Replacement Windows Discussion Board Forum

What can anyone tell me about Viwinco (the Cambridge) and Quaker (AdvantEdge Sedries)? Would PGT Spectraguard 2300 and Simonton Prism Platinum be better, equal, less quality than the above? Secondly, is low expansion foam the best insulator on installation or are there other types of insulating mate...

Now after all this research and hours of time spent what does it really come down to? Is there REALLY a big savings on energy when we replace our windows? If I spend $9,000 on windows will I recoup the cost in 20 years? My aluminum (double pane) windows and the wood ones with storm windows are possi...

Now I am really puzzled. I e-mailed the Simonton company to ask if I could grow plants in the their windows and they answered yes. I asked at the distributors and the say not likely as 99% UV rays are blocked. So if I want to grow plants I guess I need the garden glass rather than the Low E. So what...

If I understand correctly the PGT has a "2 stepped" sloped sill and the Simonton has a "3 stepped" sloped sill. I guess both of these are good. Can't find a AI number on the Simonton.

Okay. Your exchange is truly interesting. So, for me, if I am choosing between Simonton Prism Platinum and PGT Spectraguard 2300 what are the pros and cons of each? I know it is a decision that I have to make but appreciate your comparison of the two.

I just spent some time at a distributor of Simonton Prism Platinum and they also had on display the PGT Spectraguard 2300 (and some other models). I had not heard of the PGT until yesterday. Choosing between these two what adivse do you have? The young man at the distributor said the PGT is cheaper ...

thank you. that gives me some things to look for.

I appreciate that people with a lot of experience can lable a product as good, better, best, and even junk, but I would really like to know the criteria. What are the specs in a best window? Aside from U and R and AI and SHGC numbers do I need to know the thickness of the vinyl or what company manuf...

I have just spent a lot of time on websites of various window companies and not very many of them list details about construction, quality, all the specs I would like to compare. Simonton had a lot of information but I wonder the difference between the various series, 5505, 9800, Prism (platinum, go...

I would like to replace 17 windows. Some are aluminum, some are wood, and one is the height of a cathedral ceiling, which will probably be 2 double hungs and 2 squares and 2 trapezoids. I have quotes on Alside Excalibur, Wincor and Vinylmax, Alliance (Belmont, the middle grade) and Simonton Prism Pl...