need advice- window replacement
We need to replace 7 windows in the front of our row house. My initial impulse was to put in new wood frame windows (interior and exterior wood. They look so much better than the aluminum cladding but I am concerned about the exterior wood rotting over time and the high maintenance. I would appreciate…
We need to replace 7 windows in the front of our row house. My initial impulse was to put in new wood frame windows (interior and exterior wood. They look so much better than the aluminum cladding but I am concerned about the exterior wood rotting over time and the high maintenance. I would appreciate any advice.
Also, we were going to go with Marvin windows initially but Home Depot offers a window product called “Sequel” that seems comparable and is more affordable. Has anyone had any experience with Home Depot for windows?
I just installed Pella windows, and an off-brand window, and am equally happy with both. The difference between the two is in the quality of the installers hired by each company. I hired each company to do small window projects as test-runs before I shell out for the major front windows that I need replaced.
As for brand, a lot of the difference lies in the details — the profiles of the mullions, for example. Watch out with Anderson, and even Pella — they have such a broad product line that you can’t generalize too much about their quality. Just pay attention to what you’re actually ordering and you’ll be very happy. Marvin is overpriced because they have a lot of options on the details (many exterior molding profiles, an option for very slim mullions, etc). If that stuff doesn’t matter to you, then there’s no reason to pay-up for Marvin.
If you’re worried about maintenance, I feel that the aluminum exterior cladding is really worth while on a wood window. Much more important than brand. If you’re really looking to save money, though, Pella has some sort of carbon-fiber composite window that seems to me to be more sturdy than vinyl, and is extremely affordable.
anyone have experience with Lucky Windows? or Bay Ridge Windows? or Windows We Are? I need to replace a lot of windows and I’m surprised by the high prices and seeming lack of transparency in what gets done. Everything seems like a sales job and i’ve seen no facts to back up that Marvin is really “the best”.
Check out Window Palace on McDonald Ave and Cortelyou Road. We just purchased Andersen Windows from them, and he priced them very well for us. We are going to install them ourselves, but you can get a few recommendations from them on contractors who install windows. We’re getting the windows with the wood on the inside, but they are vinyl on the outside. I find Home Depot and Lowes much more expensive, than the independent window companies.
If you’ve done your homework on the windows and think Home Depot’s are comparable and have a good warranty, then go with them. Everyone knows that Marvin windows are the best, but also the priciest! Pella are just as good and much cheaper as well. I agree with naratamaa about Home Depot installs… DON’T do it! My neighbor had a Home Depot install and had to hire a contractor to come and re-do all the work! I wouldn’t trust them! If you need someone to install them, I’m sure you can get a good recommendation through Brownstoner.
Home Depot can be fine for anyone buying a product. If you do your own installation or have arranged for your own friend or contractor to install. Home Depots home improvement installations are a very risky thing. Where I previously lived one of my neigbors had Home Depot install vinyl windows and aluminum storm doors. He had a nightmarish situation. The windows never operated or locked properly. Initially the caulking was poor, and the aluminum trim work rippled. The first subcontractor also did not know how to hit the nail without hitting the aluminum. And he damaged my neighbor’s carpeting. The kind of windows you are talking about probably require far more finesse and carpentry skill than replacement vinyl windows do.
I would stick with the Marvin dealer, or an Anderson delaer. Or try finding a reputable contractor. Brooklyn Window, way down on McDonald Avenue, helped one of my other neighbors who was very pleased with the result.