Advice/Info on Replacement Windows?

[mrsv98]

Late last year, we had a new roof and siding done for the house thanks to a huge hailstorm last July. Once that was done, we realized how awful our 30 yo single-pane rattling windows were and decided to get at least some of them replaced.

This past week, I have had several companies and contractors out and man, is it confusing! Every window is "The Best" for this and that reason and choosing is really hard. I have done a BBB check on the companies and they all seem fine. I have looked at the National Fenistration Council web site and know what we need in terms of energy efficiency and all the windows fit the criteria.

What I need now is some personal experience so I turn to my DIS friends for help! Here is a list of the windows we are considering. If you have had any experience, would you please share? THANKS SO MUCH!!

Windows:

Champion

Wellington

Gilkey

Atrium

 

[Dan Murphy]

We replaced 7 double hungs plus a picture window (front of house) with Gilkey's about 2 years ago. Hope to do balance soon. We are VERY happy with our choice. We did also look at Wellington (you know, we both do listen to WGN, Rebecca ) and one other (can't recall) and, as said, very pleased.

 

[mrsv98]

Thanks for the info Dan. The Gilkey salesman was TERRIBLE! He took a phone call and preceeded to argue with a previous customer for 10 minutes while I sat and stewed. Then he hung up and called his office! It would take a lot for me to buy from them, tho if the windows are really good, maybe I can call and request a different sales person.

Are the windows really easy to tilt in and clean? Do the safety latches work well? DD is to the age where we need to take more precautions in terms of her opening windows and tumbling out so this is very important!

Any other info?

 

[KimRaye]

I'm in even earlier stages of exactly what you're asking about. I've been collecting all the ads and, I listen to WGN also and, Gilkey, Anderson, Pella, Champion and Wellington are among them. Haven't heard about Atrium tho.

I'd be interested in your 'findings'.

We have all regular windows except the picture window in the LR. I want to change that entirely so that I can open part of it.

Big projects this spring/summer, roof, gutters and windows!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Rebecca, funny you mention the sales person, as that is one of the big reasons we bought from Gilkey. The products of all are fairly similar, all good. We just felt VERY comfortable with the sales person. In fact, he was so proud of 'his product' about a week after they were installed, he brought his girlfriend over (after a phonecall asking if he could) to show her the work. And that was it, not a front to sell more, he truly loved the product. And we do too. If you want his name, I can get it from Marie.

As fro ase of cleaning, they are great, and they do have a locking mechanism to prevent from raising to high also. We really like them.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

A few years ago we got Champion replacement windows. One thing I really noticed is that they keep down the noise coming into the house. They tilt in very easy for cleaning, and also have the locking mechanism Dan mentioned.

We also looked at the Renewal by Andersen windows. I was less than impressed when I later found out that he pretty much misrepresented the vinyl frame he used to compare with their fibrex frames (no insulation and was falling apart). The Champion salesperson was great, and you can choose from different colors if you wish (some don't offer that option or as many colors).

If you decide on the Gilkey, good luck getting another salesperson. Two years ago I worked a brief stint with another replacement window company, and I learned a few things. First, the in-home make-the-sale-in-one-visit sales method is not for me. Second, the salespeople do have the discretion to lower their prices to make that sale in one visit, so they probably won't do that with you. They're not crazy about "be-backs", since they rarely happen and that takes time they could spend pitching to another customer. Third, their salespeople were straight commission and I'm sure the Gilkey guy is too. Since he's already invested time with you in the sales pitch, he might argue with his manager that you're his customer. If they were to send someone else, the two salespeople would be splitting the commission, making it even less likely that they would drop the price (and their commission rate, if they do like the company I was with) to get the sale.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

My husband owns a small remodeling company. He has trained about 1/2 of the current Champion sales force in our town (he trained them, they didn't like having to get their own leads and went to Champion to be spoon fed). We don't have the other companies you mentioned in our area, so I can't comment on those, but I can tell you every company and every salesperson is different town to town, office to office. DH is very low-key, no "hard closing" (what can we do to sign this contract tonight, Mrs. Smith?") and no "if you buy right now you get this much better a deal". It has been an impossible winter and we are just getting better sales-wise because it is hard to compete with the big boys. I like the guys I know who work at Champion, but I know their product here is overpriced.
DH has several brands he sells, including "Certainteed" vinyl replacement windows. We just put a window in our laundry room where there wasn't one and that's what we used. I think it keeps cold air out better than our 10 year old wood windows that came with the house (subdivision regulation, bah!). I know he thinks highly of the Renewal franchise here but not so highly of Hansen and Wallside, two other chains that just set up shop.
All in all the window business is getting soft, and the roofing and siding (esp. fiber cement) is picking up. If you have any other questions PM me and I'll ask DH when he gets home tonight.
Robin M.

 

[mrsv98]

Thanks for all the information!

Obi-Wan, thanks for the scoop on Champion, they are the front runners at the moment, tho I am waiting on two more before we make the big decision. I am always upfront with salesmen and told the Gilkey guy before he came that we were in the process of obtaining bids and he would not be getting a sale on the day. Maybe that made him less apt to do a great job, all I know is he ticked me off big time!

Kim, here is the Atrium Windows information. They look really good in terms of the u value, in fact even their "better" windows beat the Gov standard. I just don't know how much they cost, I am waiting for a bid which should come in today. I really liked the Wellington windows but they are about 20% more than the others and that is a lot when you are talking about such a big project.

We are replacing 7 double hung windows and if we can swing it, changing the big front window to a bay window with side casements and the annoying, hard to open kitchen window to a garden window with side casements. I will let you know who "wins" and what the cost was to help your decision.

Thanks again!

Edited to say, Thanks Robin, I think we were posting at the same time! I am sure Champion is overpriced, in fact, most of them are. I really feel it is akin to the furniture business where the markup is ridiculous. That is why I am also trying a fairly well-known contractor. Maybe working with a "guy" instead of a "company" will make the difference.