As we go through our Simonton Reflections 5050 review remember one thing: When some people say that they don’t want vinyl windows in their house because they look cheap, this is the type of window they’re thinking of. It looks cheap.
Most manufacturers offer a “low end” option and this is the offering from Simonton. It leaves quite a bit to be desired. The actual wholesale cost difference between this model and a much nicer option is only $10-$20 per window.
What are we talking about specifically?
Take a look here at the thickness of the frame and sash. As you can see in the picture the distance from the outside of the frame to the glass is about 3.75″ . This is pretty thick, especially for a model with pretty weak efficiency ratings.
As you can see here, the frame and sash on the Simonton Reflections 5050 are very thick which reduces the glass area of the window.
To get an idea of how this will look in your home, you can measure your existing windows. If the distance from the interior stop to the glass is currently less than 3.75″ you will likely lose glass area with this model. That might be an acceptable trade off if there were fantastic energy savings to be had, but with this model there won’t be.
Another drawback to this model is the lack of balance covers. If you’re not an expert in the bits and pieces of a window, a balance cover is a small piece of vinyl that snaps into the side of the frame to cover the window balance. It’s just a small strip, probably costs less than $0.10 to produce, but they’ve left it out of this model.
Notice how this window does not come with balance covers. Is this a small thing, absolutely which is why it’s absence is a sign of a cheap window.
Without the balance cover you’re left with a channel in the frame where dust and debris will settle over time. It’s tough to clean out and it looks unfinished when compared with other window models.
The last component we’ll look at in this Simonton Reflections 5050 review is the screen. As you can see in the picture below the spline (the rubber strip that holds the screen material in the frame) is on the outside of the window. This is a common trait among lower end products and it leads to maintenance down the road.
Here you can see the spline on the outside of the screen frame. This exposes the spline to the sun which can cause it to dry out and fail.
When this spline is on the outside of the screen frame it is exposed to the sun. This can cause the rubber material to dry out after several summers causing your screen to fail. Nobody wants to be dealing with loose screens.
I could go on an on about drawbacks to this model, but hopefully you have the idea by now.
What’s the bottom line?
This is a low end product from a well respected manufacturer. Simonton makes fine products, but this isn’t one of them. It looks and feels cheap and I strongly recommend looking at other options.
I’m am absolutely not a window snob. There are plenty of inexpensive options that will work great for you. Just not this model.
The much nicer Simonton Prism 5500 window only costs $10-$20 more and it’s a much better mid-range option.
To sum up this Simonton Reflections 5050 review: Keep shopping.
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
Note: Since we published this post we’ve been in touch with Home Depot and they’ve provided some additional information. The original post is here and you can see additional notes at the end.
So here’s a funny story. I was recently visiting the team at a home and garden show in Richmond VA. We had some information to show prospective customers regarding typical pricing for replacement windows. We try to be as transparent as we can regarding all of the costs associated with a project like this and we find customers tend to appreciate it.
One of our examples showed a real quote that one of our customers received from Home Depot At Home Services along with the quote he received from us. We use this to illustrate the idea that we can typically offer better pricing for similar products that a big box store. The example shows our pricing was over $2,000 better for a typical project than the pricing offered by Home Depot window installations team.
While we were there, someone with some affiliation to Home Depot window installations came up to one of our managers and told him that our information was incorrect. We asked him what was incorrect and he stated that Home Depot At Home Services offers a lifetime warranty on their labor. We’ve never heard this before and we’re pretty in tune with the window business so we asked him for a copy of the warranty. At first he said it was proprietary and when we asked why their warranty would be a secret he said we could find it online.
Our goal is always to be accurate so we checked online and found that the Home Depot At Home Services website clearly states that they offer a 1 year labor warranty. This isn’t the end of the world, but it is a pretty short warranty. It would be a real shame to pay thousands more for a project and then have to pay again a year later to fix something.
Our manager tried to show the friendly gentleman from Home Depot that their own website was pretty clear, but he didn’t seem interested. He told us he was a district manager in charge of 90+ stores. You’d think he’d have his facts straight 😉
Anyway, we got a kick out of it. Here’s a screen shot of their site and a link as well.
Here’s a screen shot straight from the Home Depot website. Seems pretty clear to us.
Update: Since we wrote this post we’ve been in touch with Home Depot and they’ve provided some clarity on their warranty for installed replacement windows. Home Depot offers 2 main lines of replacement windows through their installation program. They are American Craftsman (made by Andersen) and Vantage Point (made by Simonton).
The American Craftsman windows from Andersen come with the 1-yera labor warranty that we mention above. This is pretty weak, but folks buying these windows likely aren’t focusing on getting top quality.
The Vantage Point windows from Simonton do come with a lifetime labor warranty. They call it a craftsmanship warranty which the salesperson in me really likes. Craftsmanship sounds nice and warm. They did provide us with a written warranty this time which we certainly appreciated. The labor warranty comes from Home Depot and not from Simonton, and that’s the way all labor warranties work.
There are some limitations which mean it’s not the greatest warranty we’ve ever seen, but it is better than the 1-year warranty that comes with the cheaper products. We’ll likely write up a full post on window warranties from big box stores in the future.
Thanks to the folks at Home Depot for providing additional info about their services.
If anyone reading this has any specific questions on the warranty or the limitations post a comment and ask!
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
The Simonton Reflections 5500 is at the higher end of the Simonton replacement windows. This model is distributed nationwide with several variations offered under various brand names including Prism or Prism Platinum.
Overall, as we’ve said before, Simonton makes a fine product, but this model is getting a little long in the tooth. It utilizes some older design elements and offers less than outstanding performance numbers.
What are the drawbacks of Simonton 5500 windows?
The biggest drawback for me is the thickness of the vinyl. You certainly get less glass area with the Simonton Reflections 5500 than you would with some competing products. For example, in the NFRC sticker below you can see the window with a U-Factor of 0.29 a SHGC of 0.24 and a rather low visible transmittance rating of 0.45.
Simonton Reflections 5500 window ratings
This window would block out too much light for my taste. There are other models that can achieve very similar ratings with a thinner vinyl frame resulting in more visible light and a higher VT rating.
As with most windows there are several glass options that can certainly affect the numbers, but the thick frame is here to stay.
What about the window hardware?
The Simonton Reflections 5500 also uses the inexpensive constant force balance mechanism which have several drawbacks. They also charge extra for features that many companies offer standard such as double strength glass, balance covers and heavy duty screens.
Here you can see a Simonton Reflections 5500 window with the constant force balance and no balance cover.
See this Simonton Reflections 5500 window with inexpensive constant force balance and no balance covers.
The last picture I’ll show you for now is of the sash stops this model utilizes. This block at the top of the frame prevents the sash from opening all the way. It’s not a very big deal on a large window and Simonton does a good job of making it as small as they can. On smaller windows you won’t be able to open the window as far as you’d expect. Why do they put it there? They have to because of the cheap constant force balance mechanism used in the jambs.
See the sash stop that prevents the bottom sash from sliding all the way to the top.
You might ask yourself if this balance mechanism or the lack of a balance cover or the sash stops are a huge deal and the answer is probably no. I mention them here to illustrate the idea that perhaps this product doesn’t represent a fantastic bang for your buck.
There are many old and outdated design elements in this product that just aren’t necessary anymore. The price of a Simonton Reflections 5500 window doesn’t typically reflect the fact that it’s a bit old fashioned.
Is this window offered under different brand names?
As you’re considering your options remember that manufacturers will often offer the same or VERY similar products under many brand names. They do this to help contractors selling the products avoid competing directly on price. If you get 2 quotes from 2 companies offering the exact same product then the price becomes a relatively important point of differentiation. However, if one of the companies can tell you all about why their product is “better” then perhaps the price will become less of a factor.
If you think this is a little strange, you’re right, but it happens in every industry from mattresses to bowling balls.
To sum up this Simonton Reflections 5500 window review I’d say overall it’s a fine product from a reputable manufacturer (despite my nitpicking), but you can usually do better for a lower price.
Keep looking.
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
Here we’ll look at the Andersen 400 series windows. These are windows we installed for a good friend of mine. He picked them out and was sure that these were the windows for him. Shortly after they were installed he painted them himself and they sure do look pretty. When writing this review of Andersen 400 series windows I will be including pictures, pricing information and specific details.
What are the advantages of Andersen 400 Series windows?
For starters the Andersen 400 series windows look great. They look like nice wood windows. Once they’re painted to match the interior trim they certainly do look like part of the house rather than something that was installed after the house was built (you can just ignore the interesting paint colors that were picked on this project).
Next, another positive attribute of the Andersen 400 series is the tilt latch mechanisms. The sashes tilt in for easy cleaning like many new windows do these days. The way they operate is a little unique. Andersen has skipped the typical tilt latches on the meeting rail and opted for nearly invisible plastic clips that release the sash. This is a design that is also seen on other Andersen windows and it is very effective.
This is the mechanism that releases the sash on these Andersen 400 series windows
As you can see in the picture, all you do is slide the plastic clips down to the top of the sash and pull it in. This is a neat feature of the Andersen 400 series tilt-wash double hung model. You don’t find this mechanism from any other manufacturers.
What about the top sash?
The top sash, shown above, is even easier. It has the more traditional tilt latch mechanism on the top of the top sash. They do it this way because these latches are invisible when the window is closed.
These mechanisms give the window the ability to tilt in while maintaining the traditional look of a wood window. Perhaps it’s a small detail, but it does make the window look great and operate well.
The exterior of this Andersen 400 series window is vinyl clad and the exterior trim has been capped as you can see here. This leaves the exterior completely finished and maintenance free. Some folks prefer the look of wood brickmould or exterior trim and that would be an option, but it would then require painting. This homeowner wanted to go maintenance free and he achieved his desired result.
What are the downsides?
After living with these windows for a while some less than positive attributes of the Andersen 400 series have come into focus as well. For example, it’s clear that the owner ordered these windows unfinished and painted them himself. That means you can see areas where he was not able to get the brush. To get it perfectly finished he’ll need to go back and repaint all of these windows to get them looking great and that’s a chore.
Next, you can see the interior grids on these windows. They are flimsy and they bend when you try to pull down the top sash. We opened the windows from the top to get a picture of the tilt latch and we almost broke one. There is no other way to lower the top sash which means at least some will likely break in the future. This design alone is a serious shortcoming.
Last and certainly not least, these windows are drafty! When I was sitting on the couch during a winter storm sorting through the pictures to make sure I had everything I needed. I could feel cold air on the back of my neck coming from the window behind me. I pulled up the air infiltration ratings for this model and they say it’s <0.30. We know from the previous post on air infiltration ratings that this is pretty weak.
To sum it all up: this is a nice looking window. The specifics of the windows installed in this house are just details. For example the flimsy looking interior only grids are an option and you could order another type.
What about the air infiltration of Andersen 400 series windows?
The air infiltration on the other hand is a real problem. These windows are drafty and there is no way to change that. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars for new windows to have a cold family and these windows just don’t provide a good seal. After observing these windows for a few months I can’t recommend them. Our good friend will be replacing these relatively new wood windows with another model that gets a much tighter seal.
The Andersen 400 series windows look great, but they do not seal well. If your goal was to look pretty with no concern for anything else then go for it. Most folks want a balance of beauty and efficiency. This window does not accomplish that goal.
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
Other Andersen window posts you might find helpful:
When deciding on triple pane vs double pane glass for your new windows there are several important factors to consider. There are differences in sound transmission, weight, efficiency and cost. Here we’ll take a look at all 5 factors to help you make the best decision for you and your home.
When comparing double pane vs triple pane windows there are many factors to consider.
How about noise through triple pane vs double pane windows?
It is VERY common for replacement window salespeople to tell folks that windows with triple pane glass will reduce noise in the home. In fact, switching from double pane to triple pane has a very small impact on sound. You’d be much better served by going with laminated glass. We go into more depth on this in our sound transmission post. The long and the short of it is if you’re buying triple pane windows to reduce noise you’re overspending.
Are triple pane windows heavy?
Well, yes they are heavier, but it shouldn’t matter to you. A high quality replacement windows will have a balance mechanism to counterbalance the weight of the sash. Regardless of how heavy the glass is the window should slide up and down effortlessly. If your new windows are hard to open it’s either because the balance mechanism is not working correctly, the windows don’t fit in the opening just right or something else is impeding their motion. The weight of the glass or the sash shouldn’t have an impact.
Along these same lines, some folks think triple pane windows will have a higher failure rate because of the weight and the fact that they have 2 air chambers. This stems either from the days of old or from a salesperson pushing an agenda. All nice new windows come with a complete warranty that protects you against any future problems.
How beneficial are triple pane energy efficient windows?
There is certainly an improvement in efficiency when comparing triple pane vs double pane windows. It’s important to compare the window ratings including u-factor, shgc and visible transmission when comparing the options in order to understand the differences.
Triple pane windows will typically have u-factors that are about 20-30% better than a similar double pane window. That’s a pretty substantial improvement. They will also have better SHGC ratings as they tend to have two surfaces coated with a low-e coating. These coatings will leave you with a lower visible transmission rating meaning it will typically be darker in a home with triple pane windows.
Are these increases in efficiency worth the trade off of increased cost and decreased light? Only you can decide that, but with the cost difference likely being lower than you might expect more folks are picking triple pane options.
Some folks even compare single pane with double and triple pane options.
Cost of triple pane vs double pane windows:
In my experience, when the topic of triple pane glass comes up some homeowners immediately say “oh no, we don’t need that!” I find they tend to say that because they’ve received a quote for windows with triple pane glass before and the pricing was HIGH. This led them to believe that pricing for all triple pane windows will be high.
As with everything relating to prices of replacement windows there are many factors at play, but the cost difference doesn’t need to be too substantial. Perhaps $100 per window is a decent estimate. So if you can get a great vinyl replacement window installed for around $350 with double pane glass then switching to triple pane glass would put you in the $450 neighborhood. Sure, it’s more expensive, but it’s nowhere near the $800 per window that some companies try to charge.
Why do some companies try to charge $800-$1000 per window for triple pane windows?
We’ll be writing a whole series on the tricky practices of some window companies out there. The short answer is because people pay it sometimes. If nobody was buying they’d either change their ways or go out of business. Congrats to you for not taking the bait, but you can be sure there was someone behind you snapping it up.
These companies will likely tend to continue to struggle due to the fact that people are much more informed than they were years ago.
Remember, when deciding between triple pane vs double pane think about how long you’ll be in the home and whether energy savings over time are worth spending money upfront today.
If you haven’t taken a look yet, try out our window reviews pages to get a better idea of the options.
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
As we get started on our Marvin Infinity reviews it’s important to keep in mind that this is a fiberglass replacement window. It’s a bit of a different animal than either vinyl replacement windows or wood windows. Fiberglass windows are designed to replicate the look of a wood window with increased durability.
While we’ll be writing another post soon on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of window construction it’s important to note that many wood replacement windows offer warranties as good or better than what you’ll get with a fiberglass product. With fiberglass replacement windows you’re paying a premium over the cost of a vinyl window to get the look of wood. It would be worthwhile to compare the cost difference between fiberglass and real wood. The price difference is often very small.
Back to the Marvin Infinity review. First of all this a great looking window. It looks very solid, comes in a wide range of colors and offers a substantial amount of style options.
Here is a very nice looking Marvin Infinity replacement window
As you can see in the above picture the Marvin Infinity window does a great job of looking like a traditional wood window.
Marvin Infinity windows are often ordered with simulated divided lites or SDL grids. This means the grids are on the outside of the glass which is consistent with the look of a wood window.
SDL grids on a Marvin Infinity window.
You can see the joint between the grid and the sash frame is pretty tight and very clean looking. If you get up this close to it, you can tell that it is a separate piece, but nobody is going to go around you house inspecting things like this. If they are you probably don’t want to invite them over anyway!
Notice the hardware in the picture below. There are MANY options and they have a very nice classic look.
Marvin Infinity window hardware provides a classic look.
One last design element to point out is the lack of typical tilt-latches. As you can see in this picture, the Marvin Infinity window skips the typical told latches for a very clean and elegant look.
Marvin Infinity windows without the typical tilt latch on the sash.
How about efficiency?
The NFRC ratings for the Marvin Infinity window are pretty solid, but not particularly spectacular. This makes sense as the product was clearly designed to be pretty rather than the most efficient window on the block.
martin infinity u-factor and nfrc ratings
You can see in this NFRC sticker showing the Marvin Infinity U-Factor that the ratings for this window are solid, but not remarkable. You’re paying a premium to get this fiberglass window vs a vinyl window, but you’re not getting any real improvement in efficiency.
There are MANY options that affect the ratings so this certainly isn’t the only option, but the Marvin Infinity window will only ever be average in terms of efficiency ratings. It will never be a top performer no matter how you order it.
In addition you do get a pretty high air infiltration rating with this window. That means it does not provide a particularly great seal in windy conditions. This is more of a concern for some folks than others, but if you’re in a relatively high wind area or if you’re particularly concerned about a tight seal, the Infinity window might not be for you.
Marvin Infinity Warranty?
Unfortunately the Marvin Infinity warranty leaves much to be desired. They say it has a “lifetime” warranty, but it sure does have a lot of limitations and exclusions.
Breakdown of the Infinity window warranty:
Insulated glass seal – 20 years NOT lifetime
Accidental glass breakage – NOT COVERED
Ultrex fiberglass – Lifetime until transferred, then 10 years
Ultrex fiberglass finish – 10 years NOT lifetime
Non-glass components (screens, hardware etc)- 10 years NOT lifetime
As you can see the Marvin Infinity warranty isn’t nearly as thorough as you might expect for a window sold at this price point.
How about the Marvin Infinity window cost?
The cost for Marvin Infinity windows can vary dramatically. There are MANY options that have a huge impact on the price so it’s difficult to even give a range. For example a basic double hung window without installation might start at about $500 and a fancy window with several expensive options could easily top $1000.
If you’ve decided to go with the Marvin Infinity windows the easiest way to get a great price is to shop around. Find out who are the Marvin Infinity dealers in your area and get quotes for the same products. There will likely not be too many local dealers as Marvin limits the distribution to avoid price shopping, but you can always call someone out of town too. A reputable company should be able to send you a quote and a little shopping can go a long way to lowering the price.
To sum up this Marvin Infinity windows review I’d say it’s important to remember that these windows are pretty, but they command a premium price and they offer a very limited warranty.
You’re paying more for this product than you would be for a vinyl window. That doesn’t mean this product is any better, but it sure does look nice.
You may be better off with a wood window with a longer warranty than this fiberglass product. You’re paying the premium for the looks rather than for the efficiency and the look is still that of a simulated wood window. A real wood window would look even better and based on the warranty it should last longer as well.
What if I have more questions about Marvin Infinity or Essential windows?
We can help! Find our Marvin Essential windows FAQ page here. If you don’t see the answer to your question post a comment and we’ll answer your question for everyone to see.
Looking for any additional information on Marvin windows that you’re not finding here? Post a comment and let us know. We’ll be glad to help out!
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
The Okna 500 Series aka the Insul-Tec is the most popular model from Okna Windows. It is certainly a next generation product that provides some features not found on older designs. The Okna 500 is available in a range of options that allow for very solid energy efficiency ratings. This model is built with a relatively slim frame which allows for good visible transmittance numbers as well.
This is the optional auto-lock that locks when the window is closed.
It’s important to remember that certain features that may be on a sample window are options so you should be sure they are included if you want them. Examples of these options are the auto-lock (shown above) and the foam insulated frames (shown below)
The foam filled frames are a popular option to increase efficiency.
Two standard features that are certainly part of the next generation design are the fully welded sloped sill which drains water to the outside rather than through the frame and the mortised sill dam which provides for a very tight seal. Okna windows consistently offer excellent ratings and these features contribute to that result.
See the mortised sill dam on the Okna 500 window. This feature allows for a very tight seal.
One aspect of this design that we’re not huge fans of is the exterior of the frame. The design has a lot of details and shape which is supposed to look fancy, but we just find it busy. It fits with the look of some homes, but not all and at the end of the day we’d prefer a window blend in with the home rather than standout.
Notice all of the fancy designs on the exterior of the frame. For us this is just too busy.
What should an Okna 500 cost?
I used to have a range of price estimates for Okna 500 windows with installation listed here and I discovered that I was frustrating about as many readers as I was helping. A friend of mine is an Okna dealer in Milwaukee and after learning more about his business I understood why. There can be a lot of variation in the final price due to a number of factors. Your best bet is to find a great local company and talk through the options with them.
You can be sure that a basic Okna 500 window installation should be substantially less than the $1,200 to $1,500 per window prices that we sometimes see folks post about. This is a nice mid-range window that should work well for many people.
Remember, there are MANY factors that contribute to the overall cost of your project. I would encourage you not to get a price in your head before you call a local company. The best strategy is to get a few quotes from reputable local companies and see how they compare. Some companies may try to charge more than others, so if you’re not comfortable with a quote you’ve received just get another quote.
Here’s a post I wrote on understanding window pricing. This is a fine window, but there are lots of fine windows out there. Don’t feel like you need to work with a company just to get a certain product.
If you’re unsure about the window prices that you’ve received just post a comment and we’ll do our best to help you sort through it.
What’s the bottom line?
Overall the 500 Series windows from Okna are an updated design with solid performance numbers and a legion of devoted fans. The model is the most popular product from Okna Windows and we can see why.
Other than the basic concerns about Okna Windows as a manufacturer the product performs well compared with most of it’s peers. When comparing this model to options from other manufacturers make sure you’re comparing relatively new designs. Older designs from generally well regarded companies (like Simonton for example) just don’t compare.
If you’re looking for a window company right now, the best advice we have is to check out our list of the best window companies all over the country. You can find it right here.
Here we’ll take a look at Soft-Lite Elements windows. We were recently asked to write this review by one of our loyal readers are we’re happy to help. When looking at Soft-Lite Elements windows you’ll quickly learn that they are billed as the “most energy efficient windows” produced in North America. While they are awfully energy efficient when paired with the most expensive glass options, that level of efficiency is probably overkill for most folks.
Since they make the efficiency a cornerstone of the pitch for the Soft-Lite Elements let’s start there. When the Elements window is ordered with the Solar Ultimate Glass the ratings are very low.
They advertise these windows with a U-Factor of 0.16 which is pretty darn good. The trick is that lower isn’t always better when it comes to efficiency ratings. For example, a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of 0.21 is pretty low. That’s great if you live in a climate that is dominated by high sun, but it’s not so good if you live in a colder area. In colder regions you want to take advantage of the sun and this option would block out too much.
Perhaps more importantly the visible transmittance rating (VT rating) is pretty low with this option. A rating of 0.37 means that the window will look dark. It would be smart to look at a sample window with this glass option before purchasing to make sure you’re comfortable with how it will look.
Of course you probably wouldn’t pick this glass option unless it made sense for your home and in your climate. The important takeaway here is that the claim of “the most efficient window” isn’t really relevant unless you’re going for bragging rights. It is much more effective to pick a window and a glass option that is right for your home and your climate.
What about the look of the Solf-Lite Elements windows?
In our opinion when some windows try to be “high end” they end up working a little too hard. For example, the exterior of the frame of the window is full of curly designs that can look a little busy.
Some folks like all of these lines and the salesperson will probably tell you all about how this gives it the look of a wood window, but in our mind it’s a little much. We like windows that look like they were always part of the home rather that one that tries too hard to stand out.
This is certainly a style factor and you might like a different look than we do, but consider that a window that looks fancy when sitting on your kitchen table might look a little too busy when installed in your home.
Another style feature on the inside of the Soft-lite Elements window gives it a very clean look. The Elements window does not have the traditional tilt latches. The tilt latches are incorporated into the locks which keeps the interior of the window looking clean and uncluttered.
In the past we have seen folks who struggled with how to tilt in their windows when they have this hardware. It’s not exactly intuitive, but it works well enough.
The salesperson talked a lot about air infiltration. Is it that special?
Air infiltration ratings are a big part of the pitch for the higher end Soft-Lite windows. Their ratings are good, but they’re not unmatched. For example, the published rating for a Soft-Lite Elements window is 0.01. While there are several reasons this rating is a little deceptive (reasons described in our post on air infiltration ratings), there are other windows out there that achieve the same or very similar ratings. We know every manufacturer wants to do their best to accentuate their strengths, but in our mind Soft-Lite goes a little too far with this pitch.
How about the warranty for Soft-Lite Elements Windows?
As is the case with all quality replacement windows they come with a “lifetime warranty”. As always you need to really read the warranty to see what is actually covered. In this case there are several important limitations:
Soft-Lite does not cover labor to fix a warranty problem
Soft-Lite does not cover shipping of replacement parts
Soft-Lite offers 2 versions of their window warranty, one with glass breakage coverage and one without. Make sure you know which one you’d be getting.
These limitations aren’t necessarily deal breakers they are more limited than what you’ll find from several other manufacturers.
What’s the bottom line?
To sum things up, the Soft-Lite Elements windows are a nice option. They can be configured to have great ratings, but the marketing claims tend to push the envelope a little too far. Realistically they’re pretty darn similar to the ratings offered by many other windows. It’s important to remember that unless you’re planning on living in the home another 50 years you may not realize any savings with a 0.01 difference in any particular rating.
If you’re looking for a “high end” option, you like the local dealer and you’re comfortable with the pricing, this is a fine option. Just don’t let anyone make you think you have to spend $800 per window to get good quality. You have several other options to achieve similar ratings so be sure to shop around if your not comfortable. At $400-$500 for a typical double hung window this is a fine option. Much more than that and you’ll be better served to keep looking.
Due to the way Soft-Lite windows are typically marketed you may be able to find a better value in the Soft-Lite Imperial LS window which is very similar. There isn’t much reason to pay any more for one than the other.
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.
Provia Endure is a window line that you may not be familiar with. While traditionally known as a door manufacturer Provia expanded into windows several years ago. The Endure line is their top of the line window model. Is it worth the cost and nicer than the competition? Is it worth the additional cost compared to the cheaper Provia Aspect window? We’ll see.
If you’ve recieved a quote for Provia Endure windows you probably heard all sorts of claims from the salesperson. The in-home window salespeople can be a tricky bunch. It’s certainly possible that the salesperson overhyped the products to try to get the sale.
What are the highlights?
In their marketing materials Provia talks about many features that are also available from many other window manufacturers. Things like 3-1/4″ jamb depth, upgraded balance mechanisms, reinforced sashes, dual vent locks, etc are all pretty common. A salesman might act like these are unique features but they’re not.
As an example, if you’ve seen their brochure for the Endure model you’ve probably seen this picture. It’s showing their sash reinforcement that they call Innergy compared to an aluminum reinforcement. The picture is meant to show you that the non-metallic reinforcement is much more efficient. What they forget to mention is that almost no nicer vinyl windows are using metallic reinforcement anymore except in specific situations.
As you can see in the picture the non-metallic reinforcement is better than aluminum but nobody really uses aluminum anyway so not too relevant.
In a similar strategy the brochure talks about Neopor foam insulation and barrier-fin weather stripping, both also very common options.
In short it’s a decent option but doesn’t really offer anything that you can’t get from many other manufacturers.
Do they offer blinds in the windows?
Provia does offer blinds in the Endure line, but that’s an option you might not want to rush into.
While a lot of prospective customers ask about blinds in the windows it’s important to remember Provia only offers a 10 year warranty on them. 10 years can sound like a long time but it’ll go by in a flash. Blinds in windows can be a pretty expensive option too and if you need to replace them in 11 years get ready for a big bill.
If they expected the blinds to last longer they’d offer a longer warranty. By offering a short warranty they’re telling you that they don’t expect the blinds to hold up very long. I’d avoid that option.
What about the color options?
You can see the available colors for this window model below. Exterior colors have become increasingly popular and Provia offers a range of color options similar to most manufacturers.
One nice feature is that the Provia window colors can match the door color options. That can let you get an exact match in your windows and doors which is unique.
Keep in mind adding exterior colors can add $200 or more to the cost of your Provia windows. You might consider white windows with a different color exterior trim as an option to keep costs down.
What should Provia Endure windows cost?
As you might expect lots of people ask us about replacement window costs and there isn’t always a simple answer. Everything is custom made and remodeling projects can be unique so prices can vary.
I’d say a reasonable cost for a white window with basic options would be in the range of $400 -$500 before installation. Some companies won’t want to break out their installation costs separately which can make things harder to compare. I’d say maybe $600-$700 per window installed is a typical cost.
Is there a Provia Endure patio door?
They do also make a Provia Endure patio door line and we’ll be completing a review on that product soon.
What about the Provia Endure warranty?
The warranty for the Provia Endure is the same as the Provia Aspect and it’s pretty decent. Like most manufacturers they offer lifetime warranties on their windows. There are however a lot of limitations.
For example, if the purchaser doesn’t live in the house, say it’s a rental, the warranty is only 5 years. In that case the warranty on the blinds goes from a short 10 years to a very short 5 years and there is no glass breakage warranty.
We’ll have a more thorough post on the Provia window warranties online soon. For now I’d say it’s a decent warranty but certainly not unique or any better than the warranty you’d see from any other nicer manufacturer.
So, what’s the bottom line?
Ultimately there aren’t really any patents in the vinyl window business. Most manufacturers offer a range of models to cover a range of price points. The Provia Endure window is perfectly nice but not really remarkable in any way. You can get basically all of the same features and options from many companies so there’s no need to fall in love with this one.
If you’re shopping for windows I do always suggest finding a great installation company before you fall in love with any particular window model. There are plenty of great window options out there but not as many local companies that are great to work with.
To find our recommended window companies all over the country check this section. If we know someone in your neck of the woods they’ll be listed there and they’ll be happy to help.
If we don’t know anyone local to you be sure to let us know who you find. I’m sure you’re not the only person looking.
Remember, for more great window company info you can find our suggestions for the best local companies in your area right here. There’s no need to work with a company that gives you the run-around or makes the process difficult. There are plenty of fish in the sea as they say. The best way to get started is to check out our list of great window companies.
People have been asking us to recommend a window company in the Chicago area for quite a while now so it’s about time we finish this post!
I’ve known the owners of LJ Neal & Sons for a while and I can tell you they are the best window company in Chicago. They’re a family owned business and they’ve been operating in the Chicago suburbs for over 60 years. They use the same no-pressue sales process that we’re always talking about.
LJ Neal & Sons is the best window company in Chicago. They’re the company you’ve been looking for.
You came to our site looking for information on replacement windows and hoping to find the best company in your area. Hopefully you’ve found our information to be helpful and if you’re in the Chicago suburbs you’ve now found the best window company in Chicago right here.
Leo and Bridgette are supporters of the site and they’re available to help you with your project from start to finish. In fact, they’re working on some new posts for the site that explain the types of triple pane windows and I think our readers are going to love them.
Does LJ Neal & Sons serve my area?
If you’re in the suburbs of Chicago they probably do. From Orland Park to Naperville to Gurnee they cover just about all of the Chicago suburbs. If you’re in the area and you’re thinking about new windows you should definitely give them a ring.
What kind of windows does LJ Neal & Sons offer?
Like most window companies they’ll offer a range of options to fit the needs of most customers. As you can see in the logo above they specialize in triple pane windows and that makes sense in Chicago.
I grew up in the Chicago area and while I’ve since moved away to warmer climates I can tell you Chicago is an area where triple pane windows make a ton of sense. Luckily LJ Neal and Sons will have triple pane and double pane options so you can pick the option that works best for you.
This is a true family owned business. You can see the resemblance!
Will they send some pushy salesperson to my house?
Nope. The owners, Leo and Bridgette, will personally come to meet with you to discuss your project. That’s fantastic service. In fact, they’ll even meet you on your installation day to introduce you to the installation crew. You won’t find too many company with owners that involved in your project!
How can I get more info?
Great question. We have established a direct way to contact them. That way they’ll know that Dan from TheWindowDog.com sent you!
Just fill out the form below and they’ll reach out to you. Your info will ONLY go to LJ Neal and Sons and we will always protect your privacy.
If you have any questions throughout the process I’m sure Leo and Bridgette will be glad to help. Don’t forget you can always reach out to me as well. Either post a comment anywhere on the site or drop me a line through the contact link and I’ll be glad to help.
By completing the form above they’ll know that you found them on TheWindowDog.com and they’ll be ready to help with your project. You’re going to LOVE what Leo and Bridgette have to offer!
Are you the best window company in your town? We’d love to meet you and our readers would like to find you. Meet us here.
