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Building a HomeWindowsDesign Dilemma
lorakaiser

Aluminum windows?

7 years ago

We are building a house above the snow line. Window budget is $100k for a 4,000 square foot house. Trying to have a more contemporary feel so I love metal windows. I know there are thermal issues with heat transfer on typical metal windows so there are only a few (ie. $$$$) that will work. What are some recommendations for brands to consider? I would be open to clad windows, but want lower profile interior. Looking at Sierra Pacific clad windows (which we have now and exterior finish doesn't hold up and warranty work has been poor), Western (super expensive), Marvin Modern, Anderson 400 (recommendations for E or A series?), Kolbe.

Featured Answer
  • 7 years ago

    To close the loop on this thread and offer the information I received in this process to anyone who may need it....


    We looked at most window manufacturers for this project and ended up with JeldWen Siteline with a number of customizations/upgrades for the windows. This ended up being the most cost effective, but also achieves the more contemporary look were were going for, despite the additional upgrade costs. For the bi-fold doors and large sliders we went with LaCantina. They offer better door operationally for the larger openings. The window upgrades included upgraded exterior finish and extended exterior jambs (to inset the windows on the exterior, the added dimension is a nice detail). We are also having interior sashes and frames factory painted black to appear as though they are metal windows.


    -Fleetwood and Western. These are true metal windows. Due to our exposure we needed thermal protected and this priced us out of the ballpark. Nearly double the other options.


    -Pella. Our builder has always had bad experience with quality and responsiveness with maintenance issues so we didn't even bid them.


    -Marvin and Kolbe. Just plain expensive. We were able to get same look with better exterior finish at a lower price with JeldWen


    -Andersen. Concerned about exterior finish quality. We bid them, they were reasonably within budget, but felt the upgraded JeldWen offered a better product at the same price.


    -Sierra Pacific. We have this product at our current house. We have been disappointed with the quality - exterior finish scratches easily and has gotten chalky in many spots, hardware is of poor quality and has broken after 5 years, not responsive to warranty issues. And they were more expensive.


    Again, this is just our experience and intended to help the others out there who may be in the midst of all this as well. Some may have different experiences or opinions.

    Comments (19)

    • 7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      We have Fleetwood in our house and they are beautiful. Our Fleetwood quote was also less than Western and I thought they were nicer.

    • 7 years ago

      You are all over the map. Sierra Pacific, Marvin Modern, Andersen E, and Kolbe are all extruded aluminum clad with a wood interior. Andersen 400 series is vinyl wrapped/wood interior and Western is an all extruded aluminum window (interior and exterior) window. What is the look you are going for, and interior finish ideas as the styles are a bit different as well?

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    • 7 years ago

      I did Pella Proline in WI. Wood core aluminum clad. Custom color, internal grilles, cranking casements, I think I averaged (very roughly) ~$500 per window installed

    • 7 years ago

      millworkman The house is ecclectic on the interior - best described as mountain industrial like you would find in some of the newer stuff in Wyoming and Montana. It has steel, reclaimed wood floors, some natural stone, but smooth finish walls. I want a modern window. I prefer metal windows, but fear they will be cost-prohibitive and the thermal loss is a real issue. The lines that have a thermal barrier are VERY pricey (Western was over $150k for a window package for the whole house). Are you aware of a line that is more reasonably priced, but also has thermal barrier?


      Given the budget issue, I'm forced to consider aluminum clad (lower cost and better thermal values). I've just come across the vinyl/composite and wood option. Haven't seen them in person, but I'm afraid they will look plastic and cheap. Thoughts on best clad windows for a modern look?

    • 7 years ago

      kayce03 Do you have snow at your house? I was under the impression Fleetwood was only for temperate climates because of the thermal loss.

    • 7 years ago

      Marvin Ultimates and or Modern. Kolbe Vistalux.

      lorakaiser thanked millworkman
    • 7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Marvin Modern are aluminum interior with fiberglass exterior. No wood. Triple pane optional with ufactors that can be very low. Very thin sitelines.

      They are pricey, but if you can afford it, I think its exactly what you are looking for.

    • 7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      "Marvin Modern are aluminum interior with fiberglass exterior."


      No they are not! Ultimates and Modern are both either all wood or wood clad extruded aluminum. Integrity are either Wood Ultrex (fiberglass with wood interior) or All Ultrex. Marvin does not make an aluminum / fiberglass combo.

    • 7 years ago

      " No they are not! Ultimates and Modern are both either all wood or wood clad extruded aluminum. Integrity are either Wood Ultrex (fiberglass with wood interior) or All Ultrex. Marvin does not make an aluminum / fiberglass combo."


      I think you are confusing Marvin Modern with Marvin Contemporary. The Marvin Modern line does not contain any wood. It is a brand new line just released by Marvin this year. They cost about 25-30% more than Marvin Ultimates or Contemporary line.

    • 7 years ago

      Your correct James, my apolgies.

    • 7 years ago

      I'm also interested in Marvin Modern as an option on a mountain home project. Is anyone familiar with this new line and how it compares to aluminum wiondows (e.g. to Reynaers, Zola, etc.) in terms of performance and price, etc.

    • 7 years ago

      This is a brand new window still being rolled out, so it is going to be hard to find much feedback on it, and i'm guessing most local contractors probably haven't even used it yet. As far as performance, it is a decent upgrade in U-Value over Marvin's Aluminum Clad Wood Windows (Ultimate line). I'm not sure about how it compares to those other brands, but if they are all-aluminum they are going to be the worst option performance wise, worse than aluminum clad. Marvin Modern may compare better to high-end vinyl windows for performance specs, with a much better aesthetic. However, my hunch is it will be one of the most expensive options.

    • PRO
      7 years ago

      Pella recently introduced a contemporary option through their Architect series line. That's also a low profile solid wood window with aluminum clad exterior. They also offer an optional black stained interior, which is a nice modern look that hides the frame well on the interior. Marvin's Modern is also an attractive window, but more pricey.

    • PRO
      7 years ago

      Fleetwood

      2018-19 El Dorado Hills Ridgeview Village · More Info

      2018-19 El Dorado Hills Ridgeview Village · More Info

    • 7 years ago

      Following

    • 7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      lorakaiser - sorry I just saw this. I'm in Hawai`i so no snow :) . But I'm pretty sure they are fine for snow, depending on which series you choose.

    • 7 years ago

      What about https://www.weathershield.com ? They looked pretty nice at the demo...

      Not sure about the prices.

    • 7 years ago

      Sounds like she has already ordered them but Weathershield would never appear on any list of quality windows in my opinion.

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