Revere Berkshire Windows Reviews

Note: The Revere Berkshire windows have been discontinued.  Revere has removed some features from the old Berkshire window and renamed it the Amherst Plus window.  They have replaced the Berkshire window with the completely new and redesigned Berkshire Elite window.  You can read our review on that new model here.

The Revere Berkshire windows were the most popular replacement window ever produced by Revere Building Products.  They sold hundreds of thousands of Berkshire replacement windows over the years.  The window combined many features found in more expensive products with the simple clean lines that Revere widows are known for.

Why was the Revere Berkshire window discontinued?

Time stops for no man (or replacement window).  The Revere Berkshire windows just got a little long in the tooth.  There have been some innovations in the replacement window business and Revere needed to keep up.  Newer windows were using true sloped sills and non-metallic reinforcement.  The newer replacement windows were achieving slightly better efficiency ratings including better air infiltration ratings.  If Revere wanted to continue to offer a top tier replacement window option they needed to change.

What about the Revere Berkshire window warranty?

One of the benefits of working with a large company like Revere is that you can be pretty confident that they’re going to be around for the long haul.  The fact that they retooled the Berkshire window to create the new Amherst Plus window is a great sign for past customers.

This means all of the equipment needed to product parts for the older Berkshire windows is still in the plant.  Revere has set themselves up to be able to honor their warranty obligations for many years in the future with no problem at all.  This is a great sign for past customers.

Should I buy these windows now?

You can’t buy these windows anymore.  The current product options are the Amherst Plus window which is very similar to the old Berkshire and the newly redesigned Berkshire Elite option.  Find reviews on these and other popular models here.

Revere Amherst Plus Windows Reviews

Update: While this Revere Amherst Plus review was originally written several years ago it’s been updated in 2021 as we continue to work to provide the best replacement window information on the entire internet in 2021 and beyond.  See info towards the bottom of this post for the most recommended window companies in 2021.  Be sure to post a comment or send us a message with any questions!

The Revere Amherst Plus windows are one of the newer replacement window options from Revere Building Products.  The Amherst Plus windows occupy the lower end of the replacement window offering and they use a slightly old fashioned design.

First off, it’s completely ok to consider a lower end window option.  Maybe you’re moving soon, or renting the house, or you’re just a little on the cheap side.  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that and I can tell you I’ve been accused of being a little cheap myself.  As I’m sure you already know, when you’re going for a lower priced option you’re going to be making sacrifices.  It’s important to be clear on what those sacrifices are and how much you’re saving in return.  That’s the only way to know if you’re making the best move.

As you’ll see the actual wholesale cost difference between the Amherst Plus and the much nicer Berkshire Elite offering is pretty small.  If you’re thinking about Revere replacement windows you may get the best bang for your buck with the Berkshire Elite.

Basically the Revere Amherst Plus is a striped down version of the older Revere Berkshire window.  This window was the workhorse of the Revere window line for many years.  As the industry progressed it started to look a little dated.  Revere needed to upgrade that model in order to stay competitive.  To create the new Amherst Plus model they stripped out several features of the older Berkshire window and gave this new offering a fancy new name.

What are the differences?

Basically if you took the old Revere Berkshire window and removed the balance covers, installed a flimsier screen and switched to the cheaper constant force or coil balances and installed single strength glass you’d have an a “new” Amherst Plus window.

revere amherst plus windows

Does this mean it’s a bad product?

Nope, but it does mean you don’t get a lot of bang for your buck.

What does the Revere Amherst Plus window cost?

Now for the important part.  The actual wholesale cost difference between the Revere Amherst Plus windows and the nicer Revere Berkshire Elite windows is only around $10 per window.  That means for just a couple bucks more you can get upgraded balances, double strength glass, better air infiltration ratings, heavier screen frames, etc.

Of course this doesn’t mean that your local contractor will be charging only $10 more for the nicer window.  They might be padding their profits a little and showing you a $50 difference in price.  Just offer them less and you’ll probably get it.

Only you can decide how cheap you want to be with your new windows.  If you’re selling the home or renting it out and you really don’t care about the windows then maybe these are the right products for you.  If you’re going to be living in the house for any length of time I would really suggest the nicer product as long as you can get it at a reasonable cost.

Find more Revere window reviews and the best replacement window reviews online.

Revere Amherst Windows Reviews

Note: If you’re really looking for Revere Amherst windows reviews  in 2021 you’re getting bad window advice.  The Revere Amherst windows have been discontinued for a number of reasons.  One of which is that they weren’t very nice windows.  If you’ve met a contractor that is suggesting them you should probably find another contractor who knows more about windows.

Revere Amherst windows are the bottom of the Revere window line.  They were designed to be an inexpensive replacement window used for remodeling projects.  While they succeeded in being inexpensive, they are not a very great option.

Revere Amherst replacement windows
Here is a cutaway view of the Revere Amherst window.

The biggest drawback to the Revere Amherst windows is the method of construction.  Instead of welded corners which are found on just about all windows these days the older Revere Amherst windows still use mechanically fastened or screwed together frames.

This means the frame is able to twist and flex more than a newer welded window.  It also opens the door to leaks as the corners of the window are not necessarily weather tight.

What’s good about the Revere Amherst windows?

While I may be sounding a little negative there are a few highlights when looking at the Revere Amherst option.  First, they use the upgraded block and tackle balance mechanism found in other Revere replacement windows.  The balance mechanism is the part that allows the window to open and close and this type is better than the inexpensive “constant force” or coil balances used in many other windows.

They also feature standard metal reinforcement in the sashes which is something that competitors often charge extra for.  This reinforcement is placed at the bottom of the top sash and the top of the bottom sash (at the middle of the window) which is the weakest point.  They reinforce the structure to help these windows stand up to the wind and rain.

How about the Revere windows warranty?

Another good point is that the Amherst windows are covered by the same warranty as all Revere windows.  This is a pretty strong warranty and it’s backed up by Revere’s parent company, Associated Materials, Inc.  This means you not only get a good strong warranty, but you also get one that will likely stand the test of time.

How about the cost of the Amherst windows?

This is where they lose me.  Based on the info I was given the wholesale cost difference between the Revere Amherst windows and the much nicer Revere Berkshire Elite windows is only about $15 per window.  If you’re considering new windows for your home and you’re not willing to spring for an extra $15 to get the much nicer Berkshire Elite windows then you just might be beyond help.

At the end of the day the Revere Amherst window was designed to be a cheap option.  It’s cheap alright, but not cheap enough to justify all of the sacrifices.

Find more reviews of Revere windows here and other brands here.