I’m looking for new construction windows for a house we are building. After spending many hours researching windows, I’ve found that pretty much every window brand has people who hate them and people who love them. It’s frustrating when people complain about a brand but don’t mention which model window. My builder typically uses Andersen 200 series with the option to upgrade to 400 series. We haven’t gotten quotes yet but he expects the 400 series to add about 8,000 dollars. It looks like the 400 series is a better built window, but not much off an efficiency difference. I got a list of brands the local supplier sells, and narrowed it down to the following:
Simonton
-Profinish Brickmould 600
-Profinish Master
-Profinish Contractor
Metal Industries/Certainteed
-Certainteed Newcastle III
Jeld Wen
-Premium Vinyl (V-4500)
Andersen
-200 Series
-400 Series
I’d appreciate any input. In the Simonton line, I’m not sure which models are their higher end unit. I would assume the contractor is the builder grade, but I don’t know.
Replies
Understand that any company that has been in business for 40-50 years will have produced a few clinkers somewhere along the way, and just about every company in existence has had disgrultled customers at one time or another. (Some customers were born grumpy.) If you're looking at complaints you have to somehow gauge how many, relative their market share.
Something to consider is repair parts. Andersen, eg, can supply most repair parts for windows that are 30-40 years old. Don't know about the others.
Most reputable window manufacturers that have been in the game for awhile will have a good, better, best window selection. You generally get what you pay for. Buy the best that you can afford.
IMO you can't go wrong with the Anderson 400 series windows as far as value. The difference in the 200 vs 400 is not all about energy effeciency; it's about what options they can offer over the 200. If you can upgrade your budget to a extruded alumium clad window (like Weathershield Signature series for example), then I would recommend doing so. IMO, extruded aluminum clad windows and doors offer the longest weaing, best looking, and least maintainence units out there.
In the end, I would strongly consider what your builder warrants . Even the best window can prove disappointing if they're not installed correctly