My fiancee and I are in need of replacement windows, and have narrowed it down to two companies. We keep flopping back and forth, and I'm hoping I can get some direction!
Situation: 10 windows (variation of slider, picture and DH windows) and 1 sliding door. We have 2 windows and a sliding glass door with broken seals, one of which is actually starting to leak. Thus why we NEED to replace at least those 3 (the others are still drafty, allowing condensation buildup - essentially on their way out), but makes more sense to replace the whole house while we're at it. We'd normally step up from the "entry" level replacement window, but can't afford another $3-4k at this time, given our current debts, wedding coming up, etc. From the quotes we've received, the two window lines below seem to rate (NFRC.org) far better than Alside, Pella, or a few others in this price range that we've received quotes for.
Here are the details of the quotes we're deciding between:
Windows Plus
- Soft-Lite Barrington windows w/366 LoE and Soft-Lite Kingsroyal sliding door for $6,500
- Windows Plus only uses the Super Spacer w/"neat edge" application using black butyl rubber double seal.
- Quote for the Soft-Lite Kingsroyal doesn't include premium upgrades like stainless steel dual rollers ($39 upgrade) or "ToeBolt" locking system ($30 upgrade).
- Windows Plus claims to have a lifetime warranty, however it does require screens to be dropped off for free screen service. A truly lifetime warranty (transferable once), which covers everything from screens, to hardware, to even glass breakage (not included on the Barrington, but included for free to match Windows Direct).
- Windows Plus is a family-owned private company that's been in Cincinnati since 1982. They're not a franchise and are debt free. They only use their own installers.
- Sunrise Essentials windows w/366 LoE and Alside Promenade 6400 sliding door for $6,500
- Sunrise Essentials windows w/366 LoE and Sunrise sliding door for $7,100
- We're told that the Sunrise Essentials includes Cardinal glass and uses the Cardinal XL Edge spacer. I can't find this anywhere on Sunrise's information and it isn't explicitly stated in Windows Direct documentation, but the Salesmen claims this. Not sure if anyone can confirm here, but I plan to reach out to Sunrise to ask directly.
- The Alside Promenade doesn't rate nearly as well as the Sunrise sliding door, and Windows Direct refuses to match the price from Windows Plus, which includes the Soft-Lite competitor/equivalent.
- Windows Direct claims they have the best lifetime warranty in the business. No hidden service charges, a truly lifetime warranty (transferable once), which covers everything from screens, to hardware, to even glass breakage.
- Windows Direct USA is a nationwide company with franchises in Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, etc. They use their own installers, too.
For those of you who may be familiar with the Alside Promenade vs Sunrise sliding door, do you think it's worth the $600 upgrade to get foam filling, better bearings, triple locking system, top-hung sliding screen, etc (standard on the Sunrise door)?
Any and all feedback is welcome! Thank you again for your time!
800-399-4623