Casement or double-hung? Wood, vinyl or fiberglass? And what about cladding? Replacing your windows comes with more decisions than just whether to buy Anderson or Pella. Consumer Reports' experts have some buying advice and tips.
Posting in late-2021 as I'm looking for new windows. If you're looking at buying from an off-brand manufacturer make sure it gets good reviews. With the COVID fiasco, the 'big boy' manufacturers that make better-quality windows (Anderson, Milgard, Pella, etc) are all backlogged up to 15 weeks, but the smaller brands that make 'builder-quality' windows (lower quality sold to tract home builders looking to cut costs) are not (3 week delivery) and are selling to consumers through outlets like HD or Lowes. Some of those smaller brands have really poor reviews, even poor customer support, and even their best windows are no better than the 'big boy's" lowest price offerings. Do your research before forking over your $$$. "You get what you pay for" really does apply to windows.
Good presentation of basic facts on fenestration. One weak link in all this information is Home Depot. Local smaller private lumber yards have plenty of well-trained and experienced folks who know and sell window products as well as back up what they sell with service. Although HD offers the best pricing, it often comes at a price. Get competitive quotes and look at the line item fine print for changes between the two quotes that would indicate "bait and switch" tactics to get a seemingly lower price for what appears to be the same product. Basic rule of thumb in the window industry; you get what you pay for in terms of look, quality, performance and longevity.
Another factor is that, if you are replacing windows in a bedroom, the Building Code requires least one egress window (for fire escape/rescue purposes), with the operable part meeting all of the following: (1) Width opening = minimum 20 inches (2) Height opening = minimum 24 inches (3) Clear opening = minimum 5.7 square feet (4) Sill height above finish floor = 44 inches This will allow the Firefighter with full gear to reach the window, especially from a ladder, and get inside your home safely to rescue the occupants, as well as allow the occupants to climb into the opening and flag for help. For example, if you currently have single/double hung windows in your bedroom, one of them needs to be a casement window, and maybe changed further in size to meet Code. Or if you have short height slider windows, the wall opening will need to be enlarged / sill lowered. Or a series of small window openings might be combined into one large one. Of course, if you have a bedroom that has an exterior door, then you can keep your existing window sizes.
cadsux I know this is an older post. However, you do realize you should not make generalizations about building codes. Building codes vary regionally, and even at city levels. My city does not require egress windows for residential use unless it is for a basement (below grade) bedroom.
They acted like cladding was a good thing. It is not- yes, you won't need to paint, but the wood under the cladding will rot because the cladding holds the moisture in.
Absolutely true, cladding promotes wood rot. the moisture will infiltrate and the wood will rot at an accelerated rate. Look no further than the class action lawsuits to verify this.
Many of those were old. Pellas still have issues. Andersons are vinyl clad. I install alot of marvins great warranty. The aluminum cladding isnt breakmetal its extruded.
That’s true. Pella has Rot issues. Andersen does not. They surround their windows with vinyl. Then wood interior. Pella has aluminum and wood inside. That’s rot. I know it happened to me and I’m furious as it’s costing me now on my new home I built years ago. Pella had a big class action lawsuit too. I’m in on that.
