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| Author: | Shirley |
| Subject: | Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-31 21:26:09 |
My husband and I have been doing a lot of research into vinyl replacement windows. We've also spent a lot of time reading past posts in this forum and we're leaning towards getting Schuco windows. Our Schuco dealer offers a 1 year warranty on installations. An Alside dealer is touting their lifetime warranty on both installations and glass breakage.
We know Schuco makes great windows. But is the lifetime warranty important enough to make us reconsider? How often do installation problems show up after the one year mark? How often do people really experience glass breakage, especially when you're talking about triple pane windows?
Your help would be greatly appreciated! PS - Good luck to Fenestration Expert. Your posts have been very informative.
| Author: | wvuguy |
| In Reply To: | Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Shirley) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-31 23:32:03 |
I'd recently signed a contract with a Schuco dealer, which went down the tubes when said dealer went bust. After much trouble connecting with the alternative Schuco ealer, I made the decision to purchase Preservation (by Alside) windows.
While it's clear that Schuco wins the "Battle of the Specifications" against just about everyone, I'm convinced that the ClimaTech 10 Preservations....while perhaps not up to the full to the Corona 400 standard.....are a reasonably comparable product. And, they were a downright GREAT value at a full 10% savings over the Corona 4000. And, most will agree that Alside's Sheffield represents a quality product in it's own right.
As with many others around here, I still believe that Schuco probably represents the absolute best in vinyl replacement windows. But, I'd respectfully suggest that you not dismiss out of hand some of the other truly representative premium products out there.....like the aforementioned Alsides.....and particularly if cost is an issue.
IMHO, I think you can feel VERY comfortable with the quality of the better Alside windows, and even more so if you're blessed with a quality local dealer.
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Shirley) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-31 23:34:32 |
Shirley -
Whereabouts are you located?
| Author: | window man |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by wvuguy) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 00:11:33 |
alside also makes a window for me and i sell it for $189.00 installed but i would not sell to a friend or family!
| Author: | steve |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by window man) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 03:36:03 |
I'll bet it's the Excalibur without low E or Argon and you don't include wrapping the trim in your install, right?
| Author: | Shirley |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 14:24:00 |
I'm located in Connecticut.
Both dealers have solid references. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the aesthetics of the Alside windows. If it comes down to choosing between windows, I like the Schuco windows better. I think the Alsides are too bulky.
But the lifetime warranty offered by the Alside dealer is tempting. Is a lifetime warranty more of a sales gimmick or is it something that actually comes in use?
Thanks for your responses!
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Shirley) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 14:44:36 |
Shirley -
The reason I asked about your location was to see if the dealer/installer I'm using could help you. Since I'm in Illinois I don't think he can :)
If I may comment however, I have no doubt that Schuco is probably the finest all-around window available and I'm looking forward to having mine installed - I hope this week.
What strikes me is that with such a high-quality window, why would the dealer only offer a 1 year warranty on the install? Having read this board every day for a few months now it has become abundantly clear to me from posts by knowledgeable pros, that the install is what can make a poor window good or a great window poor. With this in mind, if I were in your position, I'd be asking the dealer some pointed questions about why their install warranty is only one year in length. Have they no faith in their workers or themselves? If the quality of the install equals the quality of the Schuco why isn't the warranty much longer? And on and on.
Just as an example, my dealer started off with a 5 year install warranty and last week told me that he was changing it to lifetime (not sure if he means mine or his :)). He's been in business for a long time and I trust his expertise implicitly.
Since Schuco is in Connecticut you might want to contact them and see if there are any other dealers servicing your area - wouldn't be all bad to get another estimate and maybe a better warranty.
Good luck.
| Author: | Shirley |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 16:15:52 |
Thanks for your input, Art. There were a few other dealers (not Schuco) we talked to that also only had a 1 year warranty on installation. One of larger companies that have been around for over 20 years dealing in Marvin, Simonton, Pella, etc. also only offered a 1 year warranty on installation. Her explanation was that if you have a bad installation, you'll see the problem within a year. I don't know if that's true or not.
Have any of you experienced bad installation problems that didn't become noticeable until many years after the fact? I called one of the Schuco dealer's references who had windows installed 2 years ago to see if there were any problems and she said she hasn't had any need to service the windows because they are still perfect. Should I ask for a reference going back 5 years? More?
| Author: | anon |
| In Reply To: | Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Shirley) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 17:48:17 |
before you make your buying decision on Schuco you might want to check their factory BBB report.
http://www.connecticut.bbb.org
| Author: | JSS |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 18:35:57 |
Can you tell me who you are working with in Illinois? I am looking for a reputable installer.
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by JSS) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 18:47:29 |
Sure - send me your e-mail addy and I'll shoot it back.
| Author: | Window4U (IL) |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by anon) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 19:31:40 |
As usual Anon, you have nothing good to say about anything, and only post negatives, and I as well as many others are getting real tired of your attacking posts. And yes, we know it's you when you post under all your different aliases. Just what is you story? What company do you work for that you have to keep attacking all the time from behind your cowardly aliases?? I think your tactics of lurking and attacking make you the worst kind of scum, a cyber terrorist that keeps good hearted pros from giving advice to people who really need it. That's why they come here. We pros get enjoyment out of helping people, and you seem to get joy out of hurting them. Why do you have to have this board up in arms and arguing all the time? No wonder FenEx left.Why not just grow up.
As for your post;
Look at the report a little closer ANON. It says manufacturer, sales, and installation. SCHUCO DOES NOT INSTALL WINDOWS, AND YOU KNOW IT. This was a Homecraft Co. retailer that Schuco bought the name of when entering the U.S. market. They found out later that there were over 400 complaints from this private window contractor, and though not legally obligated to do so, have resolved all but two of these complaints to satisfaction as a good will gesture. Very admirable considering they had no legal obligation to do so.
One of them is a deck installation for goodness sake!
The President and Vice President of Schuco-USA have met just last week with the head of the BBB to resolve these two last issues that they are in NO way obligated to.
Schuco is a multi-billion dollar manufacturer, in 44 countries world-wide, are partners with Mercedes Benz, are well respected world wide and are a wonderful and feature-filled premium window that any homeowner would be thrilled to have for a lifetime of service.
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by JSS) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 19:31:59 |
Just in case the email doesn't work here's the guy to contact:
Dave at ProMax Construction. His office number is 217-424-8900.
Dave has many years and thousands and thousands of window installs under his belt. He is a dealer for a number of different brands and his price on Schuco was simply outstanding. I'm hoping to have mine installed this week and I have no problem whatsoever recommending him. His sales presentation was absolutely NO PRESSURE and he can most certainly show and explain the difference between the brands. He's not predatory and doesn't try to move you up to the more expensive brands - he lets you do that all by yourself! :)
Good luck and I hope this helps.
| Author: | Shirley |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by anon) |
| Subject: | BBB report |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 19:33:34 |
Am I being cyncial or do I just naturally assume a large factory will undoubtedly have an unsatisfactory report with the BBB? Schuco has an unsatisfactory report due to unanswered complaints. But the BBB doesn't say what the complaints are. To check to see if this is unusual, I looked up a totally different factory in Connecticut - Stanley Works, the maker of tools also headquartered in CT. They too have an unsatisfactory report at the BBB due to unanswered complaints. But ... what does that really tell me?
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by anon) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 19:57:15 |
One complaint since 1997? From a company that services thousands of customers a year? The single complaint is about something they don't manufacture, that came from a different company they bought? And you think that's a poor record?
Get real.
| Author: | Glenn |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by window man) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-05 02:11:12 |
How is the Ultramax by Aside Vs. Simonton 55500 or 9800 series/ I want to find a good Schuco dealer who is not high pressure in New jersey.
Thanks
| Author: | Window Man |
| In Reply To: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside (posted by anon) |
| Subject: | RE: Schuco vs. Alside |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-22 22:09:06 |
Schuco does not i repeat does not install windows so when you check a BBB report in should be on company you are looking to install! Schuco like all other good companies manufactures and sells to dealers.