Discussion Board Forum for Vinyl Windows

+1 , contact W4u, and toss those choices... RBS is Richards Building supply "cheapo tax credit special", and Cornerstone is Alside if I'm not mistaken... Atrium is the only half-way decent choice, but I'm not the biggest fan of it either. Window4U will have a few choices that blow any of t...

That particular model is their replacement/retro-fit product. It doesn't have the same flimsy appearance and feel of their other lines. They even put some decent features and options into it. It takes a discerning eye and a look at the numbers to see that it is nothing more than a polished turd.

Simonton makes some nice products and is pretty highly regarded. The Xact 1650 if I'm not mistaken is an MI 1650/ Certainteed bryn mwr/ Cutting Edge model. It looks halfway decent and has some nice options until you look at the performance ratinings.... I'm not the biggest proponent of the importanc...

I'd say that you really can't go wrong either way. You are looking at two high-quality choices, each having some pros and cons. Normally I prefer the vinyl option, however, if you have been quoted the same price (or close to it), it would seem that the Marvin is a better deal. Im my experience it is...

+1 on contacting WoW... I didn't notice your area. ... I've learned a thing or two from him myself.

At about $850 per opening you can take your pick. Based on my own knowledge and experience, I'd recommend Softlite, PlyGem, Sunrise and Gorell. Simonton and Okna are highly regarded as well... Depending on various circumstances (options, installation method, market, etc) you should be able to find t...

That's a good plan. Just be sure to be as thorough in researching the installation methods/procedures as well. The product is only half the equation in a window install.... although something tells me that you already have that covered.

IMO, your choices are between the Simonton quotes at this point. I'd eliminate the Champion and Alside quotes for quality and price considerations.

Preservation windows are made by Alside. There are about a million threads on this forum regarding Alside, very few positive.

I don't know much about the ViWinco, but I'd stick with Simonton. You really can't go wrong with them... You are absolutely right in your observation that building supply houses are geared more toward the professional. The vast majority of their business comes from professionals rather than Diy'ers ...

usually a window with a low air leakage rate combined with a high DP rating(50 or higher) without any reinforcement will be a very structually sound product. ways companies cheat to obtain higher DP ratings are reinforcing the frame with aluminum or using a pocket sill(worst sill available imo) qua...

Thats my point Todd. Did you actually read my previous post. I mentioned that I disagreed with canuck on AL ratings. I feel that they deserve consideration, but are certainly not the end-all, be-all when it comes to what to choose for the reasons I mentioned.

Please Todd, enlighten us.... rather than just being a pinhead and saying that everybody else is wrong, why dont you provide some insight? Do you think that any of the windows that I mentioned is of poor quality? Which one(s)?.. Why? ... Also, please tell me what a homeowner could expect to save in ...

I second canuck's comments. The only thing that I'd slightly disagree on is the air leakage rating. The industry standard is .3... Personally I think anything in the .1's or less is going to be a tight unit, and I'm still waiting on somebody to give me any measurable proof that a .05 is going to sav...

Casements will be a bit more costly as you'll want twins in that size opening, however they do offer the best performance characteristics.... Your title says you are overwhelmed by choices, but then you ask for more brands?