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Discussion Forum

windows aluminum or vinyl clad

| Posted in General Discussion on December 4, 2001 10:17am

*
I’m putting a second story on a house, and I’m relocating and/or adding 26 windows. I need to know the window that is best for me. I live in the Chicagoland area and have heard good and bad about aluminum clad windows (Marvin, Semco, Pella). I would love some feedback regarding this issue.

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  1. mscott | Nov 26, 2001 08:54pm | #1

    *
    STAY AWAY FROM HURD!!

    Although they're aluminum clad, look good, they are second rate. Don't repeat my $14,000 mistake. Read the archives concerning Hurd window failure. They are really second rate windows, they leak, and their customer service is bad beyond belief.

    1. vp_ | Nov 26, 2001 10:02pm | #2

      *By the way, I have two days before I have to place an order.. I need responses!!!

      1. Jeff_Ewing | Nov 26, 2001 10:12pm | #3

        *I'm getting bids for vinyl versus al clad. Haven't made my decision but can tell you that I'm leaning towards al; Sierra Pacific, Loewen and Milgard being the contenders.

        1. vp_ | Nov 26, 2001 10:23pm | #4

          *Jeff, What part of the country are you from?

          1. MarkF_ | Nov 26, 2001 11:30pm | #5

            *VP,I installed Marvin Ultimate Double Hung aluminum clad windows this summer on my house. Haven't been through the winter yet but I am very happy with them so far. I also looked at Pella and Eagle. Pella uses the rolled aluminum vs. extruded, which I didn't like. Eagle was nice but not as nice as the Marvin. All 3 were similar in price. One important consideration with that many windows is are you going to paint the interior. If you are, get the pre-primed....another plus for Marvin. I think they charged $30 or $40 to pre-prime. Pella was $100+ to pre-prime! I didn't like any of the vinyl clad windows I looked. My house gets a lot of sun and I was concerned about the vinyl separating under the heat.Good luck.

          2. Jeff_Ewing | Nov 28, 2001 01:22am | #6

            *vpwe live on Whidbey Island, NW of Seattle. We're at 320', a mile from the water, fully exposed to wind and sun....

          3. Don_Papenburg | Nov 28, 2001 05:59am | #7

            *I prefer al over vinyl plastics degrade in the sun over time get brittle and crack. Al. needs to be painted after many years.

          4. John_Lazaro | Nov 28, 2001 06:29am | #8

            *I use Caradco windows on our houses. They're made in Illinois and are one heck of a window for the price. I toured their plant and was very impressed. This year I had 2 customers request that we use Pella and I was not impressed. I've also used Andersen in the past and not impressed either. Both were overpriced for what you get. I have heard good things about Marvin, but no personal experience.My 2 cents,John

          5. vp_ | Dec 03, 2001 08:17pm | #9

            *Thaks to all who responded to my query, I think I'm going with Marvin Utimate Double Hung

          6. Kerr | Dec 03, 2001 08:39pm | #10

            *I just got some Norco windows (al clad) and was impressed with their price and specs. Seems like they are the 'new guys' on the block so their price was just a bit more competitive, the product seemed to be top notch.Have not had the chance to live with them yet, so that's all I know.www.doors-windows.comif anyone is interested

          7. John_Lazaro | Dec 04, 2001 05:28am | #11

            *kerr,We used Norco windows for probably 15-20 years before we switched to Caradco. Norco had a distribution warehouse in Indianapolis for years. They are both owned by the same parent company (Jeld-Wen). But we left Norco because we had ALOT of seal failures and we liked the way Caradco was constructed better. They use a boot sash system that makes it very easy to change the glass vs. changing the entire sash.In fact, my personal house has Norco windows. I've been here 3 years and already changed 1 sash for a seal failure. Not trying to rain on your parade, but I hope you have better luck with them than we did.John

          8. DeeVee_ | Dec 04, 2001 05:38am | #12

            *I hope I'm not too late in responding before you order. We purchased Bonneville windows about 3 years ago. They were all custom made to fit our original openings, for our full house renovation (we have about 75 windows!!) We interviewed reps from Marvin, Pella, Eagle, and Bonneville, because we needed them custom made to fit our original window openings, mostly double hung; some casement, and some transoms above the casements. We just didn't like the Pella window or its muntins. Marvin was way too expensive. Our second choice was Eagle. We have a situation in which our jambs are wider than normal and they take 1 3/4" windows. Bonneville supplies 1 3/4" windows as standard, if I remember right. Marvin could have supplied the thicker windows, but they were WAY overpriced, in our opinion. Eagle could supply them as well and at the time, were priced between Bonneville and Marvin.Our main windows are wood; with aluminum clad on the outside. So far, we like them very much. Some of our contractors had damanged a few things (we no longer employ them) and the Bonneville repair man was on site very quickly and without any hassles. Our basement windows are vinyl all the way, because it's the basement; could get damp; and we didn't need anything fancy.In New England, one distributor of them is Midland Sales, in Dayville, CT.Good luck!!!

          9. Jeff_Clarke_ | Dec 04, 2001 06:45am | #13

            *Jeff -You might want to search the archives and/or do a little bit of research regarding salt water exposure and aluminum cladding.Jeff

          10. Jeff_Ewing | Dec 04, 2001 10:17pm | #14

            *I believe I'm far enough away from the water for the full Southern exposure of the sun to be a greater factor in longevity than salt air.I'm set on Aluminum and am now trying to eliminate either the Sierra Pacifics or the Loewens - both well made with quality techniques and materials. Cost might have to be the ultimate deciding factor with SP at the higher price. Also Loewen is supported by the local building supply place.

  2. vp_ | Dec 04, 2001 10:17pm | #15

    *
    I'm putting a second story on a house, and I'm relocating and/or adding 26 windows. I need to know the window that is best for me. I live in the Chicagoland area and have heard good and bad about aluminum clad windows (Marvin, Semco, Pella). I would love some feedback regarding this issue.

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