European/Canadian Windows
We have some cheap vinyl windows that probably date from the 1980s in our SS brick house. They annoy the wife to no end, and she keeps asking about replacements. I’ve read somewhere that American windows, even good ones like Marvin and Pella, are junk compared to some windows that come out of Europe or…
We have some cheap vinyl windows that probably date from the 1980s in our SS brick house. They annoy the wife to no end, and she keeps asking about replacements.
I’ve read somewhere that American windows, even good ones like Marvin and Pella, are junk compared to some windows that come out of Europe or Canada.
Any comments? Brands? Distributors? Anyone put in windows like these?
i hear coronet windows is very good (in the interest of full disclosure my father in law owns the company but they are supposed to be very good anyway 🙂
Check out Fine Home Building – this summer had an excellent overview of the superiority of Ca and Euro windows, which are built to Passiv Huis standard, triple glazing and much lower u values than are available here. Uline, thermotech, optiwin, etc. The Canadian companies seem to offer thinner frames than the German ones, ie, more light but slightly higher u values, -but certainly cheaper to import. Eager to hear if you find a supplier – am thinking that if we spend the money on windows may as well get the best insulating ones if we can afford them.
Tom Byrnes at builders distributor would answer this honestly , ask him about the Canadian windows he used to sell called Bonneville. also very knowledgeable on Marvin, Pella, Kolbe, Trimline , starmark, and silverline by Andersen 800 564 4206
Take in account that replacement parts for foreign replacement windows will be expensive (but probably still not as expensive as the incredibly overpriced big brand windows).
Take a look at Dove replacement windows.
maybe it is related to the fact that Canada and Northern Europe require windows for colder climate. So they do not use double hung windows. But do you really need them in US? You will pay extra and do not actually use this feature.
I spent endless hours debating windows with contractors, my architect, and window “experts” for a new construction weekend home. The only Canadian company anyone mentioned as manufacturing very high quality windows for sale in the US was Loewen, and its main selling point is that the windows are made of douglas fir, which is an upcharge for virtually any other window.
We had a somewhat unique situation because the plans called for impact resistant windows. After much debate regarding Marvin, Loewen and Kolbe, we went with Kolbe.
I’ve never read that, and I would be curious to know where you read this fact. In fact, I’ve never seen any European windows on the market in the US. I would think that between the exchange rate and the cost of shipping them safely to the US, the price would become astronomical. There’s also the reality that double-hung windows, which are pretty much ubiquitous in the US, are not at all common in European countries.
I’ve used Andersens, marvins & pellas over the years at various locations and never had any issues whatsoever. I’ve never had a double pane fail.
The biggest problems you will encounter are that the window is not installed properly with enough exterior flaching and a proper cap and sill, thus allowing water or wind seepage. Most contractors don’t really know how to do a professional installation.
I have been very happy with Andersen 400’s. My entire house has them and I usually spec them unless the cleint wants otherwise.