Alside vs pella

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Hoosier1991
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Alside vs pella

#1 Post by Hoosier1991 »

Looking to replace our old wooden windows. They are rotting so anything is an upgrade.

Our options are
Alside mezzo- installed by family aquantiance. Giving us a good deal. Uses his own installers and offers warranty if we have issues with install in addition to the warranty with the window itself.

Pella 250- more expensive but based on reports seems to be a more reputable/easier to work with brand. Besides cost, my main concern is that they sub out install and do not offer any warranty with install. He said they have used installers many times and says they are great but I'm not crazy about going just off someone's word.

I've always been told that you can buy the best window out there but if it's not installed correctly the window brand doesn't matter.

We Live in rural Indiana and don't have a ton of options in this area. The only other option is andersen but from friends I've heard they are extremely expensive.

What would you do?

randy
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Re: Alside vs pella

#2 Post by randy »

Using a friend or acquaintance is rarely a good idea. It often ends up with hard feelings one way or the other.

As you said, installation detail is critical to the performance of and long-term satisfaction with your new windows. Therefore, you should only use window professionals, not a "jack of all trades, master of none” type.

You might see if you can locate a Soft-lite dealer that services your area, since they are headquartered in a neighboring state. Okna would be another good choice, but I’m not sure if they are available in Indiana or not.

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Delaware Mike
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Re: Alside vs pella

#3 Post by Delaware Mike »

Randy's advice is solid and makes sense. There are other reputable vinyl offerings out there, however I'm not sure of the distribution in your area? Sunrise/MI-Miter brands, Kensington, Seaway, Paragon, ProVia Endure/Aspect, Vytex, and Polaris. The key is masterful installation skills with sold exterior metal trim coil finish work if that is being performed. Most of us on these boards have been a dealer for many of those brands at some point in our careers but found our way to OKNA. There is no "perfect" window out there to everyone, but I think OKNA's sum of all parts and still being privately owned gives us dealers the best balance.

Hoosier1991
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Re: Alside vs pella

#4 Post by Hoosier1991 »

randy wrote: Sat Sep 28, 2024 11:58 am Using a friend or acquaintance is rarely a good idea. It often ends up with hard feelings one way or the other.

As you said, installation detail is critical to the performance of and long-term satisfaction with your new windows. Therefore, you should only use window professionals, not a "jack of all trades, master of none” type.

You might see if you can locate a Soft-lite dealer that services your area, since they are headquartered in a neighboring state. Okna would be another good choice, but I’m not sure if they are available in Indiana or not.
The aquantiance isn't a jack of all trades. He does have a business of over 30 years specializing in glass and windows. Not sure if that changes your response. In your opinion are those 2 options a no go? I'm having a hard time finding any other options. My next options are window world or andersen

randy
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Re: Alside vs pella

#5 Post by randy »

Advice given to homeowners here isn’t just for the OP but for all who are reading. The warning against jack of all trades contractors wasn’t specifically for your case, but a general recommendation.

If you have that much confidence in him, he might be your best option. Alside’s Mezzo isn’t the worst option out there for sure. I haven’t seen the window in a few years, but if they’re still using Intercept spacers, I’d see if you could upgrade it as it’s prone to seal failure.

Window World is a hard pass for me and Andersen will be way overpriced.

Hoosier1991
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Re: Alside vs pella

#6 Post by Hoosier1991 »

randy wrote: Sat Sep 28, 2024 2:31 pm Advice given to homeowners here isn’t just for the OP but for all who are reading. The warning against jack of all trades contractors wasn’t specifically for your case, but a general recommendation.

If you have that much confidence in him, he might be your best option. Alside’s Mezzo isn’t the worst option out there for sure. I haven’t seen the window in a few years, but if they’re still using Intercept spacers, I’d see if you could upgrade it as it’s prone to seal failure.

Window World is a hard pass for me and Andersen will be way overpriced.
I apologize if that came off defensive. That was not my intent. I'm trying to find other options in the area but it's been frustrating. I feel like I'm stuck between a subpar window with good installation or a reputatable window with questionable installation

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Alside vs pella

#7 Post by Windows on Washington »

Generally speaking, as referenced by randy....tall fences make for good neighbors analogy for using friends. That said...sounds like he is a company owner vs. just a guy.

If he is buying AMI stuff, ask him if he can get the MI (Sunrise) window in this case. Might be a better product option and would come through the same distributor in this case.

Or just roll with the AMI product he quoted.

randy
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Re: Alside vs pella

#8 Post by randy »

No apology necessary. Just wanted to clarify why I said what I did. It wasn’t necessary a reference to your guy.

I agree with WoW’s advice. Sounds like you have your guy, now just need to decide on the product you want. Best wishes with the project!

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