Andersen/soft lite remodel

krycek1984

13 years ago

I posted here a few days ago concerning our remodeling job...we are replacing one window with a sliding door, one window with a regular door, adding two new windows where there previously were none, and replacing a 62" wide triple casement.

We found an excellent window contractor that can take care of this for us, and he showed us many pictures of work he has done in the past like ours.

We were quoted 7900 for the Andersens and 7600 for Soft-lite. Both quotes include a permashield Andersen slider, he said he doesn't like to use pure vinyl sliders. Each quote also contains one 15 lite exterior door and one Andersen contemporary series storm door.

The rest are windows, and all are casements. Putting aside the vinyl v. Wood debate, which product is better? We are going for efficiency, durability, and quality build. We have 3 Andersen 400 series windows at our current house and I love them - hefty feeling, don't leak, and have been durable. But I have no experience with their casements. What do you guys think?

Also, is Andersen permashield sliding door a good door? We were originally thinking frenchwood slider.

Thanks!

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Comments (8)

eastbay10
13 years ago
I also think the Frenchwood is the way to go. Not a fan of the Permashield door. You may as well as have a solid vinyl and pay a lot less.
HomeSealed
13 years ago
I know that you you said "putting aside vinyl vs wood", however that aspect can;t be removed. Wood windows generally look and feel nicer. Premium vinyl like the Softlite offer superior performance and value. Personally, I prefer the latter.
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krycek1984
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm a bit worried about the durability and longevity of vinyl windows. The previous pella wood casements in the house have lasted a good 30 years. I'm looking to repeat that performance and longevity. Do vinyl windows offer that?

The soft lite quote was for imperial last if that makes a difference
HomeSealed
13 years ago
Durability and longevity of a premium vinyl window is a PRO, not a CON. The Imperial LS would certainly fall within that category. 30 years should be no problem.
Today's wood windows take far more TLC in most cases to make it last. We have replaced Pella wood casements just outside of their 10 yr warranty. Softlite and other premium vinyl like Okna and Sunrise are Lifetime.
...Don't get me wrong, wood windows are very nice and are the "right" choice situationaly, however they do not last like they used to without proper maintenance.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
13 years ago
+1

The very idea that vinyl is terrible about its landfill breakdown rate is great for durability.

The LS is one of the best engineered windows out there as well.
krycek1984
Original Author
13 years ago
We are leaning towards soft-lite. I am a bit worried though-contractor told me to contact hq which is very close, to go to a showroom. I called and they said showroom is now closed, gave me number for sales rep. I found that irritating that I have to jump through hoops to get to see the installed windows????

Btw we are leaning towards frenchwood door.
Karateguy
13 years ago
That is disturbing. Softlite has not been honoring their warranty claims on the company that they purchased, so perhaps this is catching up with them. Well made product, but warranty is worthless if the company won't honor it or is out of business. Hopefully that is not the case here.
krycek1984
Original Author
13 years ago
Just an update...we went with Andersen. We strongly considered the soft-lite vinyl but couldn't shake our fear of vinyl windows and their longevity. Plus, we are very satisfied with our Andersen windows in this house so that is the decision we made.

We did andersen 400 casements, Andersen 400 double hungs, and Andersen permashield slider with grills, two ThermaTru fiberglass 15 lite doors, and two Andersen contemporary series single vent full lite storm doors.