Discussion Board Forum for Vinyl Windows

Tru_blue, you were so right: I did mix up my numbers in one of my questions javascript:emoticon(':oops:') javascript:emoticon(':oops:'). What I meant was "Is nail-on superior to semi-retrofit?" This is what I get for trying to do this late at night! Anyway, I think your answer is clear--go...

Thanks Guy! I think that this information will be helpful to a lot of people. Now my question is whether I was correct about the fact that #1 is the better option than #2 (although more expensive). Again, my building is wood, so from what I understand, the job is much easier than if it were brick or...

Hi folks... This is a continuation of the question I asked under "New Construction vs. Retrofit." True-blue, Xsleeper, Guy, and AnotherWindowGuy, you gave me such good answers, I hope you will take a look at this and comment. Until yesterday, I thought that there were 2 kinds of installati...

Thanks, Cheryl. Any recommendations? I may have said that one important criteria is that there not be too much vynyl showing because the windows shouldn't look too different from the original aluminum windows--or at least that's what the complex's architectural control committee is mandating. That w...

Hmmm.... I think stucco vs. wood exterior makes a big difference here. Interestingly, most of the folks (dealers and installers) I have spoken with say that a nail-on installation is better. But, then again, I do have wood siding rather than stucco.

From what I've read on this site, I believe that the Simonton is a good quality window. Can anyone tell me how much difference there would be in the quality of the Simonton and International Windows. I'm talking horizontal sliders here, for installation in a very mild climate (near San Francisco), s...

Thanks so much, both of you! Our board has only approved new constuction for replacing windows, and now I believe it's the right decision. pvwmillie

What a wonderful reply, Tru-Blue! One thing I'm a little confused about, though: You say that a total frame replacement is not normally done with vinyl windows. I thought that that was what was meant when I was saying "new construction" or "nail-on." So if an installer tells me t...

Hi Learning, I'm on the peninsula. I'm curious to know whether you live in a house or condo, what brands of windows you're considering installing, and if you've found someone who you think is a good installer. PVWMillie

But is it true that seals are more likely to fail with metal spacers than spacers made of other materials? I'm in California, the insulation issue isn't of great importance to me; having seals that won't fail and cause condensation between the windows is what is really important to me.
Thanks!

I live in a condo with wood siding. Most installers have told us that "new construction" (nail-on) is a better way to install a window, meaning that there is less probability of leaks down the road. But a couple installers/dealers I have spoken with have said the opposite: that it's better...

Can anyone tell me anything about the quality of International Windows? These would be used in an aera with a very mild climate, so insulation is not a big concern, but durability/reliability is.
Thanks.

I have recently been told that there are two different types of welding of seals: fusion (using heat) and chemical, and that fusion is better. Do you agree?
Thanks.

I meant seal failure. Where we live, the climate is pretty mild, so insulation isn't a big issue. So then the question becomes, are seals more likely to fail with certain types of spacers?

Hi folks, I was talking to a windows salesman who was telling me that one of the main things hat could cause windows to have problems is metal spacers. Do you agree? Is it important to get a window with "super spacers," which I understand are polyurethane (or something similar)? Thanks!