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| My husband and I are looking into getting Low E vinyl windows for our house, more specifically, the Jeld-Wen Premium Vinyl windows. We currently have aluminum windows, double pane, but the home was a repo when we bought it, and some of the frames are bent and damaged. We also like the curb appeal of the vinyl windows, which is why we are making this upgrade.
Having never bought windows before, I asked some co-workers who are retired general contractors, as well as did my research online for reviews and checking out Consumer Reports. Reviews online are horrible, making me afraid to buy Jeld-Wen. Does anyone know anything about JW Premium Vinyl windows? Has anyone installed them or had them installed? Co-workers say: Be careful of retro-fit windows because the seals are typically warrantied through the manufacturer for only 2 years. Though the window has a 10 year warranty, the seal is only good for 2 years. We will need to re-caulk the seals every 2 years, or else they will leak. Also, the benefit of switching to Low E glass is not THAT great. Stick with the aluminum windows. The window installer says: He uses a polyurethane seal instead of caulk, and that he has never had a problem with leakage in the past. He said I will never have to re-caulk or re-seal the windows as long as they are in place. Online reviews are not very clear. What I am reading is a lot of angry customers, either angry with Lowes or Home Depot for ordering them wrong, or having them arrive broken. I don't see that as Jeld-Wen's fault. Some just say in general that the windows were scratched or broken, and that Jeld-Wen wouldn't replace them. Again, I don't see why that is Jeld-Wen's fault. I would say it's the homeowner's fault for letting them get installed that way. I'm not really sure why people say that Jeld-Wen windows are inferior. They only mention things about the install rather than the windows themselves. And, when they do mention their windows, they don't mention WHICH windows they have. I can't seem to find any specific reviews on JW Premium Vinyl. Hopefully someone who HAS JW Premium Vinyl windows will read this and can give me some feedback. Consumer Reports: Consumer Reports lists JW Premium Wood Tradition Plus windows, but not JW Vinyl. But, in general, they say that vinyl windows tend to leak air a bit more. Hoping that someone can give me some expert opinion specifically on JW Premium Vinyl windows. Thank you!
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by millworkman (millwork4u@gmail.com) on Thu, Sep 13, 12 at 20:54
| Find another window company, Jeldwen is a poor quality window in any series. Find another contractor/installer as that is pretty much crap and stick with window peoples advice for windows and not co-workers as what they are telling is not even close to correct if you purchase quality windows. And last but not least, DO NOT buy windows from HD or Lowes. |
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- Posted by windowsonwashington (My Page) on Fri, Sep 14, 12 at 17:03
| +1 Keep shopping. There are so many good vinyl windows out there that there is a unit that fits your budget, options, and look. The more research the better. Your wallet and your home will thank you for it. |
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| Jeld-Wen Premium Vinyl windows are very solid product. The sliding windows have the best rolling system on the market and the only aluminum track that I know of. The AAMA C-35 rating is among the highest in the industry for a residential window. The design of the window maximizes glass area which may or may not be important to you. Other manufactures go for a wood window appearance. Again, nothing right or wrong with either just personal choice. Low-e glass is a proven energy saver and also reduces sunlight damage to interior furnishings. How much you save is totally dependent on where you live and how well insulated your home is. If you live in a warm area you might want to upgrade to Low-e 366. It has a significantly higher solar heat gain coefficient-or the ability to keep direct sunlight heat outside. As a far a retro fit just make sure you use a quality installer and check a few 4+ year old references. |
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- Posted by EcoStarRemodel (My Page) on Mon, Sep 17, 12 at 0:10
| 366 glass has a LOWER solar gain than most LoE glass. I think the rest of your post is just as accurate. |
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