Best Window

What is the best window out there and why?

I have been looking at Gorell 5300, Soft-lite Elements and Simonton and not sure if I am looking in right direction.

Thanks,

Joe in skokie, IL

Those are 3 of the good ones but there are others that should also be included in that list.

Best at what by the way. Energy numbers, aesthetics, etc?

Check out window ratings at Consumer Reports.com

They rate most of the top brands.

I wanted to go vinyl so I recently bought Survivor 7100 Reliabilts that are an grade up from the 5600 Reliabilts that were rated the best vinyl window
overall by Consumer Reports.

I hope this helps.

Consumer reports is not your best evaluation tool for windows.

The information circulating on this board is far greater.

Survivor is one of the brands of windows that we carry and I would sell about 6 other brands prior to recommending that one.

What windows would you recommend and what do you have in your home?

I actually have wood Hurd windows in my home but that is what it was built with prior to my moving in.

Above the Reliabilt I would recommend (in no particular order):

Soft-Lite
Okna
Simonton
Great Lakes
Milgard
Polaris

For our home here in Northern Virginia, replacement vinyl windows were both manufactured and installed custom by Vinyl Lite, a Metro DC replacement windows and doors manufacturer out of Lorton, VA. Very professional service and product - from design to installation and a bit of follow-up maintenance/tweaking. 30 windows! Pretty much the best Northern Virginia window contractors we could find (found them online at http://www.vinyl-lite.com ...especially for our local fairfax window installation job.

I would rate them for Southern California - a window can be constructed well and energy efficient but without service and warranty thus rated lower

best
Amerimax
Simonton 7500 - with white superspacer upgrade and argon
Certainteed
Milgard Tuscany
Superior Ultima
Anlin - warranty is limited
Atrium - warranty is limited
Polybau

Amerimax I would agree is a very good window. Lots of nice features. I see alot of window companies selling this window private label.
Features:
double strength glass
brass rollers
superspacer standard
vent stops
even sightlines
triple weatherstripping
tilt in single hung
lifetime transferable warranty
Overall a very energy efficient window.