My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

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copykatpro
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#1 Post by copykatpro »

I hope this helps anyone in the MA area.

I recently went through the process of finding the right windows for my home and wanted to give a quick review of my findings.

I will preface this by saying this is the second time I've gone through this process. The first time really soured me. I would compare it to buying a car from from a sleazy dealer. On the first go-around, I looked at the local heavy-hitters, Newpro, Pella, Sears, etc. They all irritated me to no end and I ended up getting Owens Corning windows through Home Depot because they were the easiest to deal with and the price was right for my purposes.

That was then, this is now. I currently live in a house I expect to be in for the long haul so I wanted to make sure I got a quality window with a quality install for a good price. That's how I came across this board. I educated myself a little more than last time and explored some window companies I never knew existed through recommendations from the pros here. Here are my findings:

Sunrise Restorations
These are the windows I chose for my house. Ultimately, I chose them because they looked the nicest and had the largest glass viewing area. Most vinyl windows I've come across tend to have a simple profile with flat surfaces and basic features. However, the Restorations are sculpted to look more like the original wood windows you probably have in your house. In terms of quality, the window compared favorable to the other top windows the pros here recommend. The dealer (Hi-Tech Windows) was friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and above all, not pushy. I found him through the Restorations website: http://www.restorationswindows.com/restfacts.html.

Soft-Lite Elements
Very nice window. Clean profile. Excellent quality. This was my second choice if Sunrise didn't come through with what I wanted. The dealer was knowledgeable and friendly but his price was way too high. He said this was his absolute lowest for double pane glass which was more than the triple pane I had been quoted for from everyone else. And their quotes included an entry door and window capping. I could have haggled but it really wasn't worth it. I got their name from the Soft-Lite website.

Gorell
Good quality window with a more decorative profile. Worth checking out if you want something less plain. The dealer rubbed me and my wife the wrong way though. He wasn't overly pushy but he definitely gave us the BS about buying one window tonight so I could lock in the price. He also only looked at my wife when he referred to the ease of cleaning the window. He said his window only compared to the Newpro. When I challenged him and named some of the other windows I was looking at, he was a bit stunned I knew about them. He called the next morning and said he could get the Sunrise if that's the one I liked best. Needless to say I never bothered to get a quote from him. I wouldn't say avoid this guy if you're interested in the Gorell. I think he'd do a quality install. But I also couldn't recommend him. The Soft-Lite guy mentioned they were looking to carry Gorell too so maybe you'll have better luck with him. I found the Gorell dealer through the Gorell website.

Simonton
The least fancy window I looked at. Not bad but it also doesn't knock your socks off. I'd be happy with this window in most of my house but not all of it. They wouldn't work in fancier areas like the dining and living room. I really liked the guy that showed them to me but he really wasn't a knowledgeable window guy like the pros here. He could tell me some basics but that's about it. He knew more about installation than anything else. I'd be very comfortable using him. I found him through servicemagic.com. Kind of like angie's list, only free!

Great Lakes
I couldn't tell you anything about the windows other than some of the pros recommended them. Unfortunately, they're only sold by Penguin Windows in this area. You may have heard them advertise. Once they got my number they wouldn't stop calling. I wanted to set up an appointment but they were incapable of booking something more than 3 days in advance. Very annoying. They sounded high pressure. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Newpro
Avoid them at all costs. They will enter your home and never leave. Their windows are made for space exploration and therefore they're worth the $2500 per window. What, that's too much? Let us put a sign on your lawn and we'll knock off $500. Still not enough? Let me call my manager. Still not low enough? I'll appeal to a higher power... just for you of course. Oh, by the way, this price is only good for 5 minutes. At that time the proposal will self destruct. The funny thing is, they might actually be selling good windows. I'll never know unless someone here can comment on them.

There are many other companies with similar tactics as Newpro. I hope you don't encounter them.

Home Depot, Sears, Lowes
These options seem convenient but I wouldn't recommend them. I had some luck with HD the first time around but when I moved into my second home the experience wasn't nearly as good. I never bothered with Lowes because they charged a fee to get a quote. No idea if they still do this. Sears price was just astronomical so I laughed them out the door. The pros here recommend avoiding big box stores because it's cheaper going through local people and you never know who's going to install the windows.

Pricing
This is probably the first worry everyone has about getting new windows and if you've had a company like Newpro or Bristol give you a quote, you're probably ready for a heart attack. Judging from what I've gotten in quotes and comparing them to what other people have posted, it's very reasonable to say you can get a quality, top-of-the-line double-hung window for $450 - $750 installed depending on the details of the job and type of window. Please remember every job is different though.

Message Boards
The pros here definitely have their favorites but if there's a window you're interested in, don't be shy to ask. They'll tell you what they like, don't like and why. If they sound like they're pushing a particular window, it's because you asked for a reference and they're letting you know what they like and why. Challenge them to give you as much detail as you need. They're knowledge and experience might surprise you. I would also recommend you ask some of the same questions of the dealers you go through. This will help determine how comfortable you'll be with them handling the job.

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Windows on Washington
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Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#2 Post by Windows on Washington »

It is too bad that you could not have included Okna in that run down. I think it gives the Restorations a run for its money. I like the Sunrise window a lot too.

copykatpro
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#3 Post by copykatpro »

This is like deja vu.

When you put it like that, I regret not seeing the Okna. Unfortunately no one responded to my inquiries about local dealers. I added Okna to my list after Great Lakes fell through. They weren't originally on my list because it wasn't until recently that a lot of people here started talking favorably about them.

I will say this about finding dealers. Unless the companies websites are up-to-date and easy to navigate, it's extraordinarily difficult to find what you're looking for. Opening up a phone book usually results in finding people who only install the usual fare: harvey, pella and simontons that they probably get from Home Depot. The only other alternative (other than this board) is contacting all those companies that constantly advertise.

To all the pros reading, I would make sure the companies you carry know who you are and provide a good website for the customer to find you. It really makes a difference especially in this day and age.

Sorry about the tangent.

copykatpro
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#4 Post by copykatpro »

I'd love to see a close-up of an Okna to see what I'm missing.

zago

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#5 Post by zago »

just google "okna dealer in conecticut" or whichever state you are in;you will find a dealer that way. then have them come to your home and show it.

copykatpro
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#6 Post by copykatpro »

Thanks, but I've already ordered my new windows. Besides, I did that already and all I got were links to car dealerships. I was just curious what I might have missed. Their website gave a few nice closeups but not a nice big full-on view of the window.

zago

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#7 Post by zago »

what did you wind up getting? what glass package?

copykatpro
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#8 Post by copykatpro »

We would have liked to get the Ultra KR 90 triple pane in all the rooms but budget and function limited us to just the 8 bedroom and bathroom windows. One window is a 1/4 double hung, 1/2 picture, 1/4 double hung unit so technically we're replacing 10 with 8. In two other rooms we have 5 picture windows back to back. We replaced those with with one unit that consisted of 1/4 casement, 1/2 picture, 1/4 casement. The picture windows are maxed out in length and it would be impossible to get triple pane so those windows are double pane Ultra U. The basement is where we skimped. There are 17 pictures back to back down there so to save a little money we're replacing them with a combination of 6 sliders and 4 pictures. All double pane. We really didn't think we'd feel the difference down there so it wasn't a big loss for us. We're also getting 1 basement hopper and a new basement entry door with a storm. All-in-all, 21 new windows with capping and a new door. Maybe when we win the lottery we'll do the rest.

meFromWaltham
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:27 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#9 Post by meFromWaltham »

Thank you for the detailed review of windows available in MA -- it was very helpful. Did your restorations windows with the ultra kr90 option also cost you in the $450-$750 range you mentioned?

Thanks.

buddy11
Posts: 780
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:48 pm
Location: Lower Hudson Valley NY

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#10 Post by buddy11 »

You made a good choice, copykat. Thanks for the update!

copykatpro
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#11 Post by copykatpro »

meFromWaltham wrote:Thank you for the detailed review of windows available in MA -- it was very helpful. Did your restorations windows with the ultra kr90 option also cost you in the $450-$750 range you mentioned?

Thanks.
Yes. All the windows I had any serious interest in were in that range and included capping. So far, I'm pretty happy with the Restorations. I wouldn't have a problem recommending them or the company I went through. There was another person on this board (or maybe the sister site) who used the same installer and also purchased Restorations. I'd search for their post if you want another opinion. Good luck with your project.

pondscum
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:37 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#12 Post by pondscum »

Yes, that's me who also got the Restorations from the same installer. I had a couple minor gripes with the install (they were a little sloppy with the caulking, for instance) but I'm very happy with the windows themselves -- they look great and my house is much warmer this winter. I'm thinking about having the same guys out again to put in a new patio door for me this year (wood, not vinyl, though).

needwindowhelp
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:01 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#13 Post by needwindowhelp »

Hi Copykat and Pondscum,

Read your comments and am thinking about Sunrise Restorations for my new condo in the Seaport area of Boston. Just wanted to confirm that you both still like your windows. Also, according to their website, the dealer is Hi-Tech. Can either of you confirm that you used this company to install them?

Thanks Much,
Victoria

pondscum
Posts: 71
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:37 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#14 Post by pondscum »

Yes and yes. :)

needwindowhelp
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:01 pm

Re: My Window Reviews for Massachusetts

#15 Post by needwindowhelp »

Thanks!

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