I read a thread or two, but nothing more recent about brand quality/comparison.

We have 14 windows in our 1949 home. They are single pane and might have been replaced in the 70s, but aren't sure. We've shopped Pella, Andersen, Windsor, and I've recently found Marvin as well.

We want wood interior and a clad exterior: composite, vinyl, aluminum. Ours plan to be painted all white and we were going to go with double-hung.

Anyone have experience or dislike their $$$ windows? The Andersen 400 Woodwright run about $750-$900/window w/o labor. The Windsor Pinnacle Clad are a little higher. I think the Marvin Integrity Wood-Ultrex are a similar window, but haven't priced them out yet. I also heard of paint pealing badly on those.

Windsor rep tried to offer a pocket/insert replacement method. He said we wouldn't lose much glass, but I disagree. On a 36" wide window, I think 1-1.5" might go on either side. It seems like they are basically inserting a framed window in an existing frame and patching around it to foam it in and seal it. It is a cheaper install, but probably not what I want to go with.

Window shopping is a butt whoop trying to compare everything. Marvin makes a great window that a lot of my residential builder friends stick to, but they can get spendy quick.

If you're in/around Austin, I can point you to a good source in Corey Claunch at Architectural Impressions.

Thanks! Yeah, companies make it very painful. You can't simply calculate a price online. Window manufacturers openly admit that their pricing is completely different between big-box stores and smaller distributors. Hell, Pella themselves say their direct stores can't match Lowes pricing, but then they tout their quality installs over Lowes contractors.

We are leaning towards Andersen 400 Woodwright. There is only 1 Marvin dealer in Austin (maybe 2), and they already told me, "Oh, they'll have to come measure out. Well, you can come to the office, but our reps aren't always in and it'll take us a few days to get pricing".

Give Corey a call. He's an Ag, and was very straight forward with me, but took a bit of chasing to get final pricing. I ended up going the inexpensive route with some Simonton vinyl windows from Austin Retrofit, but obviously don't hesitate to recommend Corey based on his reputation alone.

And if you haven't called Austin Retrofit, you might give them a holler before you decide.

I wouldn't value any quote you received without the guy coming to your house.

Did a ton of research. Absolute joke of a system in how it all works.

A Lowe's or HD "expert" come out to measure windows and discuss a few options. None of them, with their measuring tape, will agree to provide dimensions to order windows on their own. They measure to get a +\- 5-10% ballpark. The window contractors then follow up and remeasure to order. Interestingly, I was informed that 95% of windows sold to existing homes are insert/pocket windows. You are putting a frame within a frame, and easily lose 2.5-3.5" of glass horizontally. Pella and Andersen direct send over a far more unlikeable version of a car sales person who doesn't want to leave and throws a fit if you call them out on the absurdity of their pricing as well.

A 3' x 3' Andersen 400 double hung was quoted out at $2400 with Install. I told him that I had he window priced at $700, so their install was $1700?!? And he proceeded to tell me it came with a warranty and blah blah. He later admitted that for those prices I Should tackle it myself. The good news is that we already have a contractor ripping up the inside of our kitchen, so we will see how that process goes. I know full frame is more expensive, but it sounds like a lot of companies rip people off with insert installation prices. Martel Windows in Austin quoted only $130 a window to install if pocket/insert. And many of those Fibrex/Composite windows are only $250-$350.


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I also tend to use architectural impressions for my jobs. Are you planning on doing the install or are you going to hire someone?

Is the house masonry or wood siding?

Wood siding.

https://windowestore.com

This guy is a tu grad but the website gives you instant feedback on price. I bought through him and installed myself about 3 years ago. Easy process for me.