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springcorn

are jeld-wen truly that bad?

springcorn
9 years ago

I am trying to replace all the windows in my very modest home.

Currently, I have double pane metal windows that are hammered: bent, leaky, etc.

My modest home will never be a mcmansion. Naturally, knowing nothing about windows I quoted out the correspondingly modest Jeld-Wen builder vinyl double hung windows. I was quite pleased with the quote until I started reading this site.

Are they really that bad?

This post was edited by springcorn on Wed, Jul 2, 14 at 19:44

Comments (18)

  • bpchiil
    9 years ago

    Yes they are.

    I am reminded of that when I visit one of our area home centers and see the Jeld Wen vinyl windows (stock sizes) sitting on the steel racks.

    You may be pleased with the quote, but you will be greatly disappointed in the performance and durability of this window. Shop around!

    Good luck!!

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    9 years ago

    +1

    Shop around a bit more. You can get a better window.

  • Karateguy
    9 years ago

    definitely shop and compare

  • PRO
    Ultra Windows
    9 years ago

    Lower end of the vinyl window spectrum for sure, and really not priced appropriately. For close to the same money you can get much better products.

  • springcorn
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thanks for the replies. I guess I need to reassess.

    What would you suggest for a double hung vinyl window on the cheap that would have acceptable performance?

    I am ok if the window isn't as pretty looking as the nice ones or as feature filled. I just want it to function well and last. I am looking for practicality.

    Essentially, what is a lower end window that won't fail?

  • bpchiil
    9 years ago

    "Lower end window that won't fail" - I don't intend to sound crass, but there is no such animal.

    Just like anything else....you get what you pay for.

    You would be far better off to get into a half way decent mid grade window if that is the only way to meet your budget. In my opinion, that would be practicality :)

    There are plenty of good to great vinyl window manufactures that make this type of window.

    This post was edited by bpChiIl on Thu, Jul 3, 14 at 23:36

  • mdln
    9 years ago

    What exactly is wrong with, or so bad about, them?

  • cold_weather_is_evil
    9 years ago

    They're not total junk, but the double pane "rubber" seems to harden and crack, losing the seal. That's happened several times here by showing up as fog. Quite a trick in the desert!

    I can also pop them open by slapping them with the heel of my hand near the latch. Very flexible things, indeed.

    Other than that, mine open and close smoothly.

  • millworkman
    9 years ago

    Poor quality control, poorly designed product, antiquated technology on some (pocket sills etc), water and air infiltration issues, just general poor quality that will not last from Jeldwen and pretty dam near all other "lower" end products. Not to mention that box stores who sell predominantly crap products more often than not have no one in the dept who knows a dam thing about windows and doors. Now some real lumberyards will sell quality brands as well but Jeldwen is certainly not one of them.

  • mdln
    9 years ago

    cold weather & millworkman - Thank you so much for the detailed information.

    I ended up with Jen-Weld windows, due to fire restoration - when I was too traumatized to research window quality. When I posted asking if I should get storm windows, since I had them before and the insurance co would pay for them, I was chastised for making a negative comment about Jen-Weld.

    It is helpful to know what problems I should be looking out for.

    Thank you.

  • millworkman
    9 years ago

    About as low as I would go would go would be Simonton 5500 series ( I believe that is the number) with sash reinforcement. Purchase from a window supplier not a box store and have a qualified installer install, not from a chuck in the truck installer but a bonafide window installer.

  • pprioroh
    9 years ago

    these kind of threads scare me, we have located a builder who has a very good reputation in the area we are building, and looking at his construction seems to do good work. However I think he uses these windows and we are trying to keep our costs to the neighborhood where we are building.

    we went with anderson 400 series on our current home (10 years old now) and have been very pleased except condensation on inner sash on very cold days.

    It seems it's very easy to spend others money by recommending more expensive products, but I remember looking last time we built a home and going to other windows was going to cost us another 15-20K above our andersons...

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    9 years ago

    What about this thread scares you?

    The dominant feedback seems to be that there are better products out there.

    You went with Andersen 400's and while you could argue there are better wood windows out there, you certainly chose one of the better ones.

    If anything, I think the people that contribute to this forum try to get people to spend their money in such a manner that they won't have to re-spend the money on the same windows.

  • pprioroh
    9 years ago

    I guess what scares me is hearing that a very respected builder (over 20 years, many of the homes in the neighborhood we bought a lot in, an Amish crew, known to be honest) is using a product that is crap.

    Our last home we built full custom, we decided every product and every detail. This one we bought the lot and are basically makeing some minor layout changes to a standard plan he builds and trying to not rock the boat with a bunch of non-standard materials and requests that label us "high maintenance" clients with pricing accordingly. So I'm anxious to walk in and say, "we want different windows" when I don't really know why. If it's $5K to upgrade, ok, but our last home (and that was 10 years ago) it was a LOT more to be looking at marvin, etc vs. our andersons.

    I wish there were a site or list of windows (of standard size) listed by cost with some sort of quality rating. It's just overwhelming and what I'm most scared of is trying to keep the price down (since we're probably going to resell this home sometime in the next 10 years, but possibly could live there much longer) but end up with windows that we hate.

    We rarely open windows, we just want good insulation/sealing, no drafts, and good coatings, oh and QUIET.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    9 years ago

    So the buying process is scary...not the content of the threat itself. I misunderstood your earlier post then.

    The builder likely has several models of windows that he offers. Start with that and let us know what you come up with.

    By the way, the list for your windows (airtight, good coatings, and quiet) isn't that small to be perfectly honest but is well intentioned and thought out.

  • millworkman
    9 years ago

    Honestly he purchases the brands his lumberyard/supply house sells The gentlemen offering here are window professionals or specialists. Kind of like a general practitioner and a proctologist (lol)....

  • rider fast
    2 months ago

    to update this thread 2024 yes Jeld-wen windows are truly JUNK, bought a remodeled house from a flipper and all the windows are Jeld-wen, half of them are warped, now that it is cold in the midwest. all the windows gets ice on the inside. Stay away from Jeld-Wen windows and all the products they make