Me, too, Dedtired! We are currently getting quotes to replace our windows. Two of the local companies (Orlando, FL) carry Simonton windows. One of those companies also carries PGT and Andersen. PGT makes great windows but they are intended for coastal areas that have storm-rating building codes we don't have. They also did not recommend the Andersens for our environment.

We also talked with a Florida manufacturer called NewSouth, who claim they are the only people on the planet who know how to make a window to withstand the FL climate. They also cost a bunch more, even though they are "factory direct - no middleman" (uh-huh).

So, we've just tried to educate ourselves as much as possible by seeing what brands are being sold in our area and checking the BBB and Angie's List for reviews of the manufacturers and the local installers. Angie's List is free now for the basic membership.

Donna

If Simonton is the same as Certainteed, I would NOT recommend them. I have them in my house and they are horrible. The glass needs to be replaced frequently (at least 2 or 3 windows every year) due to condensation forming between the panes. I have to pay labor every single time, to an independent contractor as they don't service them themselves after a 5-year period. I really regret using choosing those windows.

I used Milgard in my kitchen remodel and office and love them! They also carry a lifetime warranty, but I haven't had to use it yet. Not sure if they carry them in your area.

Thanks, Donna. I was surprised to see that Consumer Reports rates Simonton, Reliabilt (Lowe's) and American Craftsmen by Anderson (Home Depot) as their top three picks in vinyl. Big box store windows do not appeal to me. For hot weather they recommend Reliabilt. This is from their October 2014 issue, the last time they did a feature on replacement windows. I have another installer coming on Wednesday and they carry Soft-Lite and Ideal windows. I want to get this right since it is rather expensive.

Jelly, I have Simonton in my den windows and the center window, which is one large pane and does not open, got condensation in it. However, it must have been under warranty because they replaced it at no cost. They sent out their own guy to do it.

Somethings I read say that replacement windows are only good for ten or 15 years. Can that be? My current wood windows and triple track storm/screens have been in the house for nearly 70 years. Unfortunately they are now drafty, hard to clean and have to be caulked around each pane when painted.

I will look into Milgard

Homepro, that was my reaction to the CR recommendations. The Windows Forum is kind of overwhelming but I am reading there, too.

My warranty covered labor and materials for five years. After that, I had to pay labor charges which are substantial. I was ignorant when I replaced my windows and I had no idea that warranty would play such an important role in my choice. They were here frequently replacing panes of glass and yes, they used their own in-house service tech for the first several years. Last time I called for replacement panes, they told me they would no longer service my home and repairs are handled by other independent installers. I'm not sure if they changed their policy or if they stop servicing clients after a given number of years. They don't even handle the request for service! For replacement, I have to contact one of their independent vendors and handle it myself. If I recall, I was quoted a $125.00 labor charge for replacing one pane. I have several right now that need to be replaced but I'm balking at the price.

I think I might have been happier if my replacement windows lasted fifteen years! Instead, they began failing pretty much immediately. IMO, i got a crappy product made worse by a crappy warranty and crappy service (though the initial in-house service was fine). Which is why I chose Milgard when I got to the kitchen and office. I hope I can replace all the others with Milgard in the near future, too.

I will look at the warranty very carefully. So sorry for your problems.

We just replaced a 8 foot slider and two adjacent windows. The "original" vinyls were from 1991 or so, and the seal had broken (lots of spider webs between the panes!). We went with a local glass contractor with a great reputation... and I gave no thought to the brand of windows! They are Certainteed and do not at all feel like the quality (at least the door and handle) of our previous set. I am crossing my fingers that they work well and last a long time!

Our vinyl replacement windows for the whole house were installed yesterday, and they are amazing. The house is noticeably quieter and warmer. They are Soft Lite Imperial white double hung with full screen.

I posted on the Windows forum, and they recommended a couple of brands including Soft Lite, Sunrise, and one or two others I can not remember. In the end it came down to how we felt about the installers which turned out to be a great crew. In fact we bought exterior doops (Pro Via) and siding which will be installed next week.

The pros on the Windows forum have said it really comes down to the installers and the reputation of the company. They're coming out today to finish up the exterior trim and to put on the new slider.

I can take some pictures if you want.

I know 2 people here who have used Window World. Don't know if you have them in your area. I know it's a tacky-sounding name. DD put them on her house. I was totally impressed with their work and workmanship. She had half of her windows done one year and the other half the next. The front windows (east-facing) obviously get a lot of sun and they recommended a higher-E-value for those than the one that was in her carport and one bath window on the north side, for example, saving her some money. Construction was the same, just a slightly different glass. They cleaned up perfectly inside and out.

That's good to hear, Outside! In my area Window World does not have a great reputation.

The two companies we've been talking with both have double lifetime warranties on the windows and the labor to fix or replace anything covered under the warranty.

Donna

Check out Marvin's Integrity line. Fiberglass instead of vinyl and really nice quality for not a ton of money. One of the nice touches is the lack of super intricate ridges and valleys on the frame, so it doesn't fill up with dust. Just a nice smooth piece of trim.

http://www.marvin.com/integrity

Please do yourself a favor and stay away from replacements by Andersen, learn from my mistake! They are all great on the sales side, but the product quality, installation, and service are awful. In my opinion they are downright fraudulent because they charge extra for custom sizing, then deliver and install "close-enough" sizes and just use wood fillers to close the openings left over. They did this with BOTH my custom slider (a four inch wood filler strip at the top), and with my $5K "custom" bay window, which has wood filler strips on both sides. The crew made at least four trips to the local home depot for wood strips trying to make those small windows go in the bigger openings. And they left the patched-in wood raw, not even primed for paint, and called it good. Unbelievable compared to the sales pitch.

Of course, I complained and the manager came out to review, said they were just fine! Oh, and the reveals on most of the windows were so uneven side-to-side that the manager took issue with that, himself, and sent another crew to adjust those as much as could be done (given that they weren't made to size to begin with). Do not let Andersen near your house, be warned!

Merry, I have Certainteed in my kitchen and then have been fine for 13 years. Like you, I just let the contractor pick them.

Iowa, I have another company coming tomorrow to give a quote. Their company installs Soft Lite and I have read good reviews. Glad you are happy with them. I am looking forward to hearing less from outside. There is a busy road about a block and a half away and sometime I can hear the traffic. I hope this quote is within my budget.

Outside, we do have Window World. I know nothing about them but I agree that the name is dorky!

Karin, there is another store near me that sells and installs Marvin. I have heard good things.

Smiling, no Anderson for me. So sorry you are not happy with the work. What a disappointment after such a big expense.

Simonton was highly praised with the Window forum and rated best with JD Powers back in 2007 when we used them for our vinyl replacement windows. We haven't had any problems with them. In fact, we've had foundation problems that were recently fixed. One window was in the middle of a lot of the foundation issues (brick cracked and sheet-rock cracks around this window and then fixed with the foundation repair. The window it's self never suffered any damage.

Interesting, Monica. I have one set of Simonton windows. The large center pane fogged up and had to be replaced. Their customer service was excellent. The top part of a double hung window slides down a bit unless the window is locked. I have to say that of the three brands already in my house -- Simonton, Certainteed and Viwinco, the Simontons have been the most problematic, although nothing major.

Dedtired, are you in central Florida? We just signed a contract with FAS last night. They sell Simonton windows, and have a good rating with both the BBB and Angie's list. Their sales guy was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. I emailed him a list of questions around 10 pm one night and he wrote back in a few minutes.

Donna

I suppose with Window World, the work may depend on the franchise. The local outfit is run by a husband-wife team who runs a pretty tight outfit and has a very good reputation as far as I can tell. They have been in the business locally for several years iirc, based on their advertising I see on tv, and at home shows and I've not seen any complaints when DD was shopping for her windows.

We do have a hot, humid climate, although Florida has it's own challenges with storms & salt water, especially if on the coast.

I had another fellow come out this morning and I was very impressed with his knowledge, his product and his price. His company sells a line that is manufactured for them. He brought a sample along. He carries Ideal Majestic windows that are made to the specs of his company. I like that the window they provide is not quite as wide as many of the others. FYI, I live in the Philadelphia suburbs. We get all kinds of weather but generally not to the extremes of other places.

We just had our 37 windows replaced this week! After reading a ton on the windows forum, I chose Okna windows. Love them so far!

Pippie, are you windows double hung? If so, how wide is the vinyl from the wood trim on the right or left? Is it more than three inches? Okna seem to get the best reviews.

Thanks so much! Okna windows are manufactured not far from where I live, so they are a real possibility for me. Lots of good reviews!

I can't recommend vinyl windows at all. When plans were to replace windows in my house, research was done into windows for over a year before a final decision was made. Had discussions with some of the very best contractors who post here on the Windows board, as well as discussions with local vendors. After this extensive research, it was decided to definitely not replace with vinyl windows because of too many negatives.

Wish I could afford to consider something else. I even thought about having my 70 year old windows repaired but I think they would still be drafty. If i had an architecturally beautiful or historic house, I would not get vinyl. Unfortunately I live in a brick box.