choose windows which block the least amount of light, as the house will be darker than we'd like it to be in certain areas.
I've heard good things about Marvin, Anderson and Pella, but these Hurd windows are 25% cheaper than the marvins, which is hard to say no to. Hence my quandry, and desire for information about them.
Thanks for the guidance so far.
I have read ......
I have read numerous bad things about Pella and a few about Marvin. The only bad thing I have ever read about Andersen is cost, people rave about everything else.
For a low cost alternative, given that you are in Chicago, you might look at Remodelers Supply. They make their own windows in a factory at Pulaski and Fullerton. They can't be beat for a decent, inexpensive window.
Good luck.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
Both Marvin and Andersen have pretty good track records (though any company that's been in business that long will have had a few clinkers along the way). Andersen, in particular, has a good record of supplying parts for their old windows.
Your project is large enough to warrent some serious investigation and a certain amount of consideration from the window dealers and manufacturers. That said, I would ask for local references from all the window companies you are looking at. Then go talk to the contractors who installed them and to the owners of the buildings. Their stories will tell the tale.
Adding Kolbe to the mix, adding product lines and data...
Thanks Dan and sapwood for the input.
I've been doing plenty of research into windows, and have created a list of manufacturers, and their products. Please check it, and let me know where you think it's wrong (or whether I got any of it correct).
I'm not looking at Vinyl windows, so those are left out. Rolled vs Extruded aluminum is my litmus test for what window is acceptable/better. Due to our house being in a historic district the interior of all windows must be wood, so fiberglass is also out of contention.
The window manufacturers are not listed in any particular order, but I'd be interested in seeing your rankings.
Hurd
"H3" line competes with marvin Fiberglass "integrity" line. Has Roll formed aluminum, rather than extruded alum.
"Standard" line is extruded. 7 - 10% more than comporable Jeldwen EX line.
Jeldwen
2500 series - builders line. Not great windows, but solid enough for those on a tight budget. Rolled Aluminum.
"traditions plus" line has beefier sash and rail. Roll form aluminum, rather than extruded alum.
"Siteline EX" line is similar to "traditions plu" line, with extruded sash. Supposed to compete with Marvin and Kolbe. The extruded aluminum is applied like roll form, so more chance of rot (water can't escape), and change color at different rate than trues extruded.
Kolbe
"Ultra" line is extruded, better quality than Jeldwen EX, but 15% more. Ensure to use steel spacer, or warranty is compromised.
"magnum" line is higher end, and more $'s.
Loewen
HIgh end windows. Equiv to Marvin, Kolbe at the minimum, and go up from there.
Uses douglas fir for extra strength/longevity).
Pella
"ProLine" is their bottom rung Aluminum window.
designer series is equiv Hurd standard extruded & Kolbe extruded (25% more than Proline).
Architectural are next step up.
Their windows, have rolled aluminum on the sash, and Extruded on the frame.
Marvin
"Integrity" line is fiberglass, and a good quality base window.
"Ultimate" line is very good quality extruded aluminum. Pricier than all of the other windows listed here, except for the Loewen's, which are 10% - 20% higher.
Once again, please correct me if I'm incorrect is any of my points.
Price wise, the order, from higher to lower seems to be:
Loewen
Marvin
Kolbe
Pella
Hurd
Jeldwen
I look forward to any input.
Final decision?
Hello,
I'm wondering what was your final decision? Did you deside to go with Anderson or Hurd? Are you happy with you decision?
we are currently remodeling house and need to replace all windows in the house. Currently we are looking at Hurd windows and Andersen A series. Any advice?
thanks!!!
There are Anderson windows and Andersen windows. Andersen are more widely used as a national brand name. I like these windows because they come out so easily when I replace them with Marvin or Pella windows. Over the last 25 years, I have replaced more failed Andersen windows than any other single brand. I even replaced one house, with Hurd, before construction was complete.
I have never had to replace or service Pella windows. I have replaced one House of Marvin windows with Marcin windows. Marvin paid because of a cladding issue and the owners were very happy.
Hurd windows and doors
Stay away from Hurd.
They are junk. Installed Hurd in new house build and they have all lost there seal in about 5 years and will not honor their warranty. Beware