Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

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stbailey
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Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#1 Post by stbailey »

Does anyone have experience with vinyl casement windows by Soft-lite? In particular the Bainbridge or Barrington lines.

I have bids on Jeld-Wen windows but would like your opinion on other window brands.

** these are for new construction.

Thanks.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#2 Post by HomeSealed »

Softlite only makes one casement for all of their lines, it just has varied bells and whistles (double vs triple weatherstripping in particular). Offered with the Gorell line as well.
It is a very solid piece. A major upgrade to anything by Jeldwen IMO.
Depending where you are located, you might also consider Sunrise , HiMark, Okna, and polaris as excellent choices in vinyl.

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Delaware Mike
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#3 Post by Delaware Mike »

Very nice line of casements from Soft-Lite. I've installed quite a few of them.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#4 Post by Windows on Washington »

Solid window.

Not as updated a design the last time that I checked as compared to the newer stuff but still well built.

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Window4U (IL)
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#5 Post by Window4U (IL) »

HomeSealed wrote:Softlite only makes one casement for all of their lines, it just has varied bells and whistles (double vs triple weatherstripping in particular). Offered with the Gorell line as well.
It is a very solid piece. A major upgrade to anything by Jeldwen IMO.
Depending where you are located, you might also consider Sunrise , HiMark, Okna, and polaris as excellent choices in vinyl.
Do they use the Elements casement for all the series now, because the last I knew they had 2 casement series? The Elements casement sash is flat-faced with a colonial bead-look around the glass. The other Softlite casement had a beveled look to the sash. The Elements also had 3 layers of Q-Lon type weatherstripping.

stbailey
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#6 Post by stbailey »

One salesperson is trying to sell me Jeldwen clad windows for about the same as vinyl Soft-Lites. I know the Soft-Lite has a lifetime warranty vs. 20 years for the Jeldwen.

What is your opinion of aluminium clad windows vs vinyl. Is it still better to stay with Soft-Lite?

Thank you for your expert opinions.

randy
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#7 Post by randy »

Unless you're wanting a custom stained wood interior, or simulated divided lites, Soft-lite is the better way to go for multiple reasons (warranty, efficiency, price, maintenance requirements, etc.) If you do want wood windows, look at Marvin or Kolbe.

stbailey
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#8 Post by stbailey »

Price difference is around $3200 for 43 windows with the Soft-lite vinyl being the higher price. To go up to the Element window is $3700 more than the Jeld-Wen.

randy
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#9 Post by randy »

:shock: I can't imagine why wood windows would be cheaper than Soft-lite. That might indicate that they've quoted you Jeld-Wen's low-end window, what used to be called Caradco. I don't know what they're calling it this year. If you like wood windows better, have them quote Marvin or Kolbe.

stbailey
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#10 Post by stbailey »

I found the Jeld-wen is model w-2500.

toddinmn
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#11 Post by toddinmn »

If going with Jeld-Wen I would go with the Siteline or Custom lines.
It is normal for pricing to be vastly different even for the exact same product, I would try to get some more bids.It would not be out of the norm for a wood window to be close to high end vinyl if they are standard sizes especially in casements.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#12 Post by HomeSealed »

IMAG0565resize.jpg
(27.73 KiB) Downloaded 317 times
Here is an exterior view of the Imperial Ls (white) and the lower line model that I have. Only differences are the fold down handle and 3 vs 2 layers weatherstripping.


HomeSealed wrote:Softlite only makes one casement for all of their lines, it just has varied bells and whistles (double vs triple weatherstripping in particular). Offered with the Gorell line as well.
It is a very solid piece. A major upgrade to anything by Jeldwen IMO.
Depending where you are located, you might also consider Sunrise , HiMark, Okna, and polaris as excellent choices in vinyl.
Last edited by HomeSealed on Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:45 am, edited 2 times in total.

TheWindowNerd
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#13 Post by TheWindowNerd »

Some wood window companies do not have good track records with IG failure.
I would put the company you mention as suspect.
The other issue is maintance and rot with the wood products. I love wood windows, but hate the potential rot.
Since you are going with casements the AI should be similar, though the U will be different due to glazing restriction.

theWindownerd....

toddinmn
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#14 Post by toddinmn »

The performance data on the different lines of Soft-Lite casements is different through most of the models as well.
Barrington: AI .07, DP 40
Bainbridge : AI .05, DP 45
Classic/Pro: AI .02, DP 70
Imperial LS: AI .02, DP 70
Element: AI .01, DP 70

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Casement windows by Soft-Lite (new construction)

#15 Post by Windows on Washington »

Good info Todd.

You always seem to have this stuff handy.

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