Replacement windows near Kansas City
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Replacement windows near Kansas City
We are looking to replace 13 double hung windows and one sliding patio door. These are our favorite options thus far. We’ve had several bids for Provia Endure, but this was by far the best price. The highest was $25,000.
Our house faces east and west with lots of sun and no shade. We also live south of Kansas City, so we get a lot of strong winds as well.
In terms of build quality, I’d rank the SoftLite as the best we’ve seen, with the Great Lakes and Provia tied for second. The Simonton looks good on paper, but the installer wasn’t great about answering questions.
Are we on the right track? We’re leaning SoftLite, but we also liked the Provia Endure which is much more affordable.
Option 1 - $21,828
Great Lakes Comfort Smart
Triple Pane
U-factor: .20
SHGC: .20
Visible Transmittance: .36
Condensation Resistance: 57
Air Infiltration <= .30
Energy Star 7 Rebate Eligible
Aluminum Cladding Install
Double Lifetime Warranty incl. glass breakage and install
Option 2 - $19,000
SoftLite Elements
Double Pane
U-factor: .26
SHGC: .26
Visible Transmittance: .48
Condensation Resistance: 58
Air Infiltration <= .01
Energy Star 6 Not Rebate Eligible
Aluminum Cladding Install
Double lifetime warranty incl. glass breakage and install
Only company to use W2 installers instead of subcontractors
Option 3 - $18,728
Simonton 6500
Double Pane
Still waiting on NFRC values as designer only had old material for Energy Star 6 line
Energy Star 7 Rebate Eligible
Aluminum Cladding Install
Lifetime warranty on frame and hardware
10 years glass
3 years glass breakage
Soft lifetime warranty on install
Option 4 - $16,543
Provia Endure
Double Pane
U-factor: .27
SHGC: .21
Visible Transmittance: .47
Condensation Resistance: 60
Air Infiltration <= .05
Energy Star 6 Not Rebate Eligible
New wood trim instead of alclad
Double lifetime warranty incl. glass breakage
10 year warranty on install
Our house faces east and west with lots of sun and no shade. We also live south of Kansas City, so we get a lot of strong winds as well.
In terms of build quality, I’d rank the SoftLite as the best we’ve seen, with the Great Lakes and Provia tied for second. The Simonton looks good on paper, but the installer wasn’t great about answering questions.
Are we on the right track? We’re leaning SoftLite, but we also liked the Provia Endure which is much more affordable.
Option 1 - $21,828
Great Lakes Comfort Smart
Triple Pane
U-factor: .20
SHGC: .20
Visible Transmittance: .36
Condensation Resistance: 57
Air Infiltration <= .30
Energy Star 7 Rebate Eligible
Aluminum Cladding Install
Double Lifetime Warranty incl. glass breakage and install
Option 2 - $19,000
SoftLite Elements
Double Pane
U-factor: .26
SHGC: .26
Visible Transmittance: .48
Condensation Resistance: 58
Air Infiltration <= .01
Energy Star 6 Not Rebate Eligible
Aluminum Cladding Install
Double lifetime warranty incl. glass breakage and install
Only company to use W2 installers instead of subcontractors
Option 3 - $18,728
Simonton 6500
Double Pane
Still waiting on NFRC values as designer only had old material for Energy Star 6 line
Energy Star 7 Rebate Eligible
Aluminum Cladding Install
Lifetime warranty on frame and hardware
10 years glass
3 years glass breakage
Soft lifetime warranty on install
Option 4 - $16,543
Provia Endure
Double Pane
U-factor: .27
SHGC: .21
Visible Transmittance: .47
Condensation Resistance: 60
Air Infiltration <= .05
Energy Star 6 Not Rebate Eligible
New wood trim instead of alclad
Double lifetime warranty incl. glass breakage
10 year warranty on install
- TheWindowNerd
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
I would go with option 2
theWindowNerd
theWindowNerd
- Windows on Washington
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
+1
Option 2 is the leader in the clubhouse.
Option 2 is the leader in the clubhouse.
Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
I can tell with confidence that the Soft Lite " Elements" is the clear winner by a huge margin. Looks like you have an easy choice.
- HomeSealed
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
+1, Softlite Elements is in a class of its own here, easy choice.
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
Thanks for the replies everyone. Can someone speak as to why the SoftLite’s are so much better? I thought they were better constructed, but the NFRC numbers are pretty comparable to the Provia Endure.
I guess, what am I not seeing here?
I guess, what am I not seeing here?
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
Imagine two buildings that look similar but one is built with a much more solid foundation.
Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
If you were to look at them side by side, open them, operate them , look at the details you would then know. If you were to install them you would know more.vettefan1953 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:11 pm Thanks for the replies everyone. Can someone speak as to why the SoftLite’s are so much better? I thought they were better constructed, but the NFRC numbers are pretty comparable to the Provia Endure.
I guess, what am I not seeing here?
You could pretty much throw these in an opening with no shims or screws and they would perform better than a cheap window trying your best to get
It right.
- Windows on Washington
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
+1 Todd.
There is much you learn about a product from installing it.
There is much you learn about a product from installing it.
- HomeSealed
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- Location: Milwaukee, Madison, SE Wisconsin
Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
Great feedback above.
Additionally, the advantage in the ratings (air leakage, design pressure, U value with like glass) is not insignificant in favor of the Elements. A few points in each area is a larger difference than you may think, and is really indicative of the quality of the engineering and build of the product. While anecdotal, Todd's comments about installing are spot on as well.
Additionally, the advantage in the ratings (air leakage, design pressure, U value with like glass) is not insignificant in favor of the Elements. A few points in each area is a larger difference than you may think, and is really indicative of the quality of the engineering and build of the product. While anecdotal, Todd's comments about installing are spot on as well.
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
Thanks for everyone’s help. We pulled the trigger on the Soft-Lite.
Another quick question, what is the preferred install? Aluminum cladding or new wood trim?
Another quick question, what is the preferred install? Aluminum cladding or new wood trim?
- Windows on Washington
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- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
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Re: Replacement windows near Kansas City
You don't have to paint the cladding.