Curious on windows

12 years ago

For reference, our build will be in $450-500k range with our lot being $65k additional. This is for ~3500 square foot home that I would consider mid range for a custom home (I.e. mostly brick, all hardwood flooring on both levels, inset cabinets, etc but no super high end finishes). Our builder bid Andersen 200 windows but when we saw them we weren't super impressed with them as a wood window bc we thought there was still a lot of plastic on the interior sides. So we priced Marvin Integrity windows but they came back $6-8k more than Andersens and we really need to save not add at this point. So since we are doing white interiors anyway, we thought about going with a nice quality vinyl window and my husband can add extra wood casing around the windows so would you really notice they are vinyl windows by the time you add that extra trim, blinds and window treatments. Going with the Simonton Brickmould 600 will save $12k from the Andersen 200s. My husband says lots of people in the subdivision have vinyl windows. We will be middle of the road home - some may be a little cheaper than ours but some are in the $700k-$1m range. Is the Simonton Brickmould 600 a good choice for this price range of home? Are more of you doing vinyl or wood windows?

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houses14

12 years ago

I am going to built a custom home and this is my select

http://www.windsorwindows.com/Products/Pinnacle/Clad.page

double hung

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Comments (7)

Aims
12 years ago
We are doing vinyl bc it's easy to care for.
Aims
12 years ago
We are doing vinyl bc it's easy to care for.
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jdez
12 years ago
We went with white vinyl because of its low maintenance but I don't think there is any way to disguise the fact that they are vinyl.
User
12 years ago
PVC is low maintenance until the plasticizers outgas enough to make it brittle and it cracks or shatters; then they must be replaced. I don't recommend PVC if you plan to live in the house for more than 10 years or if resale value is important.

The Andersen 200 is a builder grade wood window with Flexicron paint instead of a cladding and a sill that doesn't have an overhang requiring a sub-sill or it will leak. This is all obvious in the published details but in their description Andersen calls the paint finish "perma-shield" as if it were a cladding and the sill detail will obviously prevent water from dripping clear of the siding allowing it to run back under the sill and enter the wall cladding when the sealant inevitably fails. Sealant is never permanent so it should never be the only protection against leaks. None of Andersen's other windows resembles the 200 in any way. Andersen should be ashamed of it.

It is critically important to install windows that will not need to be replaced or reinstalled before you sell the house or that will reduce the resale value. So, this is not the best place to be cutting quality.

Marvin's all-fiberglass Integrity window is much stronger, better finished and more water-proof than typical PVC windows.

This post was edited by Renovator8 on Sat, Aug 9, 14 at 8:31
ontariomom
12 years ago
We also went with fiberglass windows for the reasons Renovator8 mentioned. Also, the fiberglass windows allowed for a narrower mullion in the centre of the casement windows than vinyl. We are in Canada, and there are three well regarded fiberglass window makers here (Inline, Theromotech Fiberglass and Fibertec). We can also get the Marvin Integrity windows in Canada. They were higher priced than the vinyl we considered for sure.

Carol
jackfre
12 years ago
Back in '93 I made a mistake and went with a vinyl window. They were a complete window and not replacements and were well installed. By the time we sold the house they were ready for replacement. We are just finishing a complete remodel of our current home and went with a premium window with the expectation that they will last. I do understand budget limitations, but from my experience good windows are a must. As stated, how long do you intend to live there?