Window options for new construction

10 years ago

My wife and I are building a house and I'm looking for some good windows. My wife pointed me in this directions and I've been reading over a lot of the post.

It doesn't appear that Okna or Soft-lite new construction windows are available in my area (Charlotte, NC), which seem to be the most popular here. At least not that I have found.

The options I have so far, not including the big box windows, are:

PlyGem MW Classic Pro
United 5500-series
Marvin
Simonton
Alside (who?)

Now the questions. Are there any brands I should avoid? Are any of these windows good? Anything not mentioned that I should be looking for or missed?

I really want to find a good window and a good price for my house. And not go poor in the process.

Comments (8)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
You are looking a couple of different materials there.

Do you have a particular that you are wanting? i.e. Fiberglass, wood, vinyl, etc?
HomeSealed_WI
10 years ago
Marvin wood windows are great, and Simonton is the only vinyl that I'd consider of the bunch. Even then, they are no better than mid-range IMO. Tomorrow we are replacing a housefull of 12yr old Simontons because the homeowners are tired of the air leakage... Being closer to your area, Windows on Washinton may have a better ideas of the higher end choices in your area.
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Jammrock
Original Author
10 years ago
windowsonwashington, I don't want anything that can rot, peel, or requires painting. So I guess vinyl or fiberglass (aluminum is likely out of my price range).

Thanks for the info, HomeSealed.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
Rotting and peeling are pretty basic requirements. If you are okay with vinyl, that will be a more cost effective option in about 99% of the cases as compared to Fiberglass.

HomeSealed....Simonton windows leaking air...say it ain't so...(sarcasm)...?
Jammrock
Original Author
10 years ago
I'm okay with vinyl because I think that's going to be the extent of my budget. I've read that fiberglass can be better, but right now it's a lot more expensive (?) Energy efficient wise I don't think I need to go crazy, like a triple pane or a krypton filled window. A solid built, glazed double-pane with air or argon, depending on what fits my budget, will be fine for my purposes.

Thinking about it more, what I suppose I'm looking for is experience with the quality of the windows. I want a window that I won't have to be replaced for ~20 years.

I may have a lead on an Okna dealer. I filled out a contact form and then got a call from a Homestar Energy Solutions in Wilmington, NC for an in-house window consultation. The appointment is not until the 26th.
Jammrock
Original Author
10 years ago
Quick follow-up. It was an Okna dealer who stopped by today. He quoted 36 Starmark 900 dual-pane, double-hung composite windows for about $3k more than the PlyGem and Simonton quotes. The Marvin Integrity windows were a cool $5k higher than the Starmark's.

Made the choice pretty simple. Okna Starmark 900's it is. One decision down, a few hundred to go...
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
10 years ago
Great follow up.

That is a complete no-brainer right there.

That is awesome that you were able to find that window for only a few bucks more than the Plygem and Simonton.
rjcrjc
9 years ago
Jammrock, I am also in CHarlotte and interested in Okna windows. Can you please let me know how you like them, who installed them, and the name / contact of the dealer that you got them from? Thanks so much. You can email me from my member page.