The Sunrise Restorations window is one of the top performers in the industry. Getting them installed by a Sunrise approved dealer provides great peace of mind that they will be properly installed and that you will receive good warranty service in the event it's required in the years to come.

I would never recommend using a handyman (jack of all trades - master of none) to perform this kind of work. All of the benefits of dealing with an approved dealer are missing from this arrangement. I'm also not a fan of the products he is offering.

Marvin's Integrity window is a decent option, but nowhere near the performance of the Sunrise Restorations.

Can't add much to that.

Well said Ultra Windows.

Thank you for the replies. Until yesterday we thought Restorations by Sunrise was the way to go. We certainly like the performance of the window and we like the installer. However, we looked at the windows again and we (wife and I) came away thinking - Wow, this looks like a vinyl window! Yes, okay it is a vinyl window but looking at it this second time we both really had an empty pit of a feeling in our gut. We asked ourselves is this really the window we want?

Looking at the Integrity by Marvin we had a better response. I guess the main cosmetic difference for us is how the window looks from the inside of the house. The Integrity has a wood interior so it looks more natural to us.

We're going to look at the Andersen 400 series again soon. It also has a wood interior finish so that should look okay (we think).

So another question is.... Would we be making a big mistake if we purchased the Integrity or the 400?

By the way, if we go with the Andersen 400 how should I go about finding a suitable installer? We're shying away from the handyman because we think it's just too big a job for him along with the comments in the responses above.

A handyman ??? Really ?????
I agree with everything ultrawindows had to say. restorations by a mile.

I wouldn't dismiss the well respected local "handyman". You'll most likjely get a better job from this guy than you will with a large window company. They might send a large crew of inexperienced laborers with one experienced guy overseeing the job. The larger company will most likely be significantly more expensive than the local guy too.

Most experienced contractors would consider window installation as handyman work anyways. I can buy a nice window at the local lumber yard and you'll get all the benefits of the warranty. In my area you'll rarely see homeowners using "window specialists". They simply jack up the price of the window as well as the installation. They need to cover all their advertising, salesman's salaries, and executive bonuses somehow....

Don't get to hung up on the performance numbers. If you like the look of the Anderson or Marvin and you're saving a nice sum over the Sunrise, buy what you like. It's like comparing an ugly car that is more expensive over the car you like because the "better" car gets 27.8 mpg, while the one you want gets 27.7 mpg.

I just looked up the Sunrise "authorised dealers/installers" in my area. Looks to me from their sites that they are nothing more than small "handyman contractors".

I guess the OP will now have to decide whether they want to trust three dedicated window professionals (on a window forum) or a handyman who purchases his windows at the local lumber yard and recommends that homeowners not get too hung up on performance numbers.

Handymen can't encourage homeowners to look for quality products with proven performance when the only windows available to them are mediocre (at best) lumber yard windows.

If you need a ceiling fan installed, gutters to be cleaned out, or a squeaky door - call a handyman. If you are looking for quality windows - call someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

Sorry, I forgot to answer the OP's question.

If you like the Integrity window that much better than the Restorations, go for it. While the Integrity doesn't have the performance ratings of the Restorations, it's not a bad window at all. I agree with you that the wood/ultrex version is particularly attractive.

We're not trying to convince you to buy a particular window, but simply give you the information that can help you make an informed decision that you'll be happy with long term. It sounds like you would be much happier with a fiberglass or composite window, placing aesthetics slightly above performance and that's good to know what's most important to you. Many times window purchasing comes down to a process of elimination. If you can eliminate vinyl from consideration, that makes your decision clearer and keeps you from getting bogged down in frustration and confusion.

I don't have experience with the Anderson 400, so I can't help there, but I'm sure some of the other pros here will know more.

After re-reading KSC1's post, I think we might have a point of agreement.

A handyman is indeed the best person to hire to install lumber yard quality windows.

Correction ultrawindows. The op can choose between opinions by 3 window salesman who spend their days advertising on various websites or the opinion of a licensed contractor who's been installing windows for over 30 years.

The op can give those Sunrise window specs along with say a Marvin Integrity's specs to an energy specialist and see how long those "superior numbers" will take to pay off.

And to be honest, I was once a "window specialist", being an authorised dealer for a certain brand of window. I can probably become a "specialist/licensed dealer ' of Sunrise with a simple phone call.

Unfortunately I wouldn't do that though. I see their website is comparing their new windows with other brands 15 year old windows. Windows that performed as poorly as those Sunrise compared theirs to would be illegal to install in my area.

Whatever the op decides make sure the window installer is licensed and insured, and also pulls the required permits. Too many rogue "window specialists" out there splapping windows in without the proper permits. I've seen quite a bit of shoddy work performed by these so called "specialists". They were probably in a hurry to get to their next job, their bosses commisions count on it.....

I mentioned in an earlier post that we went to see the Integrity and Restorations windows at the showroom for a second time. Now we're on a mission to see the Andersen (400 I think?) product. We originally saw the Andersen at a home show and I can't seem to find the information from that show.

My question is... Is the Andersen 400 made with Fibrex? That is, for our full-frame replacements on a brick house is the Fibrex the only thing exposed or do they use vinyl for some components (such as the divided lite grills)?

Am I getting the 400 series confused with some other Andersen window? I like the idea of Fibrex but I'd like your opinions on how it will hold up over time.

My wife and I are realizing that the interior and exterior appearance of the windows may be more important to us than we originally believed. Of the window choices I mentioned in the original post the Andersen 400 comes the closest to meeting the appearance we desire.

So back to another question - How can I find a good installer for the Andersen product.

By the way, we were completely turned off by the high-pressure sales tactics of the Renewal by Andersen salesman. Otherwise, we may have purchased that product.

Nice follow up. They do make a nice window and it is nice to see some good feedback on a manufacturer that does do a nice job vs. all of the negativity out there.