Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_515252712

Atrium vs Quaker windows

last month

We are building a new home and our builder got quotes for atrium, quaker, and pella window. For cost purposes, we decided against Pella. he recommends the atrium (our bid is for the 150 series) and the specs are all comparable to the Quaker. I cannot find anything online with reviews or personal experiences with Atrium and that makes me pause. Im actually having trouble finding reviews outside of Pella, Andersen, and Marvin. I dont want to hold up ordering our windows but I’m nervous about making a big building mistake for the sake of saving a few thousand dollars. But in this economy, if the quality is comparable, it would help keep the pricing down. However, this is not a spec home so I dont want to treat it as such.

Any experiences that could be helpful???

Comments (9)

  • last month

    Many vinyl windows like Atrium 150 are considered low end products. That means you buy again in a few years and live with poor performance until then. Marvin Essential fiberglass windows may cost more up front until you buy vinyl windows twice.

  • PRO
    last month

    Quality vinyl windows will last as long the Marvin Essentials.

  • last month

    Would you consider Atrium 150s or Quaker V200 a good vinyl or what should i look for?

    We live in the midwest so I am worried about how well the windows will hold up to the hot humid summers and cold/freezing winters.

  • last month

    There probably are some vinyl windows that may last as long as fiberglass. Which ones are they? And which are the lower quality replaceable ones? Quaker has various quality levels. including a metal reinforced vinyl window line. Price it out, if you want. Then compare that price to Marvin Essential. You get to make the choice. Imo, vinyl is not a preferred frame material for longevity. It is mainly an easy and less expensive way to make windows.

  • last month

    Appreciate your input. Will be doing a bit more legwork before ordering.

  • PRO
    last month

    @HU-515252712


    I wouldn't consider either of the vinyl units indicated as higher quality units. That air leakage number on the one product is a 0.27 per their data sheet and that only seems terribly when you compare it to competitive windows in the same operator style that are a 0.01.


    Not attempting to turn this into a "$%*^" contest between vinyl and FG, but the claim that a well engineered and quality vinyl window won't last as long as FG is largely product brochure speak. As a percentage of their base materials marketplace, are their more crappy vinyl windows than FG...absolutely.


    That said, if you looked at the top 10 double hung windows in an aggregate rating of Design Pressure, thermal performance, and air infiltration, I'd hazard a guess that 70% of them would be in vinyl. Would either of the two vinyl products listed above be on that short list...also no.


    Vinyl windows are a bit more regional in nature sometimes, but some of the quality products are Soft-Lite, Okna, Anlin, Sunrise (MI), Polaris, HomeGuard, etc.


    I am a fan of the FG products from Marvin by the way. Just attempting to let the data be the data is all here.

  • last month

    +1 WoW comment. You can take that reply to the bank.

  • last month

    " Would you consider Atrium 150s or Quaker V200 a good vinyl "


    Absolutely not, both are the bottom of the food chain in ANY series. Follow W.o.W.'s advice above.

  • last month

    Appreciate all the thoughtful input. Thanks!