We are going with all Pella Designer Windows for our house. For the 2nd/3rd story we are getting the between the panes blinds, only we are getting the aluminum blinds. We tend to have a problem with south and west sun, top stories only, and the aluminum blind keeps out a bit more damaging sunlight.

Sorry I could not help more. Perhaps a talk with the salesman could get you a better deal.

Good Luck.

I have lost all respect with the Pella Corp. and specially the Independent stores trying to push this Over Priced Merchandies that doesn't live up to their name.

As for "blue fastback" All window servicemen blame the installer. Of course it's not the windows fault. There are several articles floating around on the web regarding a class action lawsuit for Pella windows rotting out, this must be the installers fault.

I got an estimate for 33.5 wide by 47.5 long (rough opening) designer windows last month. With triple glass, raising and lowering al. blinds (also open and close) and low E coating, the cost was on the order of $750. This may have included a 20% discount as a "sale" was going on at the time.

We can't get argon filled windows at this altitude (6500 ft). Did go with Pella, but chose the Proline with double panes, low E coating and grills between the glass. These are energy star rated for our area. Had the interior wood painted as well. Cost was roughly half, about the same as Pozzi and Marvin windows of similar construction.

Michelle, White Rock NM

If you look at the archetect specs at various window sites, Pella, Pozzi, etc., you will find triple panes offered. The triple pane improves the energy status, including the U factor, a bit. In some windows, both the inside of the the outside pane and the inside of the inside pane can take a low E coating when you have triple panes, reducing sun damage. You still have space for "window fashions" as the air gap remains wide.

At this altitude, we need to limit brilliant sunlight all year round and still provide against below freezing nights from October into April. Thus, the apeal of a third pane. However, I think that putting cell shades over the windows improves the U factor at a more reasonable cost than adding the third pane of glass. And, in fact, that is the tactic I've taken for the metal (possibly over a foam core) windows in the remainder of the house.

Heat remains a problem for June-August, thus I am reducing the amount of glass in our sunroom, replacing it with insulated wall.

The third pane may dampen sound, fortunately, noise is not a big problem in this neighborhood.

Michelle, White Rock NM

Sharon Bias, Elverta CA

I have to shake my head in disappointment when I see the type of replies that you've had so far. The first response was very negative and had incorrect info; the second suggested only one window brand you didn't want or ask about and didn't even come close to addressing the issues you brought up. Anyway, here's some corrections, answers, issues:

CORRECTIONS:
Planetjc stated you haven't a clue, which is uncalled for. He also stated that Pella would have gone out of business if it wasn't for blinds and that their quality has suffered. The fact is that Pella has excellent performance statistics. In the three times that Consumer Reports magazine (a non-profit, unbiased consumer products research organization) has rated windows, Pella has always tested well (in the excellent category) and has always been their recommended best value window. In fact, they have the only wood/clad double hung in the country that is DP50 rated (Marvin, Eagle, and Andersen, the other 3 brands he mentioned, only reach a 30 to 40 unless they somehow modify it or only look at very teeny sizes). I'm not saying the other brands are bad, but I am saying that planetjc is wrong. Also Pella includes labor in their warranty and their service department makes house calls. Andersen does not include labor but their service guys do make house calls too. Marvin and Eagle do not have service departments at all (it's up to the dealers in the area to decide what they want to service), and Eagle doesn't even have a transferable warranty like the others. He then stated that Andersen makes inferior products just to get them shipped out the door. Andersen products are very good, as their test results show and as Consumer Reports will also testify to. Sometime salespeople for other brands of windows get a bit zealous for their own particular brand or agenda and are blind to the features of other competitors; they just think everything made by the competition is junk.

As for watboy's comments, he talked about a vinyl window without blinds(you asked for windows with blinds and mentioned two brands of wood windows), talked about sound dampening (you never mentioned it), sealing methods of the glass (you didn't ask about it), and triple paned benefits (you didn't ask about it). It's as if he never read your question but wanted a forum to discuss his preferred brand of vinyl windows.

ANSWERS:
Your questions (slightly reworded) were
1. What vendors are out there that offer between-glass blinds?
2. How can the look of the windows best match up since some will be replacements and some will be new construction?
3. Any other affordable suggestions on windows that would meet the above requirements?
Here goes.
1. Pella and Eagle are the two wood windows (with aluminum cladding) that offer between-glass blinds. Pella's blinds are (usually)about 10-15% more but not necessarily. I've never yet met anyone who has liked Eagle's current blinds more than Pella's current blinds. Also Pella between-glass blinds are available in all sizes and Eagle in only some sizes. Just compare the two for yourself and usually the price for blinds between the two brands is justifiable. Eagle has advantages two, such as more standard colors, so it doesn't hurt to compare the two on a number of variables. There are some vinyl window manufacturers out there that offer between-glass blinds, one that I'd recommend looking at is Sunrise, but I warn you the blinds will look kind of hokey compared to the nice system you'd find with Pella. However, my guess is that vinyl windows with between-glass blinds would cost less than wood windows with between-glass blinds, so it might be worth looking at for you.

2. You should have little trouble matching up the look of new construction windows and replacement windows if you're looking at Pella or Eagle. Their sashes look the same with both methods, and from the interior they would look very similar. However, on the outside, the existing window frames would be presumably be remaining in place where the replacement windows are going, so the thickness of that existing frame and sill and trim would not be present with the new construction of your project unless you do one of two things. Thing #1 is to add a similar sizes trim to the new construction windows on the outside, so all of the proportions are the same throughout. Thing #2 is when replacing the existing windows, do a full tear out (that's what I would do) so that the old window frame & sill are removed, and a new construction window custom made to that opening is put into the existing openings as well.

3. Other affordable suggestions, in order of price:
a. $ vinyl window without blinds (yeah I know you said you WANT blinds between-the-glass, but this would definitely be the lowest-cost way to go)
b. $$ wood or fiberglass windows without blinds
c. $$$ vinyl windows with blinds
d. $$$$ wood (clad) windows with blinds

I hope these answers are helpful, and that future posts on this topic could at least somewhat address the topic!

Only reason I mentioned sound dampening, triple pane, benefits and other is because see post posted by ekoreilly. I was answering this person's post. I don't even know what between pane blinds look like. I was interested in the post becaue I'm looking into getting new windows for my whole house. I have decided to go with Pella windows because of cost and being easily available and Lowes which is close to my home and the windows are easily available. I actually came on this sight to see what people are saying about Pella before I go an purchase the windows. the prices seem reasonable and the windows look solid. Schuco windows are not my preferred brand of windows. I just worked there 3 years ago and happen to know they sold triple pane windows. No more no less. So as you see I adressed a question posted in this post. This is an open forum and If I have some information than can help someone I feel like I should chime in and offere an opinion at least.

Posted by ekoreilly (My Page) on Wed, Nov 8, 06 at 20:33

TRIPLE PANE GLASS? WHO OFFERS THAT AND WHATS THE PURPOSE OF TRIPLE PANE? SOUND DAMPENING? "

As for watboy's comments, he talked about a vinyl window without blinds(you asked for windows with blinds and mentioned two brands of wood windows), talked about sound dampening (you never mentioned it), sealing methods of the glass (you didn't ask about it), and triple paned benefits (you didn't ask about it). It's as if he never read your question but wanted a forum to discuss his preferred brand of vinyl windows.

However, the inside the glass shade systems to me were far too valuable to pass up when we were choosing windows for the new build. I simply could not imagine not having them after enjoying them for 10 years previously. They are not without problems, however, and I think that is why other window manufacturers have passed on that option. Pella constantly improves the design, but if years later you want to retrofit your existing windows, watch out, because their customer service is so abysmal, you seriously have to pitch a fit to get them to admit there are options. They just don't want to be bothered unless you are ordering thousands of dollars of product.

The bottom line is that they are not the best made window anymore on the market. Pella installers will tell you that to your face. Their customer service is even worse. However, other window companies have their own share of issues and have few options to compensate for their deficiencies.

If I rebuilt again, would I chose Pella? Probably. As I said, I cannot imagine my life without the blinds between the glass.

However Pella's "triple pane" is certainly not a true triple pane that you see from Serious, Fibertec, etc. It is actually simply a typical double pane sealed window, and they add a removable 3rd sheet of glass. It is not sealed, and really gives you 0 extra u or r values in your window. However they will claim a lower U, but that is tpyically due to the blinds in the glass. However the point of this is to remove the blinds later if broken, switching out colors, etc. But do not be fooled, you are not buying a "highly energy efficient triple pane window". You are buying a Proline double pane and paying for a 3rd piece of glass. However this allows you to still have grills in the glass, and blinds too.

Ealge, on the flip side has the blinds in a fully sealed double pane window. They use a magnetic lever to raise and lower them. However you can not switch out blinds like you can with Pella, or its my understanding you can not have blinds in the glass and grills. Its one of the other. You would need exterior or interior divided lights instead. May or may not be a big deal for people.
Eagle's is cheaper then Pellas, but thats mainly bc you are not paying for that useless 3rd sheet of glass.
There are definately perks to blinds in the glass with ease of use, clean, etc. But they are pricey, and if they break, even more pricey. For our house we will most likely have them in the sliding patio door because external blinds are impossible it seems for doors, but use standard blinds mounting inside the window jamb for the rest. Much cheaper, and many more blind options as well. Plus you are not limited to Eagle or Pella.