Category: Replacement Window Reviews

Real reviews of replacement window models with pictures, videos and detailed explanations.

Soft-Lite Elements Windows Reviews

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.

Other posts you might find interesting:


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Provia Endure Windows Reviews

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.

Provia Endure window brochure and reviews.

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.

Provia Endure features and options along with cost and warranty info.

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.

Provia Endure blinds in the windows.

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.

Provia Endure painted exterior color options.

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.

ThermaStar by Pella Series 20 Windows Reviews From Lowes

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

Today in the top secret WindowDog lair we have captured a ThermaStar by Pella Series 20 replacement window.  You can find these sitting on the shelves at Lowes stores all over the country.  We captured this one at a store in Maryland and the same line appears to be in all Lowes stores east of the rockies.

Pella ThermaStar replacement windows from Lowes
Here is the Pella ThermaStar 20 replacement window from Lowes.


 These windows are cheap and that’s the point.  This one cost us about $125 and it includes low-e glass and a full screen.  That sounds like the best price you’ll find for replacement windows.

best replacement windows of 2015

Is it worth the cost?

There are a few distinct drawbacks to buying stock replacement windows from a big box store like Lowes and this window will illustrates them well.

First, as you can see on the label, this window has a nominal size of 24×38, and an actual frame size of 23.5″x37.5″.  If the holes in your house happen to be just that size then you’re in good shape.  If not, you’re going to get creative.  You can rip down some lumber and fill an opening by an inch or two to make a stock window fit, but you’re not going to have the prettiest results.

The biggest drawback is the most obvious.  They just won’t fit right.  You can get cheap custom sized windows from distributors that will still be flimsy, but at least they’ll fit right.

Why are these so cheap?

Here’s a good example, look at this screen.  As you can see in the picture below it has a roll-formed frame, the spline is on the outside, the corner keys are exposed, and on and on and on.

Lowes replacement windows by Pella
That’s a cheap screen on the ThermaStar by Pella series 20 window from Lowes.

If you install this window and never touch that screen for the rest of your life it might hold up.  If you try to remove it, or open it, or stare at it for too long it’s going to bend.  I’m not sure if I have the words to describe how flimsy it feels in your hands.

Next, let’s look at the quality control.  This is a picture of the meeting rail.  You can see the big black scratch that came with this window along with the big thick welds.

Pella ThermaStar windows reviews
This Pella ThermaStar 20 replacement window from Lowes is in our office today.

This was a brand new window and while things do get dirty it’s hard to imagine how it got that scratch.  It may have come from the shelves at Lowes, but it was under the plastic wrapping.  More likely it came from the Pella plant.  It will probably come clean with some soft scrub, but it’s a chore I’d rather not deal with.

As an aside: Soft Scrub will clean anything off of a vinyl window.  It’s amazing.

Here is a quick look at the night latches that can limit how far the windows open.  This mechanism looks similar to many others out there.  I sometimes prefer the type without the button as this seems like it may be a failure point in the future, but it works ok for now.

Pella-ThermaStar-20-Night-Latch
Night latch on the ThermaStar by Pella series 20 replacement windows from Lowes.

How about the warranty on the Pella ThermaStar 20 windows from Lowes?

As you’d probably expect the warranties on stock windows from box stores like Lowes aren’t the same what you’d find on nicer windows.  In this case you only get 2-years of labor coverage to fix a manufacturing issue and the non-glass components are only covered for 10 years if you don’t live in the home.  Many folks might use these windows in a rental property so that is a factor to consider.  If you get the fancy blinds between the glass you’ll only get a 5 year warranty.  That’s an expensive option to only last 5 years.

You can download the entire ThermaStar by Pella windows warranty right here.

What’s the bottom line?

Well, the price was about $125, the quality is questionable, the sizes are limited and the warranty is pretty weak.  As you might expect this one isn’t a great buy.

If you’re looking to install windows yourself post a comment and we’ll try to direct you to a local distributor that can help you with custom made windows.  For something like $25-$50 more per window you can get a MUCH nicer custom made window.

For now you might want to take a look through our detailed replacement window reviews to get a better idea of your options.  You’ll be glad you shopped around.

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. 

Best Replacement Windows

So what are the best replacement windows?  There’s a question that’s been asked a million times before.  As you’re sorting through the options remember that there is no one “best” product.  If there was, everyone would know it and your decision would be easy.

Why isn’t there one type of best replacement windows?

There are several reasons, but the biggest factor is that different people want  different things.  For instance, some of our customers buy windows because they’re moving soon and they want to dress up the house.  Some buy new windows because they’re about to have a baby and they want to make the house less drafty.  Some folks buy new windows as part of a larger remodeling project and some folk just want to make their home more comfortable in the hot summer.  The best replacement windows for each of these folks are completely different.

So, before you can decide what the best replacement windows are for you, you’ll need to be really clear about these factors:

  • How long are you planing on living in the home?
  • If you don’t live in the home at all, are you flipping the house, renting or is a family member living there?
  • Rank these characteristics: efficiency, looks, durability/warranty, price

Once you have a more clear idea of what you’re looking for the question of what are the best replacement windows will become easier to answer.

For example, if you’re going to be renting the house you’ll want windows that look nice, and won’t cause problems.  Perhaps you’re less concerned with efficiency and price is probably an important concern.  You probably don’t want junk, but you also don’t need the greatest windows ever produced by mankind.

On the other hand, if you’ve just bought your new home and you’re undergoing a substantial remodel to turn it into your dream house that you plan on living in for the rest of your days you probably have a different set of priorities.  You want a product that looks great, keeps the house as comfortable as possible and will last a very long time.

Of course, even if you’re in the exact same situation as someone else you still may end up choosing a different product.  You might be more concerned about a product that looks and feels great like a wood window or maybe a fiberglass option while someone else might want the most efficient option available which would probably be a triple pane vinyl window.

 So you’re starting to see why there are so many options.  Why isn’t it easy to find answers regarding the best replacement windows?

Well, it’s a competitive business.  There are just about no patents in the industry so every company is building windows from the same parts and they’re fighting to earn your business.

Companies that are trying to produce the “best replacement windows” are all fighting to say they’re better than the rest.  Companies trying to produce the least expensive products for the price sensitive customer are all trying to be less expensive than the rest.

Keep this intense competition in mind when you’re learning about new windows.

A wise man once said, “before you can find the answer, you must find the question”.  Don’t bother trying to find the best replacement windows until you really understand what you want.

If you’re thinking vinyl windows and you’re interested in being on the low end of the price spectrum you’ll see companies all over the place advertising “new windows installed for $189” or sometimes even less.  Of course they’ll try to up sell you on all sorts of options so most end up being easily double that price.

You’ll also find companies that claim to offer the “best replacement windows” with a 3 hour sales pitch that leads to one discount after another in an effort to get you to sign up right away.  I always ask why they need to work so hard to sell these windows if they really are so good.  You’d think if they genuinely were the best replacement windows folks would just buy them and the dramatic sales pitch wouldn’t be necessary.

So, be sure you don’t waste your time meeting with companies and sorting through options until you have a clear idea of what you want.    Start to get an idea of what the best replacement windows for you will look like.

Once you have an idea of what you want and how you’ll rank the variables of efficiency, looks, durability/warranty, price you’ll be ready to start finding a local window company.  A quick google search will show you more window companies in your area than you can shake a stick at.  For example, when I google “replacement window company” I get 102,000,000 results.  That’s a lot.

Here’s another post on how to identify the best replacement window installation company.  stay tuned.   For now, take a look through some replacement window reviews get an idea of what’s out there.

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. 

Harvey Classic Windows Reviews

Did a contractor or window salesman recently tell you about Harvey Classic windows? Here we’ll look at Harvey Classic window review to see if they’re a worthwhile choice.

For starters I’ll tell you this has never been a fantastic window option. While you do see Harvey windows all over the Northeast that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the greatest thing around.

The Harvey Classic window is an older design. It was never designed to be the greatest option around and it offers relatively limited features.

How efficient is the Harvey Classic window?

About average. One thing that stands out is that there are only three efficiency packages available for this window model. That’s pretty limited.

The options are ThermaLock, SunGain HSHG and ThermaGuard.

The efficiency ratings will be relatively similar between the ThermaLock vs the ThermaGuard pacakges. Both are Energy Star rated in the North and North Central zones. The big difference for me is that you get much more light through the ThermaGuard package. For me that’s a big deal and I would defininltey pick the ThermaGuard package for my house.

The chart above can be a little hard to read. To save you the trouble the VT rating is 0.55 for the ThermaGuard vs 0.49 for the ThermaLock package. That means you get about 10% more light through the ThermaGuard package. It’s a better option in most cases.

What about the Harvey Classic warranty?

We mentioned the Harvey window warranty in our review of the Harvey Tribute model as well. The long and short of it is that the warranty isn’t the best.

There’s no labor coverage, no installation coverage, and a limited 20 year warranty on the glass. Overall, just like the rest of the windows, the warranty is ok, but not the greatest.

So, what’s the bottom line?

Well, the features are pretty limited, the efficiency packages are limited, the warranty is mediocre at best. We’ve also seen some negative feedback from readers of the site about Harvey windows as well.

Overall I’d say if a contractor is recommending the Harvey Classic window to you he probably tells you that he’s been dealing with them for years. Is that a good thing or is a sign of a guy who’s not evaluating the options to offer the best choices?

Harvey windows are very widely distributed. They’re easy for a contractor to get and that can make them preferable to sell. Unfortunately that doesn’t really make them better for you.

I’d look for a better option.

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.

Kensington HPP Windows Reviews

Update:  The friendly folks at Kensington HPP have reached out to us with some new info about their company and it’s relationship to another company formerly known as Kensington Windows.  This post is an update to an earlier post I wrote about Kensington.  Everything you’ll read in this post is accurate as far as I know based on my conversations with the folks at Kensington HPP.

So, with that said, if a google search for Kensington Windows lead you to this page you’ll fall into one of two camps.

If you have Kensington Windows in your house and you’re looking for warranty or service information:

You’ll want to pay close attention to when the windows were manufactured.  There was another company, legally unrelated to the current company, that went out of business in 2008.  They don’t exist anymore and if you have warranty issue you’re likely out of luck.

If your windows were manufactured after that you’re likely in luck and you can contact Kensington HPP or the contractor that installed them for service issues.

If you’re shopping for new windows and a contractor recommended windows from Kensington HPP then you’re in better shape.  Here’s the scoop on that company.  

After the old Kensington Windows company went out of business in 2008 and the assets of that company and another window manufacturer called Republic Windows in Chicago were purchased by Serious Materials out of California in 2009.  They were trying to get into the window business on the cheap during the financial crisis.

I remember reading an article about their maneuvers with the financing and the unions back then thinking they sounded like a smart group of people.  Unfortunately that plan didn’t work out so well and Serious left the window business in 2013.

A group of the former executives from the old Kensington Windows got together and reopened a new company called Kensington HPP that now offers windows in most of the eastern half of the country.  If you’re wondering Kensington HPP stands for High Performance Products.

They took over operations from Serious in 2013 so they’re been around in their current form for 4 years or so as of this writing.  That certainly doesn’t make them the lowest tenured company around, but we all started out somewhere.  My company is about to turn 10 years old and when we had only been in business for 4 years we still offered great service.

The models offered by Kensington HPP are:

  • Quantum 2
  • Huntington
  • Williamsport
  • Kingston
  • Euro Tilt and Turn

At this point I don’t have enough info about their products to offer great reviews, but if they send the info I’ll be happy to publish more content.

They are also the only vinyl window manufacturer in the country that uses heat mirror technology.  This is a 3 pane sealed unit with the center pane being a plastic material instead of glass.  I’ve heard of some rather high prices for Heat Mirror products.  To decide if it’s right for you be sure to get past the sales jargon and compare the efficiency ratings vs the cost.  You should be able to tell rather easily if the increase in efficiency is worth the increase in cost.

If I hear about any new info from the folks at Kensington HPP I’ll be happy to post it and if you have any experience with their company or their products feel free to post a comment for everyone to see.

What if I have more questions about Kensington HPP windows?

We can help!  Find our Kensington HPP 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 Kensington HPP windows that you’re not finding here?  Post a comment and let us know.  We’ll be glad to help out!

How can you find a great window company?

When 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 know which companies to avoid you can find common window sales tactics here. That’s become one of the most popular sections on the site.

Remember, for more great window company info you can find our suggestions for the best local companies 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 here.

The Best Window Company in Manchester – Window Universe!

If you’re looking for the very best replacement windows in Manchester, NH you’re in luck!  My company, Window Universe, is offering windows in the Manchester area (and most of New Hampshire) and I’d be happy to personally help you with a window order.

You now qualify to receive 25% discount from Window Universe. Get pricing by email with no pushy salesman in your house and save. Don’t overpay for new windows. Info below.

We’re a little different than most companies in that we will email you our complete price list so you can see what everything will cost.  We’ll listen to what you’re trying to accomplish and make a suggestion that will accomplish your goals.

Replacement windows Manchester NH

In the Manchester area we’re currently offering 7 models of windows with over 100 energy efficient options. We have the solution to just about every window problem which is why I’m confident we’re the best window company in Manchester.

Best of all we’re doing it with no pushy in-home salespeople!

If you’d like to get a simple and easy quote for your project the process is pretty easy.  You can either complete the form at the end of this post and we’ll be in touch with more info.

If you’d like more info you can check out our website at WindowUniverseManchester.com for more info about what we’re up to.

How does this work?

Good question.  We’ve tried to design the absolute easiest way to get new windows.  Here’s how it works:

  1. You fill out the form on this page to request a quote
  2. We’ll send you a detailed and itemized quote for your window project
  3. You can ask any questions and we can make any revisions as necessary
  4. When we have the order the way you want it we have the windows custom measured, manufactured and expertly installed.

It’s so easy you won’t believe people still order windows the old fashioned way.

You can even order custom windows without installation to install yourself.

I want to see how this works!

Great, we want to hear from you.  Fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch with more info about the products and services that we offer in Manchester.  You’re not going to believe how easy this is.


Itemized Price List Request Form

Not in New Hampshire?  No problem.  Check out our directory of the best window companies all over the country to find someone who can help with your project.

Simonton Window Complaints – Do they have more unhappy customers?

I talk to a lot of people about windows. Probably too many, but that’s a story for another day. Today is a story about a reader who asked me about Simonton window complaints.

The reader was from Florida where my company doesn’t currently offer windows so I wasn’t trying to sell anything. I was just trying to be helpful. She had read some Simonton window complaints online and was concerned that she would be unhappy if she ordered Simonton windows.

Simonton window complaints and window warranty

As an aside, I did recently write another post about Alside window complains where we talked about how the end user of the window typically don’t know a lot about windows and will often assign the blame for an issue in the wrong place. I won’t repeat that topic, but you can find that post here.

There are several factors to consider when opinions from folks online, whether they’re “experts” or customers. One is that you can find someone in the world who is unhappy with anything. They could be giving out free Rolls Royce’s and someone would write “one star, too comfortable”. There is someone out there who really will complain about anything. Have you seen the complaints that people write about national parks? They’re hilarious.

The important factor to keep in mind is scale.

You see Simonton is a pretty big window manufacturer. They make millions of windows and probably have millions of customers. Some percentage of customers will be less than pleased with any product. That’s not unusual and it’s not very important.

Think about it this way. If Company A has 1,000,000 customers and has 100 window complaints online they have an unhappiness rate of 0.01%. You could read 100 negative reviews and think it’s bad, but I think we’d all call an unhappiness rate of 0.01% pretty good.

If Company B has 200,000 customers and has 40 window complaints they would have less than half as many window complaints online. You might be a casual googler and think that you find much less negativity about Company B so they must be better. You see less than half as many unhappy people so it would be easy to assume that Company B is better.

You don’t realize that they’re 1/5 the size.

In fact, company B has an unhappiness rate of 0.02%. That means they have twice as many unhappy customers as a percentage of the total. That is much worse, but it looks better when you’re googling. It’s tricky to navigate.

If you were to hire Company B you’d be twice as likely to be unhappy about something at the end of your project, but you’d have no way of knowing that at the beginning.

The moral of the story is that it can be very easy for a small manufacturer to look great online. That doesn’t mean they’re actually great.

Should I work with a larger company or a smaller company?

When thinking about window manufacturers I always suggest working with larger and more well established companies. I don’t recommend Simonton windows too frequently but they are an example of a large brand that has been around for a long time and likely will be around for many years to come. Even if you read some Simonton window complaints it doesn’t’ mean they’re making a bad product. It just means they’re large.

It’s very easy for small manufacturers to pop on the scene, sign up a handful of dealers, get them to write great feedback online and the window manufacturer looks great. Then they hit a financial challenge for one reason or another, they don’t have any resources and they close their doors.

Unfortunately this happens all the time and it leaves people who thought they were buying windows from a very well respected manufacturer completely out of luck with no warranty or access to replacement parts. When you see people complaining that a lifetime warranty isn’t really lifetime this is usually the cause. If the company goes belly up you have no warranty.

So, how should I decide who to work with?

The window business is challenging, that’s for sure. Every company says they’re the best and they all say that everyone else is horrible. It can feel difficult to navigate, but luckily it’s really not that hard.

I always suggest starting with a company with a good reputation and a solid track record. Then listed to what they have to suggest. Ask any questions about it, ask about options both more expensive and less expensive. When you feel like they’re offering a reasonable value that fits your needs you should buy it.

To try to help in that regard we’ve compiled a list of great companies all over the country. We may not know anyone in your neighborhood yet but it doesn’t’ hurt to ask. You can find our list of the best replacement window companies right here.

Okna 800 Window Reviews

The Okna 800 Series or Enviro-Star is billed as their “top of the line” offering.  Typically we’re a little hesitant to believe all of the top of the line hype that typically accompanies a top of the line window, but let’s take a look at what the Okna 800 Enviro-Star has to offer.

First, the Okna 800 window uses a slightly thicker frame than the Okna 500 series that we reviewed earlier.  The thicker frame isn’t good or bad, but it does reduce the glass area which reduces the amount of light that can get through the window.

One design element that we like on the 800 series as compared to the 500 series is the design of the frame on the exterior.  While it’s still a little busy, it’s much less busy than the less expensive Okna 500.

Okna 800 reviews, price Enviro-Star
You can see that there are still a lot of details on the frame, it has a better look than the 500 series.

One feature that sounds neat, but appears to have absolutely no benefit is the magnetic seal at the bottom.  As you can see in the diagram below there is a magnetic seal at the bottom of the Okna 800 window.  That sounds like a pretty slick feature.  After all it works for your refrigerator why wouldn’t it work for a window.

Okna 800 Enviro-Star reviews
The Okna 800 Enviro-Star has a magnetic seal at the bottom.

So it sounds cool and it makes sense, but it turns out it doesn’t do much for you.  The Okna 800 series has a 0.01 air infiltration rating according to their website.  The Okna 500 series without the magnetic seal has a rating 0.02.  So it’s supposed to make the window seal tighter, but unfortunately it doesn’t make much of a difference.  At least it sounds cool 😉

Okna Enviro-Star 800 series windows.
Here you can see the mortised sill dam on the Okna 800 Enviro-Star.

Beyond that there are several other design elements that definitely make this a next generation product.  The mortised sill dam (shown above) and the fully welded sloped sill (shown below) are important features that contribute to the overall performance.  Okna certainly isn’t the only manufacturer to include these features, but older designs typically do not have them.

Okna Enviro-Star windows
Here is the true sloped sill on the Enviro-Star.

The last product pic we’ll show you is the lift rail.  This is a little unusual and frankly I’m not a huge fan.  It’s certainly a style issue so it’s as subjective as anything else.  This lift rail (shown below) stands out a little too much in my opinion and has the potential to break or snap off in the future.  If you like the look then go for it, but I don’t think it’s for me.

Okna windows ratings, lawsuit, waranty
The unusual lift rail on the Okna 800 Enviro-Star

So, what’s the price of an Okna 800?

These windows are typically sold at a higher price due to the “top of the line” type sales pitch.  At the end of the day it’s a fine product with several nice features, but there is nothing about this window that you can’t find in several other models.  When you see companies trying to sell this product for $500 or more for a basic white window you can be sure that’s a little on the high side.

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. 

Soft-Lite Pro vs Soft-Lite Classic

We’ve received a few requests recently to compare the Soft-Lite Pro vs Soft-Lite Classic windows.  As you’ll see below these two window models are pretty similar.  In fact, they are essentially the same window with a few small differences.

Soft-lite pro vs Soft-Lite classic windows reviewsAs you can see here, the two windows are essentially the same.  This picture points out the biggest difference between the Soft-Lite Pro vs Soft-Lite Classic windows.  The exterior design of the frame is a little busier on the Pro model.  We tend to like the simple look of the classic, but it’s your house, pick out whichever style you like best.

Another difference between the two models is the foam insulation in the frame.

Soft-lite foam filled frames

As you can see in the picture above, the foam insulation in the frame is standard with the Soft-Lite Pro and it’s optional with the Soft-Lite Classic.  Typically foam insulation in frames is mostly about the sales pitch.  It typically doesn’t have much affect on the ratings, but if you like the idea make sure it’s included.

The last difference is the reinforcement in the sash.  As you can see in this picture the Pro model comes with standard reinforcement in the sash and the Classic does not.

soft lite pro classic reinforced sashThe reinforcement helps the window stand up to extreme windows and can also help with intrusion prevention.  This is more important for very wide windows or for windows that will be subjected to very high winds.  Generally speaking we recommend getting windows with reinforced sashes.  The cost isn’t very high and it does make them stronger.

That’s it!

Those are all of the differences in the Soft-Lite Pro vs Soft-Lite Classic windows.  Typically when contractors offer the Classic window for a few dollars less than the Pro they’re not ordering the foam filled frames or the reinforced sashes.  If you want these features be sure they’re included.  Once they are added in the pricing should be about the same between these two windows.

If you have any more specific questions about Soft-Lite windows just let us know.  You can find more detailed information and reviews of Soft-Lite products right here!