Window Advice

[Cwntw1]

I will be replacing 16 windows on my house. The windows are 20 years old and builder grade. I will only be in the house for another 2 to 3 years. Not looking to break the bank but also not looking for super cheap. Which brand and model should I consider given the time-frame I plan on being in the house?

[Ricknez]

Window brands could be regional as is pricing ( to an extent). What area are you located in?

[Cwntw1]

Southern Illinois region. About 30 minutes from St Louis, MO.

[Windows on Washington]

Commonly thought of brands to seek out are Soft-Lite, Sunrise (MI), Okna, Polaris, Kensington Quantum 2, Vytex, etc.

[Cwntw1]

I've received quotes for 16 windows from 3 different companies. I need some advice on which one may be best. They all seem good with the Marvin window probably best but at significant higher cost. Marvin sales rep said they have only window where the frame does not cut down on glass size, basically leaving a larger viewing area. I did notice the larger frame in the Simonton windows.

Simonton 5050 - $14,300
Simonton 5500 - $16,500
ProVia Aspect - $16,300
ProVia Endure - $16,800
Soft Lite Classic Plus - $15,300
Soft Lite Pro - $17,000
Marvin Essential - $37,500

[Delaware Mike]

Marvin Essential's being a fiberglass product is virtually all glass (good glass Cardinal). It's almost like the frame and sash perimeter is too small if that's even possible. Fiberglass is much stronger like aluminum, thus doesn't need a more robust frame. I think the locks and design is a little cheap compared to their upper series. A very contemporary looking window and it's just their DH's that I'm not too crazy about. If you have smaller windows and don't want to lose glass, it's about the most glass one can obtain.

Soft-Lite Pro optioned with Super Spacer is a decent window that I used to do with good results. An older platform, but tried and true. Their Imperial and Elements are more advanced. ProVia is selling to a lot of supply houses and roofers these days and some of the installs that I come across are very brutal with the finish work locally in my market.

[Windows on Washington]

Definitely some truth there in comparison to the bulkier/fatter frames on some windows (Simonton being one of the largest offenders) but not much story there is you compare it to a narrower framed vinyl offering.

The Sunrise, narrower Soft-Lites, and Oknas will all have similar VT numbers (i.e. frame sizes) to the Marvin Elevate/Essentials in that case. To chose that window on that basis alone, would therefore be flawed. If, however, you like the wood interior (Elevate) or just want a fiberglass window, that is different calculus.

[HomeSealed]

Personally I'm not excited about any of these.

Of that list, my only considerations would be the softlite pro and the Marvin, both with caveats.

For SL, the Pro is the lowest I'd go in their lineup. The Elite (Imperial/LS), and Elements models are much better. You'd be well-served to try and get a quote on one of those.

For the Marvin, I'd agree with the comments of the other pros, and add that the price premium is out of whack unless the installation type is different. Was that quote for a full frame install vs pockets on the others?
Lastly, that window is really only relevant IMO in a narrow set of circumstances. As WoW alluded to, a slim-framed vinyl window like Okna and Sunrise will obliterate it in terms of performance, particularly air leakage but also thermal ratings. Generally speaking the reason to go with a fiberglass window like Marvin would be aesthetic, but that doesn't really apply to the Essentials. She's not the prettiest girl at the ball.

[Ricknez]

Personally, I have never seen a nice looking fiberglass window. That being said, fiberglass windows have notoriously high air leakage ratings which is a “ no go” with us.

[toddinmn]

Given your time frame and your list, I would go with Classic. It is pretty the same window as the Pro without the sash reinforcement and the Super Spacer. Frankly, any of them would work in that time frame and all probably better then what many builders use.