Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

[lakelover]

I have several windows that need to be replaced. I'm thinking I'll have a pro do the huge picture window and large kitchen window we have, but want to do the double hung bedroom windows myself. A number of years ago, I installed two vinyl replacement units in my son's bedroom, I think I got them at Home Depot.

The job went well, but now a few years later, there are some quality issues with those. Nothing real serious, but for the next job, I want something a little better quality and maybe more energy efficient.

I've looked at HD & Lowes and realize that they sell mediocre quality units. However, in my research I'm finding it a little tough to find places locally that will sell to the do-it-yourself-er.

Can anyone recommend some decent brands that you can buy without having to get the installation deal too?

HD sells American Craftsman, Lowes has Pella & United Series. I have a Pella window (non-replacement) in the bathroom that I like, but the Pella replacement units offered @ Lowes are just a tad too long for my space.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

If you like the Pellas, check with Lowes to see if you can custom order the size you need. They may be able to special order another brand also (not sure though, I've never tried). Check with HD and see if they can special order different brands. Around here we also have a couple of other home improvement stores (not bigbox stores like Lowes and HD). I don't know what stores are in your area, but you may be able to find a different/better brand through a local store. Good luck!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

You an custom order the quality level you want from both HD and Lowes, the stuff they keep in stock is pretty much consumer level materials, but they will order anything you want and anything your willing to pay for. I actually replaced 20 windows myself with windows I purchased from HD off the showroom floor, 10 years later they are holding up quite well and I live in an extreme environment.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Good to know, I still have some time before the weather turns warm enough to work on it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

I had inexpensive no-name ones installed in my last house. I think I paid somewhere between $1000 and $1500 to have 5 windows done and that included capping the exterior wood. For that price, it's wasn't worth even considering DIY and the windows were awesome! The same company had replaced all the other windows in the house for the previous owner about 4 years prior. It was amazing how much better the same price point product got in that time period. I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you choose.

Get this crap though, my current house was bought new (development) and my windows are friggin' SINGLE hung! Who the hell even makes single hung windows anymore? I was so pissed.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

You're right about that, anything will be better than my 1953 originals. The ones I did before are 13 years old!! I guess I'm going to have to start checking my records before I say "a few years" from now on. :facepalm: Wait, I did say " a number of years", so I guess I'm covered. But in my mind, it was 7 or 8.

The ones in Lowes in my size are $177 ea., so I can do the job for around $650 including replacing any inside trim, which I need to do.

Single hung must have cut your builder's costs quite a bit, but not yours.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

You're right about that, anything will be better than my 1953 originals.

I wouldn't count on it. Your existing windows made it almost 60 years at this point. Think any of the replacements windows will last that long?

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

I wouldn't count on it. Your existing windows made it almost 60 years at this point. Think any of the replacements windows will last that long?

If you saw my windows, you wouldn't worry about it. They may have lasted this long, but don't forget that they were installed in the days of pennies-per-gallon fuel oil. I bet the amount of heat/energy they've wasted over their 60 years could buy several sets of replacement windows.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Simonton makes a fantastic line of vinyl replacement windows and can be ordered in any dimensions you require. Google their website and take a look.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

They may have lasted this long, but don't forget that they were installed in the days of pennies-per-gallon fuel oil. I bet the amount of heat/energy they've wasted over their 60 years could buy several sets of replacement windows.

Pay back on replacement windows is hard to justify unless they are just plain shoot.

When ww bought this house last fall I looked into getting the windows replaced instead of repaired. To replace all the windows in this house (20 ?wood, double hung, divided lite, single pane w/storms) it would cost in excess of $16K USD.

My heating / AC bill runs @ $2,000 a year. Windows typically account for 20% of the heat loose in a home so if you make them twice as efficient as the replacement window guy claims, you?re talking about reducing my energy cost 10% a year. I don?t know about you, but I have a hard time spending $16K upfront to save $200 a year. At that rate, I would have to live here 60 years to break even on the investment. Certainly not a good ROI. Needless to say, lots of glazing and caulking to be done this year.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

unless they are just plain shoot.

Yes.

They are in bad shape, wood rotting, drafty. Same deal on large picture window and fairly good size kitchen window. Once those are replaced, I don't really plan on doing any more. Some are in worse shape than others.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

I used to install windows for several major companies over the years and you will get a hundred different answer to your question of who`s the best. Search some of your local lumber yards and see what they have to offer.On double hungs you want to open the sash and feel along the bottom of it and see what type of seal is used. Most will be a whopile seal, fuzzy little thing that sits in a groove, they are ok but they wear smooth over the years and lose the seal. Better units will have a bulb rubber seal on them. Dont get tricked into tripple pane they just add weight and cut down on the dead air space. Look for at least 3/4" glass units, double strength glass. Low-e coating is good and as far as I`m concerned the jury is still out on argon gas between the panes. Just dont see the extra expense unless it comes standard.
My statement about your local yards vs the big box stores is because that where your local builders will go. I personally have never bought 1 window from lowes or HD. I try to shop local and keep the cash here.
The money you invest in windows can all go right out those windows if they are not installed right. I`m not saying to hire a pro but do your homework first. Go to this old house and watch the videos on installing a window. Tom Silva knows his stuff. If you dont seal them up right its all for naught.
One more thing, if you dont wrap the outsides with aluminum at least look into the solid vinyl boards to finish the outside. We use it all the time now, its a little pricy but it will last forever, cuts like wood,shapes like it and the color is solid all the way through.
If yo have anymore questions give me a pm.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Thanks for the good info & tips BlkY2k. I feel I can do a decent job on this, I've done some before and also use youtube as a great resource for how-to stuff.

Will shoot you a PM if I run into trouble, thanks.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

I used to install windows for several major companies over the years and you will get a hundred different answer to your question of who`s the best. Search some of your local lumber yards and see what they have to offer.On double hungs you want to open the sash and feel along the bottom of it and see what type of seal is used. Most will be a whopile seal, fuzzy little thing that sits in a groove, they are ok but they wear smooth over the years and lose the seal. Better units will have a bulb rubber seal on them. Dont get tricked into tripple pane they just add weight and cut down on the dead air space. Look for at least 3/4" glass units, double strength glass. Low-e coating is good and as far as I`m concerned the jury is still out on argon gas between the panes. Just dont see the extra expense unless it comes standard.
My statement about your local yards vs the big box stores is because that where your local builders will go. I personally have never bought 1 window from lowes or HD. I try to shop local and keep the cash here.
The money you invest in windows can all go right out those windows if they are not installed right. I`m not saying to hire a pro but do your homework first. Go to this old house and watch the videos on installing a window. Tom Silva knows his stuff. If you dont seal them up right its all for naught.
One more thing, if you dont wrap the outsides with aluminum at least look into the solid vinyl boards to finish the outside. We use it all the time now, its a little pricy but it will last forever, cuts like wood,shapes like it and the color is solid all the way through.
If yo have anymore questions give me a pm.

Perfect advice^

Two things you'll never see:
A quality contractor buying windows @ HD or Lowes
A quality contractor buying paint at HD or Lowes.

Lumber yards and suppliers deal with mid to upper grade products for a reason: They aren't a big box store that can absorb selling subgrade products, and they rely upon a clientele that also has to warrant it's work. Check me if I'm wrong, but go hang out in the paint or window isle of your local big box store and notice how many professional tradesmen AREN'T there.
The products are much better at professional sources and well worth the time and money.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Two things you'll never see:
A quality contractor buying windows @ HD or Lowes
A quality contractor buying paint at HD or Lowes.

Sorry man, but I have to disagree here on both points, just like lumber yards, lowes and hd have higher quality windows at there disposal. But there is nothing wrong with the pella line windows. If you want a higher cost window, they can order them, just like if you were dealing with your local lumber yard.

Lumber yards and homestores are really no different in that they are going to supply a product that makes them the most profit. Most the local lumber yards will not carry the same products, not because the homestores products are inferior, but because they can't compete with the Lowes and Hd stores on there bulk buying power.

There is nothing wrong with the windows sold at Lowes, the pella line is fine for the average home, they look good when installed by a professional contractor and operate well. The ratings on them are the same as most top tear windows as far as R-values are concerned. Care should be taken that they are installed properly. Install non expanding foam around them or the r-value is useless.

As far as the paint, do your homework! The Baer products offered by Hd is one of the highest rated paints on the market. Being a "High Quality contractor" myself, I can say I use mostly top of the line B&M or Top of the Line Porter paint. But I have had to use Valspar and Baer Paint on accation when customers specifically requested it. Most contractors when it comes to paint, choose 1 manufacturer/company to deal with because it makes our life easier and the profits are greater because we get discounts from our suppliers.

Lumber yards and suppliers deal with mid to upper grade products for a reason: They aren't a big box store that can absorb selling subgrade products, and they rely upon a clientele that also has to warrant it's work. Check me if I'm wrong, but go hang out in the paint or window isle of your local big box store and notice how many professional tradesmen AREN'T there.
The products are much better at professional sources and well worth the time and money.

By the way, most contractors, if there repretable, will be long gone in the home stores before most of the public gets there. If you frequent lowes at 7 to 8 in the morning, you will see a hundred different contractors lined up buying there products, including windows, doors, etc.

Lowes has completely taken over as far as lumber sales in this part of the world. Not only do they beat any price from a lumber yard, they have better material usually also. I do a catered lunch party for my friends at lowes atleast once a year, for them helping us through the season. I walk in the door and never have to wait for service, or have to go find a cart, etc etc . Lumber yards are on there way out,

Last but not least, supporting local business is great, if they provide a nice product at a fair price. Most of your so called "local window companies" are nothing but a franchise from another state. Supporting any business in your local economy is what is right, doesn't matter if its a big store or a mom and pop store. The lowes here supports this community in alot of different ways, and employs thousands of people. they also support all of us contractors with good reasonably priced products so we can in turn spend money in our local economy.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Sorry man, but I have to disagree here on both points, just like lumber yards, lowes and hd have higher quality windows at there disposal. But there is nothing wrong with the pella line windows. If you want a higher cost window, they can order them, just like if you were dealing with your local lumber yard.

Lumber yards and homestores are really no different in that they are going to supply a product that makes them the most profit. Most the local lumber yards will not carry the same products, not because the homestores products are inferior, but because they can't compete with the Lowes and Hd stores on there bulk buying power.

There is nothing wrong with the windows sold at Lowes, the pella line is fine for the average home, they look good when installed by a professional contractor and operate well. The ratings on them are the same as most top tear windows as far as R-values are concerned. Care should be taken that they are installed properly. Install non expanding foam around them or the r-value is useless.

As far as the paint, do your homework! The Baer products offered by Hd is one of the highest rated paints on the market. Being a "High Quality contractor" myself, I can say I use mostly top of the line B&M or Top of the Line Porter paint. But I have had to use Valspar and Baer Paint on accation when customers specifically requested it. Most contractors when it comes to paint, choose 1 manufacturer/company to deal with because it makes our life easier and the profits are greater because we get discounts from our suppliers.



By the way, most contractors, if there repretable, will be long gone in the home stores before most of the public gets there. If you frequent lowes at 7 to 8 in the morning, you will see a hundred different contractors lined up buying there products, including windows, doors, etc.

Lowes has completely taken over as far as lumber sales in this part of the world. Not only do they beat any price from a lumber yard, they have better material usually also. I do a catered lunch party for my friends at lowes atleast once a year, for them helping us through the season. I walk in the door and never have to wait for service, or have to go find a cart, etc etc . Lumber yards are on there way out,

Last but not least, supporting local business is great, if they provide a nice product at a fair price. Most of your so called "local window companies" are nothing but a franchise from another state. Supporting any business in your local economy is what is right, doesn't matter if its a big store or a mom and pop store. The lowes here supports this community in alot of different ways, and employs thousands of people. they also support all of us contractors with good reasonably priced products so we can in turn spend money in our local economy.

I agree about Pella windows in their better grades (special order) but disagree with the quality of the supply chain in general of the provided windows from MI or others typically found at Lowes or HD. My house built in 2003 with Lowe's supplied windows has had seven windows replaced in the past 3 years due to leakage.

I've spent my career as a superintendent/project manager in large commercial and public facilities (650 mil worth) with a hundred or so houses and apartment units along the way. I used to buy with some confidence from the big box stores but their products have been dumbed down to the point of almost unusable. Can't buy a quailty tool, overpriced crappy paint and lumber, economy grade everything. I use them for emergency basic supplies but would never plan a project around them.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

I have been in the construction industry for 25 years. have my own remodeling business, Use to be a project superintendent for a commercial builder. Was in charge of building both the latest build outs on both the lowes buildings here in louisville. Have built everything from a small deck to multimillion dollar homes. Including two Homarama houses.

Now whats that mean as far as lowes products go, not much. If you built your home with pella windows and you had leaks, was it from poor install or poor quality windows? Most leaks are from poor installs. Anyway, I again, disagree with everything you have said and think you are misleading to the op.

It use to be Anderson was a good window, I prefer Marvin myself. But your talking about a vinyl replacement window. There are hundreds of different companies out there producing these now. The vinyl windows will not be much better quality no matter what you spend per window. I have installed probably 40different companies windows over the years and the pella, off the shelf windows at lowes finish out and perform just as well as any others.

Also don't know what you mean about tools being cheap/crappy at these stores. Dewalt, makita, bosch, milwaulkey, hitachi are all cheap tools? Don't get it?! What materials are you referring to? What paint are you referring to? What tools?

By the way, the windows that were installed into your new home, they were construction new home windows. The op is looking for remodel windows. The pellas will be just fine for replacements. I have had them in my personal home going on about 8 years now with no issues.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

I have found Home Depot to have really bad lumber. Lowes is pretty good. Valspar paint is excellent and was actually recommended to me by a pro painter who did some work at my home. Behr is decent and I've used it quite a bit but it's coverage is extremely poor with any of its "whites" (like 3 coats needed to make an already white door a little more white). Glidden paint is garbage. For most items, the big box stores do tend to have a mid-grade product, a special order top end product, and an off the shelf product you'd pretty much only put in a rental property

 

[lakelover]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Great discussion, love it. Thanks guys.

The paint part is also pertinent because I'm doing a fair amount of interior painting right now.

EZ, what is it about you and me and paint? You hate Pettit, I like it. you say Glidden is garbage. I just finished painting two rooms with Glidden Premium, one white and one medium green, both went on great and covered in one coat, no dripping etc.

I installed a Pella window when I redid my bathroom 21 years ago and it's as good as new today, that's why I have such high regard for them. It wasn't a replacement window though, I gutted the room and replaced everything, including the walls & floor.

I appreciate all the window thoughts in this thread, the jury's still out on this one.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: Vinyl replacement windows - best brand available to DIY-er?

Geuss I stirred that up.