I need new replacement windows.

[DRH1175]

I am looking to put in some high quaility replacement windows. About 10 years ago I put in replacement windows from the box store. About $130 a piece. They are so drafty so this time around I want high quaility windows and not crappy ones. Any recomendations?

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Pella!!!

[Bluegill1510]

The key question is, what are you willing to spend? And what does the wifey want as in vinyl or wooded? My dad has been a carpenter for 40 years or so, and there really isnt a stand out company because they are all good and well known (Anderson, Pella, Thermo-tech, Marvin), its pretty much what your willing to spend and works with your house. You can't go wrong with Anderson though they always seem to be the best window quality wise, durable, and price wise. Marvin is a good but high in price and geared towards more a wood interior home, Pella also a good window nothing wrong with them (unless you have something against Iowa), and Thermo-tech makes a good window too, sorta a newer company out of Sauk Rapids/St. Cloud. So Pick your poison

[Surface Tension]

Big Box brands get a bad rap only because they offer low-high end of windows available to the DIY'er. So yes there are good and not so good windows. A good contractor is going to use a window from a company they proven to have a quality product.

Having said that I've installed hundreds of replacement windows. I recommend Walsh Windows from Duluth. Much of those replacements went into double hungs with weight pockets.

When we were done there was not a hint of cold coming from the window.

A replacement is only as good as the install, old jamb and the insulation between that jamb and RO.

[UdeLakeTom]

We just put in Pellas from a box stores...they weren't low end, but they weren't high buck. The old saying is you get what you pay for.

My son-in-law is a remodeler, so that kinda helped. He knew what he was looking for and helped with the installation. So far I am satisfied. One heck of a lot less draft.

[Esox_Magnum]

I'm a carpenter and from what we have seen the last couple years I would shy away from Pellas. You will know the Pella service guys by name. We put Pellas in a recent remodle and even when Pella came and took measurements they still came wrong and took months to get. You would think on a $300K sale they would try harder.

I grew up in Iowa and have many friends that work for Pella, most buy Andersons.

[crothmeier]

yeah, not gonna get a reccommendation on pella here. or any box-store junk. you get what you pay for with windows.

i've sold and been around various window brands over the past years and here's my votes:

Vinyl: Thermo-Tech (out of St. Cloud)

Wood/vinyl Clad: Anderson (out of Bayport)

Wood/Aluminum Clad: Marvin(Warroad, MN) or Eagle(Dubuque, IA)

I put the Thermo-Techs in my house last fall, they are less expensive than the wood brands, but offer a great warranty. I do believe they have a $25 per window rebate goign on right now in addition to the government energy tax credit of up to $1,500. I doubt you will meet specs though with a $100 to qualify for the tax credit. Head to a local lumberyard or two and get info from their sales departments. they will be knowledgeable, and could even get the manufactures rep to talk to you if you so wish.

Dont overlook proper installation. A million dollar window can perform worse than a saran-wrapped and duct tape job if not installed correctly. flashing and sealant and making sure you are square and plumb are just as important as what glass is in the window.

[marine_man]

I have used Marvin Intergrity brand and Thermotech in my home.

The integritys are nice... seal up well in the Winter and are decent window. The biggest problem I had with them is that my rough opening sizes were way too big for the closest integrity and we ended up doing a bunch of drywall work, which I'd rather avoid.

In the bedroom's we've opted to go with (and have installed 2 so far) Thermotech windows, which we have been very happy with. I was hesistant to go with a vinyl window due to the insulation factor in the frame; but only noted condensation on the trim when it was near or below 0 (and we have electric heat). The windows were made to my rough opening size and installation was a snap.

marine_man

[jerkbait]

Marvin/Infinity windows are a good replacement window. Same construction as Integrity but made to fit the rough openings. We have Marvins in our house on the lake and one wall is almost all windows and last winter when it would be 15-20 below zero you could stand right next to the windows and not feel any cold at all. I was very impressed compared to the vinly windows we used to have in our past house.

[Down Deep]

Having said that I've installed hundreds of replacement windows. I recommend Walsh Windows from Duluth. Much of those replacements went into double hungs with weight pockets.

When we were done there was not a hint of cold coming from the window.

20 years ago I replaced my windows with Walsh and they are still in excellent condition with all hardware working and weather strips tight. I foresee no need to replace these windows for years to come.

[11-87]

Through BAM, a building organization, you might be able to get some money from project Re energize. maybe check with your local builing association.

as far as brands of windows, look at the vinyl thickness, R value, and air infiltration. Remember only to meet the Energy code for tax credit all that a window needs is a piece of glass that passes. A window is more than a piece of Glass. If your getting double hungs, or single hungs, take a dollar bill and put it between the two sashes. Lock the sashes. If you can pull the bill through it, your looking at money going right out the window. If it tears, you got a good sealing window.

MY $.02

[KG243]

I have the Thermo-Tech in my house we put in last fall and they are great windows. They are a good window and when I worked at a lumber yard they were really supported by the company because thermo tech had such great cs.

[LMITOUT]

Does anyone have an opinion on Comfort World windows?