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| Author: | Bill |
| Subject: | Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-04 21:58:57 |
I must admit I am a window novice. Our 30 year old home is in need of replacement windows. We have about 15 double hung windows in our home. We will probably do half one year and half in year two.
There are so many brands to choose from. Which are the most energy efficient for the money ? We like the wood look inside but are vinyl clad better ? Any tips on where to start for this beginner are appreciared.
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | Where to start in Illinois (posted by Bill) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-04 22:05:32 |
Bill -
A couple questions for clarification. What area of Illinois are you in? Do you plan to do this yourself or to have a pro take care of it? Wood windows will usually require some sort of ongoing maintenance while vinyl are pretty much totally maintenance free. How much do you plan to spend? How energy efficient do you want/need them to be?
The answers will go a long way toward the pros being able to help you out with on-target responses.
| Author: | Bill |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-04 22:55:26 |
Thanks Art for your probing questions. We are located in NE Illinois, Lake County. Although I consider myself a DIY I think I'll leave this job to the pros. I could probably be talked into all vinyl inside and out if they look pretty decent. The (5) windows in the bedrooms are about 40" x 48*. I hope to keep cost to at or below $500 installed per window. Will this buy be a decent window, looks and efficiency ? What are 2 or 3 brands to focus on ?
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Bill) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-04 23:30:33 |
Bill -
First let me say that, like you, I'm just a homeowner and not a pro. I too live in the greater Chicago area - in fact, my town is pretty much bisected by the dividing line for LaSalle and Grundy counties. I'm biased by what I've seen on this site and the other window site in that I became convinced that Schuco was the way to go. That install is now complete and I have to say that the info was correct - they're great!
The installer that I contracted with handles several more high quality lines but he feels that Schuco is THE best and, while I'm sure he makes a profit, he isn't out to retire in just a year or two. Besides the outstanding quality of the windows it was his integrity, knowledge, experience and expertise that I contracted for - and received. That having been said, there are a number of very good brands available in our area and it's up to you as to how good you want the windows to be and how much you want to spend. Several high quality windows besides Schuco and in our area would be: Gorell, Gilkey, Simonton, Alside (not all lines in any brand) and possibly a few more. Home Depot and Sears sell and install Simonton windows under private label and are EXPENSIVE - especially for what you get - not poor quality but a real premium price for just a good higher mid-range window.
One thing to keep in mind - the pros will all tell you that a great install can make a poor window good but a poor install will make a great window bad. Whomever you contract with, be sure, be positive, be comfortable that he will install the windows correctly. If in doubt, look elsewhere.
My suggestion would be to watch this forum for a couple of weeks as you would be amazed at what you'd learn. Also, using the Search function can accelerate your knowledge/learning curve exponentially. Just type in the brand or the name of the individual and you'll have immediate access to almost all the posts about/from them.
Sorry for having gone on so long.
Best of luck.
| Author: | Randy |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Bill) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 00:04:17 |
You are in luck! One of the local experts on this site is a distributor for Schuco. When you're looking for your new windows, be sure and take a look at them. No other vinyl window compares for aesthetics or performance.
Just post for Window4U and he will respond, or e-mail Dave at: window4U@insightbb.com
He will treat you fair, and after discussing your project with him, you will know more about windows than most window salesmen.
Good luck with your project.
| Author: | Marty D. |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 14:18:25 |
Now there's a suprise. Art the homeowner and not a Shucco rep, extolling the virtures of the Shucco line.
I've been reading this forum for a few weeks now and I get a kick out of your posts Art. The same disclaimer over and over. Time to come out of the closet and announce to the world that you're more than a homeowner.
Or do you post as much as you do, being just a homeowner, because you like to read your own posts?
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Marty D.) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 15:23:36 |
Well, let's see now Marty. Rather than taking cheap shots at someone about reading their own posts I prefer to try and give some helpful information to those seeking it.
Having been in the position of searching for the 'best' window for me a few months ago and realizing that Schuco is head and shoulders above the others, I see no reason to keep that fact a secret.
As for being a Schuco rep - wrongo, boyo. I did sell for Sears Home Improvement for a short while earlier this year so I probably have just a little more knowledge than most homeowners - but not by much.
Now as for you - tell us, have you ever compared competing window brands? If so, was Schuco one of them? Would it be correct to assume that you're really in the replacement window business and looking to hurt a competing brand?
So many times those that try to implant a false impression give themselves away by accusing others of that very thing - so Marty, who do you work for?
| Author: | Marty D. |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 19:20:56 |
I'm just a homeowner.
| Author: | Richard |
| In Reply To: | Where to start in Illinois (posted by Bill) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 21:39:28 |
Bill,
I'm a homeowner in Dupage County and replaced my 15 double-hung windows this past Spring. After looking at an acquantance's replacement windows who lives nearby, I was convinced their Schuco windows looked great. I went ahead with a well-known and reputable Chicagoland installer and had all 15 replaced with Schuco Corona 4000. I also replaced the siding at the same time. I'm very satisfied with this elegant and solid window. I would heartily recommend Schuco, and again am just a typical homeowner.
Richard
| Author: | Bill |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Marty D.) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 22:17:24 |
Art - Are Shurco's available through either Home Depot or Menard's. Thanks for all your advice.
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Bill) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 22:34:59 |
Hi Bill -
No, they're not. My understanding is that Schuco uses exclusive dealers only. After speaking with their midwest rep a couple of months ago while searching for windows I was quite impressed. They do, of course, look for individuals/companies that are highly experienced in the industry but they also look for financial stability along with sales and customer satisfaction potential. Obviously they aren't always successful in all areas but they try to be.
To the best of my knowledge there are currently only two dealers in Illinois and I know that some folks don't think very highly of one of them due to some questionable sales practices. I used the other one and have found him to be honest, forthright, knowledgeable and extremely busy. He was present for much of my install and the crew he had here were great guys that quite obviously took a great deal of pride in their work.
If I can offer any other assistance please don't hesitate to ask.
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-05 22:42:03 |
Bill -
Just an FYI - I could be wrong but I think posts from some weeks ago would bear me out on this.
I believe the reason that Schuco is sold through exclusive dealers only is that the factory wants to be in a position where, if something were to go wrong, they would be assured that the windows were professionally installed by someone they had trained. This stops a lot of warranty claims caused by personnel unfamiliar with Schuco units doing something incorrectly.
Best of luck :)
| Author: | Window4U (IL) |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Marty D.) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-06 02:24:09 |
I'm Art's contractor Marty. He's not affiliated with Schuco in any manner except for the fact that he bought them.
You should be ashamed of yourself for being so rude and attacking a homeowner on this site.
Please start posting your email address with your posts if you are going to attack people on this site. To attack someone while hiding behind your computer screen in anonymity is not fair or honest.
This is a forum to help people in their search for windows. If you can't debate in a civil manner with facts, or experience based opinions, then please don't post.
| Author: | Len |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-06 04:39:23 |
I just obtained an estimate from a company which deals in Schuco windows. Can you tell me which company has the better reputation?
| Author: | Art |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Len) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-06 05:02:00 |
Len -
The party I contracted with is actually Window4U who is a major contributor on this site. Just look up one of his posts and you can email him. The other dealer is based in Chicago and they are the first one I called. Because of where I live they asked me to measure the windows and then they'd be able to give me a quote. Needless to say that was the end of things with them. I've since heard from knowledgeable sources that they aren't very highly thought of by many people.
Hope this helps :)
| Author: | RF |
| In Reply To: | RE: Where to start in Illinois (posted by Art) |
| Subject: | RE: Where to start in Illinois |
| Posted At: | 2004-10-07 14:37:32 |
Art,
Since I live in the Chicago area and just had Schuco windows installed by a local Schuco installer, I wanted to find out if my installer was the more reputable one of two that you mentioned.
Well, not knowing in advance that there were possible differences on install quality, I chose the Schuco installer (was not Windows4u) who had also done what looked like a good job for a nearby house. I went ahead and used the same installer. They did not ask me to measure the windows over the phone for a remote estimate as you mentioned, but insisting on coming out for a personal visit and onsite measurement. Installation results were very good (altho a bit rushed).
So I'm wondering who could have been the Illinois Schuco installer with the questionable sales practices you had run into?
RF