Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

Share your experiences with others
Post Reply
Message
Author
confusedconsumer
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu May 17, 2012 6:10 pm

Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#1 Post by confusedconsumer »

My husband and I have been researching windows for over a year and we're still no clearer or closer to making a decision. Our house was built in 1977 and it still has the original windows! We desperately need to replace them (we bought the house 2 years ago) and we want to flip flop a door into a window & a window into French Doors. We've heard terrible things about vinyl and hear composite or fiberglass/Fibrex is the better way to go. The options avail (it seems) in ATX is RBA, Infinity by Marvin, Eagle, Jeld Wen & Milgard. Can someone out there please give us a honest and clear recommendation for replacement windows. Most websites we've looked at have conflicting reviews and if there's a positive review there seems to be a backlash of responses saying the positive reviews are posts by sales people. Do you feel my frustration!

User avatar
TheWindowNerd
Posts: 2216
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:05 pm
Location: SE PA & NJ; DFW/Metroplex

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#2 Post by TheWindowNerd »

Yep, you have not talked to Randy yet.
Find a post on the site here where Randy comments, click his "Get a Quote" button above his screen name.
He offers all the best product and will help you find the right window for you, whether alum with thermal brake, premium vinyl, fiberglass, etc.
I would trust Randy with my life.
Find him talk with him, listen to him.

masterext
Posts: 1404
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:14 am
Location: Window Pro-Serves All of Northern New Jersey. Bergen, Morris, Union, Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#3 Post by masterext »

agree..Randy is a consumate professional and just an all around great guy.

User avatar
Windows on Washington
Posts: 5311
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#4 Post by Windows on Washington »

confusedconsumer wrote:My husband and I have been researching windows for over a year and we're still no clearer or closer to making a decision. Our house was built in 1977 and it still has the original windows! We desperately need to replace them (we bought the house 2 years ago) and we want to flip flop a door into a window & a window into French Doors. We've heard terrible things about vinyl and hear composite or fiberglass/Fibrex is the better way to go. The options avail (it seems) in ATX is RBA, Infinity by Marvin, Eagle, Jeld Wen & Milgard. Can someone out there please give us a honest and clear recommendation for replacement windows. Most websites we've looked at have conflicting reviews and if there's a positive review there seems to be a backlash of responses saying the positive reviews are posts by sales people. Do you feel my frustration!
+3 on trying to contact Randy as well.

As it pertains to your other questions, here goes:

- Vinyl, while not as popular in hot climates, does just fine if you use a good product. Garbage vinyl will perform terribly but using the track record of a sub standard window as the commentary on the rest of them is inaccurate and an opinion that is largely promoted by the manufacturers of other materials.

-Fiberglass is a great option and does very well in the heat. The Infinity is a decent representation of a fiberglass window but there are other options out there as well.

-Fibrex is 70% vinyl by volume so if vinyl is bad...so Fibrex must be as well. The warranty on the RBA window is well below average (10 years on the frame) and hardly indicative of the superior material that it is claimed to be.

-Thermally broken aluminum is also popular in your area of the country.

I would keep doing your research so you can properly evaluate the quotes and you would be well served to chat with Randy if he can cover your area.

jim921
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:00 pm

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#5 Post by jim921 »

This is not a question with a simple answer the reason is that you are comparing apples and oranges. In order for you to make a good decision you will have to determine what you are looking for as that will narrow down your options. First, exterior finish, you have several choices, alum clad, vinyl clad, composite or vinyl, each have thier pros and cons, that doesn't neccesarily mean one is better or worse than the other. Alum clad generally offers more color options versus the others, how ever in order to maintain the exterior it needs to be cleaned more often then the others. You mention Marvin and Eagle, both are very good choices. They are both high quality generally used in high end homes. In order to make a good decision you would need to determine what features you are looking for. Each line will have some features that are standard while the other line it may be an option (add on). You would not go wrong with either line. Vinyl clad is a very durable finish with less maintaince however your exterior color option will be more limited. With either alum clad or vinyl clad you can get an all wood interior, not an option on all vinyl products. All vinyl products are made from extruded vinyl some the interior is vinyl, some manufactuers will use a wood veneer or a laminated to look like wood. If you are looking for a vinyl clad that your best choice is Andersen, they have a couple of options, the 200 Series and the 400 Series the differance being the options. The 200 Series is limited on options such as color, grids, etc. The composite had become a popular alternative because of the way it holds up to the elements. The better composite windows will offer several differant colors, interior, etc. An economical option is the Andersen 100 Series, 5 exterior colors however only interior color is white which can be painted. Marvin Ingerity is a very good window but a little pricey. Compare energy perfomances to help make a decision, then decide what options are worth the money, then aske yourself are the options something we really need or they something we really want.

User avatar
HomeSealed
Posts: 2996
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:46 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Madison, SE Wisconsin

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#6 Post by HomeSealed »

confused,
I agree that the window industry IS very confusing due to the prevalence what amounts to "exaggerated claims" at best, to flat-out bs at worst. The bottom line is each material has its pros and cons, but any of them will be effective for you in Austin- as long as you buy a premium product. After that, cut through all of the "salesmanship" by examining the performance ratings of the windows that you are considering. U factor is the primary thermal rating, however you'll want to look deeper into the structural ratings including design pressure and air infiltration. This are is where the men are separated from the boys, so to speak. Throw fibrex out, but there are good choices in vinyl, fiberglass, wood clad, and other composites. Randy is an excellent resource in your region, and contacting him would be well worth your while. A top notch window guy like Randy will look at your home, your budget, and your goals for the project and then recommend the product that best suits them, rather than a "one-size fits all" approach.

MrRogersWindows
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:42 pm

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#7 Post by MrRogersWindows »

Before you can find a window that you like, you need to find a window professional that you like and trust. Once you find a trustworthy professional who is credible, reputable, experienced and knowledgeable, you’ll likely to have found the window you want. The product is a small portion of the window project. The company that you choose to purchase the window from and to do the installation is every bit as important as the window itself.

I would recommend, therefore, that you do your research of local window companies in the Austin area. Start with the Better Business Bureau. Ask them for three recommendations of window companies that have been in business and members of the Bureau for ten or more years. They’re the companies that will have a long list of satisfied customers.

And let me stress the term “window companies” – not general contractors and not remodeling companies. You want the specialists, the “surgeons” so to speak. That’s all replacement window companies do – day in and day out – they install windows.

And honestly, fiberglass or FIBREX, they are both good. So I say, just keep doing your research. Research the company first and the product will fall into place.

User avatar
Windows on Washington
Posts: 5311
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#8 Post by Windows on Washington »

So if you haven't been in business for 10 years you should not be considered and the BBB is your primary evaluation tool?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo8kfV9kONw

windows4tx
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:49 pm

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#9 Post by windows4tx »

confusedconsumer - Did you ever get windows? I too am in Austin and am confused and really wanting to make a decision. (I posted the long story in a different thread.) We've met with 3 companies and everyone provides conflicting info.

We think we want fiberglass and had narrowed it to Marvin Infinity (but have concerns about the only local installer) or Milgard Ultra (but have concerns about their quality control/warranty issues).

Now I'm wondering if we should look at thermal break aluminum. Today I called 6 companies that do Don Young aluminum and so far nobody has called me back.

If we could find an installer we felt we could trust who isn't just trying to sell us something then we might feel better about deciding.

Oh, and did you ever find this Randy whom everyone here spoke of in their replies? :D

Would love any input/advice/referrals you might have. Thanks!

User avatar
HomeSealed
Posts: 2996
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:46 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Madison, SE Wisconsin

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#10 Post by HomeSealed »

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5234
3rd post down, click his get a quote button. No obligation, no pressure, I promise. Great guy. :D

windows4tx
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:49 pm

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#11 Post by windows4tx »

If the online form would let me contact him without giving my home address I would do it. Any other way to contact him?
HomeSealed wrote:viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5234
3rd post down, click his get a quote button. No obligation, no pressure, I promise. Great guy. :D

User avatar
Windows on Washington
Posts: 5311
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Honest Advice Pls - Replacement Windows Austin TX

#12 Post by Windows on Washington »

windows4tx wrote:If the online form would let me contact him without giving my home address I would do it. Any other way to contact him?
HomeSealed wrote:viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5234
3rd post down, click his get a quote button. No obligation, no pressure, I promise. Great guy. :D
The home address feature is only to verify that the contractor in question covers that area. I assure that the information is not distributed beyond that and in this particular case (i.e. via the web forums) it is a very direct communication between you and the contractor.

These type of connections are exclusive to the contributing contractors.

Post Reply