I am in the process of getting vinyl replacement windows. I have had estimates from the following with different types of windows. I have done research and seems that Home Depot had the best window. Does anyone know about the others??
Lowe's = Reliabilt windows
Home Depot = Simonton Windows
Contrator = Dove Windows
Any help will be a great help
Home Depot vs. contractor
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The U Factor
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:03 pm
I am looking for a good product that is not going to break the bank. The estimate from Lowe's was $8600, which was good, but I am not certain about Reliabilt windows. I can not find any info on them. Home Depot was $11000, but their windows was ranked #1 according to JD Powers. The Contrators window Dove I can't any info on that window either.
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usmarine0352
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:24 pm
Usually the words Home Depot and "Best Windows" aren't in the same sentence.
It's like saying, McDonald's and "Best Burgers".
What kind of quality do you expect for $140 or so a window? Shoes cost less then that.
And don't forget, installation is 80% of the battle.
Even the best window, installed improperly will be a waste.
It's like saying, McDonald's and "Best Burgers".
What kind of quality do you expect for $140 or so a window? Shoes cost less then that.
And don't forget, installation is 80% of the battle.
Even the best window, installed improperly will be a waste.
I understand that even the "best" window installed incorrectly is worthless. My question is based on those 3 windows and the companies associated with them, what is the best value.....from what I am hearing is that even though Home Depot is offering what seems to be the best window, does not mean they are the best installers
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ANOTHER WINDOW GUY
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:28 pm
- Location: WISCONSIN
If you saw the chain of command at HD you might think twice about doing business with them. If everything isn't perfect the day of the install, it will be days before you can get some one that is responsible for correcting mistakes, and if their Simonton window is ranked #1 and it is in the upper middle of Simontons line up what does that make the top of the line Simontons sold by area Simonton dealers. A little shopping will get you a better window for less $$$. Big box stores should be able to compete but they don't, and better values are available from your local window dealers.
Happ44, The Simonton window that's made for HD is a good window, if you get the best one they offer. I'm not up to date on what HD offers but they used to have a Good, Better, Best choice for their customers. This is the same deal Sears used to offer their customers also, because they're pretty much the same windows from Simonton, for both Sears & Home Depot. I thought I heard HD was going to only offer their "Best" window to customers without any choice. Although I'm not sure if they're doing that or not. If you only get one choice of window your probably getting their best one. I'd tell you to jump on it if I knew you were getting a quality installation. Home Depot has burned so many bridges with their quality installers I'm not sure they even have many worthy ones that will work for them. That's the only concern I'd have.
The Lowes Reliabilt window is an exclusively branded window made to their specifications by certain manufacturers. Just as HD has their window made by Simonton, Lowes has theirs made by a couple different manufacturers. In the Northern part of the US the Reliabilt window is made by Jeld-Wen. I'm not sure who makes the windows in the other parts of the Nation. You'll have to ask your salesman who the manufacturer is. Installation can be hit or miss with Lowes. The Dove window I'm not familiar with. So I can't offer any opinion.
One of the good things about the big box stores is they'll stand behind their work until your satisfied (in most cases). You can also feel comfortable enough to know they'll be around for a long time. You just have to have a lot of time & patience to deal with them. You could also look into local vendors who supply products to Lowes. They usually won't be advertised in the stores but they deal with small local manufacturers in each area they have stores. Some of these smaller manufacturers make better products than the big name ones you see on the shelf. You'll have to ask about them in order to find out. Good Luck!!!
The Lowes Reliabilt window is an exclusively branded window made to their specifications by certain manufacturers. Just as HD has their window made by Simonton, Lowes has theirs made by a couple different manufacturers. In the Northern part of the US the Reliabilt window is made by Jeld-Wen. I'm not sure who makes the windows in the other parts of the Nation. You'll have to ask your salesman who the manufacturer is. Installation can be hit or miss with Lowes. The Dove window I'm not familiar with. So I can't offer any opinion.
One of the good things about the big box stores is they'll stand behind their work until your satisfied (in most cases). You can also feel comfortable enough to know they'll be around for a long time. You just have to have a lot of time & patience to deal with them. You could also look into local vendors who supply products to Lowes. They usually won't be advertised in the stores but they deal with small local manufacturers in each area they have stores. Some of these smaller manufacturers make better products than the big name ones you see on the shelf. You'll have to ask about them in order to find out. Good Luck!!!
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If JD Powers rated the HD Simonton window #1 then they should be disregarded as a valuable source. It is a decent upper, mid-grade product. It is not top tier in performance, efficiency, options or aesthetics... let alone all of the above to make it worthy of #1.happ44 wrote:I am looking for a good product that is not going to break the bank. The estimate from Lowe's was $8600, which was good, but I am not certain about Reliabilt windows. I can not find any info on them. Home Depot was $11000, but their windows was ranked #1 according to JD Powers. The Contrators window Dove I can't any info on that window either.
There all fine windows. Plastic and glass, they should all be about the same. Buy the lowest cost one. That way if it only lasts 10 years you can a more advanced one that is sure to out perform the one you buy today. If the window today is 300% more efficient than in 1973 what will be available in 2017?
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