Author: thewindowdog

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:

Gentek 1700 Series Windows Reviews

Here we have Gentek 1700 Series windows reviews. First, it’s important to note that this is the cheapest new construction window from Gentek which means it’s not going to be as nice as the other options.

If you’re looking for a budget new construction window this could be a decent choice, but if you were looking for a nicer solution you might want to look at something else. Gentek does make the nicer 1900 Series and you can even get the top of the line Signature Elite model with a nail fin for a new construction application. Those options will be nicer, but they’ll also be more expensive.

Here is the Gentek 1700 series new construction window in an arch top single hung configuration.

What are the advantages of the Gentek 1700 Series windows?

These windows will have all of the features that are pretty standard these days like virgin vinyl, welded corners, etc. That stuff is pretty common.

Less common features are the upgraded block and tackle balances which will allow the windows to operate better and last longer than cheaper options.

These windows are also available in a wide range of configurations including all common styles, except double hung. Interestingly this model is only available in a single hung and if you want a double hung window you’ll need to upgrade to the slightly more expensive 1900 series model.

One nice feature is the clean and simple design. Below you can see a picture of the single hung window.

This is the frame and structure of the Gentek 1700 series single hung window.

As you can see, the frame is slim and the glass area is large. Some other windows will use much bulkier or more cluttered designs and the simplicity of this model is nice.

What colors are available for these windows?

Here are the interior and exterior colors for the 1700 series windows.

These are the interior and exterior color options for the Gentek 1700 Series windows.

As you can see there is a pretty wide range of colors available, including the popular black exterior. The interior colors are much more limited, just three options. There are no interior woodgrain options for these windows, but those are more commonly used in older houses so perhaps that’s not a big deal.

What are the drawbacks to the Gentek 1700 Series windows?

One drawback to this model is the warranty. It is MUCH more limited than the warranty on the nicer Gentek window models. The 1700 and 1900 series get the new construction window warranty which is called a “lifetime warranty”, but the devil is in the details. The insulated glass is only covered for 20 years, the moving parts are only covered for 10 years and the labor to fix a warranty issue is only covered for 1 year.

Beyond the warranty, another drawback is the air infiltration rate. Like most new construction windows the focus seems to have been on keeping the cost down rather than providing top quality. As a result, the air infiltration rate on this model is 3x – 4x higher than you’ll see on the nicer Gentek models.

What’s the bottom line?

Overall, this window is perfectly decent when compared to other new construction windows. You should note that new construction windows are typically the bottom of the line windows so that comparison isn’t saying much.

This product appears to have been designed to sell to builders who are very focused on price. If you wanted a nicer option you can find that elsewhere in the Gentek window range.

For a budget focused new construction windows this can be a solid option. Just be sure you understand that you’re not buying a top of the line window.

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 70 Series Windows Reviews

Are the Gentek 70 Series Windows the best choice for your home? Probably not. They go have some good uses so let’s see when it might make sense to use these windows.

It’s important to note that the Gentek 70 Series windows are a basically the bottom of the line window from Gentek. Now, it’s also important to note that Gentek tends to make nicer windows so the bottom of the line from Gentek is still nicer than many other window models out there.

If you’re comparing the 70 Series to another option I’d recommend looking at the Gentek 80 Series windows which are pretty similar, but a little nicer.

Gentek 70 series windows frame and structure.
Here you can see the frame of the 70 Series.

What is good about the Gentek 70 Series windows?

Similar to the 80 series, the 70 series offers decent efficiency options in the Barrier XP packages and they offer decent style options too.

While the color and style options can be a little limited compared to many nicer replacement windows they do tend to offer the most popular styles.

One advantage to the 70 Series is that they use very slim frames for maximum glass area. A while back I was talking with a customer who had an unusually small sliding window. The window was very short, maybe 11″ tall. In a window that small the glass area will be very limited. I suggested the 70 Series window to her to try to maximize the glass area in that tiny window.

Another reason someone might pick the 70 Series is the jamb depth is very small. It’s only 2-5/8″ deep which is thinner than most windows. That means it can work better in a prefabricated house or a mobile home. It can also sometimes make for an easier replacement window if the original window had a similarly shallow jamb depth.

Here you can see the available interior and exterior colors.

How does the price and warranty compare?

The pricing is usually relatively low for this model compared to the upgraded Gentek models. The warranty is the same as the other models which is also a nice feature.

You get a lifetime warranty that is transferable when you sell the house and it covers labor too. You get all of that and it’s backed by a billion dollar company. Overall the warranty is a selling point and the prices are generally very competitive.

What are some downsides to the Gentek 70 Series windows?

In addition to the limited style options I mentioned earlier, the shallower jambs also limit the efficiency. There is no triple pane glass option for these windows and, similar to the 80 series, the air infiltration rates are higher than you’ll see from nicer Gentek options like the upgraded Signature Elite model.

Gentek 70 Series sliding window.
Here is a 70 Series sliding window.

What’s the bottom line?

If you need something very specific like a very shallow jamb depth or a 7/8″ nail fin or absolute max glass area for a very tiny window then this option could make sense. Otherwise, I’d suggest looking at one of the nicer Gentek models like the Signature Elite which is one of my favorite options.

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 80 Series Windows Reviews

Are the Gentek 80 Series windows the best choice for your home? Let’s find out.

First, it’s important to note that the 80 series windows are designed as a new construction window but they can be used in replacement applications as well. The downside to using a new construction window is that they are generally designed to be lower cost options. That can be bad if you’re looking for a better than average solution.

Now, the Gentek 80 Series windows are generally some of the nicer new construction windows out there. That means they’ll often be a better choice than more commonly used, and lower end, windows.

Here is the frame of the Gentek 80 series windows.

What are the best features of the Gentek 80 Series windows?

I’d say the best features are the efficiency options. These windows come with a 1″ insulated glass package and many of the Barrier XP efficiency packages that are available throughout the rest of the Gentek line. They are available with triple pane glass or double pane glass and they’re also available with the upgraded Super Spacer (although you must specify that when ordering).

Beyond the efficiency packages the Gentek 80 Series windows are also available in a wider range of colors than a typical new construction window.

These are the available interior and exterior colors for the Gentek 80 series windows. Note they do now offer a black exterior which is very popular.

In the picture above you can see the interior and exterior color options for these windows. You certainly can find other window products with many more color options, but these tend to be some of the most popular options.

What other style options are available?

Below you can see the options for grids which are the main style option. They’ll have all of the popular patterns, including craftsman grids. These are pretty common styles that you’ll see from most manufacturers. There’s nothing too special here, but it does accomplish what most people are looking for.

These are the grid options for the Gentek 80 Series windows.

What is the warranty for the Gentek 80 Series?

These windows come with a lifetime warranty that is transferable to the next owner. This is pretty common among nicer vinyl windows. It’s a great feature to have but it’s not a huge differentiator since it’s offered by many companies.

One aspect of the warranty that is often overlooked is that it also covers labor to fix a warranty issue. That is something that all companies do not offer and it’s a great feature.

What are the downsides to these windows?

There are a few downsides to this model. For example, we mentioned earlier that the style options are a little limited. For example, there aren’t many colors available, there are no options for upgraded hardware and no option for exterior grids or blinds in the glass.

Those limitations aren’t too unusual for a new construction window, but they might be important to you.

Beyond the style, the air infiltration rate is also a little higher with this model than we would like. That measures how much air can get through the window when it’s closed and locked.

The air infiltration rates for the single hung 80 Series varies between 0.17 and 0.20 in the standard configuration. To be fair that’s good enough to get the AAMA Gold Seal so it’s not horrible. That said it’s also not nearly as good as the nicer Gentek Signature Elite window that we’ll be reviewing shortly. As a point of comparison, the Signature Elite has a significantly better air infiltration rate of 0.04. If air infiltration is a concern for you we might suggest looking at the upgraded model instead.

What is the bottom line?

Overall the Gentek 80 Series is a decent new construction window. It’s available with a stucco fin or a nail fin or as a box frame for a replacement application. Some of the style options are a little limited but that won’t matter if the styles they do offer work for your project.

This isn’t the nicest window Gentek makes, but it’s a perfectly decent choice for many projects. And, the warranty is pretty solid as well.

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 5100 Sliding Door Reviews

If you’re thinking about a Gentek 5100 sliding door you may want to think about a different option instead. We recently reviewed the newer Gentek Sanctuary door and you may find it to be a better option.

If you are still considering the 5100 sliding door you’ll want to be clear about the reason. Overall this isn’t a very great door, but there might be a reason that it could still make sense for you.

Why isn’t the 5100 sliding door any good?

For starters this is a very old design. I worked for the parent company of Gentek, Associated Materials, back in 2004 and this model was not new then. It’s old.

Old doesn’t necessarily mean bad, but this was a low end option back then and it hasn’t gotten any nicer with the passage of nearly 20 years.

Here’s the picture from the cover of the 5100 sliding door brochure. Seriously.

Just in case you didn’t believe me when I said this was an OLD design, here is the picture from the cover of the brochure. Look at the TV in that living room. This is not a recent picture. I would guess they last updated this picture about 20 years ago.

Ok, but what are the real downsides?

One drawback is that this door is pretty flimsy. It comes with the vinyl frame assembled and it’s about the most wobbly thing you’ve ever seen. In my experience the door doesn’t seal very well and it really does feel cheap.

What colors are available?

Hardly any. You can only order this bad boy in white or beige. No other colors are available.

Can you get blinds in the glass in this sliding door?

No.

Why would someone pick this model?

The one redeeming characteristic of this door is that you can get custom sizes that are not too expensive and they come in quickly.

If you need a custom sized door for a flip house or a lower end rental this could be a fine option. Otherwise I’d look for the nicer Gentek models.

What’s the bottom line?

Gentek makes some very nice products. They make a nice patio door called the Sanctuary and if you’re in the market for a sliding door that’s the option I would suggest. The Sanctuary door is pretty nice, but this 5100 model door is not.

If you’re enticed by the low cost custom sizes that are available just know that you’re getting into so you’re not disappointed later.

Other posts you might find helpful:

Gentek Sanctuary Sliding Door Reviews

The Sanctuary sliding door from Gentek is the nicest sliding door option that Gentek produces. Is it a nice enough door for your home? Let’s find out.

As readers of the site will know I tend to be a fan of many of the Gentek products and as a result my company does offer them in some markets. Of course there are Gentek products that I’m not a big fan of, like the Concord Plus window. Luckily the Gentek Sanctuary sliding door is a pretty decent option and here we’ll look at it in more detail.

For starters, the Sanctuary sliding door is available in three configurations.

This is a little unusual, but this door can be ordered with a typical 3″ wide sash, a wider 5″ sash or it can be ordered in a French style.

That terminology may be a little confusing, but it’s actually pretty simple. Below you can see a few pictures that will illustrate the differences.

Gentek Sanctuary sliding door in the contemporary style with 3" rails.
Here is the Sanctuary sliding door with 3″ rails. When we’re talking about the size of the rails we’re talking about the parts that are circled in this picture.

As you can see above this is the door style that is designed to maximize light. When we’re saying this model has 3″ rails we’re talking about the parts that are circled in the picture. They call this the contemporary style.

You can see the Classic style in the picture below. This option uses 5″ rails for a more substantial look. The downside is that the glass is a little smaller due to the thicker rails.

Here is the Sanctuary door in the classic style with 5" rails.
Here is the Sanctuary sliding door with 5″ rails. The difference is only a style thing. One style isn’t better than other, some people just prefer different looks. There is something wrong with this picture. If you can spot it post a comment below and you’ll win the prize.

As you can see in the picture above the thicker rails of the Classic style do give the door a nice look. This option is a little more expensive and it does have less glass area so you’d need to decide which you prefer.

What about the French style sliding doors?

This is the Sanctuary door in the French style sliding door configuration.
This is the French style of the Sanctuary door. You can see the thicker rails which are designed to look like a French door but operate like a sliding door.

Here’s the French style door and you can see how it has a thicker bottom and top rail to look more like a French style door. This Sanctuary door still opens by sliding which means it doesn’t take up space when it opens and it seals very well.

This is a bit of an unusual style. To my knowledge Gentek copied this style from Andersen. It’s not the most popular option but the people who order it tend to be very happy with it.

What about the energy efficiency?

The Sanctuary doors are available with all of the same Barrier XP glass packages that you can get in the Gentek windows. That means there are hundreds of available packages. You can get just about any configuration that you’d like or your dealer can probably make a recommendation or two.

These are the common efficiency packages, called Barrier XP, for the Sanctuary door.

Here are a handful of popular packages. You can see U-Factors are available down to 0.20 with triple pane glass and common double pane packages are at 0.27.

What colors are available for the Sanctuary sliding doors?

There are a wide range of color options available. Here you can see the interior and exterior color options.

These are the color options for the Sanctuary sliding door.

It’s important to note that all color combinations are not available so you’ll want to talk to your dealer about the availability. Also, custom colors are NOT available at all. For most folks this isn’t an issue, but something to be aware of.

What are the other popular features?

You’ll get make great standard features with this door like multi-point locks, extruded screen frames, powder coated hardware, durable rollers, etc.

Then, there are a range of optional features available like a foot lock for added security or an exterior key lock. You can also get upgraded decorative interior handles, shown below. The standard hardware will be color matched to the door.

Here are the hardware options for the Classic and Contemporary Sanctuary door.

Can you get blinds in the glass?

Yes you can. The blinds for this door are a little unique in that they come with a 20 year warranty. Most other manufacturers only offer a 10 year warranty on blinds so that’s a pretty big difference. The blinds raise and tilt and you can still get efficiency packages with the blinds, also a little unique.

What sizes are available?

These doors are available in 2, 3 and 4 panel configurations from 4′ wide to 12′ with custom sizes also available. They’re also available in 8′ tall models which is not the case with every door. If you have a challenging door opening this could be a great model. Just be aware that custom sizes can get a little expensive and they can take a long time to come it. Gentek tells us they’re working to improve lead-times for custom doors, but we’ll believe that when we see it.

What’s the bottom line?

This is a good quality door with great efficiency options, many common color and style options and a lifetime warranty to back it all up. It doesn’t have some of the newer features like a top hung screen or an additional locking bolt at the top of the frame, but those are features that are often more fluff anyway.

Overall Gentek has a very solid door option in this Sanctuary model.

Other posts you might find helpful:

How can you find a great window company?

This part is easier than some people thing. If you’re looking for a great window company you can find recommendations all over the country right here. We list companies that we know and my company too so you can make the process of getting new windows just as easy as possible. 

Let us know how it goes.

Gentek Sequoia Select Windows Reviews

Readers of the site will know that I tend to think Gentek windows are some of the nicest windows out there and the Sequoia Select is a very nice window model.

I do think this is the second nicest window that Gentek products so it’s worth considering. That’s also why my company decided to offer it. You may also want to look at the newer Signature Elite model that is also a great choice.

Here is a Gentek Sequoia Select sliding window.

What are the advantages of the Gentek Sequoia Select windows?

There are a few aspects of the Sequoia Select windows that separate them from other options out there. For example, they’ll come standard with upgraded block and tackle balance mechanisms that are nicer than the cheaper constant force balances you’ll see in many windows.

best replacement window balances
Here is a quick list of the advantages of the nicer block and tackle balances.

This is the part of the window that allows it to open and close and prevents it from slamming shut. Often times companies will use cheaper components here because customers don’t know much about them. Almost all higher end products will use higher end components like this so it’s a good indication of quality.

Next, the Sequoia Select model is available with dozens of efficiency packages that they call Barrier XP. This means you can pick a package that makes sense for your house rather than being forced to pick from two or three choices.

Here are the common efficiency ratings of the Gentek Sequoia Select windows.
Here are some of the common packages. Remember there are dozens more available.

The trick there is that often times the in-home salesman won’t understand the choices. That means they’ll sometimes struggle to explain the options. If you get someone who knows what they’re talking about this won’t be an issue.

In addition, the Sequoia Select windows are designed with very strong vinyl frames and copious amounts of weatherstripping to make sure they hold up and keep the elements out.

Overall, this is a pretty good quality product.

What colors are available?

These windows are available in a wide range of interior and exterior colors. Below you can see the available colors as of today. Keep in mind the color palette does change over time.

You’ll see they do offer a black exterior which is a very popular option lately but there is no option for a black interior.

We commonly see customers get a little crossed up when picking color combinations. The easy way to think about it is to start with the idea that the windows come either white, beige or clay. Then, another color can be applied to the interior and/or the exterior.

So you can get a white window and then apply the black exterior to have a window that is white inside and black outside.

If you’re not sure about the options it’s always easiest to check with the company offering the windows. They should be able to help make picking colors easier.

What is the warranty on the Gentek Sequoia Select windows?

The warranty on this model is pretty solid as well. The original buyer gets a lifetime warranty that covers the frames, the sashes, the glass, hardware and the screens.

The warranty is also transferable when you sell the house so you can use that as a selling point.

It is important to note that the glass breakage warranty is optional so your dealer needs to include it in your original order. Overall I’d say the warranty is a good selling point for this model.

What are the downsides of the Gentek Sequoia Select windows?

The main downside to this model is the bulkier frame. In the past, manufacturers would make their “top of the line” model with thick frames so they could talk about strength.

Many years ago earlier vinyl windows were thought of as flimsy so manufacturers focused on strength in their marketing. The result was the nicer windows in the market had thick frames and then people decided they didn’t like that.

Now, most manufacturers are moving to a slimmer frame design, but there are still thicker framed windows out there. The Sequoia Select falls into that category. This isn’t a huge issue if you have larger windows, but if you have smaller windows it can be more of a concern.

Other than that there aren’t a lot of downsides. This is a pretty solid all around window.

What’s the bottom line?

Ultimately, the Gentek Sequoia Select model is a decent choice. The warranty is good, the available options compare well with the competition and the efficiency ratings are solid.

As a result, this is a product that my company offers, but it’s not always our most commonly recommended option. If you’re considering this model you might also want to look at the newer Signature Elite model where you might find a little more value.

How can you find a great window company?

This part is easier than some people thing. If you’re looking for a great window company you can find recommendations all over the country right here. We list companies that we know and my company too so you can make the process of getting new windows just as easy as possible.

Let us know how it goes.

Other posts you might find interesting: