Who makes the best replacement windows?
The best replacement windows will vary with the type of window being replaced, the thickness of your walls, your budget, your expectations for window longevity, and performance.
Replacement windows: Methods of installation
There are different ways to install replacement windows that will affect your choice of product. Many older homes were framed with 2x4s and have a limited area for a window sill. If you try to put a new construction window into an opening that held an aluminum window, odds are the window would hang out 1 5/8 inches and would require a 2x4 trim just to bring it near flush. Most homeowners will not want 2x4s nailed to the outside of their homes.
Alternate replacement window installation
The alternate way to install the replacement windows would be to "cut back the liners," which basically entails cutting the interior trim (wallboard) around the perimeter of the opening back approximately 1 1/2 inches. The loss of window sill area is a big concern for many homeowners. An alternative to "cutting back the liners" is to put the new window in over the existing sill trim. In other words, put in a smaller window and let it rest upon the existing trim. In this installation, the window area is reduced because of the smaller openings, but may also be further reduced because vinyl frames are wider than aluminum frames. The best solution is often to use a window specially designed for this situation (slim lines).
If you are replacing wood windows with vinyl windows, you will generally want to use a 3"new construction window with a 3 1/2 to 3 5/8 inch wide frame. If you are replacing old aluminum windows with vinyl framed windows, you will generally want a "slim line" window designed for that purpose. Old aluminum frames were generally around 2 inches thick. A modern slim line replacement vinyl window is usually 2 5/8 to 2 3/4 wide, making it a very good choice for a replacement.
Be cautious when choosing a replacement window
Homeowners need to be very careful when choosing a replacement window that needs to exactly fit into an opening without altering the look of the home's exterior. New construction windows are not built for this application. Most windows are designed for new construction and the nailing flange provides structural stability. When they are used as replacement windows, installers generally remove the nail fins during installation.
If you remove the nail fin from many new construction windows, they will tend to bow badly over time because the fin is a big part of the structural strength of the frame, acting like an "I" beam. Companies that specialize in replacement windows, like Comfort Design Industries (CDI), build much thicker multi-chambered products with thicker walls than new construction windows that are designed to be installed without a nail flange. CDI even manufacturers a replacement window with an extra thick outer wall and no nail fin.
In addition to the window frames manufacturers use, there is also the glass choice and seal method. The performance of the window can be judged by the "U" value and other factors which are too long for this article. The choice of window seal system is paramount for preserving the window rating (keeping gas between the glass panes). Cheaper glass units will have metal spacers (intercepts, squiggles, etc.), while high end glass units will have "super spacers."
Super spacers and leakage
Super spacers are triple seals with foam between the glass. Metal seals all transfer heat and lead to premature window seal failures. Some gas will leak through the glass itself. Gas leakage through the glass is about 1% per year, while loss with metal systems is about 10% per year. Super spacers can stop leakage through the seal, but not through the glass. Clearly, they are the best choice for long lasting glass units. Most high end window companies offer super spacers for a small up charge. Most companies do not like to make them because they are labor intensive to construct and slow down production rates.
If you are replacing wood framed windows with wood framed windows, a company like Marvin may be a great choice as they make quality wood inserts designed to replace the old sashes, which are quite easy and less expensive to install. Installers can replace just the moving sashes and leave the frames in place, a cost saving approach that maintains the original design of the wood window while upgrading to new glass technology.
There are many vinyl window manufacturers in America and a number of the companies I am about to list make several grades of windows, so beware when you hear a big name. Many big name manufacturers make high grade windows as well as quite cheap products as well that do not perform like their high end quality product. No real surprise there. This list is by no means complete, but it will offer an insider's look into a number of well known companies.
Alside Windows
They manufacture a very wide range of vinyl windows. Years ago, they bought Alpine Windows in Everett, WA and effectively bought a cheap, low end, discount window. This window has been renamed a few times and is offered at cheap prices in ads, often used to entice buyers to upgrade to a higher end window. Alside also manufactures a triple pane under the name Excalibur, which is expensive but high quality and well manufactured. It is a wide window that may not fit many replacement situations but is nicely crafted.
Andersen Windows
Andersen Windows are one of the best known manufacturers and built their reputation years ago constructing high grade wood windows. Today, Andersen Windows manufactures the Renewal series as well with a composite material containing over 40% reclaimed wood fiber which they refer to as Fibrex. The use of woods is good for the environment, however, the warranties may be shorter in duration (most are 10 year warranty on frame and 20 year on glass) and cover less because it is harder to warrant wood products. It is always a good idea to see a window warranty as it gives you an idea of how the manufacturer believes their product will last or fail. Andersen's wood windows are very attractive and would be worth a good look for someone replacing wood windows with wood windows whose primary concern is not cost or durability.
CertainTeed Windows
They make several product lines. In the Northwest, they were recently purchased by Plygem. Originally, CertainTeed purchased Insulate Industries, a well established Northwest company, and incorporated many of their product lines to become one of the larger window companies in Washington State. They are one of the few companies today that will manufacture a "sky wall window".
Comfort Design Windows (CDI)
CDI is a Washington State company that makes attractive, high quality vinyl windows. CDI manufactures some very strong multi-chambered windows. Their niche is custom replacement windows and they manufacture some full featured exclusive windows for companies like Northwest Home Improvement Co. Their Architectural line of windows has been around for many years and has a good performance history as well as good looks.
LBL Windows
LBL windows is another producer of custom replacement windows. LBL windows are quite attractive. They were recently purchased by Cascade windows in order to add a high quality window to their product line. There is a growing trend for the larger companies to cover the entire range of quality, and the acquisition of LBL will certainly aid Cascade. Hopefully, the LBL warranty will apply instead of the Cascade warranty to future purchasers.
Marvin Windows
Marvin makes some very nice wood replacement windows that replace existing wood sash units. Many installers of wood windows prefer Marvin these days. Definitely worth a look.
Milgard windows
Milgard windows are probably the best known window in the Northwest as they have been used for much of the new construction in the area. Their bulk output is builder grade windows. Quality control remains an issue. They manufacture a limited number of fiberglass windows that tend to be expensive but offer multiple colors. I have heard that in extreme cold areas, fiberglass offers some structural advantages. Fiberglass has never caught on here in the Northwest. They also manufacture sound abatement widows in small quantities. Be sure to check the warranties of the various product lines.
Pella Windows
Pella windows is a big name company that makes quite a few low performance windows these days. Once known for high quality wood windows, they seem to be shifting and morphing as they now produce a lot of cheap vinyl windows for the new construction market.
Simonton
Simonton is a big manufacturer and popular in much of the country. Their frames are certainly strong and built to last.
Vinyl Product Industries
Vinyl Product Industries, or VPI, have produced high quality, strong replacement windows on the east side of Washington State for years and have a good reputation.
By Tom Gion
