Hi all,
Found this forum due to checking out ratings for a few vinyl window companies. We are presently with need to replace about 14 windows in the upstairs of our home. The windows being replaced are Pella's from about 1968 and they've seen their better day obviously. Anyway we are located in the northwest suburbs of Illinois and wonder just briefly what thoughts might be for this area for replacement vinyl's. Thanks in advance for your time in response. GigaGirl
Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
- Window4U (IL)
- Posts: 1374
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:58 pm
- Location: Sales and Installation in Chicagoland and Central Illinois
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
There are many good brands to choose from, ..and there is a lot of overpriced junk available out there too. Unfortunately, with getting estimates from slick salesmen it is hard to tell the difference without good research because even the guys selling junk put lipstick on their pig.... so to speak.
Some of the brands I would suggest because of my personal experience with the brands are Softlite, Sunrise, Simonton, and Gorell.
I like these brands in part because:
They all have dedicated sloped sills instead of the poor design(IMO) of brands that channel the rainwater through the sills via pocket sills and weep holes.
They have a wide range of options including colors, woodgrains, decorative glass and most of these brands even have blinds between the glass available.
They are all available with super-insulated glass and have among the lowest U-Values windows made when ordered with this type glass.
They all have very low air infiltration rates.
They all have very good records of having well made windows with low problem rates.
They all have very good lifetime warranties, some of which also have glass breakage coverage.
They are all well established manufacturers.
These brands are not the only good brands in the marketplace, but they are brands you may want to consider to start your search.
Some of the brands I would suggest because of my personal experience with the brands are Softlite, Sunrise, Simonton, and Gorell.
I like these brands in part because:
They all have dedicated sloped sills instead of the poor design(IMO) of brands that channel the rainwater through the sills via pocket sills and weep holes.
They have a wide range of options including colors, woodgrains, decorative glass and most of these brands even have blinds between the glass available.
They are all available with super-insulated glass and have among the lowest U-Values windows made when ordered with this type glass.
They all have very low air infiltration rates.
They all have very good records of having well made windows with low problem rates.
They all have very good lifetime warranties, some of which also have glass breakage coverage.
They are all well established manufacturers.
These brands are not the only good brands in the marketplace, but they are brands you may want to consider to start your search.
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
Thank you for your note and if i recall correctly I observed your postings in other forums today written privously and attempted to write you directly as you were located in the Illinois area. If this is your area of expertise and i may do so via this forum - I would like to get in touch with you and get a quote. Your direct email (that i previously today had gotten) showed an error hence didn't get sent to you. Either way, thank you for your time in response and if you desire to quote a job - do advise further.
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
One more question for someone please - does anyone know anything about Sunrise Windows? thanks in advance for response
- Window4U (IL)
- Posts: 1374
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:58 pm
- Location: Sales and Installation in Chicagoland and Central Illinois
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
... This site has a brand new service as of today.gigagirl wrote:Thank you for your note and if i recall correctly I observed your postings in other forums today written privously and attempted to write you directly as you were located in the Illinois area. If this is your area of expertise and i may do so via this forum - I would like to get in touch with you and get a quote. Your direct email (that i previously today had gotten) showed an error hence didn't get sent to you. Either way, thank you for your time in response and if you desire to quote a job - do advise further.
You may now ask for an estimate from participating pros on this board by clicking the quote button in the pro's profile. Look to the left and you can see the button in my profile for example. This new service allows us to help the site owners to keep this free window resource and forum running and pay the bills. A win-win for everybody as long as the free advice from the pros continues to be good solid advice and people don't start advertising in their posts ...as it still won't be allowed to advertise. I don't think that should be a problem for most of us since helping people sort out their window questions is a passion for most of us, many who have been here for years. This forum is first and foremost a resource for homeowners to learn about windows so they can make an educated decision when they buy. It needs to stay that way.
- Delaware Mike
- Posts: 947
- Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:32 pm
- Location: Delaware, New Jersey, Philadephia Area
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
Sunrise makes a very nice line of vinyl windows. I love their casements, awnings, bays and bows. Their double-hungs are considered to be in the upper end from a price perspective. On really large sizing for double hungs, I like this window to be installed by an experienced installer who has installed many Sunrise windows before due to narrow extrusion design.
Of all the manufacturers out their that I have delt with, I think that Sunrise is the best to deal with from a dealers point of view. Their heritage from the Great Lakes days has formed a good platform on how to run a solid company. On a scale of 1 -10 for double hungs I would rate them a solid 7 or 8.
Of all the manufacturers out their that I have delt with, I think that Sunrise is the best to deal with from a dealers point of view. Their heritage from the Great Lakes days has formed a good platform on how to run a solid company. On a scale of 1 -10 for double hungs I would rate them a solid 7 or 8.
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
Thank you very much for your commentary on Sunrise Windows - we will be checking into these further tomorrow evening as it happens. Thanks again for response.
- Window4U (IL)
- Posts: 1374
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:58 pm
- Location: Sales and Installation in Chicagoland and Central Illinois
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
Gigagirl,
Sunrise was one of the brands I commented on above if you didn't see it. It's a good brand and lots of options. They have a real nice blinds between the glass option too which they now gave us a lifetime warranty on instead of the previous 10 year warranty.
Sunrise was one of the brands I commented on above if you didn't see it. It's a good brand and lots of options. They have a real nice blinds between the glass option too which they now gave us a lifetime warranty on instead of the previous 10 year warranty.
Re: Replacement windows and we've gotten wood window quotes
Windows4U - thank you again for your commentary. We will be meeting w/someone tonight as it happens. From all we've read it appears while the window manufacturers and product surely matter - the most important item of it all is the installation aka installer who does the job. Anyway we may be coming back to you as, again, I believe you are in our area location wise. Thanks again-
Best, GigaGirl
Best, GigaGirl
800-399-4623