new windows

[Mr. Wizard]

I'm going to be replacing the windows at the cabin and am looking for advise on what brand. Marvins seemed way more expensive than the others, I'd like all vinyl and didn't see that Andersons had them with vinyl inside, don't want to go with anything too cheap either. Anyone have Vinylites out of Fergus Falls?

[crothmeier]

Marvin makes a fiberglass product that competes with the vinyl windows out there, not just the metal clad line.

Thermo-Tech out of Sauk Rapids, MN is a good vinyl window and local company. I have them in my house and have liked them so far, have sold a ton with no issues.

Anderson bought a vinyl window company a few years back called Silverline to broaden their marketshare, but eh.... eh is all im going to say.

I have no experience with Vinylite. so cant comment either way. Ive sold some Gerken windows, they seem to be a quality window as well.

[jerkbait]

Integrity by Marvin is the fiberglass ones that crothmier is talking about. They make the the all Ultrex(fiberglass) which is interior and exterior. Way better than any vinyl window I have ever owned.

[no bait nate]

I install around 40-50 windows and doors a week. Marvin windows are more than worth the money. Really no other choice for me.

[cavalierowner]

Before I retired, when we specified windows it was Pella, Andersen or Marvin. All 3 very high quality. Or the H Window if the client had REALLY deep pockets and really wanted a good window. I put new Pella windows in my own home last year. Not replacements; I took out the old windows completely and put in all new Proline that were beefed up to qualify for the tax rebate. Some of the best money I ever spent.

I should add that I never liked the all-vinyl windows that some manufactures had. Seemed like it was the glass that held them together. If I were looking at a vinyl window to save some money, it would be from one of the big 3 manufacturers.

[Smokey]

Last year we had a Vinylite window installed at our cabin. It was actually 6 windows mulled together, the opening that it was installed into was approx 13 ft wide and 8 ft tall. We have been very happy with it, so much that this year I had another (much smaller) window and a sliding patio door replaced with Vinylites. The cabin is in Otter Tail county and I like to support the local businesses as much as possible. Granted, the windows that were replaced were 50 years old, but we do use the place in winter, and the windows are warm, draft free, and don't fog and ice up like the old ones. And the price was right.

By the way, over the last 5 years I have also had Pella (Pro Line?) and Marvin Infinity windows installed in our house in town. They are excellent products as well, but considerably more money.

[crothmeier]

The rule of thumb in windows is you get what you pay for no matter if they are vinyl, wood, or metal clad.

[Mr. Wizard]

Smokey,

Who did the work for you? I'm on Rush Lake and don't know the local contractors. By the way the fishing and swimming has been great this week but next week it's back to work.

[Smokey]

The first (big) window was installed by a company called Economy Garages. They are in the Brainerd area but 2 years ago they were at the Perham trade show that is held every winter at the PACC. They also installed a new garage door at the same time.

This last year they were not at the trade show, and when I called them, they did not seem interested in driving all the way out to bid a small job like my single door and window. I then called a local contractor that I had used previously, and he ordered the window and door through Crane-Johnson lumber in Perham and installed them. However, I cannot recommend this contractor. Something bad happened at cabin the same week that the work was done, but I have no proof of anything, only circumstantial, so I cannot say that it was his fault either.

[eyeguy 54]

The rule of thumb in windows is you get what you pay for no matter if they are vinyl, wood, or metal clad.

not so true, I've seen people install cruddy windows for big bucks.

[crothmeier]

well, im talking about the product itself...