what kind of windows are these? vinyl clad?

10 years ago

There are so many windows out there that i get confused. Our neighborhood requires wood or vinyl or aluminum clad, but what I'm seeing on some looks sort of cheap. this one looks like the material they are using in our neighborhood, but this particular window has grills that are more raised rather than flat looking, which i think looks better. so i've decided to use wood in the front and whatever these windows are on the sides and back.

i also see Jeldwin or jeldwyn stickers on a lot the ones going up right now, but these are the ones with flatter grills. is jeldwin a good window?

Featured Answer

mydreamhome

10 years ago

Definitely check out the window forum. It has tons of information on types of windows as well as the different brands out there.

As far as your question in the post, you will find that full vinyl is typically least expensive, followed by vinyl clad, aluminum clad & all wood in that order. All vinyl is pretty much maintenance free. Clad windows require painting on the inside initially & then periodically over time. All wood windows require constant maintenance inside and out. Maintenance is a huge issue when it comes to the longevity of the window and keeping the warranty valid. If you're not prepared to keep up the maintenance, then an all vinyl is the way to go.

SDL (simulated divided lite) windows is what you've got in the pic above. That will drastically raise the cost vs. having the flat or textured grids between the glass or grid inserts. SDLs are also harder to clean. Lots of corners & edges for dirt, pollen, etc to cling. Grids between the glass and even removable grids allow for much easier cleaning as no grids are in the way on either side of the glass (after you pop them out if you opt for removable grids). And lets not even talk about painting an all wood window with SDLs...

I've linked to an older post on windows where I posted a pretty comprehensive overview of window types and brands that you may want to check out. Anyway, hope this helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: Window Thread

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Comments (7)

akshars_mom
10 years ago
There is a windows forum and you may get more answers there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows forum
renovator8
10 years ago
The window in the photo looks a lot like an Andersen 400 Woodwright window which is vinyl clad wood.

Jeld-Wen bought many window companies over the years and a few years ago decided to sell them as different models under the mother company name.

I don't know what value general comments would be for so many different kinds of windows other than to say their most expensive windows are wonderful (remember Pozzi?) and their cheapest windows are used by builders and are, of course, terrible.

If you like exterior mullions that are not flat looking or trapped between the panes of glass, stay away from the cheaper end of the model line up of any window company.
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nini804
10 years ago
We have Jeld-Wen SDL windows on our house...they are wood on the interior and clad on the exterior. I think the mullions are nice and prominent on both the interior and exterior. Now, ours are double hung instead of casement due to the style of our house, but I imagine the mullions would be the same.

Here is the closest up shot I have of the windows...this is just my little kitchen office before I had the plantation shutters installed.
renovator8
10 years ago
SDL is a type of mullion configuration. You need to say which window model was installed.

Jeld-Wen makes the following Double-Hung aluminum clad wood windows:

Custom (formerly Pozzi)
Siteline EX (formerly Caradco)
Tradition Plus (formerly Norco)
W-2500 (builder model?)
Unfortunately all of the aluminum cladding is roll-formed instead of extruded so they are in the same general category as Pella.
millworkman
10 years ago
Everything and anything Jeldwen makes in windows is mediocre at best quality wise.
bridget helm
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks everyone. i suppose i'll have to check windows at a the store when it's time. sounds like there are many to choose from!