How To Get Better/Cheaper Windows from Europe (to US Job-sites)! 

Alpen from Colorado

Indeed there are a lot of quality windows and door manufacturers, and most important hurricane impact resistant: Windoor, PGT, CGI, Marvin Coastline, Euro-wall, Jeld-Wen.

There are, they just charge more than most people can afford for windows.

and ship them to Mexico too.

There are plenty of good windows in the US. I love my Simonton brickmold 600 vinyl windows or 5500 replacements. I have personally installed them in my own houses multiple times and they aren't insanely expensive (like 200-300 a standard size window). There are other brands that are great too. This is a multi-million dollar house so buying European windows which are insanely expensive isn't a problem. They don't make sense for most sub 1 million dollar houses. These windows are thousands of dollars a piece and require a crew to set them which adds a ton more cost. Also no flange on a new construction window is just stupid and is asking for problems with any slight variation in installation. Taping a flanged window is so easy and hard to screw up. Regular houses probably won't see an insane energy cost savings going from a good double pane us window and these insanely expensive triple pane. As far as this house if they were serious about energy efficiency, they wouldn't make a whole wall of windows. They can't be as energy efficient as a wall structure.

what was the cost per sq ft?

Yeah I agree with you. I am sure these are amazing but so is a Ferrari, doesn't mean I would buy one. I don't think importing insanely expensive windows and sliders from Europe makes sense for most sub 1mil houses or depending on the area 2mil. So many good vinyl windows out there with decent u values, I am not sure I could justify that type of price jump. What is it getting me? How much do I actually save a year over more moderately priced windows. How much longer will they actually last? I'm not much of a window snob.. needs to open smoothly, decent u/r value, disassemble for cleaning easy and have a supply chain for any parts or replacements if the kids break one. For me Simonton windows (brickmoukd 600, 5500 replacements) have been great for the price and I have not used any window yet that was so much better I would be willing to spend 2-4x the cost. Custom ordered Simonton windows to my site were in the 250-300 range for standard sized windows. And they are so easy to install with a flange, it's hard to screw up.

I had a similar experience recently with them, I'm building a 2500' house and received a reply from them basically stating they'd quote it if I really wanted but it wasn't going to be cheap or easy.

Same here. I don't understand why this is the 3rd video without Matt covering the cons of their sales department. Every small builder is saying the same things. They don't want small orders. They won't ship unless you find a larger partner in your area to combine delivery. This video title is even misleading now, getting us excited thinking something has changed but nothing is addressed to these complaints yet again in this episode review! Wth!?

@@TimFrentz the video is a paid ad by EAS just like some others previously. EAS is not the only US dealer of schuco windows, or other great european windows for that matter. if EAS customer service is garbage take your business elsewhere.

Arent euro manufactures there in the US? There has to be a couple of them at least, there are hundreds of them here.

We spent over $8,000 replacing your "significantly damaged" window sashes and frames and undertook 3 day-long service trips to replace the units. When the damaged sashes arrived at our warehouse, two of our staff personally inspected them and had a really hard time locating some of the blemishes. We had to go to the photos you sent us to located them. Dents can look very big when photographed with an iPhone close-up shot but ultimately had little aesthetic impact on the windows. We replaced them anyway. Following the replacement of the units you continued to reported new blemishes and decided to withhold payment. We had to put a stop work order on your account due to delinquency. You asked us to perform one more service under the promise that you will give the check for the balance to our technician. Our technician undertook the day-long service trip but ultimately you withheld the payment again. Window business is tough and things do not always go well, but here at EAS, we try to make things right for the customer. We may not succeed on the first try but we put in the effort to make sure we go out of our way to correct things so we do not get reviews like these. If anything, your case illustrates the distance we are willing to go to perform after-sale service. It is still a bummer than you are so dissatisfied.

Of course, we are dissatisfied. A year after delivery, we have a new house full of damaged and defective windows and doors, wasted countless hours dealing with EAS's frustrations and failed efforts. Now, there is little prospect that EAS will, or is even capable of honoring, its obligations. EAS neglected to say that they actually inspected all of the damage onsite prior to agreeing to order replacements. It is understandable that EAS may have had trouble performing inspections in warehouse conditions, as windows are typically installed in exterior walls. The defects were readily identified and later confirmed by EAS on-site in daylight, prior to their challenged inspection. EAS's Terms of Sale state that the retained balance is due when the problems are adequately addressed. What EAS characterizes as continued reports of new blemishes, were timely reports of significant damage caused by EAS, as well as defects in the replacements. EAS can not end run its contractual obligation by merely claiming these reports as "new". Replacing one damaged part with another damaged part does not adequately address a problem. The account is NOT delinquent. This is well documented and EAS knows this. There were a series of failed service calls. First, there were two visits by an incompetent EAS crew that resulted in further problems. Then five and seven months later, there were two visits by an EAS crew seemingly capable of performing the repairs, but without the tools, parts or time necessary to do so. The later crew accomplished little more than finding more problems with EAS's earlier repair work, such a frame that was bent when EAS installed the original glass in a replacement frame. Now the operable window below thar share the frame can not be opened. EAS told me that they would complete all of the work on their most recent visit, yet they arrived unprepared. If the work was completed, payment would have been provided, as required. Now, EAS refuses not only to adequately address the original problems, but refuses to honor their warranty. The last paragraph of EAS's response has their only thread of honesty. They did "try", "put in an effort" and "go out of our way to correct things", without actually correcting things. EAS must meet it obligations, not merely try. These issues should have been resolved eight months ago. EAS clearly does not have the experience, skills and integrity to deal challenges. When faced with their failings, EAS trivializes problems, twist facts and blames the customer. This far to much detail for this forum, but vendors like EAS @European Architectural Supply are a homeowner's worst nightmare.

Exactly, do it yourself and save the exasperation!

Zola sucks so much. worst company to work with! I had the same experience.

Interesting! I'm a carpenter based in Germany and have been thinking of starting an import/export business for German Products.. Any other experiences you've had worth mentioning?

What is the name of the manufacturer?

wow no distributor or showroom in Houston, the mecca of TX! even poggenpohl has a showroom near Galleria

a thing that shocked me about many doors in north america, THRE'S A VISIBLE GAP BETWEEN door and floor and im not talking about doors between different room (that would not be acceptable in western europe) but the main entry door of modest home or apparment...

@@Tonyx.yt. my home here in Italy has the same seal along the bottom that most homes in the US have. Hadn't noticed a difference.

@@Tonyx.yt. that is installer error. No modern US door is made with a gap at the bottom. Most have adjustments and gaskets that seal there.

The products you are talking about are also available here too and they are common on high end homes like Matt showcases. The multi bolts mechanism is an option from most major door manufacturers. I had the option when buying my therma-tru doors. But do I need a vault door when I have a glass window not far away? Not really lol specially considering just installing a security strike plate will achieve 70% of the strength. So its up to Americans whether they want to spend more on their houses for expensive windows like these.. not so much the industry or builders choice. Personally, good vinyl double hung windows come in at a great price point and work great both energy and functionality wise. I would have to be building a 3mil+ dollar house before I would look at importing expensive windows from Europe.

The Europeans designed great windows but were ultimately stymied on getting them over the Rockies. Who knew?...

Good luck. You have to find a large order in your area to piggy back your needs. They don't sell under a $3k ish order min. Plus shipping without a partner order is + x.75 ish of your window cost. At least that's the bid I got from EAS.

Same here, after seeing the quality of these I really wanted them in my master bedroom. I only needed 4 and they basically told me its not worth their time which I understand, seems they just want BIG high-end jobs

Good luck. You have to find a large order in your area to piggy back your needs. They don't sell under a $3k ish order min. Plus shipping without a partner order is + x.75 ish of your window cost. At least that's the bid I got from EAS.

@@TimFrentz Well, if that’s the case, there are other vendors. I’m not married to any of them yet, but I’m a firm believer in the quality of European windows. I have found zero American window manufacturers that are equivalent, though I talked to a guy with a shop in Wyoming that may build what I’m looking for…that would be fantastic!

I’d disagree. We have excellent quality with Andersen and and Marvin but they don’t offer pure vinyl bc vinyl doesn’t bode well in many of Americas climates (ie very hot climates). Vinyl can do well in colder and more moderate climates and hence why it seems them in European countries.

Yeah, you're pretty awesome!

@@jt5747 thx. i can now open the window and sleep :)

@@jt5747 you are also pretty cool!

Thank you, @@TheVimeo. This could be the beginning of the first International Mutual Admiration Society. We could have regular meetings, and everything!

They would only do that if the European manufacturers had the potential to really take market share. That's not going to happen because the EU is about to disintegrate.

@@rcmrcm3370 This has been the mantra for the past 20 years. Good luck Brexiteer or American?

If you are willing to spend more money, you can get same quality from American window companies. When you compare big box in-stock US windows to custom designed European windows which require an engineer, it's apples to oranges comparison. Price is insanely higher, both unit and install costs of the eu windows. Us manufacturers are building windows to the price point people want to spend. These EU windows are only used on insanely expensive houses.

@@Braun30 The war in Ukraine is exposing how European leaders are mere vassals. EU is subordinate to NATO. The puppet Truss in England just quit, and Italy just elected a nationalist. The EU project is not sustainable. Siemens is already thinking about leaving Germany for lower energy costs found elsewhere.

@@mefobills279 vassals? Maybe, what would your decision be?

Fuzzy Bear, There is a show, like that, it’s called This Old House on PBS. Good Luck Norm , on the next phase of your Journey. Be Safe

These euro windows will work for retrofitting as well. They also manufacture them with flange upon request. All German and Italian brands do flange on request on most line of products.

The fact that it requires a €15,000 subsidy - that I am not entitled to - to make it make sense, suggests it does not make sense.

The dude specifically said their windows are all custom size, you give them the size you want they build the window!

These windows are drastically more expensive than quality vinyl windows in the US. If everyone could afford these windows in their builds they would also be driving ferraris :). The US consumer drives how much they want to spend on windows along with some govt regulations but in Europe govt regs are way stricter and their energy is insanely expensive

Haha take a trip to Boston the big thre window regardless of material not even close! All marketing and sales budget - euro market is hyper imperative and regulations simply don’t allow cheap builder grades faux fiberglass and less than three gaskets Roto and not true hardware and stainless rollers on doors

What did you find out on cost comparisons??

@@mookiemorjax Marvin was considerably more than both Pella and Shuco. The other two were on par with one another, ultimately my builder was much more comfortable with Pella due to their experience with them, and the support they get - so that's what we are using.

I was working in a house a few days ago that had tilt sliders. Never seen that before (I thought something was wrong with the hinges, lol) but it made perfect sense once I saw them operate. Why isn't everything like this?

Two drawbacks - I’d you don’t want a vinyl window they are hardly inexpensive. And their profile is VERY thick.American d windows ARE way overpriced admittedly.

He dodged the install problem- ie u r on your own- flanged windows much easier to install those same tapes are available to flange installs to - I call bs flangeless better weather tightness than flanged.

Price, logistics, support, instalation.. good number of reasons to not buy these windows. On sub 1-2mil houses, I can't justify going for high end window packages when quality vinyl windows will function great and for the money, would not add much value for the customer.

@@Josh.1234 for reference Pella package came in at 12-15K more than the euro quote. One fiberglass the other PVC etc. So comparable product in terms of not being the most expensive option but not in terms of level of tightness, function and size. Once I used the euro windows and saw the windows close as tight and solid as a door it made the US manufacturers look pretty behind. Again if comparing the mid-range offerings and not the high end ones. So budget wise I'd say the euro option is still ahead.

With windows like these, are perfect for cold climate. They use them like in the north of Sweden and Finland. And no, you don't need heated Windows.

Mexican builders….and everyone else trying to cut costs enough to stay in business and competitive

Cheap. Normaly the complete frame is grilled with extruder foam!!!!

I own a few properties in Warsaw, Poland. Some of them are in noisy neighborhood not far from the airport and one of the most heavy used railway line in Poland. I bought aluminum frames with noise-reducing triple glassing. It works marvelously. But to be honest - the way the windows are installed in the video makes me laugh from the European point of view and my own experience. This would not pass the post installation inspection here. There are so many crucial parts of the installation skipped. Inacceptable regarding newest energy efficiency building requirements in Poland (which are still not that rigorous). And the aluminum frames they show in the video are actually from a Polish manufacturer.

? There aren't any problems.

I think in part this ia a question of priorities. Buy cheap appliances and skip that granite countertop etc.... Easier to replace those later, and the home will be more comfortable and efficient from day 1.

Thank you for the tip! How much did it save you %wise?

That's like getting quality cabinets from aliexpress. Few have done it and saved alot of $, but it's assuming they get your order right, sizes right, and nothing breaks. The issue comes, if you get windows and size is wrong, what do you do then?

And then get cancer cause China doesn’t care

@@zstarwarsz I dont wish to start a debate here. Just bring information on options that are available out there. I've been in contact with builders in USA that bought from them before hand in order to know what i was getting to. Its a manufacturer, you will get into a contract agreement and will have a chance to stipulate what if what. They deliver whatever was agreed upon. But yeah, you want triple glazed, thermal broken aluminum windows, its an option for you all. The rep at Superhouse told me he shows up every year at the Vegas show and sells his demo of lift and slide on the spot like hot bread. ...thats all i had to say.

@@rondamylove9995 I can send quotes i got from these guys as of last year with all specs. Include you details and i will forward, for information sake. Just wish to spread information on options. Thanks for your comment

Yup and schluter systems for Aus!

The rubber seals should last as long as the entire window.

??? U are talking about European windows ...

Several videos show a combo of EAS and JenW.

@@TimFrentz which is the EAS is what I'm asking.

Bensonwood uses a good Canadian company unilux

I contacted Zola and they told me minimum order is $50,000. What a joke,.

Zola is the worst to try and get windows from. They dont actually design anything, it comes from the company in Poland.

The testing process is very expensive for this. If your looking for that kind of performance you can get laminated glass and be pretty certain it will hold up through anything.

No problem at all with Miami - Dade approved European windows and doors, as you can order them with the seal of the Rosenheim testing institute which is even exceeding the Miami/Dade requirements and recognized here.

Never heard of that. And i work with windows like theese. They are heavy but hinges are really strong. Nevee heard anyone adjusting anything

@@vikinnorway6725 you can see it when you are closing fully opened window it should not resist at all and should close nicely fully touching the frame without need of any push in. If it does not get closed with eaze small adjustment in hinges that takes few seconds will fix the lean of the window. people usually do not complain about details like these but you can meet exceptions

@@doposud if its mounted correctly it closes nicely

@@vikinnorway6725 Well it does not after a while , especially if you don't even know that you can adjust it ....

@@doposud never had any issues at all. As i said i do this. And i put in my windows over 20 years ago. They are strong as hell.

Worked with theese types of windows in Norway for 25 years, never seen any issue at all. Mine is 25 years old to and look brand new.

quality and passive are two different things. You can have an extremely well built long lasting home that meets bare min energy standards. or you could have a passive home that falls apart. Also, suppliers sell products based on what people want to buy and when it comes to products targeted at passive homes, its a narrow market sector primarily due to the added cost of the house. In a perfect world all home would be passive but most don't have a budget for that.

@@Josh.1234 exactly! And the house in the video isn’t PH. You can play tricks with krypton fill on glass but the gas migration levels will render it at a 50% loss in 5 to 8 years.

@@Josh.1234, you are absolutely correct. What better examples than pyramids made of stones lasting hundreds of years. Although, one assumes, if paying extra to go passive, one will not cut cost in quality construction. As far as supplies, it is common for the initial buyers to pay higher prices for low demand products than after it becomes mainstream. I just see the transition to be very slow. And in many instances, built from habit or what contractor is familiar with, rather than best supply for the cost option.

@@victorvazquez5439 last 100 years, building practices have changed probably faster than they ever have in history. It would be nice if we get better/cheaper products faster but it's that slow process of market adoption which weeds out the good from the bad. You are probably right, most builders who can achieve passive home status probably also have good construction practices but you never know. You would be amazed how many dumb things people will do or corners they will cut.

I am sure if you waive liability and willing to truck it yourself, they will... It depends how badly you want it

Same experience in Southern California I've had. I contacted Schucco and they named a dealer, but this excerpt from the email explains it all. Schüco USA has been focusing mostly on commercial projects in the US and we just started to expand to residential projects, that’s why you don’t see a dealer list on our website just yet. The dealer they mentioned they said only did "high-end residential". Out here, that doesn't mean the beginning of million dollar homes. With only 20% of the population living on West side of the country, we just have to wait for them to expand out here. There is a company making a similar product in Colorado, but it seemed to be 2x price when I last looked. Hoping to get a good answer eventually. Planning to do a Casita build in a few years so maybe that's the ticket for me. It'll give European windows more time to spread and I'll be buying a larger package.

@@zstarwarsz I’m pretty sure they would just ship the container directly to California, why would they send it to the east coast and then transport it by truck?

@@xzmt My guess is the container will rarely have just your windows, so they recieve it, check it for damage, measurements, etc.. + sending container to west coast by ship is much more exoensive

@@xzmt that would be logical, but i do not know their logistics...

Yes we have certified HVHZ Miami-Dade European windows with nailing fins available - PIXEL window

@@pamaniwindows look forward to knowing more about your windows.. are they manufactured in USA or europe

@@shenoyglobal Visit us at www.pamaniwindows.com

They are not better in all areas, they are expensive to buy and install. I would get them if they were reasonable but for most sub 2-3mil houses, it doesn't make sense given the rest of the house. Being more expensive by a large margin reduces their market. They won't create a factory here because not enough people have the budget to buy them. That's the same reason US companies don't make a ton of high end windows like this. Its not because they can't, its because people won't buy them. Part of the reason Europe has so many, is their governments force them to high energy standards because they don't have energy security like the US.

It's because gas is much cheaper in the USA and houses are mostly build with wood. Both kinda defeat the purpose of those high performance windows. If the USA decides to finally work on climate change, those windows might be needed though.

I also don’t get it. Sure, triple-glazed maybe doesn’t make sense everywhere, but tilt windows for sure are a nice thing to have, right? Being able to keep open a window without the rain getting inside is kinda good.

Schuco does a factory in CT but it only does commercial. Schuco has a Toronto assembly plant but I have been told that ordering from that location actually costs more than the way EAS does it. EAS orders directly from Germany.

@@Josh.1234most of europe has enough energy. They have allways just try to save the planet by using less energy. Its their goal. And the windows are great for soundproofing too. We have a highway 20 feet from our building and you see the cars but you really can’t hear them at all. Walls are 10 inches too tho. And houses do last longer. Most houses stay up 100+ years here.

care to share the shipping cost?

The quote was for 28 windows and 2 doors all very average size nothing to big and only double pane. Upvc . 7250 for shipping. . I would have loved to gone with them but the shipping makes it hard to do.

@@stevecrawford6958 The quote was for 28 windows and 2 doors all very average size nothing to big and only double pane. Upvc . 7250 for shipping. . I would have loved to gone with them but the shipping makes it hard to do.

@@steveadler4090 what was the cost per sq ft? and what was the U factor

Yeah, it's strange to see these kind of windows in a wooden frame. Didn't get a good look at how thick the walls were, but having high performance windows in a simple wooden box is a waste of good windows. My first thought was: those windows are going to be toughter to get through than going through the wall. ;)