Replacement Window Blues

8 years ago

Trying to choose new windows is worse than I ever imagined it could be. Please help.

TL;DR
Puget Sound/Seattle area home
Need new windows to improve comfort
Quoted $1,400/window for Simonton Madeira
Quoted $1,200/window for Ply Gem 2
Quoted $800/window for Insignia e2 (aka AMI casement window with upgrades)
Quoted $500/window for Revere Berkshire Elite (same AMI casement without upgrades)
Almost decided on Milgard Tuscany windows but had a junky feel upon testing
Alside has had a bad rap in past but the Insignia seemed like a nice hefty window
Not sure what to do now, curious abut Champion but unsure if it's worth the time
Advice?

The Full Story

My family and I moved into a 1983 two story home last September. After a very drafty winter we are looking for ways to improve comfort in our home. We already have plans to foam insulate under the floor which has many bats of fiberglass insulation falling down and we are going to do some work in the attic. There's no getting around it however, our old aluminum windows, despite being double pain are incredibly chill inducing.

Unfortunately, living in Washington, our choices for quality window companies seem few. I've read many of the blogs and have found the preferred window brands unavailable in our area. For example, Soft-lite, Sunrise and Okna are all unavailable in our area.

We started by having someone come by to give a quote but this guy turned out to be a salesman who tried selling us a Simonton Madiera (which seems like a fine window) for almost $1,400/window.

We quickly learned that this is the norm as we had another come by and offer us Ply Gem 2 windows for nearly $1,200/window. Again, the window seems OK but that price seems crazy.

Most recently we had a rep from Apex come by and he offered an AMI window that comes with a lot of upgrades (they call it Insignia) for about $800/window. This was their promo home rate which I don't really know what I think about that.

I have a quote for the same window sold under the Revere brand. This quote comes from Window Universe which are the same guys that run the blog "The Window Dog." I've found that blog to be a great resource and they seem to know their stuff. But the reviews of Window Universe are not very good. So while they seem knowledgeable it seems they have some kinks to work out with their installers. That quote was the lowest I've seen btw, $490/window.

I know Alside windows don't have the best reputation but the sample that the Apex guy brought over was actually one of the nicer vinyl windows I've gotten to mess with. I had all but decided on Milgard at one point but I tried them out at Home Depot and they seemed really flimsy, very light and the sash wobbled as it went up and down. An installer ball-parked me $600-$800/window for Milgards installed. He was a straight-up installer, no marketing or salespeople.

The other window sold in our area that I've been told is good quality is Champion but I know they only sell through their dealers and I really don't want to go through another 3 hour spiel only to end up with another $30,000 quote.

So now, I have no idea what to do. The window I see get the best reviews that is available in our is Milgard but they were somewhat flimsy feeling, especially compared to the Alside window we tried. Am I missing something about Milgard? Any advice?

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Comments (5)

jeffpad
8 years ago
Might you be able to inform the board on your needed window sizes? Do you want casement windows or single / double hung units? What color and do you want and are the grids on the glass, between the glass or no grids at all ? Simonton Madria and Milgard Tuscany series make a good product here on the West coast. My advise is to shy away from the box type of stores and focus on a smaller company that will sell and install these products. Visit their showrooms and bring your approx. sizes to them, you will receive a much more focused and informed pricing.
Boris Horse thanked jeffpad
Boris Horse
Original Author
8 years ago
Sure Jeff. Thanks for commenting. I want mostly casement windows with a couple sliders. I plan to buy white windows but could be swayed if the right color came along. Most of the windows will have grids. I have no preference whether they are between the glass or outside. (Outside looks nicer but inside is less to clean IMO.)

Casement Windows

18) 22' x 46'

1) 26' x 80'

Double Casement Windows

2) 44' x 46'

Sliders

2) 44' x 46'

2) 48' x 30'

I have largely leaned away from Home Depot and Lowes only going in to try the feel of Pella and Milgard windows. I intend to use an old school contractor/installer and am trying to avoid the sales oriented folks (Apex, Renewal, etc) now that I know they exist.
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jeffpad
8 years ago
Grids between the glass is the most cost effective. Any color other than white or a tan / almond color will cost much more. Again visit a smaller company showroom and ask for a quote .
Bethany Dellagnello
6 years ago
Boris Horse--If you are still active, I'd love to know what you decided to do as I am now experiencing this dilemma, as well.
Di Brown
6 years ago
Bethany, same here - I am also in Western WA, and most of the product lines I wanted were not available here. Finally ended up deciding to buy the Revere and have a local contractor install. That said - I very specifically wanted some exterior color options. If I were willing to accept a more limited color set, I could have obtained Pella 350-series windows via Lowe's and obtained a similar result. Best of luck with your project!