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| Author: | Mark |
| Subject: | Scale of windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-28 15:15:05 |
Windows Experts -
Please, can you give us homeowners your scale listing of the quality of windows? Like AAA - 10, BBB - 9, CCC and DDD and EEE - 8, FFF - 7, GGG - 6, etc. (I saw on another post where FenEx gave a 5.5 scale ranking to an Alside Excaliber window.)
I know it is only your personal opinion, but it might be useful to us homeowners as a place to start our journey of a thousand steps. Then we can inquire as to installer's quality, installer's warranty, forecast of installer's ability to stay in business, manufacturer's warranty, forecast of manufacturer's ability to stay in business, pricing, references, BBB, color of truck that estimator drives, tea leaves readings, salesman's reaction to small yappy dog, coin flips, astrological signs, liklihood of sun to rise in the east, NFRC ratings, EnergyStar ratings, inherent qualities of vinyl vs wood vs aluminum vs fiberglass, different spacer characteristics, theatrical appeal of salesman's infrared heat lamp demonstation, probability that windows will leak their gas, department of energy recommendations, etc. Did I forget any?
Anyway if you experts could bless us homeowner's with your scale listing of the quality of windows, I sure would appreciate it. And I do understand that your listing is based on what you know, or think you know, and changes over time, and differs from one expert to another.
Thank you kindly.
| Author: | THE WINDOW MAN |
| In Reply To: | Scale of windows (posted by Mark) |
| Subject: | RE: Scale of windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-29 12:22:02 |
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO $ IF YOUR BUDGET IS AT $200.00 YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! IF YOUR BUDGET IS $600.00 YOUR SURE TO GET A BETTER WINDOW! I HOPE! WATCH OUT FOR THE $189.00 GUYS THEY WILL BE OUT OF YOUR MARKET REAL SOON. THINK ABOUT THIS A GOOD PAIR OF SHOES COST YOU OVER $189.00 HOW IN THE WORLD COULD YOU GET A GOOD WINDOW FOR THAT????
| Author: | windowshopper |
| In Reply To: | RE: Scale of windows (posted by THE WINDOW MAN) |
| Subject: | RE: Scale of windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-29 17:58:33 |
I wish someone with knowledge could give advice on what level of quality you should not go below. What models do you consider the lowest level of quality that you should consider buying.
| Author: | Bill |
| In Reply To: | RE: Scale of windows (posted by THE WINDOW MAN) |
| Subject: | RE: Scale of windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-29 18:17:11 |
You can't be sure your getting a better window at $600.00 I have seen some windows that should be in the 275.00 to 325.00 area sold for $500.00.
Do your homework and stick to the larger manufacturers ( not small fabricators ) who are building a quality product like Simonton, Shuco, Great Lakes & possibly Certainteed
| Author: | Guy |
| In Reply To: | RE: Scale of windows (posted by Bill) |
| Subject: | RE: Scale of windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-29 19:55:45 |
With no disrespect to Bill I disagree. I think there are some real great small window suppliers out there. I have one here in MN I use daily. I would put them up against almost any other window out there. Some small companies do a better job than the big ones. They take their time more and push out less defects. I do know I have sold these here with great reviews. They are economically the best window I can offer. I don't have to pay for the big name. I can pass that savings down to the customer. How I would personally rank window manufacturer's, here's my opinion:
1) Schuco
2) Gilkey
3) Windstrom
4) Gorell
5) Certainteed
6) Simonton
7) Great Lakes
Probably Alside finishing the list.
Remember no matter what amount of money you spend on your window. It's only as good as the installer. Even if the installer goes out of business most factory representatives can get your issues fixed. It may take a bit longer, but it gets done. Just make sure you have the warranty card in hand when they leave! Call the factory before you begin and ask them if they stand behind products from companies that have gone under. Usually there is another near by to fill the void. So what ever way you go just be wise.
Cheap windows you should avoid!! Your DIY off the shelf brand. They work in the fish house not yours! Unless it's a bigger brand name like Andersen or Pella. You will get a better product in this case. I haven't had the chance to see Pella's vinyl yet. Our first Lowes opens next month here. I'll have more of an opinion then. So I hope this helped!
Guy
| Author: | Mark |
| In Reply To: | RE: Scale of windows (posted by Guy) |
| Subject: | thanks Guy! |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-29 20:24:37 |
Now that's what I'm talking about! Thank you Guy. If I had a window company come in to give me an estimate and they said "In our humble opinion, formed with XX years of experience, here are our ratings of the best national windows brands. But here in YY (place) we know of several small window manufacturers that we would rank up there with the best national brands. Because they are smaller (and less well-known) there would be a savings to you. Or you could go with with of the better nationals. You have several great choices. Let's talk about them" then I would be much more likely to go with that window company than the other company that says their windows are the best ever and all the rest are junk.
Guy - just a point of clarification about your list. Do you have Great Lakes as an A- or as an F, or what? Maybe I should have asked for grades and not scales.
| Author: | Guy |
| In Reply To: | thanks Guy! (posted by Mark) |
| Subject: | RE: thanks Guy! |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-30 00:56:21 |
Your more than welcome!!!
My list is the top choices I would recommend starting at #1 with whom I feel is the best. I didn't list any bottom of the list products. It tends to fire up others and start a riot. I would say if your looking for a good national window. Choose one on the list. You could also look into some of Milgards products. I've had good and bad luck with them. Happy Hunting!!!