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Best Aluminum Clad Windows for Ca new home

LC01
10 years ago

We are building a new home Ca and are deciding between Milgard, Kolbe and Sierra Pacific Extruded Aluminum clad windows. Any suggestions as to which windows will be the most problem free windows?

Comments (12)

  • millworkman
    10 years ago

    Of those three, Kolbe first and best choice, Milgard second and Sierra Pacific so far down the list that it should not even be considered in my opinion. Milgard is from reading and other window pro's advice and opinions as the product has never been available on Long Island to my knowledge. Kolbe and Sierra Pacific I have experience with.

  • LC01
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Interesting. Thank you. I heard a lot of good things about Sierra Pacific especially about their wood since they are primarily a lumber company. Supposedly that is why the cost is a little less even though cost isn't as much of a factor for us.

  • millworkman
    10 years ago

    From my perspective the cost is about the only good thing about their product and if the rest of the unit is not quality then the price really does not matter. As far as them being a lumber co. that doesn't really mean they know what they are doing with finished product.

  • LC01
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks. That is a big help.

  • PRO
    Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
    10 years ago

    What area of California are you in?

    Sierra Pacific all wood windows are okay. Their aluminum clad is pretty far down the line in quality compared to most brands from what I've seen.

    Milgard I wouldn't even consider, they're a vinyl window company attempting to build what looks like a wood window. The cross sections I've seen is that they're a fiberglass window with a thin wood veneer laminated to the inside. There's no milled wood on the window. Maybe they have some new aluminum clad product I don't know about now? That was just from my research. They're a good vinyl company but not for the wood/aluminum clad market.

    Kolbe is your best choice in my opinion. Go with the Ultra series, very few issues, it's a great looking product.

  • PRO
    Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
    10 years ago

    I did do some more research. The Milgard "wood clad" line is a fiberglass window with wood veneer. The Milgard "essence" line is a fiberglass window with wood interior, but in my opinion still more resembles the proportions and profiles of a vinyl or fiberglass window. So I stand corrected!

  • LC01
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks. Glad to hear everyone likes Kolbe. That was my first choice but just trying to follow up on some window suggestions from other sources. We are on the central coast but inland a little, not right by the water.

  • Esko
    10 years ago

    +1 for Millworkman's post

    Go with the Kolbe. It may cost you around 15-20% more but the difference in quality exceeds the cost difference by far.

    Milgard makes a good window. Their new Essence window is a nice product but it is fairly new and has many limitations.

    Although the cost of Sierra Pacific can be attractive, I can honestly say, they are still over priced for what they deliver.

  • PRO
    East Bay 10
    10 years ago

    I am curious. Why wasn't Marvin and Marvin Integrity on your list?

  • Esko
    10 years ago

    How far inland?

    This post was edited by Esko on Mon, Jul 22, 13 at 23:32

  • LC01
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Actually we quoted Marvin and Loewen which are both beautiful windows but 30% more. We have over 80 windows so it was considerably more.

  • sushipup1
    10 years ago

    How far Central? We are Monterey County. Nothing to add to the topic, I'm afraid!

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