for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: Windows replacement suggestions

aimrocky : 2/17/2021 6:40 pm
I’ve been pricing out window replacements, focusing on Pella and Andersen. Our GC pitched the MI 1650 series windows as they are more than half the price of the Andersen 400 series. My wife actually prefers straight vinyl, so the wood interior of the Andersen 400 isn’t a must have.

Is anyone familiar with MI? They have a lifetime warranty on the sash, but I’m sure the warranty has preventative language. There don’t seem to be many reviews outside of complaints to the BBB.
I haven’t had MI but I’ve had Pella and it’s a good  
UConn4523 : 2/17/2021 7:13 pm : link
brand, especially compared to and factoring in Andersen’s ludicrous price point.

The watch out with Andersen is their repairs if ever needed. You need to pay for a guy just to come out apparently. I also don’t buy the recouped value on a resale of 1 brand over the other. Most buyers see new windows as new windows. Only in a truly upscale custom home would it make a big difference having the stronger brand name.

Here’s a good article for you.
Window comparison - ( New Window )
I priced out the Pella 250 series  
aimrocky : 2/17/2021 7:44 pm : link
Direct from Pella with installation. There’s a factory right down the street from me, so I figured I’d be an ideal buyer since delivery is so low. The cost was absurd (more than $1000 per window). I told the sales guy he was out of his mind.

My GC has installed MI twice this year, so the reference pool is small. Reviews online don’t look great, with a class action suit in 2015. Since my wife prefers vinyl to vinyl clad, I may ask my GC to price Pella through his supplier. It’s possible Pella was so high because of the labor.
RE: I priced out the Pella 250 series  
Jim in Fairfax : 2/17/2021 8:55 pm : link
In comment 15155732 aimrocky said:
Quote:
Direct from Pella with installation. There’s a factory right down the street from me, so I figured I’d be an ideal buyer since delivery is so low. The cost was absurd (more than $1000 per window). I told the sales guy he was out of his mind.

My GC has installed MI twice this year, so the reference pool is small. Reviews online don’t look great, with a class action suit in 2015. Since my wife prefers vinyl to vinyl clad, I may ask my GC to price Pella through his supplier. It’s possible Pella was so high because of the labor.


Counterintuitively, you pay much more buying direct. You’ll get a better price from an independent.
We live in the same area  
UConn4523 : 2/17/2021 9:36 pm : link
check out Harvey Windows. Local company, they did my entire house and their service is excellent. I believe I got these below.
Harvey - ( New Window )
Definitely buy through your GC  
UConn4523 : 2/17/2021 9:37 pm : link
who should have dealer pricing somewhere. Mine had an account with Harvey so I got his discount which was pretty substantial. Can’t remember all the details but I definitely paid under half of your Pella estimate per window.
Thanks, UConn  
aimrocky : 2/17/2021 10:21 pm : link
I’ll check them out.
Did this a couple of years ago now  
Johnny5 : 2/17/2021 11:35 pm : link
We were looking mostly at Andersen and Marvin, but we went with the Marvins. Spec for spec they were a better deal. Very happy with them.
Just finished replacing mine in the Notheast.  
gmangill : 2/18/2021 7:15 am : link
Did the same back and forth between brands... Finally talked to a bunch of trades people and asked "If it was your house and you were keeping it, what would you do?" 100% response Anderson 400... So thats what i did... Did it over 2 years, (2 separate projects) to break up the cost... Now that its done... Love the windows!

BTW... I didnt do "replacement Windows" i totally replaced the entire window, frame and all...
RE: Just finished replacing mine in the Notheast.  
aimrocky : 2/18/2021 7:31 am : link
In comment 15155936 gmangill said:
Quote:
Did the same back and forth between brands... Finally talked to a bunch of trades people and asked "If it was your house and you were keeping it, what would you do?" 100% response Anderson 400... So thats what i did... Did it over 2 years, (2 separate projects) to break up the cost... Now that its done... Love the windows!

BTW... I didnt do "replacement Windows" i totally replaced the entire window, frame and all...


So, I did the same thing. So far I’ve met with two people, my GC and the Pella rep. I asked both the same question, “what do you have in your home” and they said Andersen, even the Pella rep (who admitted he worked at Andersen beforehand). I have a 3rd GC looking at it over the weekend, but I know their family. They recently replaced all of their Pella’s with Andersen.

My Cousin had his replaced last summer and used Marvin and paid about $550 a window (without labor). I’ve been using that as my benchmark, even though I know the price of raw material has gone up since then.
Back to the Corner