Which Window Is Better?

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Canaligator
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Which Window Is Better?

#1 Post by Canaligator »

I am replacing about 20 wood double hung windows with vinyl. I have a trusted contractor who has done a lot of work for me. I tried going the Soft-Lite, Okna route without success. My contractor is not allowed to purchase those windows because he is not an "official" rep. I am trying to decide between 2 windows that he can get. Standard Harvey Tributes (not triple pane upgrade) or Pella 350's. I would greatly appreciate any input anybody has on these 2 windows. Thank you.

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Delaware Mike
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#2 Post by Delaware Mike »

I'd probably go with the Harvey Tribute. I think the Pella window is sort of bulky with a ridiculous irrigate sill if we are talking double hung units. Some of the Harvey glass packages have low-e on surface #4 that I'd wouldn't recommend unless you're certain of lower humidity in the house.

masterext
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#3 Post by masterext »

Why dont you just look for a good soft lite or okna dealer?

Canaligator
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#4 Post by Canaligator »

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards Harvey Tributes. I would prefer the Soft-Lites or Okna’s, which my contractor cannot get. I refuse to be extorted into having to use one of their contractors. I want my trusted contractor to do the installation. His workmanship and prices cannot be beat. For the heck of it, I got another price for 20 windows, doors, trim, soffit work, and some Hardie Plank siding. My contractor’s price was $34,000. The other price I received was $58,000. The price difference was ridiculous. I am sticking with my contractor so it looks like no Soft-Lite or Okna. I may just have to go with the Harvey’s which I know is a step down.

masterext
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#5 Post by masterext »

I understand but you are essentially sacrificing quality for the sole purpose of having a friend or someone you know do the install. You arent being “ extorted” by anyone. Okna and Soft Lite refuse to sell their windows to anyone other than an authorized and properly vetted contractor/ company. You can only imagine the potential warranty issues a high quality window manufacturer could face by some “ jack of all trades” contractor who works out of his garage. Many companies do comprehensive back ground checks which include credit reports, bank statements, company financials, ect...
You also have to ask yourself why your specific friend or contractor is so cheap. That being said, it seems as if you only received one other quote? Perhaps try for another but just the windows and have a siding company take care of the siding.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#6 Post by Windows on Washington »

Has your contractor reached out to the other contractor? While it is not the norm, we have worked with other contractors before to help get them the combination of stuff that they ultimately wanted.

Canaligator
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#7 Post by Canaligator »

My contractor is not a “jack of all trades” who works out of his garage. He has been in business for over 20 years, rated A+ by the BBB, has 100’s of positive reviews on Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Yelp, and on his own personal website. He has a Construction Supervisor’s License, and over 4 million dollars worth of liability insurance. He is not just some guy with a pickup truck. He can complete the entire project himself without involving another company. I should have never brought up the Soft Lite Okna issue. It still irks me but I have let it go. He will be the one completing the project one way or another. So I am back to my original question. Pella 350 or Harvey Tribute?. My quote from the other contractor was $1800 a window for new construction Pelli 350’s. Which I round to be a bit high. I can get Harvey Tributes for less than half of that t price. Anyway . Simple question Which is a better window, Harvey Tribute or Pelli 350? Thank you.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#8 Post by Windows on Washington »

I wonder if your contractor contacted them if they couldn't work something out. That said, Soft-Lite is sold via distributorship at this point and its likely that wherever he gets his siding, he can probably get one of the upper end Soft-Lite windows.

Not a fan of pocket sill windows (i.e. P-350) if they can be avoided.

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Delaware Mike
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#9 Post by Delaware Mike »

I did a (40) window job on the Jersey shore this spring for a personal friend of my Harvey rep, thus the windows were prearranged with must me installing them. They weren't even the better Tributes, but rather the Classics. I wasn't thrilled with the QC and some of the build features, however the extrusion appeared to be an .080" mill thickness extrusion and there wasn't any warping, frowning, or bows. That's a good thing. I would expect more from your Tributes. I'm not a fan of Pella vinyl at all.

Canaligator
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#10 Post by Canaligator »

Thank you all for your input. My contractor tried to get the Soft-Lites without success. It's too bad because I am trying to finish my house off to match my existing Soft-Lites that I replaced several years ago. I'm done with them. I think I may just go with the Harvey Tributes. I will be retiring in a few years and selling my home anyway. I should just call Window World and get the $299 special but I just don't have that bone in me. If I was going to stay here another 20 years I would definitely be looking for top shelf windows. I think I can be happy with a middle of the road quality window. The price I got on the Pella 350's seemed ridiculously high at $1800 each. I do understand new construction windows are more, but they are replacing my siding at the same time so it's not as big an issue. I am guessing that the Harvey Tributes are as good as the Pella 350's and nowhere near the $1800 a window price I got from one contractor.

fridge2020
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#11 Post by fridge2020 »

What exactly are you looking for here calanagator? You have a guy that's clearly not a window specialist offering mediocre windows and at a cut rate price. Do you expect to get "hell yeah!" from professionals that redo jobs done by goons like this daily? His selection of windows alone says that he should probably stick to repairing holes in drywall and trimming tree limbs. I'm sure he's 5 stars in that, but he's no window guy. If you want to set yourself up for failure go right ahead, but you don't need to waste your time researching and trying to defend it.

Canaligator
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#12 Post by Canaligator »

I have one simple question. Which is a better window? Harvey Tribute or Pella 350? I don't need any "hell yeahs"! You can insult my contractor all you want. Just because he isn't part of Soft-Lite or Okna cabal, I guess he should become a tree trimmer. I realize they are not top shelf windows so I am not looking for your praise. I have already replaced some with Soft-Lites and am selling my house in 3 years. I have 30+ year old wood Caradco windows now. As awful as Harvey and Pella are, I'm hoping that they will be a slight improvement from what I have. Have a nice day.

fridge2020
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#13 Post by fridge2020 »

Cabal?! lol. I could give you no less than a dozen windows that are better, and at least a handful are available to your contractor at a local supply house, guaranteed. He's just too lazy, uniformed, or incompetent to offer you a good window. Yeah, thats who I'd choose for 20 windows and a 5 figure investment. You are right though, they should be a slight improvement from your old windows. I'm trying to figure out if you are so well off that you can afford to spend 10s of thousands for a slight improvement, or if you cant afford better windows or a competent window specialist?
Either way, good luck. To answer your question, i guess I'd take the harvey, but I wouldn't put either of them in a doghouse personally. And a nice day to you as well.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#14 Post by Windows on Washington »

I am not a fan of the Pella 350 so in that comparison, a well installed Harvey would be my pick.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Which Window Is Better?

#15 Post by HomeSealed »

I'd agree with the overall consensus here. There are some red flags in your proposed plan, but on window alone I'd chose the Harvey option in this case.

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