We have decided to replace our 26 year old windows. I have decided against vinyl windows and have got quotes from Anderson Renewal, Pella and Marvin. After reviewing the three quotes I am more confused then ever.

If the salesmen had spent less time on bashing each others product and spent more time on selling the windows I may feel better about what to purchase.

I think I am going to have to sleep many nights on this. Does anyone else have any experience?

 

Glad wrap stretched on wood frames!

 

My experience is not with replacement windows, but with new windows/doors when we built our house 15 years ago, I could not be happier with Anderson. They perform exceptionally, look great, and are priced below Pella and Marvin. We also have Anderson doors, and as I related in a previous thread, we had trouble with the vinyl on the exterior of 3 sliders coming off due to faulty adhesive. Even though we were well over the 10 year guarantee period, Anderson replaced them free of charge. Our only expense was having the interior stained.

I don't think you can go wrong with Anderson. (I even stayed in a Holiday Inn Express one night in Beatrice, Nebraska!)

 

I think we stayed there once......it didn't help!

 

David,

I would HIGHLY recommend that you LOOK into Oxford windows.

When we replaced our windows the salesperson came to our house and did a VERY impressive demonstration as to why their triple pained, quadruple coated, argon filled windows are better and more efficient than the other popular brands. He had miniature samples of their windows as well as dual pained, double coated windows like the competition. He used a heat lamp do demonstrate both the summer and winter benefit of their efficiency. It was very impressive to feel the lack of heat entry (summer) or heat loss (winter).

Additionally, they guarantee a reduction in your first years utility bills by 20% (if I remember correctly) or they will pay the difference (putting their money where their mouth is).

Our house is in a rural preservation area of Fairfax County but we are in the flight path as planes often fly directly over or near our house on their approach to Dulles Airport (IAD) at about 3,000 feet (sometimes less, down to about 2,400 feet). The first thing that we both noticed on day one: Was how much quieter our house was. We did see a dramatic reduction in our electric bill as our house is all electric.

I feel strongly that it they have a dealer / location in your area that if you see their demo, it will make a believer out of you, as it did us.

That is my .02

 

I have a long time friend that did that in his old house and when I asked him if he noticed any difference? He answered: Well, my neighbors told me that for the first time in forty years the creek behind his house froze.

 

I have tall, skinny casements and the previous aluminum clad wood windows were prone to warping. All the seals were blown and some were twisted so much that you couldn't latch them without someone pushing them from the outside. Many of the crank handles had to be replaced over the years from too much stress trying to latch the warped windows. Some of the cladding was pulling away and the wood was rotting underneath. I went with Marvin fiberglass replacements. The fiberglass frames are very rigid. Much more so than the vinyl that all the other salesmen were pushing. (I could actually flex some of the vinyl window samples.) I've found I can run my humidifier at a much higher setting in the winter as these windows don't sweat like the old ones. Drafts are all but gone. The house is much quieter now too. It has been about 6 years now, and I am very happy.

 

I liked the Marvin windows but the salesman was a complete turnoff. I am leaning towards Anderson but I need to work on their price.

 

We replaced our entire house in one swoop with Anderson. It was $12k. They really are great windows.

 

I have used Anderson windows in the past. Worth the money.