Vinyl Window Advice Needed Please

We live in TN and are replacing our 16 year old wood windows. We are most likely going to replace with vinyl with low E/argon due to price, but are unsure which brand to go with. It sounds like many of you have said to basically avoid the Lowes, Home Depot, etc. windows. We've gotten estimates from 5 local companies - Pella & Champion included. I had always thought that Pella was a reliable/reputable company, but it sounds like some of you disagree. I don't know if Sunrise is in our area, but I've just put in a request to see if they can provide an estimate. Any feedback on how their pricing will compare with Pella, so I won't be shocked if they're quite a bit more?

What's your opinion on replacing vinyl ourselves (my hubby is quite handy & wants to replace wood with PVC) versus replacement by someone, such as Pella? Are all Pella stores franchises, or are they corporate & will be there to help if needed?

Any feedback on composite windows versus vinyl? They are able to be painted and look like wood windows from what we were advised.

Any feedback/advice is much appreciated. Thanks!

Have a window pro do it or do it yourself, saty away from the big boxes.
Pellas vinyl windows encompaas or its equals are low end, the 350 is a start for them to go to where they need to to have a decent offering, though it is not there yet.
Two areas that would make the pro install better as a choice: A. they should be using window and door foam around the perimeter of the install(you can do this also but with out the progun, or pay the 40 to 60 $ and buy yourself one),
B. capping/wrapping the exterior wood frame. You can probably rent a trim brake and do this too.
What other brand windows did you look at?
thewindownerd.

If you are handy, replacements can certainly be done by the homeowner.

As anthony said previously, capping is going to be tough but doable. Setting the windows if you are doing and inside out install and the wood sills are in good shape is very possible.

Either vinyl or composite is great.
What do,you like or worry about with either?
Thewindownerd.

contact a renewal by ANDERSEN

Only if you're looking to pay way too much for way too little.

So true...so true.

You mean $1000 bucks per window for a product made of vinyl and saw dust, and that leaks air like a sieve is not a good value?!.... and that doesn't even take into account the entertainment value of the three hour sales pitch.