Wanted: High quality, Vinyl, Double hung windows

[Itsjustdirt]

The more I search online (going on 4 hours now) the more mucked up things get. Its so hard to sort through the manufactures descriptions, lack of prices/reviews and ever changing product lines.

With that being said, does anyone have HIGH QUALITY, DOUBLE HUNG, VINYL window suggestions?


I know people love Milgard 400 series, but that doesn't fit the Vinyl requirement.

Right now I'm looking at Jeldwen 4500 series, Pella, Milgard Tuscany, and countless other smaller, random brands. I only need two, standard size windows so cost isn't a huge factor here. Open to any suggestions. Located in Southern California if it matters and the windows will be installed by myself.

 

[Daedalus]

Go to a local door/window store. They'll have some on display. I got the Tuscany double-panes for a small house, but they were the sliders. No complaints, other than I should have sprung for ones with 2 sliders instead of 1 fixed sash.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have used Simonton and Pella, and they both seemed ok.

 

[Firebrick43]

Go to an actual glass shop and ask if they are a sunrise or an okna dealer.

Don't buy vinyl Windows from a wood window manufacture that only grudgingly got into the market because they were losing market share.

 

[SALIV8]

....

 

[MushCreek]

Why only vinyl? I love our Ultrex (fiberglass) Marvin windows. Fiberglass supposedly outperforms vinyl as it expands and contracts at a rate similar to the glass panes.

 

[larry4406]

New construction or replacement? I need to replace the windows in our house so I am watching this thread.

 

[HenryAZ]

Whatever happened to good old weights and cords?

 

[Bretny]

If you can find replacement sideing for your house i wouldnt do anything but new construction windows. No aluminum to bend and suprub water shedding ability.

I have american craftsman from HD in my house for about 8yrs. My father worked in the extrusion plant for a window and door company for 30+yrs. He helped me pick the windows out. At the time he said theres really only a few window manufactures but many brand names.

 

[DFB]

I have the Pella brand 20 windows in my house plus a gridded internal blinds slider love the slider a dozen 6 sets are double 56" x 32" they came as one piece. the rest are somewhat smaller for kitchen, baths, pantry basement and dormers. (was all new construction 2004)

I really like them and would easily recommend them. Super sung fit, no drafts, no outside noise. All fold in for cleaning. The windows are recessed in their frames with painted aluminum sills on the outside. A lot of cheaper vinyl windows install flush to the wall on the outside with deep extension jambs installed on the inside.

 

[yeldogt]

Have really never run into a really nice all vinyl window -- High quality and vinyl are mutually exclusive IMO.

Try going a step up -- especially with only two to purchase.

 

[theoldwizard1]

What they stock at HD, Lowes or Menards is NOT "high quality".

 

[Bretny]

You can special order alot of stuff from HD that you never see on the shelves.

 

[6768rogues]

Let me tell you about Pella windows, they ****. I have replaced countless Pella windows that failed prematurely. When something breaks, be prepared to pay through the nose for any part, if it is available at all.

 

[yeldogt]

Let me tell you about Pella windows, they ****. I have replaced countless Pella windows that failed prematurely. When something breaks, be prepared to pay through the nose for any part, if it is available at all.

The architect line -- that line that put them on the map is a great window... it's also expensive. Every company makes muti-line now and it's not possible to talk about windows w/o discussing the line. Same with doors --- The Pella clad door is a great door .. its also 3k+

 

[UpstateNY]

VWD Inc

 

[DFB]

Pella definitely has different window lines as previously stated. Never heard bad about them before. Mine have been flawless. Have low E tinted glass too.

To the OP I am slightly curious to why you want a vinyl clad finish inside and out? The Pella's I have are only vinyl clad on the outside and a nice natural wood finish on the inside. Tastefully done.

I do a lot of windows, my GC bud does replacement vinyl clad by special order and it's not a really bad window he sources from the local distributor

And I did put the American Standard window from HD in our Donut shop at work because my boss wanted economics (read cheap) just like the counter base cabinets and other finish goods material sans the same HD, but hey it is a work place and not a home. Of course proper installation helps with it all like screwing those countertop cabinets to ALL the studs so that industrial mixer doesn't destroy everything. Originally the girl pounded a hole right the sheetrock wall with that when it first was on a free standing stainless steel table top!

So far so good with ALL of it , the exception a super deep SS sink flexes too much and keeps breaking the strainer seal. Gives me fits. It does get A LOT of daily abuse.
(IMO ALL their on floor stuff like totally ***** but that's just me )

So I digress but 3 sliders w one side fixed. They work fine, but just ok and are sorry to say a seriously ugly window from the outside

I did feel the same brand in double hung was a better looking window overall...and not putting down anybody's window choices here

Just one man experiences

 

[chazzz]

Check Milgard. I have Milgard vinyl windows - double paneled, low-E etc. Installed in 1999 and they still look great. They came with lifetime warranty. I think two windows cord & spring broke (because I use these windows very often - open and close). I contacted Milgard and they sent me parts at no charge. I replaced them by myself. Really easy to replace.

 

[Itsjustdirt]

^^^^^. Ill look into Milgard. Thanks. Does anyone have experience with Milgard Tuscany windows?

I finally got my hands on Pella 350 display (best Vinyl they sell, as far as I can tell) and they sucked. They were ugly (had a funky jog in the top), opened poorly, and were not worth half the $500/window (uninstalled) price they quoted.

 

[Denwood]

If efficiency is important, don’t use a double hung slider...they don’t seal well at all. An awning window on the lower half will give the same ventilation but seal a lot better. We’re in a cold climate here (-30C in winter) and I won’t use sliders of any type again.

 

[Itsjustdirt]

Thanks, we're socal so warm weather and rest of house is double hung. Weather is usually 50-90s, so not much concern over seal.

We're now between 4 brands. Pella and Jeldwen are no-goes.

Milgard - Tuscany

Plygem Simonton- only make one double hung, shop says its top quality

Crystal Pacific

 

[yeldogt]

^^^^^. Ill look into Milgard. Thanks. Does anyone have experience with Milgard Tuscany windows?

I finally got my hands on Pella 350 display (best Vinyl they sell, as far as I can tell) and they sucked. They were ugly (had a funky jog in the top), opened poorly, and were not worth half the $500/window (uninstalled) price they quoted.

That's the Pella replacement line ... guess you want a "replacement window" fitting inside the original frame. That's a different animal vs a new widow.

The item to look at closely is the standard size of the frames -- the custom part of the setup is taking that frame and adding extensions to fit your opening. Sometimes you get lucky and a given manufacturer makes a size that matches the opening ,,,, many times this is not the case and you end up with uneven and often too large fillers around the window. It's tough to make a thin strong vinyl frame -- and that's what's needed to keep the free glass area looking correct.

A full custom replacement window must have the glass cut to size -- and that adds $$$ to the cost ... but they don't need the filler strip.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

When referring to vinyl replacement windows-

Vinyl and "high quality" are NOT in the same sentence.

If you want the "durability" of vinyl but the "quality" of a wood window, buy a "vinyl clad" wood window; or aluminum clad wood window. Get the jamb, brick mold, and sill made from PVC. Now you have an "excellent" quality window with the durability of something better than a "vinyl window".

 

[ddawg16]

Where are you located?

I have Milgard....mine are fiberglass on the outside...vinyl inside. Double pane, low-E, argon filled.

What does the Fiberglass mean? It means I don't have to have white windows. Mine are hunter green....looks a whole lot better than white.....unless your house is white.

One of the side benefits (besides thermal performance), they are a LOT quieter.

 

[Zeke]

I have installed over 5000 windows and doors. I have used a lot of brands but long ago I settled on Milgard. Best customer service ever. They don't sell in all states, mostly western. I buy them from a distributor, not a retail dealer. Look around.

 

[foodie]

Why only vinyl? I love our Ultrex (fiberglass) Marvin windows. Fiberglass supposedly outperforms vinyl as it expands and contracts at a rate similar to the glass panes.

Agree with this. I have the same windows they are great. Make sure you get a good installer, because the installation is just as important as the performance of the window. If you really want vinyl then sunrise and okna are good ones .

 

[polizei1]

I post this every single time these similar conversations come up. Marvin is the top dog, after that, Andersen. Andersen has a very nice quality 100 Series you should look into. They come both double-hung and casement. I've used them in a house a few years ago, still holding up just fine.

That said, the 100's are no where NEAR the window a 400 Series is. Not sure why you're adamant on vinyl, the 400's are vinyl clad wood, best of best worlds.

Personal opinion, Marvin or Andersen, don't mess with anything else, and don't go to Home Depot, buy them from an actual lumber yard or supply yard.

 

[Slednut]

^^^^^. Ill look into Milgard. Thanks. Does anyone have experience with Milgard Tuscany windows?

I have one Milgard Tuscany double hung window in my house but it's only been there for 4 years. All the other Milgard windows I have are sliders. I have had no problems. The other thing I noticed is the sound these windows keep out is amazing.

My sister had Milgard windows in her house, one had a flaw and a company rep came out and saw that all the windows were improperly installed buy the builder. They replaced all the windows in her house at no cost to her.

I think this was after 2001 when Masco Corporation purchased Milgard Windows.

 

[tonyciambrone]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.re..._questions_get_in_here_i_have/#ampf=undefined

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BMAB6BAgJEAU&usg=AOvVaw0l0jq5R7PewB9h83BNy8Q3

 

[James-W]

Whatever happened to good old weights and cords?

They went out of style along with wing-tip shoes.

 

[idriveahonda]

I have the Okna 800's in my house, and they are amazing units.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

They went out of style along with wing-tip shoes.

When was the last time you went shoe shopping?
Wing tips are actually "in"- they're just not your Dad's wing tip.

 

[yeldogt]

They went out of style along with wing-tip shoes.

They are still made and are used -- also very expensive .. but gorgeous.