Help selecting an installer/windows in S Calif

For all those Replacement Window decisions - just read, review or post a question. You will be helped!
Post Reply
Message
Author
q5485
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:52 pm

Help selecting an installer/windows in S Calif

#1 Post by q5485 »

Hi
I need the following 11 windows replaced:
57 X 47
58 X 47
58 X 47
58 X 35
58 X 46
70 X 47
70 X 47
71 X 34
46 X 16 Obscure
71 X 34
46 X 16 Obscure

I called a couple of installers. One suggested Superior over Milgard. Another said that Anlin beats Milgard.
I am looking for Milgard-like quality. I can get Milgard but if something cheaper or better is available I am for it.
I would also like grids in them (except for the obscure ones)

Do you guys have any recommendations for (a) installer in Southern California (b) Brand of windows? I will not be pulling permits.
I want dual pane (to ward off outside noise) and low - e.
The Anlin guy (says he is a distributor of Anlin) wants around $ 5500 for those 11 windows.

Seems high. A handyman said that he can install retrofit windows for $ 140 a window and upto $ 250 for ones that require breakage of stucco.

Would appreciate any insights you have on this.
Thanks in earnest.
Regards
Kash

dutch
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:04 am

Re: Help selecting an installer/windows in S Calif

#2 Post by dutch »

q5485 wrote:Hi
I need the following 11 windows replaced:
57 X 47
58 X 47
58 X 47
58 X 35
58 X 46
70 X 47
70 X 47
71 X 34
46 X 16 Obscure
71 X 34
46 X 16 Obscure

I called a couple of installers. One suggested Superior over Milgard. Another said that Anlin beats Milgard.
I am looking for Milgard-like quality. I can get Milgard but if something cheaper or better is available I am for it.
I would also like grids in them (except for the obscure ones)

Do you guys have any recommendations for (a) installer in Southern California (b) Brand of windows? I will not be pulling permits.
I want dual pane (to ward off outside noise) and low - e.
The Anlin guy (says he is a distributor of Anlin) wants around $ 5500 for those 11 windows.

Seems high. A handyman said that he can install retrofit windows for $ 140 a window and upto $ 250 for ones that require breakage of stucco.

Would appreciate any insights you have on this.
Thanks in earnest.
Regards
Kash
I am not one of the window experts, but I think some other logic comes into play in these times.

We are falling into a pretty bad recession. Almost all companies are hurting very badly and closing stores or going out of business. Replacement windows are an item that are expensive and usually can be "put off" for another year or so.

Given that let's look at your list: Anlin, Superior, and Milgard. Anlin is a small company with ONE plant total. No matter how good their window is, I would be very worried about that in this economy. I believe Superior is also small and only has one or two plants (not positive on those figures). Again, I would be leary of that. Milgard, on the other hand, has many plants and has been in business much longer than any of those other two. BUT, according to a poster on this board, even they are closing one plant! But at least they got plenty to spare (think if Anlin has to close just one plant!).

So, just by that logic, and the fact you said you wanted "Milgard like quality," it seems Milgard would be the best choice of the three. Just make sure you get the TUSCANY (NOT the style line). Also, an inexpensive upgrade to one pane of glass being 3/16 inch will give you an additional 4 STC points (for sound). However, if you have a very specific sound problem, don't expect miracles from "double plane windows."

That's just a practical suggestion in these economic time. I would avoid the handyman and definitely use an authorized Milgard dealer if you go with them.

q5485
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:52 pm

Re: Help selecting an installer/windows in S Calif

#3 Post by q5485 »

Those are some excellent suggestions and I agree with you on all of them. I am not clear on your suggestion of upgrade of 3/16. Are you suggesting that I use a single pane of 3/16 as opposed to a dual pane window? Or are you suggesting one of the panes on the dual pane window be 3/16? Just checking and many thanks. Do you have a suggestion for a good Milgard dealer/installer?

dutch
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:04 am

Re: Help selecting an installer/windows in S Calif

#4 Post by dutch »

q5485 wrote: I am not clear on your suggestion of upgrade of 3/16. Are you suggesting that I use a single pane of 3/16 as opposed to a dual pane window? Or are you suggesting one of the panes on the dual pane window be 3/16? Just checking and many thanks. Do you have a suggestion for a good Milgard dealer/installer?
You will have a dual pane window. Normally, each pane would be 1/8 inch. You suggested that sound control was an issue and that you were on a budget (if you were not on a budget you could consider laminated glass, but that is VERY expensive).

So the upgrade I suggested for sound control improvement was to change one of the 1/8 inch panes to 3/16 inch, which in the Tuscany gives a dramatic 4 STC point increase. You will still have 2 panes, one will just be thicker. They should automatically do this, but specify the pane that is NOT e coated because that is inexpensive (since you live in southern california, the INSIDE pane will be the thicker glass).

Also, in Calif. they tend to downplay U factor and play up SHG factor and will push the new 3 coat low e over the standard 2 coat low e. Many of the experts here seem to disagree that in a hot climate you can just ignore U factor, and I agree. So you might consider going with the regular e coat and use the money saved for argon gas (if you can afford it, you can get both of course). But definitely get argon! This *might* further help with the sound issue.

Go to milgard.com and use their dealer locator for your area. Look for one that says replacement specialist (or similar). Then check BBB, go to their showroom, ask if all their installers are AAMA certified, ask around for their reputation--all the usual stuff.

q5485
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:52 pm

Re: Help selecting an installer/windows in S Calif

#5 Post by q5485 »

Thanks for those suggestions. WIll do that.
Regards
Kash

Post Reply