Month: June 2022

Sunrise Windows Warranty Review

Understanding the warranty is an important part of buying new windows and this Sunrise windows warranty review is here to help you make sense of the options. We’ll look at the Sunrise warranty to see what is covered and what is not. Understanding the warranty is the best way to avoid disappointment down the road if something goes wrong with your new windows.

How long is the Sunrise windows warranty?

This is a lifetime warranty which means it covers the windows for as long as you own and live in the house. It says that right on the very top of the warranty document. It’s possible a competitor could tell you that a lifetime warranty is only good for 7 years, but that is not true. I’ve never seen any real info to support that claim so I’d avoid any company telling you things like that.

So, the warranty is good for as long as you own the house and it’s also transferable. When you sell the house you can advertise it as coming with a warranty on the windows and that might help your resale value. It can’t hurt anyway.

Note that when the warranty is transferred there is a $150 fee that is to be paid to Sunrise. If that’s not paid promptly I would assume they’re not going to cover the windows down the road. That’s pretty common and I think it’s a way for manufacturers to avoid covering windows down the road.

What is covered by this warranty?

The Sunrise windows warranty covers the window frames, the glass, screens, hardware and moving parts. Overall it’s pretty comprehensive. It even covers their Madera window trim.

What is not covered by the Sunrise windows warranty?

There are a few things that are not covered so you’ll want to be aware of them. First, condensation on the outside of the sealed glass unit is not covered. This could be on the inside of the house or on the outside.

Condensation can occur on a window for a few environmental factors. Usually it’s a result of excess humidity. It could also be an indication of a problem with a window, but the condensation itself is not covered.

They also don’t cover caulking which is pretty common.

In addition there’s no labor coverage which is also pretty common. If you have a problem down the road they’ll provide you with the parts needed, but you’ll need to pay for labor.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall this is a pretty solid window warranty. It’s comparable to what you get from other companies and it’s better than some. We do see the commission based in-home salesmen often being a little misleading with warranty info.

If someone tells you this warranty is “unlimited” or that a lifetime warranty is 7 years you can probably discount everything else they’ve told you. Once these guys lie once you can be sure there’s another one coming.

On the other hand if someone accurately describes what is covered and what is not then they’re being straight with you and that’s a good sign.

Other popular posts about Sunrise 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:

New South Windows Prices

In you’re in the south you may want to know more about New South windows prices. They’re a well known company in FL and the surrounding areas and you may have seen their ads.

We just recently received a quote from New South windows with prices from a reader who was shopping for new windows. There are a few important things to note.

First, I went to their website and saw they were advertising “Buy 2 get 1 free” which is a pretty common window promotion that we’ve written about before. You’ll see that advertised all the time and I think most people know that it’s often not the deal it’s cracked up to be. It would be a 33% discount. How does it compare to the “discount” he actually received? Find out below.

New South windows promotions.

Here’s the actual quote that our reader received. Notice there isn’t much detail, but I’ll share what the customer said was included in this pricing.

Show me the window prices!

New South windows prices and quotes.

The customer told us that there were 14 double hung windows, 1 picture window, 5 half round windows and a 6×8′ patio door included in these New South windows prices.

He also said these are non-impact windows, double pane, low-e glass, etc.

Keep in mind someone might say that my company is a competitor in some markets so it’s up to you to evaluate the options. It’s also important to note that there are many factors that go into calculating replacement window prices. It’s possible that there was more to this quote than we know about. The idea isn’t to focus on the total but on the info it provides.

One thing that really stood out to me was the Manufacturers List Price. $69,000 for these windows sure feels fancy and I would assume nobody pays that much. Then there are the discounts, 40% off for “current promotion”, 5% off for veterans discount and then another $4,000 off for who knows what.

That brings the total down from almost $70k to just over $35k. That turns out to be about 50% off rather than the 33% off that they’re advertising on their website. What a savings!

Are these New South Windows prices a good deal?

I think it’s safe to assume that nobody pays the Manufacturers List Price so why would a company list an inflated number like that? I can only assume it’s to make you feel like $35k is a good deal. The strategy is to plant a high number in your head so the real number feels like a bargain. Did it work?

If you think about this strategy for more than a few minutes it can start to fall apart. For example, if nobody pays the list price then it’s only really there to make you feel better about that actual price. That can feel a little manipulative.

If anyone does ever pay the list price then they’re charging someone $70,000 for a project they could profitably take on for $35,000. That seems like pretty substantial price gouging. A company who would do that to someone may not be a company you’d want to work with.

So, whether or not anyone ever pays the “List Price” it’s a sales strategy right out of the olden days. That probably worked great in 1972. I know everyone says that they’d never buy from a company that uses strategies like this, but these companies sell a whole lot of windows. Someone is buying them every day.

I would suggest that if you get a quote like this you might want to explore your options before committing.

Did this reader receive other quotes and how did they compare?

Yes. He mentioned that he received 2 other quotes. Similar to this quote there isn’t a whole lot of detail listed on them so we’re just taking his word for it. He says one additional quote was about the same amount from a company called Polk County Window and Door, but it included impact windows. Normally switching to impact windows would add a considerable amount to the total cost.

Another was about $8k lower and did not include impact windows. So, the savings can be substantial.

New South windows prices vs Polk County Window and Door.
Here is the competing window prices. You can see the total cost is about the same and it does list impact windows as being included.

I do suggest that you remember there are a lot of variables in window prices and we don’t know for sure that the same types and styles of windows are included in both quotes. But, the second company does seem to be offering a solid deal assuming the rest of the details are the same. The reader who sent in these quotes did tell us that they were both for the same quantity and window styles. It’s impossible to confirm that by looking at these quotes.

In my opinion neither company is doing an outstanding job of writing up a professional quote that is easy to understand. That’s just the way things are sometimes in this business.

Have you recently received window quotes?

We’re now offering a quote review service where you can send in window quotes that you’ve received. We’ll review the info and get back to you with feedback. There’s no charge at all and we hope you find the info to be helpful.

You can find more info about that quote review program here. You can also use the form on that page to share quotes you’ve recieved with other readers.

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:

Sunrise Restorations Windows Reviews

The Sunrise Restorations windows are the “top of the line” option from Sunrise. Does that mean they’re great windows or just good marketing? Let’s find out.

First, it’s been claimed that they call these windows “Restorations” because they were designed to look like wood windows to be used in restoration projects. That just feels like sales fluff to me. Many vinyl windows try to look like wood windows, that part makes sense. Unfortunately most historic projects will still require wood windows, vinyl just isn’t the right product for a historic restoration.

That said, vinyl is a great choice vs wood, fiberglass or composite windows in many circumstances. Let’s find out if the Sunrise Restorations windows are the right choice for you.

Sunrise Restorations bay and bow windows.
Here are examples of bay and bow windows. Sunrise offers these in several window lines including Sunrise Restorations.

What are the advantages of Sunrise Restorations windows?

The salesmen selling these windows may tell you a lot of fantastic stories about their greatness. In my experience these windows are usually offered by the most sales focused companies out there.

That doesn’t mean the windows are bad, but it does mean that you’ll want to be careful which stories you believe.

It is true that the Sunrise Restorations windows will use the higher end block and tackle hardware vs the cheaper constant force type used by other companies.

These windows can also be very energy efficient and we’ll have more on that below.

The look of these windows can be a selling point, but it’s pretty subjective. Some customers want a window with many style details and other customers want something that looks more plain and blends into the house. There isn’t really one best option when it comes to style.

Sunrise Restorations windows air infiltration rates.
I’ve always liked this picture from the Sunrise windows brochure. It’s illustrating air infiltration, get it, the air comes in? Get it?

What are the disadvantages?

I would say the biggest downside to the Sunrise Restorations windows will be the price. There’s typically only one company in each city selling these windows. They do this to avoid having two dealers competing with each other. The goal there is to allow the dealer to maximize their profit. That’s good for the dealer but not always good for you.

Are Sunrise Restorations windows energy efficient?

Yes. The Sunrise windows will offer a range of energy efficiency glass packages that will provide perfectly good efficiency ratings. In general all nicer windows will have similar efficiency ratings available. That means one won’t typically be substantially better than another, but these windows will offer good ratings.

The air infiltration ratings for the Sunrise Restorations double hung windows will fall into the same category. The ratings will be perfectly good and in line with options from several manufactures.

Is the Sunrise window warranty any good?

Overall Sunrise does offer a decent window warranty. The fact that they’re a relatively small manufacturer is real. You’ll want to understand that if they were to have a lot of problems and vanish you’d be out of luck. This could happen with any company, but with a small company the risk is greater.

We’ll have a whole post coming out reviewing the Sunrise window warranty soon. When it’s published we’ll link it below.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall the Sunrise Restorations windows are nice windows. They’re usually sold at higher than average prices. It’s my suggestion that you may be able to find a comparable option from another manufacturer at a substantial savings.

Other popular posts about Sunrise 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:

Sunrise Vanguard Windows Reviews

The Sunrise Vanguard windows are typically offered by one dealer in any town. The downside is that there is no competition, there’s nobody else in town offering these windows. That’s not necessarily great for customers.

Of course the very limited distribution doesn’t necessarily mean these windows will be sold at higher than average prices, but it’s a distinct possibility and something to watch out for.

Sunrise Vanguard windows review, prices, warranty, efficiency and cost.

What are the advantages of Sunrise Vanguard windows?

There are some nice advantages to these windows. For example, they use a very strong frame that is designed to hold up for the long run.

They also use the upgraded block and tackle balances in these windows. That’s the type you see in most higher end windows. This would include other popular brands like Okna, Gentek and Preservation to name a few.

Beyond that you’ll see many of the same efficiency options in the Sunrise Vanguard windows that you’ll find in most of their models. They do offer a range of energy efficient options. These will generally have efficiency models similar to other nicer window brands.

What are the disadvantages?

There are also a few downsides to the Sunrise Vanguard windows. For example, they will use a thicker window frame than some other models. That means you’ll see less visible glass area in the same size window when compared to some competing models. This can be a big deal to some folks and it can be less important to others.

Other downsides have more to do with Sunrise as a company rather than the individual Vanguard model.

For example, the limited distribution model may mean that the only company offering Sunrise Vanguard windows in your area is not very pleasant to deal with.

It’s also true that they’re a relatively small manufacturing company that has gone through some management and ownership changes over the last few years. This could be a sign of a problem or it could just be a busy time.

Currently, Sunrise is owned by Mi windows which is a low end producer of vinyl windows. A skeptic might say that they don’t worry about quality so Sunrise will suffer. An optimist might say that they’re a large nationwide company and they bought Sunrise to gain exposure to the fancier end of the market.

Sunrise Vanguard with Omega 12 glass package.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall the Sunrise Vanguard window can be a decent choice. It’s a good quality window with high end hardware and good efficiency packages.

The downsides are that you can only buy these windows from one company in town and Sunrise isn’t a very large manufacturer.

If the local company offering these windows is good to work with and offers fair prices you’ll probably be happy with the results. I would NOT suggest dealing with a company that isn’t great just to get these windows. There are plenty of fish in the sea, there’s no reason to over pay or to work with a company that uses the silly sales tactics we talk about here.

Other popular posts about Sunrise 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:

How to Get a FREE Window Quote REVIEW

Have you recently recieved quotes for new windows? Are you trying to make sense of them? We can help!

We’re now offering a FREE window quote review service. All you need to do is fill out the quick form below. Then, you’ll receive an email from us right away.

You can then reply to that email and attach any quotes you’ve received for new windows. Feel free to include any notes or comments about the quotes or your experience with the companies. You can include as much or as little info as you’d like.

One of our window experts will review the quotes, look over the details and get back to you in 1 to 2 business days with completely free feedback and suggestions.

It’s no secret that this industry can be challenging to navigate. We can make it easier.

Why offer this FREE quote review service?

This is something readers of the site have been requesting for a long time. We get comments from folks all over the country asking for our advice or suggestions based on quotes they’ve recieved.

We’ve always tried to help, but we haven’t had a good process for doing that. Until now.

So, if you’ve recently signed a contract and want to make sure it’s really a good deal or if you just received a quote and aren’t sure if it’s worthwhile, we can help.

Here’s the form to get started.

Remember, once you fill out this form check your email for a message from us. Reply to that message with your quotes and any additional info. We’ll get back to you in 1 to 2 business days with feedback and suggestions. It’s all completely FREE.

Request a FREE Window Quote Review

We’ll remove your name and any personal info before sharing the quotes with any other readers.

Remember we can help if you want to make sure a contract you signed is actually a good deal or if you’re just not sure about the quotes you’ve received.

There’s no charge at all and our window experts are happy to help.

All you need to do is enter your name and email. Here’s what will happen next:

  1. We’ll send you an email right away
  2. You reply to that email and attach your quotes or window contract
  3. Feel free to include any notes or feedback on the companies
  4. One of our window experts will get back to you in 1-2 business days with feedback and suggestions

It’s that easy. Here’s the form to enter your email to get started. We’ll never share your contact info with anyone and our window experts will offer real advice.

Request a FREE Window Quote Review

Sunrise Verde Windows Reviews

The Sunrise Verde windows are a decent option. If you’ve been shopping for Sunrise windows you might notice that they offer several models but usually not all through the same dealers.

There might be one dealer in town offering Sunrise Verde windows, another offering Sunrise Essential windows and maybe a third offering Sunrise Essential windows.

The downside there is that the company offering the Sunrise window model that is the best fit for your project might not be a great company to work with. If that’s the case you’re better off finding another window product rather than dealing with a company that isn’t great to work with.

You should definitely not work with a company that treats you poorly just to get a certain window model. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

If the dealer in your town is a great company this isn’t an issue, but it’s something to be aware of.

If you’ve read our other Sunrise windows reviews you’ve seen how happy people are to clean their Sunrise windows. Look how thrilled she is to be cleaning this Sunrise Patio door!

What are the advantages of Sunrise Verde windows?

Like the other Sunrise windows you get the upgraded hardware and components in the Sunrise Verde windows line. That’s the same upgraded type that you’ll see from other nicer brands like Okna, Preservation, Gentek, etc.

I’d say that’s a good sign that Sunrise set out to make higher quality windows than many other companies.

Another advantage of the Sunrise Verde windows is that they come with foam insulation in the frames. This can be a good thing or it can just be an excuse for the salesman to add to the price.

So, whether or not foam in the frames is actually an advantage depends on the cost premium that they’re charging you. If this option is only $5 more than the Sunrise Standard windows without foam that might be a good deal. If it’s $100 more it’s probably a bad deal.

What are the disadvantages?

The disadvantages to the Sunrise Verde windows are similar to the other Sunrise window models. If the local dealer is pushy or expensive or otherwise not great you won’t have any options.

Also, Sunrise was recently purchased by low end window producer Mi windows. I assume they bought Sunrise to get some exposure to the nicer end of the market. If that’s the case, it makes sense.

Sunrise did have some management turnover in recent years which can be a sign of trouble. It’s also possible Mi windows bought them because they were on sale. That would be less of a great sign.

Ultimately Mi has all of the resources to make a nice window without buying Sunrise. Why would they spend the money? We can only guess, but it’s something to be aware of.

Do you get more glass area with Sunrise windows?

It’s possible, but not guaranteed. In other posts we’ve pointed out how Sunrise brochures will often make comparisons that aren’t quite as clear as you might think. We talked about that in relation to the Sunrise warranty here and the Sunrise air infiltration here.

They do the same thing with glass are. Here’s an example from their brochure:

If you just saw this picture you’d think Sunrise windows will obviously provide more glass area than any other window, but that’s not exactly true.

It looks to me like this picture is showing you a Sunrise window vs Alside Ultramaxx. The Alside Ultramaxx windows are a super old design and they do use thick frames.

What Sunrise doesn’t mention here is that there are many other vinyl window options (including some from Alside) that will offer much slimmer frames.

So, it’s true that the Sunrise windows will allow for more glass area than this one other model, but it’s also true that there are many newer windows with slim frames. Sunrise isn’t particularly unique in offering this design.

Is the warranty on Sunrise Verde windows any good?

Yes. The warranty is the same for all Sunrise windows and it’s perfectly decent. If a salesman tells you that it’s super special or that it’s “unlimited” that’s not exactly true, but it is perfectly decent.

They offer a lifetime transferable warranty is the same as you’ll see from many vinyl window manufacturers. It’s certainly longer than the warranty you’ll see from wood or composite windows like Renewal by Andersen.

There are still limitations. For example, the exterior colors are covered against fading for 10 years and if your house burns down that would not be covered by the window warranty.

Overall I think it’s fair to say that the warranty on Sunrise windows is perfectly decent.

How efficient are Sunrise Verde windows?

We’ve talked about the efficiency of Sunrise windows in our other recent reviews. The bottom line is that the efficiency is perfectly good, but often presented in a way that makes them seem better than they might be.

We’ve written about the Sunrise windows air infiltration

in another recent review. Here’s an example using the Sunrise SHGC ratings.

As you can see in the picture above, Sunrise windows are available with a very low SHGC rating. That doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. For example, a low SHGC rating is actually less efficient in a cold climate where you want heat from the sun in the winter.

The low SHGC rating can also mean the windows have darker glass which can make it feel like you’re always wearing sunglasses. A package like this might make sense in a hot climate but it won’t be the best solution everywhere.

If you’re ordering Sunrise windows you’ll want to talk to the salesperson about the available packages. Remember, lower isn’t always better when it comes to efficiency ratings.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall it’s possible that the Sunrise Verde windows could a good choice. It’s also possible that they could be overpriced. This is due to the distribution model that Sunrise uses where they only sell to one or two companies in any town.

Don’t feel like you’re stuck working with a company that treats you poorly because you have to have Sunrise Verde windows (or any other model). There are lots of great windows out there and there’s no need to feel pressured.

Other popular posts about Sunrise 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:

Sunrise Standard Windows Reviews

The Sunrise Standard windows, also often just called Sunrise windows, are a step up from the cheeper Sunrise Essentials that we reviewed yesterday. That’s a good thing.

They Sunrise standard windows use a nicer window extrusion. That’s the actual vinyl window frame. They’re not as energy efficient as the nicer Sunrise Verde, Vanguard or Restorations windows that we’ll be reviewing in the coming days.

Will these Sunrise windows offer a good balance of quality, efficiency and price? Let’s find out.

Sunrise standard windows reviews, prices, warranty and more.
Look how happy she is to be cleaning her windows. If you buy Sunrise windows you could be that happy to clean your own windows!

What are the advantages of the Sunrise Standard windows?

As with all Sunrise windows you get upgraded block and tackle balances with these windows which are a nice feature. As I mentioned before I think the hardware that companies use can be a good indication of the quality they’re trying to provide.

Since the standard Sunrise windows have the upgraded frame they will be a better solution than the cheaper essentials model. That said they’re still not going to be as nice as the other Sunrise options.

What are the disadvantages?

One disadvantage to this model is that it’s not as efficient as the Sunrise Verde model. That model will come with foam inside the frames and the standard model does not.

Now, readers of the site will know that I often discount the value of foam in the window frames. That hasn’t necessarily changed. The trick is to look at the difference in efficiency and the difference in cost.

For example, if the price of the Sunrise Verde vs the Sunrise Standard is $100 per window different and the difference in U-Factor is 0.01 I’d say that’s not worth it. I would not suggest paying $100 more for a 0.01 improvement in efficiency.

You may not be able to easily compare the options like that for a few reasons.

One is that Sunrise only sells through limited dealers in any town. And, they’ll offer different models through different dealers. That means there’s probably only one company in your town offering each Sunrise window model. If they happen to be great that’s not a problem, but if they’re not great you’ll have no other options.

Another downside is that Sunrise was recently purchased by Mi Windows. They are known to be a low cost window producer. That might make me a little nervous if I were a Sunrise window dealer who is used to selling quality.

Is the Sunrise Standard windows warranty any good?

Yes. We have a full Sunrise windows warranty review coming soon so keep an eye out for that. To offer a quick summary here, the Sunrise windows will come with a lifetime transferable warranty.

Those are terms you’ll hear from most vinyl window manufacturers. It seems almost everyone offers a lifetime transferable warranty. Sunrise does have fewer limitations to their warranty than some other companies so that’s a good thing.

But, check out this picture from a Sunrise sales brochure:

Sunrise standard windows warranty reviews.

Note that they’re comparing the warranty on Sunrise vinyl windows vs Marvin, Renewal and Andersen windows that are not vinyl. It’s true that wood or composite windows like Renewal by Andersen will often have shorter warranties than vinyl.

It would be a better comparison to look at other nicer vinyl windows. If you were to do that you’d see that the warranties are often pretty similar.

So, I’d say that graphic seems to be a little misleading, but it is true that the Sunrise window warranty is perfectly good.

How efficient are Sunrise windows?

The efficiency options from Sunrise have always been on the better end of the spectrum. As with most vinyl window manufacturers the windows are all custom made and you can pick from several efficiency packages.

When comparing the options you’ll want to take all of the ratings into consideration. The U-Factor is one factor, but there’s also the SHGC, VT, CR and Air Infiltration.

It can seem like a lot to compare, but it’s easier than you might think. For example, if the cold is the mail factor you’ll want to look for a lower U-Factor and a higher SHGC. That’s because you want the heat from the sun to help warm your house in the winter.

If you’re concerned about getting nice light into the house you’ll want windows with a higher VT rating. The lower the VT rating the less light gets into the house.

We’ll often see customer weighing options and focusing on one rating or another without recognizing the whole picture. Would you be happy if you were in a cold climate with windows that don’t let any solar heat through while also blocking a lot of light? I’d say probably not. Packages like that are better for very hot climates, but we see them offered in Detroit or Cleveland or Boston and that makes basically no sense.

What about Sunrise windows air infiltration rates?

Similar to the way they presented the warranty info, the info on Sunrise windows air infiltration rates is also pushing the envelope a little.

Sunrise windows air infiltration.

Here’s another chart from a Sunrise brochure. Note they’re comparing their windows with Andersen 400 series wood windows and then a mystery competitors vinyl window.

I’d say that’s not the most clear info since there are many other vinyl windows with air infiltration rates very similar to Sunrise. Generally speaking we tend to suggest looking for a double hung window with an air infiltration rate under 0.05 and there are plenty of choices in that range. So the rating here is perfectly good, but not as remarkable as this graphic might lead you to believe.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall the basic Sunrise Standard windows could be a good choice. I would suggest you’ll want to compare a few other options and also evaluate the efficiency packages. If you’d like us to look over your quote and offer suggestions you can find our Quote Review service here. Note, it’s completely free.

Other popular posts about Sunrise 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:

Sunrise Essentials Windows Reviews

If you’re looking for Sunrise Essentials Windows Reviews you’ve come to the right place. Sunrise is a smaller window manufacturer based in southeast Michigan. The company was founded by former Great Lakes windows executives a while back.

Since then Great Lakes was purchased by Ply Gem and Sunrise has been purchased by Mi Windows. There has been a lot of consolidation in the window business over the last several years.

The Sunrise Essentials windows are the lower end option from Sunrise. Generally speaking I don’t tend to recommend buying the lower end options as you’ll have the windows for decades. The windows will be around long after you’ve forgotten the cost. That doesn’t mean you should overpay for windows, but it does mean buying quality is a good idea.

Just look how happy she is cleaning her Sunrise windows. You could be that happy too if you bought Sunrise windows.

What are the advantages of the Sunrise Essentials windows?

Since this is a lower end window there isn’t a long list of advantages. One real advantage is that Sunrise uses upgraded block and tackle balances in their windows vs the lower end constant force hardware you’ll see elsewhere.

Of course Sunrise isn’t the only manufacturer to use nicer hardware, but it’s not the most common choice.

Beyond that they also offer a pretty solid warranty. Since they’re now owned by Mi Windows which is a pretty large manufacturer I’d say that warranty is more reliable than it might have been in the past.

What are the disadvantages?

The downsides to the Sunrise Essentials windows have more to do with efficiency than anything else. The air infiltration rate is higher on this model than on the nicer Sunrise windows. You’ll also have fewer efficiency packages and you don’t have foam in the frames.

Overall it’s hard for a manufacturer who is trying to make nicer windows to offer a lower end option. The product just doesn’t necessarily fit anywhere. It’s probably too expensive for a customer with a flip house or lower end rental, but it’s not nice enough for someone looking for a top quality solution.

Is the Sunrise Essentials windows warranty any good?

Overall I’d say the Sunrise windows warranty is pretty decent. We’ll have a full warranty review posted soon and it’ll be linked on this page. For now I’ll give you the summary.

Sunrise windows will come with a lifetime transferable warranty. You’ll hear those same terms from most vinyl window manufacturers, but Sunrise does something interning in their brochures. Check out this picture:

Sunrise windows warranty comparison chart.
Here is a comparison chart that Sunrise publishes.

If you were to only look at this chart without knowing much about window warranties you’d think Sunrise has the best warranty in town. But, if we look a little closer something stands out.

What do all of those other companies have in common? They’re not vinyl windows. Andersen, Renewal by Andersen and Marvin are all wood or composite windows that do have shorter warranties. So, they’re acting like their windows have this super duper warranty when they’re really comparing themselves to different types of products.

To be fair the Pella example is a vinyl window, but they’re mostly new construction windows with shorter warranties.

Most nicer vinyl windows will have very similar lifetime transferable warranties so there’s really nothing too special about that despite what this chart tries to claim.

I would bet there’s a salesman out there who also tries to tell you those other companies offer “limited” warranties and theirs is different. That’s a post for another day as it’s a silly thing to even say out loud.

Some basic limitations are that the exterior colors are warrantied against fading for 10 years, there’s no coverage for caulking and the commercial warranty is 50 years which is definitely better than you get from most companies.

What colors are available?

Sunrise offers their windows in a range of standard colors and they also offer custom colors. Before we get into why you might not want to order a custom color let’s look at the standard options.

Sunrise essentials exterior colors.
Here you can see the standard colors available for Sunrise windows.

The standard colors offered by Sunrise are pretty typical. These are the types of colors you’ll see from most manufacturers. One difference that Sunrise offers is custom colors.

I know you may be concerned about matching your existing trim or shutters or doors, but before you jump into a custom color I’ll offer a word of caution.

You may need to reorder parts one day and matching a custom color might be a real hassle. Often times it’s easier to repaint your trim or your door to match a standard window color than it is to mess around with custom colors.

Let’s say in 5 years you have a window break. It’s much easier to replace the sash (with the vinyl frame around it) than to replace just the insulated glass unit. If you have a custom color you’ll then need to have the replacement sash painted which can be expensive and time consuming.

If you really need a custom color they are available, but I would only order one if you really have no other options.

How energy efficient are Sunrise Essentials windows?

Overall Sunrise offers decent efficiency packages. Like almost every manufacturer they’ll have a range of options that you can choose from. Every package will not be available on the lower end Essentials window line. If you’re looking for the most efficient choice you’ll want to look for a nicer window model.

For double hung windows with double pane glass you’ll typically be looking at packages with U-Factors in the range of 0.26-0.29 which is pretty common. This is about what you’ll see from most manufacturers.

So, the efficiency of these windows is perfectly good, but not really remarkable.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall the Sunrise Essentials windows are certainly nicer than some low end options you’ll see from other companies. You still get upgraded hardware and decent efficiency.

My company considered carrying Sunrise windows a few years back, but we decided against it. If you’re completely in love with the Sunrise brand I would suggest picking one of the nicer window models.

Other popular posts about Sunrise 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.

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Great Lakes Windows Prices

Finding accurate info on Great Lakes windows prices can be tricky. These windows are typically sold by commission based in-home salespeople. It’s probably just about impossible to get a quote without spending hours with a salesman in your living room. That’s not exactly ideal.

Companies will have all sorts of reasons that they’ll say prevent them from telling you how much the windows actually cost.

They’ll say they need to measure the windows or that they need to discuss your wants and needs. They might say they need to see the project to accurately asses how much labor will be involved.

There may be some truth to any of these points, but it doesn’t need to prevent them from telling you what typical Great Lakes windows prices look like.

Why won’t companies tell you about Great Lakes windows prices?

In my experience window companies are hesitant to give out pricing info before there’s a salesman in your house. They do this for several reasons, and one is to make sure they have the best chance of selling you.

Some of these companies spend a whole lot of money on advertising. They might have spent $200 or $300 per lead that comes into their office. That means just getting you to call or email them has cost them a fortune in advertising costs.

These companies need to get the absolute best bang for those bucks so they really want to send their highly trained salesman into your house to “close the deal”. If you have the pricing info already you may not want to bother with the sales presentation and then they think they won’t sell your project.

I tend to think that’s a misguided and old fashioned strategy, but many traditional window dealers can be very stuck in their ways.

Great Lakes windows prices and product info.
We need your help to add more info about Great Lakes windows prices to this page. Have you recently recieved a quote? Post a comment below to let us know!

How can you get replacement window prices without an in-home sales pitch?

There are a few ways. First, you can share the window pricing you have received here. That will help the next person who comes behind you. More transparency makes this business easier for everyone.

If you’ve recently received a quote for Great Lakes windows, or any other manufacturer, post a comment below to let us know. If you’ve already endured a window presentation you can save someone else the trouble.

Next, you can get a window quote online, by email, from my company with no pushy salesman. We elected not to carry Great Lakes windows, but we do have options I think are nicer.

You can check this page to get a free copy of the price list along with product info and more. If you have questions a rep is available by email. If you don’t have questions that’s fine too. This process also works well if you’ve recently received a quote and you want to make sure it’s really a good deal. Here’s the link to the page with more info on that.

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.

Why You Should NEVER Buy Great Lakes Windows

If you’re considering buying Great Lakes windows you’ll want to read this post. Here we’re outlining the reasons that everyone should avoid Great Lakes windows.

To be fair you’ll find that a window salesman will always tell you why you shouldn’t buy this brand or that brand so you’ll want to take this with a bit of a grain of salt. We’re playing devil’s advocate here a little bit, but these are the reasons a competing salesman will tell you to avoid Great Lakes windows.

Remember, if you think I’m wrong about something post a comment below.

First, limited distribution can mean pushy salespeople

I mentioned this in some of the Great Lakes windows reviews and it bears repeating. Commission based in-home window salespeople can be a challenging bunch to deal with. As the owner of a window company I know this first hand.

Great Lakes windows uses a limited dealer network to reduce competition in each market. That means there is probably only one or two companies offering these windows in your area. In my opinion this leads to long, very fancy sounding, sales pitches and higher than average prices.

The individual may seem like a great guy, it’s his job to seem that way, but this business model is designed to encourage higher profits for the dealers and that means higher prices for you.

The Great Lakes windows block more light

The popular Eco Smart and Comfort Smart windows come with a sales pitch that is very focused on efficiency. In any window the vinyl frames and sashes are more efficient than the glass. If you made a window that was all vinyl with no glass it would be very efficient, but you wouldn’t be able to see out of it. That’s not ideal.

So, in trying to make very efficient windows Great Lakes uses thicker frames than you’ll find from some other manufacturers. That means in the same size opening these windows will allow for less glass area. That means less light is entering the house. Some customers don’t care much about that, but to me it’s a big deal. If that’s a big deal to you I would suggest you might not be thrilled with these windows.

Great Lakes widows are more likely to form condensation

I believe this is true because of the interior coating of low-e that they use on the windows. They call this the Interior Shield and it’s a coating of a hard coat low-e on the inside of the house.

Now, Great Lakes doesn’t publish condensation resistance ratings (also called CR Ratings) on their website with leads me to believe the ratings don’t tell a great story.

Imagine if it’s very cold outside and nice and toasty inside (or vice versa). The least efficient part of any window will be the corner of the glass. If the temperature of the glass falls below the dew point in the air you’ll see condemnation start to form.

This is mostly based on environmental factors and isn’t really caused by the windows themselves, but if the glass is warmer it is less likely to fall below the dew point of the air and then less likely to form condensation.

To be fair I don’t have the CR Rating of the Great Lakes windows options handy since it’s not on their site. If you do have that info send it on over and we’ll update this post with that info. This info is based on the ratings of other manufacturers that also offer an interior low-e.

The advertised efficiency ratings might not be what you actually get

I am sure that if you get a quote for EcoSmart or Comfort Smart windows you’re going to hear a lot about efficiency. They advertise options with a 0.14 U-Factor in the brochures and that rating is very good.

It’s important to note that the packages that achieve that rating are likely not the most popular packages that are actually sold. The reason is that they’re expensive.

As you get towards the upper end of the efficiency scale each dollar that the price goes up will lead to less of a return in increased efficiency. It’s neat to advertise super duper efficiency ratings. In real life these aren’t the packages that I would assume most people actually order.

If you’re in love with the idea of a very efficient window you’ll want to get the ratings in writing on your contract. You’ll want to compare them with the actual NFRC stickers on the actual windows.

What’s the bottom line?

Great Lakes make fine windows. Like anything they do have downsides and the commission based salesmen probably don’t tell you much about them.

These windows will use thicker frames than some other options, they’ll often be sold by some pushy folks, and the windows you end up actually picking might not be the super efficient variety after all.

My company has never been interested in offering these windows because I just don’t think they represent a great value. It’s always possible that one of their dealers is really doing a great job and this could be a fine solution. Just be sure you’re ok with the thicker frames and potentially darker glass. If you’re considering going this route you may want to get another quote or two to compare before committing.

Other posts about Great Lakes 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: