reliabilt windows

I am considering purchashing vinyl replacement windows. Reliabilt 7100 series, anybody know anything about them? Thanks

I just ordered Survivor 7100 Reliabilt windows for my whole house last weekend.

I researched a lot of window companies and went with these since the 5600
Reliabilt were rated the best rated vinyl windows by consumer reports with rating of 73 compared to the Pella Thermastar that had a rating of 44.

So check out consumer reports for more info.

I hope this helps.

Consumer Reports is a very poor and misleading source for windows. They only test products that can be purchased through retail stores. Considering there are over 1200 window manuf in the U.S. CR is only testing .006% Not exactly a good sampling and based more on price decisions made by the Purchasing Dept. of the retail store.

What resourse do you use for windows comparisons?

This forum and others are a good place to start.

http://www.efficientwindows.com

http://www.nfrc.org

http://www.aamanet.org

Educate yourself about window structural integrity, manufacturing processes, vinyl extrusions, types of glass etc.

I am not sure I would consider top of the line Marvins and Andersens mide grade but that is just my opinion.

Again what resource do you use for window ratings?

Andersens top end is the 850 series. What rating did CR give it?

Correct, they didn't test it because you cannot purchase it at Home Depot or Lowes.

Thanks for the info. I will check it out even though I am still going with Survivor.

Great! When you replace the Survivors in 10-12 years, you will be better informed than you were this time around and in the meantime can actually provide others with better advice than 'Go with what CR recommends'.

If you are having a Big Box install them, how will you know you got a good installation?

You seem to be very knowledgeable about windows. May I ask what type you have in your home?

Dan,

I also had a bad experience with the Reliabilt windows. Out of 12 windows, 3 came in with crooked grids and one had a torn screen. The patio door, same problem with the grids and the frame is not squared. Did Lowe's stand behind their product? Did they make it right and replace your purchase? I had all the windows installed already. The contractor still needs to finish up the patio door. I wonder if somebody from Lowes will come or from Reliabilt. Please let me know about your experience with Lowe's customer care.

Carmen

Some people......well, you just can't tell'um.

I don't think there's anything funny about all this.

Too bad. I find it pretty humorous that someone comes on here thinking they are sooo smart because they read Consumer Reports. When it is explained to them that CR is a really poor source for purchasing windows and why, they say they don't care, they are going with CR's recommendations anyway. Then you show up 2 years later and confirm the advice that was given, by relating your own experience with Reliabilt. So now poor snk9902 has got to be sitting there wondering "what was I thinking"?

I think it sucks for you but I can only laugh at poor snk9902 and his blind dedication to CR even when it's failings are pointed out. I wonder if CR will pay to replace his windows in a few years.

As a matter of fact I didn't go to Consumer Reports. I'm a busy professional with little time to spend on house renovations and I trusted Lowe's with their recommendation (big mistake!). I found this blog that talked about Reliabilt and I just wanted to know what Lowe's did to fix the problem. And yes, this really sucks!~