Month: May 2022

Polaris DynaWeld Windows Reviews

Here we look at Polaris DynaWeld Windows Reviews to see if these windows make sense for your project.

These are currently the lowest end windows available from Polaris. They means they make them to be cheap and they want to separate them from their nicer window lines. The nicer options are the UltraWeld and ThermalWeld Plus which we’ve already reviewed.

When companies design low end windows they need to cut corners. They do this to save costs and to avoid competing with their own nicer windows. Does that mean the DynaWeld windows are a good value or are they something to be avoided. Let’s find out.

Here is the Polaris DynaWeld windows frame. This is a double hung window model.

What are the advantages of the Polaris DynaWeld windows?

Since this was designed to be a low end option there aren’t a whole lot of advantages. When companies design lower end options they need to take out enough features to make their higher end, and higher margin, options look like a good value.

For example, if they only took out one or two features and reduced the prices by $100 per window everyone would probably buy this window. That’s bad for them. They want everyone to pay for the more expensive models so they need to make the low end windows a bad deal.

Companies will generally take out many features and they’ll keep the prices relatively similar so the low end windows look like a bad deal. This is intentional, every manufacturer does it and it’s why low end windows are usually a bad choice for the customer.

That’s not 100% true in the case of the Polaris DynaWeld windows. They have basically all of the same features that you see in the more expensive ThermalWeld Plus line with fewer available options.

See the next section about disadvantages for more info on limited options.

What are the disadvantages?

The disadvantages of this window model have more to do with the available options than anything else. For example, there are only two color options for these windows and you can see them below.

These are the only frame colors available for these windows.
Here are the two colors for the Polaris ThermalWeld windows. They’re listed as paint colors on the Polaris website, but we think that’s a mistake on the website. I would guess they’re extruded vinyl colors instead of paint.

If you want white or tan windows then these options will be just fine for your project. If you need a different color you’ll need to upgrade to the other Polaris window lines.

Another disadvantage to the DynaWeld window line is the efficiency and you can see more on that below.

How efficient are the Polaris DynaWeld windows?

These windows are less efficient than the other Polaris lines. They need to do this because they didn’t reduce too many of the window features. Since this window has lower prices there must be a drawback. Polaris has chosen to reduce the efficiency in order to justify the prices of the other lines.

Here are the common efficiency ratings for Polaris DynaWeld windows.
Here you can see the efficiency ratings for the DynaWeld windows. There are fewer options than you’ll see in the other product lines and the ratings are not as good.

As you can see in the chart above the efficiency ratings for these windows are not as good as the other Polaris window products. You’ll also have far fewer efficiency packages available and they’ve removed the options for different spacers.

Overall the difference in U-Factor from 0.30 to 0.27 is not gigantic. If you’re just looking for a decent option and not concerned about being Energy Star certified this might be a fine choice. It’s not what I would suggest for your personal home but it might work for a rental or flip house.

What about the Polaris windows prices?

The prices for all building products, including windows and doors, has been relatively volatile for the last few years now. It can be hard to keep up, but we know that hundreds of people across the country receive quotes for Polaris DynaWeld windows every day.

We need you to let us know if you've received a quote or prices for these Polaris windows.

If you’ve recently recieved a quote for these windows let us know by posting a comment below. I may follow up with you by sending an email. You can definitely help to make this industry easier to navigate. By adding a little transparency we can change this whole business. Please comment below to let us know you’ve received a quote.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall this is a low end window which typically isn’t a great value. It has nearly the same list of features as the more expensive Polaris windows which is nice.

Unfortunately, there are fewer options, fewer efficiency packages and worse efficiency ratings. Overall I’d say if you’re replacing windows in a low end rental or a flip house these may work great. If you’re going to be living in the house I’d look for a better option.

Other posts about Polaris windows that you might find helpful:

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Polaris ThermalWeld Plus Windows Reviews

Here we have Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows reviews to see if these are the best windows for your house. We’ll look at the advantages, disadvantages, warranty prices and more. Find the real info on replacement windows right here.

The ThermalWeld Plus is a middle of the line window from Polaris which is often a decent choice. In this case the ThermalWeld Plus is an upgrade over the older ThermalWeld model. Is that enough of an upgrade to make this window a decent choice in todays market? Let’s find out.

Here is the Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows frame. You can see it's pretty typical.
Here you can see the Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows frame. These cool angled pictures give the brochure a very amateur look.

What are the advantages of the Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows?

Overall, like most of the Polaris window line, this model looks to be pretty average. As an example, they advertise a very typical list of features for this model. Things like welded corners, intercept spacer, sloped sill, sash limit locks. These are things basically every window made in the last 10 years will offer.

One feature that they list that isn’t 100% typical is the continuous interlock across the entire sash. As they correctly point out, some window models will have an interlock at the sash but it won’t run continuously. Often they’ll have a break near the locks.

The pitch for this interlock would be that it improves air infiltration, but you don’t see anything about air infiltration included in their marketing. To me that would indicate that it doesn’t actually have much of an impact on the ratings, but that’s just my hunch. If anyone out there has more info on Polaris air infiltration ratings post a comment below.

Other than that interlock feature, there isn’t much that stands out.

So, to summarize the advantages of the Polaris ThermalWeld windows, I’d say they have about the same advantages as any other window.

What are the disadvantages?

One disadvantage to these windows is that they are produced by a smaller (riskier) manufacturer. That can present several problems for customers that are not always evident when the salesman is sitting in your living room.

One of these problems is that it’s very expensive for a small manufacturer to improve or update designs which means they don’t do it very often. That leads to older designs being on the market long past their sell-by date. More on this in the warranty section below.

Another disadvantage to this model is that it uses the older constant force or coil balances which aren’t as nice as the upgraded block and tackle type. That can make sense with this model as it’s not trying to be a top of the line product. it’s more of a middle of the road option so it gets middle of the road features.

Is the Polaris window warranty any good?

The warranty from Polaris is decent. We cover this in more detail in the Polaris UltraWeld review linked here.

Overall the lifetime warranty covers the windows for as long as you own the home. There are limitations, for example labor is not covered. A glass breakage warranty is available, but must be purchased separately.

In addition the warranty is much more limited when some options like internal blinds or tempered glass is included. This limits the warranty for all Polaris patio door as all patio doors have tempered glass.

Also, the warranty gets more limited when it is transferred. Overall it’s a decent warranty but more limited than some others. And, since it’s offered by a relatively small manufacturer it’s riskier than the warranty you’d get from larger companies. If Polaris were to vanish tomorrow you’d have no coverage at all. Unfortunately we’ve seen that scenario play out may times over the years.

What are prices for Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows?

This is where we need your help. Pricing for all replacement windows has been pretty volatile over the last few years. If you’ve recently received a quote for Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows please post a comment to let us know.

We need your help gather prices for Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows. If you've received a quote for them recently let us know!

I may send you an email for more info too. The more transparency in this industry the better it will be for everyone.

How efficient are the Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows?

To their credit the ThermalWeld windows do have pretty decent efficiency ratings. Polaris publishes charts like that showing ratings that are very solid.

Here are the efficiency ratings for Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows.
Here you can see common efficiency ratings for Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows.

This is just one set of info, but it shows U-Factors as low as 0.16 with the EnergySmart Ultimate Plus package and 0.27 with the Energy Smart Supreme package. These are decent ratings so I’d say the efficiency is pretty good with this window model.

One thing you don’t see in all of this data is the air infiltration rate. That rating has been a big deal to customers for several years now and I’m sure Polaris knows that. I would think if their ratings were great they’d publish that info. Why keep good ratings secret? The fact that you don’t see air infiltration ratings advertised is a sign that they might not be too good.

This picture shows the foam filled frames of Polaris ThermalWeld Plus windows.
Here you can see the foam fill in the frames. Does foam make a difference in efficiency? In this case it makes about a 0.01 difference in the U-Factor. That means it’s mostly a sales pitch with little actual benefit.

If a salesman selling these windows makes claims about Polaris air infiltration ratings ask to get that in writing and let us know. They can make claims about anything. In-home salesman are often paid 100% commission so they want to get the sale very badly. I would not trust verbal claims about something like air infiltration because there’s no way for you to verify it. Get it in writing and let us know what they say.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall, this looks like a decent but unremarkable window. The efficiency ratings are solid, but the air infiltration is suspect. The features are relatively plain which can be perfectly fine.

If you’re looking for a middle of the road option and you get a great price on these windows they may offer a fine solution. If you’re buying them you will want to be comfortable with the risks associated with a small manufacturer.

There are plenty of middle of the road windows with similar features available from larger manufacturers so you may want to consider those options as well.

Other posts about Polaris windows that you might find helpful:

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Polaris Ultraweld Windows Reviews

Here we have Polaris Ultraweld Windows Reviews to help you decide if these are windows to avoid or to buy for your home. We’ll look at the advantages, disadvantages, warranty and prices.

The Ultraweld is the top of the line window option from Polaris so you’d expect it to have all of the fancy features that you see on fancy windows.

To me, the brochure for this model reads like it’s competing with windows designed 20 years ago rather than more modern competitors.

That can be a common situation for these smaller window manufacturers. They don’t necessarily have the resources to redesign windows to keep up with the competition. They can make a fine product but it can get outdated and it seems that’s what has happened here.

Polaris Ultraweld double hung windows. Not exactly the most modern choice.
Check out this retro picture from the Ultraweld brochure. This model just feels old.

What are the advantages of Polaris Ultraweld windows?

These windows will have many nice features. For example, they have limited space in the brochure so that’s where they need to really hit the highlihgts.

The features they mention that they use intercept spacers in the glass, sash limit locks, heavy duty locks, recessed tilt latches, extruded lift rails, etc.

To save pixels I won’t explain each of these features in detail. The thing to know is that these are really ordinary features. There is nothing interesting here and basically every window will have the same features.

Here are three features listed in the Polaris Ultraweld brochure. These are pretty common features, not too exciting.
Not exactly the most exciting features. I feel like I’m in 2002.

They do also talk about using Innergy fiberglass reinforcement instead of metal. This is also something you see in most every modern window design.

Finally, there is talk about the Flex screen and internal blinds. These are two features that are a little more unique.

Overall, I’d say it’s a struggle to find too many advantages to this product line over any other modern window model.

What are the disadvantages?

I’d say one of the main downsides to this window model is the older design from a smaller manufacturer. Those can both have consequences.

There are many older window designs that are still available today. For example, the Alside Ultramaxx and Sheffield windows were not new back in 2004. That’s when I worked for the parent company of Alside. That means those models are 20+ years old at this point and still available for sale today.

Older window designs tend to have bulkier frames, use older hardware, and the typically have higher air infiltration rates. See more on air infiltration below.

The small size of the manufacturer is also something to be concerned about. In my nearly 20 years of experience in this business I’ve seen many small manufacturers vanish. It happens. It also leaves all of their customers with no warranty and no access to spare parts.

If there’s a compelling reason to take that gamble then maybe you should, but is there? Why take the chance when you don’t need to?

What is the air infiltration rate of the Polaris Ultraweld windows?

This is info I haven’t been able to find so I’m hoping someone chimes in with more info. I saw someone say that the air infiltration rate for this model was 0.01 but that doesn’t seem right to me, at least not for a double hung window.

If the air infiltration rate was that low you’d think they’d be telling everyone who will listen but you don’t see it advertised anywhere. It’s not in the brochure or on their website. It’s not even on the page on their site that is dedicated to efficiency ratings. Strange.

That would be a huge selling point, so I’m thinking the fact that it isn’t written anywhere means the actual rating might be worse.

Do you have info on the air infiltration rate for a Polaris Ultraweld double hung window? Post a comment below, bonus points if you have anything official to back up your info.

Is the warranty for Polaris windows any good?

The warranty for these windows is perfectly decent. It’s a lifetime warranty on the window frames. You get 30 years of coverage on insulated glass units, but only 10 years if they have blinds.

There is no coverage at all for glass breakage or labor which are things that some other manufacturers do cover.

Also, if the warranty is transferred the coverage of the insulated glass unit is reduced to 10 years.

So, there the warranty is ok, but there are defininltey better options out there.

What is the price of Polaris Ultraweld windows?

Here’s a section where we need your help. Prices have been all over the place since Covid and it’s a challenge to keep up. If you’ve recently recieved a quote for Polaris Ultraweld windows let us know by posting a comment below. We’ll send you and email and your info will help everyone who is shopping for new windows.

We need your help. If you've recently recieved a quote for Polaris windows please post a comment to let us know.
Have you recently received a quote for Polaris windows? We need your help!

Transparency makes this whole business easier for folks to navigate and your help is needed today.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall this isn’t a window I would tend to recommend. We’ll probably get comments on this post from folks who sell Polaris windows telling me all about why I’m wrong. That’s ok. I understand the salespeople love it.

When you look at all of the options in the market I just don’t think this model makes much sense anymore. If you think I’m wrong post a comment below and let me know why.

Other posts about Polaris windows that you might find helpful:

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Vytex Georgetown Windows Reviews

Find Vytex Georgetown windows reviews here. If you’re considering these windows for your home you’ll want to read this info. We look at the advantages and disadvantages along with the warranty, prices and more to see if these windows make sense.

It’s important to note that the Vytex Georgetown window is the lower end window. Usually it’s not a great idea to buy the bottom of the line windows and that holds true in this case.

If you’re looking for a cheap window for a rental or something there are other cheap choices to consider instead of this one.

Here is the frame of the Vytex Georgetown window.

What are the advantages of the Vytex Georgetown windows?

There aren’t a whole lot of advantages to a window model like this. You could say the warranty is decent, and we’ll cover that later. Other than that the hardware is average, the efficiency is pretty typical, there just isn’t a whole lot to talk about.

Manufacturers will make windows like this so that their nicer windows look nicer. Offering a cheaper option lets their retailers offer you a lower price. The trick is that the lower price comes with sacrifices which helps them justify the cost of the nicer models.

Ultimately, windows are going to be in your house for decades so it’s typically not a great idea get the cheapest option. You’ll be dealing with the windows long after you’ve forgotten the cost.

What are the disadvantages of this window?

There are a few downsides to this window model. It’s designed to be a cheaper option so it’ll definitely have downsides.

One is that the frame is bulkier than you’ll see on other models. You can see this in the picture above vs the similar pictures on our Potomac HP and Fortis reviews. This isn’t a look most people love.

Other factor to consider is that these windows are a little less energy efficient than the other Vytex models.

They’ll also use cheaper constant force balances that you can see below. These balances are cheaper than the upgraded block and tackle balances that you see in nicer windows.

These are the lower end constant force balances that are found in the Vytex Georgetown windows.
Here are the constant force balances that you’ll find in the Vytex Georgetown windows.

What is the warranty on Vytex Georgetown windows?

The warranty on these windows is pretty solid. They come with a lifetime warranty that incudes glass breakage and it’s transferable when you sell the house.

The risk to consider is that Vytex is a smaller manufacturer which is a little riskier than a larger manufacturing company. Of course anything could happen to any company. It is important to note that we’ve seen many smaller window manufacturers vanish over the years leaving all of their customers with no warranty or access to replacement parts. That can be a situation that you don’t want to find yourself in.

Here are the efficiency ratings for common packages in the Vytex Georgetown windows.
Here you can see the efficiency ratings for the Vytex Georgetown windows.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall I would not suggest this window. Vytex intended to make a cheaper product and they succeeded. They talk about “value” in their brochures which is window code for cheap.

Ultimately if you have a rental house or a flip project where you need cheap windows there are better low end options out there. I’d avoid this model.

What should you do if you think I’m wrong about something?

That’s easy, just post a comment below and let us know. It’s always my objective to share facts as I know them to be true and my opinions. If you think I’ve missed the mark on anything I would LOVE to hear from you. Please post a comment and I may follow up by email too. Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the site!

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows. You can find my company here and you can find recommendations of other companies in other parts of the country here.

More posts about Vytex windows

Other posts you might find interesting:

Vytex Fortis Windows Reviews

Here you can find Vytex Fortis windows reviews to see if these are the best windows for your home. We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of these windows along with the warranty, prices and more. Let’s get going.

This is the basic look of the Vytex Fortis double hung windows.

What are the advantages of Vytex Fortis windows?

Vytex is a smaller manufacturer located in Maryland and they make three main window lines. The Fortis is a mid-range product. It falls between the lower end Georgetown and the higher end Potomac HP model in terms of quality and price.

This model has most of the same features and options that you’ll see on many windows models. For example, it has virgin vinyl and welded frames. It uses the constant force balances that you see on most mid-range windows and it has similar efficiency packages to what you see on many other models.

In terms of efficiency, Super Spacer is included in the glass packages and the overall efficiency ratings are perfectly normal.

What are the disadvantages?

Disadvantages to the Vytex Fortis windows aren’t a huge deal but there are a few.

For example, the air infiltration rate on the double hung is listed at 0.09 which is decent but higher (worse) than many competitors. We tend to suggest looking for a window with an air infiltration rate at or below 0.05 so this one is a little higher. That means it will let in more air when closed and locked.

Next, they show a lot of pictures of windows with foam in the frames in the brochures, but the efficiency ratings are pretty typical. Here are the ratings for a few common packages:

These are the efficiency ratings for common packages in the Vytex Fortis windows.

These ratings are perfectly fine but not really anything special.

One thing you can see in these ratings is the lower VT rating. That means this model will let in a little less light than other models with similar efficiency ratings.

Finally the constant force balances they use in these windows aren’t quite as nice as the upgraded block and tackle balances you’ll see in most higher end windows.

So, to summarize I’d say the downsides are the slightly higher air infiltration rate, the lower visible light transmittance and the lower end constant force balances.

This is the structure of the Vytex Fortis windows with the foam in the frames.
Here you can see the structure of the Vytex Fortis windows.

What is the warranty on these windows?

The Vytex Fortis windows come with a lifetime warranty is is pretty standard in the industry. The warranty is transferable and also covers glass breakage. Overall I’d say the warranty is perfectly good.

I would suggest weighing the fact that Vytex is a relatively small window manufacturer when you’re considering the warranty. Over the years we’ve seen many smaller manufacturers vanish leaving all of their customers with no warranty at all. That’s one reason I tend to suggest working with larger manufactures.

Vytex windows use lower end constant force balances vs the nice type used in most higher end windows.
Here is the constant force balances used in the Vytex Fortis windows. It’s not the type you tend to see on higher end windows.

What about Vytex Fortis windows prices?

The prices for a replacement window project can vary quite a lot depending on the scope of your project and the options you pick. For example, a window with triple pane glass will tend to cost more than a window with double pane glass.

If you’ve recently recieved a quote for Vytex windows I’d encourage you to share any info in the comments below. The more transparency we can provide the easier this business will be to navigate for everyone.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall I’d say this is a fine window. There are a few downsides so if it was sold you to as the greatest window ever I wouldn’t agree. There is risk in dealing with the small manufacturer so that’s something to consider when making your decision.

How can you get a second opinion quote?

If you recently signed a contract for Vytex windows and you’re not sure if it’s a great deal, we can help. In most states you have three business days to cancel an in-home purchase so you should act fast. You can get an online quote by email from my company here. It doesn’t hurt to see what the alternative would be.

One of our reps will send you an email with an itemized price list and additional product info. From there they can answer any questions and make unlimited revisions until you have the order just the way you want it.

It’s the easiest way to get new windows and the best way to make sure you’re paying a fair price for your project. If my company doesn’t offer windows in your area you can find other recommendations here.

What should you do if you think I’m wrong about something?

That’s easy, just post a comment below and let us know. It’s always my objective to share facts as I know them to be true and my opinions. If you think I’ve missed the mark on anything I would LOVE to hear from you. Please post a comment and I may follow up by email too. Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the site!

More posts about Vytex windows

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows. You can find my company here and you can find recommendations of other companies in other parts of the country here.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Windows Select – SCANDAL in Wisconsin, or not?

If you’re in Wisconsin you may have heard of a potential scandal involving a window company called Windows Select. It even sounds like the Green Bay Packers are involved. Let’s find out what’s going on.

For starters, this article from a local new outlet covers the issues pretty clearly. The accusations are that this company took deposits from hundreds of customers and is unable to pay their bills. This would potentially put them at risk of bankruptcy which would make their customers pretty nervous.

Lets start at the beginning

It seems the owner of Windows Select, Justin Kiswardi, had been involved in the Universal Windows Direct location in West Allis that had gone out of business. Here’s another article outlining some of the difficulties there.

Once that location had closed Justin opened Windows Select which also offers similar products and services.

It seems things started strong, but that didn’t last.

Problems at Windows Select

According to the article listed above Windows Select has received 66 BBB complaints in the last 12 months. That’s not ideal. It also says the owner of the company had previously been sentenced to three years in jail in Ohio for financial crimes. I’m a firm believer in rehabilitation, but it seems like there may be a pattern here.

They say that many customers report paying deposits for windows that were never ordered. If that’s the case it could be that the company is using deposits from one customer to pay for windows for another which is a tricky position to be in.

Are the delays from manufacturing?

Here’s a pretty unusual thing. It seems that the manufacturer Windows Select was using posted a negative google review about them.

Here it is:

Google reviews about Windows Select.

The claim there is that Windows Select was blaming the delays on manufacturing. The manufacturer says they’re making the windows but not shipping them because of unpaid invoices. That’s not a great sign.

Why are the Greenbay Packers involved?

Well, it seems that the company was advertising with the Packers. They were offering things like free tickets when you get a quote for windows. It’s relatively common for home improvement companies to advertise with sports teams so that’s not a problem.

The companies pay the sports teams for the advertising. In this case it seems the company didn’t pay the advertising bills and the Packers have now cut ties with them. Again, not a great sign.

What’s happening now?

Towards the end of that article they mention that the company was setting up at a home and pet show in Kenosha just a few weeks ago. That would mean they’re still looking for new customers.

Finally, they do mention that the owner of the company denied most of these claims and offered to provide info that would explain things, but never did.

If anyone out there has any more info on this situation please let us know. We’ll be happy to update this page as more info becomes available.

What should you do if you think I’m wrong about something?

That’s easy, just post a comment below and let us know. It’s always my objective to share facts as I know them to be true and my opinions. If you think I’ve missed the mark on anything I would LOVE to hear from you. Please post a comment and I may follow up by email too. Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the site!

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country including two in Wisconsin. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting:

DaBella Exteriors Windows Reviews

Here we have DaBella Exteriors windows reviews and more info about the windows they carry, their alleged connection to Penguin Windows, lawsuits and more.

As we get started it’s important to note that my company competes with DaBella Exteriors in some markets. We operate with completely different business models, but we’re offering similar products so feel free to take that for what it’s worth.

DaBella exteriors windows reviews

What windows does DaBella Exteriors offer?

If you’re not familiar DaBella Exteriors is a replacement contractor, primarily operating in the Northwest. They sell Preservation windows made by Associated Materials.

We’ve reviewed Preservation windows before (link above) and in my opinion they’re decent windows, but often overpriced. The Preservation Reserve window model would be my favorite model, over the more expensive Preservation option. Read the reviews of those windows for more info.

The Preservation window line was designed to be sold through higher priced dealers around the country. That’s its purpose and it comes with the fancy marketing and sales support to meet that goal.

Overall, in my opinion the windows are perfectly decent, but you might want to get another quote or two in order to make sure the pricing is decent as well. See our section below on DaBella window prices.

Is DaBella Exterior connected to Penguin Windows?

This is a little tricky. I had heard that there was some connection between these two companies but I didn’t really know anything about it until researching this post.

You can see this page, on which a commenter says that DaBella is owned by the wife of the former president of Penguin Windows. I haven’t independently verified that.

Penguin Windows was a large window company in the Northwest that went out of business. See clip from a news article below.

Is DaBella Exteriors related to Penguin Windows? It's hard to tell.

Typically when a large window company goes out of business the employees from that company will start up more companies in the area which will also sell windows. That makes sense as it’s a business that they are familiar with and a fresh start might help.

It is a positive sign that the article mentions that the Penguin customers who had pending orders would still get their windows. That doesn’t always happen when a window company goes out of business.

So, is DaBella connected to Penguin? I don’t know, there’s talk about it online, but that’s unverified. If you have any info about this post a comment below to let us know.

What about DaBella Exteriors lawsuits?

Overall I’d say it’s a good sign that you don’t see too many lawsuits relating to DaBella exteriors. We found one relating to a trademark case. It seems a company in Nevada was using a very similar name for their window company. I’d say that case isn’t a big deal.

There was another case from a former employee that appeared to be related to employment discrimination. It’s hard to say what’s going on there.

Overall as a relatively large home improvement company I’d expect to see more lawsuits. In my opinion it’s a good sign that you don’t see more cases relating to DaBella Exteriors.

How are the prices from DaBella Exteriors?

This is where we need your help. I know Preservation windows like the type sold by DaBella are often sold at relatively high prices, but I don’t have any info on the prices charged by DaBella.

If you’ve recently recieved a window quote feel free to post a comment to share your experience. I’m sure other readers of the site will be interested.

What should you do if you think I’m wrong about something?

That’s easy, just post a comment below and let us know. It’s always my objective to share facts as I know them to be true and my opinions. If you think I’ve missed the mark on anything I would LOVE to hear from you. Please post a comment and I may follow up by email too. Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the site!

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows. You can find my company here and you can find recommendations of other companies in other parts of the country here.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Vytex Potomac HP Windows Reviews

If you’re looking for Vytex Potomac HP windows reviews you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of these windows along with info on the warranty, prices, features, efficiency and more. Get ready for fun!

As we get started it’s important to note that I always suggest folks buy windows from large and well established manufacturers and this one doesn’t fall into that category. Vytex is a small manufacturer in Maryland and I’ve dealt with them before. They make fine windows, but there are real risks in these little companies.

This is the basic look of the Vytex Potomac HP windows.

What are the advantages of these windows?

This is billed as the top of the line Vytex window so they have most of the features that you’ll see in any nicer window. These windows will all use virgin vinyl and welded corners, that’s all very common and not really special at all.

The Potomac HP windows do a good job of getting a great seal. The air infiltration rate is 0.03 which is perfectly good. We tend to suggest looking for a window with a rating under 0.05 so this one meets that goal.

As far as the advantages go, this window is perfectly nice, but there’s nothing really remarkable about it. Now let’s look at the downsides.

Here is the Vytex Potomac HP window frame and structure.

What are the disadvantages of Vytex Potomac HP windows?

I already mentioned the riskiness of the small size of this company and I don’t think that should be underestimated. We do hear about these small window companies going out of business and leaving all of their customers with no warranty or access to spare parts. You don’t want to end up in that position.

In addition to that, the sales process that companies selling these windows use can certainly leave a lot to be desired. There are a few companies who sell a lot of these windows using all of the old fashioned sales tactics. There’s no need to buy windows from a company who treats you like that.

In addition to all of that, these “top of the line” windows are still using the cheaper constant force type balances vs the nicer upgraded block and tackle balances you’ll see in most nicer windows.

These are the lower end balance mechanisms used in the Vytex Potomac HP windows.
Here is the picture of these balances from the Vytex brochure. This is not the type you’d typically expect to see on hinger end windows.

How efficient are these windows?

The efficiency ratings for the Vytex Potomac HP windows are perfectly normal. They offer the same types of energy efficient glass and spacers that you can get from any nicer manufacturer and the efficiency ratings are pretty typical.

Here are common efficiency ratings for the Vytex Potomac HP windows.
Here are common Vytex efficiency ratings.

Here you can see the efficiency ratings for three common packages. The ratings here are pretty typical. A 0.27 U-Factor for double pane and 0.21 for triple pane are very average.

One thing you can see in these ratings is the very low (bad) VT rating. For example, the 0.21 U-Factor for triple pane is pretty normal, but the 0.40 VT rating means these windows don’t let in a whole lot of light. This is usually due to the thicker frames. Light is a good thing and nobody wants a dark house. In my mind that thick frame is a real drawback to this window model.

What’s the bottom line

Overall the efficiency ratings are perfectly normal and the features this window has are perfectly fine.

There is an inherent riskiness of the small manufacturer, the lower end hardware and the thicker frames blocking light that are real downsides.

I don’t think this is a window I would suggest to you if you were my buddy asking my advice. It’s a decent enough product, but not remarkable and the retail prices are usually not very competitive. I’d suggest looking for another option.

More posts about Vytex windows

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Gentek Signature Elite Windows Reviews

If you’re looking for Gentek Signature Elite windows reviews you’ve come to the right place. Frequent readers of the site will know that I tend to think the Gentek window line is one of the nicer product lines and the Signature Elite is one of the best windows they make. That’s one reason my company elected to carry them in several markets so we have real first hand experience with these windows.

Here are three Gentek Signature Elite double hung windows.

What are the advantages of the Gentek Signature Elite windows?

There are a few key reasons that this model is one of the best replacement windows on the market today.

First, these windows are backed by a billion dollar company

Associated Materials owns Gentek along with several other major brands like Preservation, Alside, Revere, Alpine and more. The backing of a large manufacturer with a 70+ year history means that these windows are likely to be around for the long haul. It also means the warranty is likely to be honored for many years to come.

In my opinion people routinely undervalue the risk associated with the smaller manufacturers. It’s always my suggestion to work with a larger company and Gentek fits this bill

Next, the Signature Elite window utilizes slim frames to maximize glass area

Glass area can be a big factor for some folks when picking a replacement window. Some models, especially older designs, will use thicker bulkier vinyl window frames and the salespeople talk about strength. The downside to those bulky designs is that you get less glass area in the same size window.

Here you can see the difference in glass area that you can achieve with the Gentek Signature Elite windows.
Here you can see the difference in glass area that you can get from a window with a slimmer frame. The difference can be substantial.

The Signature Elite line utilizes a newer design that intentionally maximizes glass area with slim vinyl frames. This is more of a factor when the existing windows are on the smaller side. If your windows are large this might not be a huge concern, but to me it’s always important.

Next, these windows use upgraded hardware and components

If you’re new to window shopping it can be easy to think that all replacement windows are pretty similar. While it’s true that many windows generally look similar, there are some pretty important differences.

One of these differences is the quality of the hardware and components used. Things like balances, locks, tilt latches, etc are not always easy to see and they’re parts that people don’t always know much about.

best replacement window balances
Here you can see the differences in the common types of balances. Many manufacturers use the cheaper Constant Force type, but with the Signature Elite windows you get the upgraded type.

In my mind the quality of these components is a great indicator of the manufacturer’s intentions with the product. For example, the Gentek Signature Elite windows use the same upgraded hardware and balances as the Preservation Reserve windows which usually sell for much higher prices.

That tells you that Gentek always intended this to be a top of the line product and they’ve succeeded.

What colors are available for the Signature Elite windows?

The interior and exterior colors are a nice selling point for this model. Below you can see the available options.

Gentek Signature Elite interior and exterior colors.

You’ll see the popular black exterior is available along with many other colors. It’s important to remember that all color combinations are not available and adding colors will increase the cost of your project. If you’re considering color options other than simple white or beige, you’ll want to talk to your dealer about the options.

What is the warranty for these windows?

Overall the warranty on the Signature Elite windows is pretty good. I mentioned earlier that it’s backed by a billion dollar company so that’s a good start. The warranty is a transferable lifetime warranty so it’s good for as long as you own the house. Then it’s transferable when you sell the house so you can use that as a selling point.

The warranty covers the frames, the glass, the hardware and even the seal of the insulated glass unit. Overall I’d say the warranty is very strong and it a great reason to buy these windows.

How efficient are these windows?

These are very efficient windows which is another nice feature. Gentek uses their Barrier XP Packages in the Signature Elite windows. This means they are available with hundreds of available efficiency packages.

These are the efficiency ratings for the common Gentek Barrier XP efficiency packages.
Here are the efficiency ratings for the most common Barrier XP packages.

You can get triple pane glass for a top of the line solution with U-Factors as low as 0.21. Or, you can pick from a wide range of double pane options to get the best solution for you.

Gentek offers several spacer options including Super Spacer, Intercept Spacer and a stainless option called ThermD. They also offer different types of low-e coatings and different gas fills like argon and krypton to make sure you can get the best solution.

This shows the foam insulation inside the frames of the Gentek Signature Elite windows.

In addition to great glass options, here you can see the optional foam insulation in the frames too.

You will see some in-home window salespeople acting like they have the very best efficiency packages but the chances are Gentek offers everything those small companies offer and many more options too.

Finally, the air infiltration rates are another huge advantage to this model. You get an air infiltration rate of 0.04 in the double hung model which is better than many competitors. That means when the window is closed and locked you won’t get a draft into your home.

This is the frame and structure of the Signature Elite replacement window.

What’s the bottom line?

This is a window model that has many advantages that can’t be matched by most competitors. They’re backed by a billion dollar company, they use upgraded hardware and components, the slim frames allow for max light and the efficiency packages are top of the line.

Overall I do think this is one of the best replacement windows on the market today. That’s one reason it’s a product we offer through my company in several markets and we’ve had great success. If you’re considering ordering new windows I’d say this is defininltey a model to look at.

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting:

Gentek 1900 Series Windows Reviews

The Gentek 1900 series is probably the middle of the road option for a new construction window. The quality is decent and they compare pretty well with other vinyl new construction windows.

As readers of the site will know, some of the Gentek windows are some of my top picks, but this model falls slightly below that mark. You’ll find it can provide a decent solution for a new construction window. If you’re a builder you might pick this model, but if you’re the homeowner I might suggest spending a little more for a nicer solution.

Gentek 1900 series casement windows and sliding windows.

What are the advantages of the Gentek 1900 Series windows?

This model will have most of the same features as the Gentek 1700 series windows that we recently reviewed. They have virgin vinyl, welded corners and upgraded balances. These are pretty nice features for a new construction window.

The 1900 series model has a few more advantages. For starters, it’s available as a double hung window and not just as a single hung. If you’re not sure about the difference between those two styles you can find more info on that here.

Beyond all of that, the 1900 series model is also available with more frame options.

Gentek 1900 series and 1700 series window frame options.

Here you can see the frame styles that are available. The 3-1/2″ flat casing is only available as an option on the 1900 series model.

This type of thing usually isn’t a huge deal to the individual homeowner as any installer can just install separate trim. This sort of feature is much more valuable to the builder as it will install faster and save time. If you’re building 1000 houses that can add up quickly.

What are the disadvantages to the 1900 Series windows?

The downsides to this model are basically the same downsides you’ll see in most vinyl new construction windows.

First, the air infiltration rate is defininltey higher than you’ll see from nicer replacement windows. For example, the air infiltration rate of this model is 3x or 4x as high as what you’ll see from the nicer Gentek window models. It’s still pretty good compared to other cheaper new construction windows, but it’s not great.

You’ll also see very limited interior color options which are increasingly important to new construction buyers.

Gentek 1900 series interior and exterior color options.

Here are the available interior and exterior colors. You’ll see there are no woodgrain interior options which ins’t a huge deal. New construction buyers generally don’t pick woodgrain. That said, new construction buyers do ask for black interiors or other solid colors and the options here are pretty limited.

Another downside is the other style options.

Gentek 1900 series and 1700 series grid styles.

Here are the grid options and you’ll see these options are pretty limited as well. There is no option for exterior grids and the available styles are pretty limited. If the style you want is included in this list then you’re in fine shape, but if you want anything else you’ll need to look for a different window.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall the Gentek 1900 Series windows can be a good option. The styles and warranty are a little limited, but everyone doesn’t want something super unique. If the style you have in mind is available that’s not an issue.

The warranty is more limited than some other options, but it’s in line with what you’ll see from most new construction windows.

If you’re building a house I’d probably recommend a nicer option, but if you’re a builder looking to pick a window model to carry this one may do pretty well for you.

How can you find a great window company?

That part is easy.  Check this section for recommendations of window companies all over the country. There’s no better way to get new windows.

Other posts you might find interesting: