Alpine Windows are manufactured in Fife, WA and are available throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The brand is owned by Associated Materials, Inc based out of Ohio. Alpine offers several models of replacement and new construction windows and we’ll review them right here.
Alpine Windows Reviews – Replacement Windows
- Montrose Vinyl Replacement Windows
- Westbridge 6500 Sliding Doors
- Westbridge Elite Windows – Discontinued
New Construction Windows
- 70 Series
- 80 Series
- 170 Sliding Patio Doors
As you can see Alpine windows only currently produces one line of replacement windows and two lines of new construction windows. This makes understanding the options much easier than it is with many manufacturers. The 70 and 80 series are designed for new construction. The Montrose line is designed for remodeling projects along with the Westbridge 6500 sliding patio doors.
Do Alpine windows qualify for the federal tax credits?
Yes, maybe. Alpine offers efficient glass packages that do qualify for the federal tax credits for energy efficient windows and doors. All options do not quality.
If you’re interested in this you’ll want to talk to the dealer or installer to make sure the option you’re ordering will qualify. These options do come with additional costs which may cost more than the tax credit you’ll get, but you also get very efficient windows.
The qualifying packages are called SolarTherm PriME. Despite their ridiculous capitalization they are very efficient packages.
What is the warranty from Alpine Windows?
The warranty is pretty solid and that’s one of the strong points for this brand. These windows come with a lifetime warranty that is backed by a billion dollar company with a 70+ year history in the building products business.
The warranty includes lifetime coverage for the windows and the labor required to repair a problem. That’s pretty good, better than the warranty you’ll see from some other companies.
One problem we’ve heard about affects people who bought windows from Alpine before they were purchased by Associated Materials. Customers from the old days have had trouble with their warranty claims. If your windows are 15+ years old you may be in that boat. In my experience that will only impact customers who bought windows before the company was acquired by Associated Materials which was around 2003 give or take.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve had any trouble with the warranty. If you’re looking to file a warranty claim for Alpine windows you can do that here.
Why order Alpine windows?
One real advantage is that they’re now backed by a billion dollar manufacturing company. When you’re purchasing products with a long-term warranty it’s important to consider the financial strength of the company itself. In recent years we’ve seen many small regional manufacturers go under leaving all of their past customer with no warranty at all. Examples of this include Gorell windows, Kensington Windows, Republic Windows and more.
You can now find our Alpine windows FAQ here.
Many of these little window companies can look great in a brochure, but they’re not so great in real life. In my opinion people routinely undervalue the risk associated with a little manufacturer which is why it’s always my recommendation to work with a larger and more well established company.
You can be relatively confident that a large company like Associated Materials will be around for the long haul which will be important if you ever need to use your warranty.
If you’re thinking about Alpine windows you should also check out our other replacement window reviews along with the most common window sales tactics that you may encounter.
What’s the bottom line?
Overall these windows are decent. Like most manufacturers they make cheaper new construction windows and nicer replacement windows. The Montrose line is a solid choice for a replacement window with a solid warranty.
Remember, before you fall in love with a window manufacturer you should find a good local dealer who can help to make recommendations.
We commonly see people put the cart before the horse by deciding which window model they want before they find someone to install it. This is understandable, but it’s not a good strategy.
It’s possible that the product you’ve decided you love is only offered in your area by someone you don’t want to work with. In that case you’ll be frustrated, I guarantee it.
Your best bet is to find a great local company and talk to them about what they recommend. You can find our listing of great local replacement window companies here.
Looking at a local company that came highly recommended from a good friend, friend is a contractor as well. The company gave me a great quote and are recommending the Alpine Westbridge Elite replacement windows and 6500 sliding patio door. Any thoughts on the this series other than what is mentioned above?
I’m new to replacement windows and I’m loving the info on this site, so thank you. I just want to make the right decision.
I have defective Alpine Windows in my home, and I am extremely disappointed in their quality and even more so by their “warranty” practices.
If you are building a home and leaving the choice of windows up to the builder, you should insist on better quality windows. Having the seals fail within a few years is not a good sign for a product that is “warranted for life.”
To enforce their “warranty”, the process is so convoluted that many people will simply give up and replace their defective Alpine Windows at their own cost.
Sorry to hear about your trouble. My brother in law lives in Anchorage and he has Alpine windows. Whenever we go up there I’m always impressed with how warm and not-drafty his house feels. Just stick with the warranty process, I bet it will take you where you want to go.
My experience exactly with Alpine Windows
Dear Associated Materials,
Brian C Strauss
Scott F Stephens
Dana A Schindler
Justin G Tasso
Charles A Carroll
Lawrence M Blackburn
Your warranty is useless. I have two Alpine windows that have lost the seal. Your warranty dept. says “tough luck, and NO, we will not even look at your windows.” I had five window repair people tell me that “good luck, you will not get any service by Alpine Windows.” I was a builder when we built the subdivision and installed Alpine Windows in 12 homes. Now, your lousy warranty department tells me to go suck wind. First, Jennifer claims she never received any emails or photos from me. So, I forwarded to her all the emails that went to her email address. Second, she told me to go jump in a lake. I built the units 15 years ago, and, no, I do not have the sales slip for the purchase, but I do have the windows to prove I bought them. Is there anyone at your company who cares? I will do a research of distributors to let them know about the service Jennifer and her team are providing customers.
If your company does not know how to fix the windows, please admit it.
The easiest thing your company can do is to give me two new windows, and I will spend $1k to have them replaced.
First step would be to read the warranty to see what was covered. New construction windows often have a short warranty. If that was the case with your windows then there’s no use getting to mad about it now. If the issue you’re having is covered by the warranty then it would usually be pretty easy to resolve.
I am going through the same thing with the series 80 windows with condensation. I am trying to find out if they published a condensation resistance rating for these windows. Mine certainly are not passing the test.
There are condensation resistance ratings for every window so you can get that info from the company you ordered the windows from. Typically condensation inside the house has to do with the moisture in the house. The old windows were likely draftier than new windows so it’s possible that moisture was able to escape easier with the old windows.
HVAC companies can address that in several ways. If you don’t have forced air heat you’re likely to see condensation. I was at a house years ago with baseboard heat and the condemnation was pretty insane. The folks just needed a dehumidifier.
Our initial installation of Alpine retrofit windows were in 2009. Since then, of the 17 windows, (33 panes of glass), that were installed, we’ve had to file 4 claims to have the poor quality windows replaced. We were told the original batch of windows we received were a bad design and it’s been a continual problem getting them replaced. Seems to take 2-3 months to get the windows replaced with Associated Materials which is the company to file the replacement claim. I can see how people just give up and pay out of their own pockets. DON’T GIVE UP!!!
We filed our 4th claim for replacement windows on 11/1/17 and just today they were finally replaced. Of the 33 panes of window glass in our home, 18 have been replaced. Horrible product and worse customer service.
…at least they got replaced. Just today I’ve responded to several people who bought windows from companies that are not out of business and they have no warranty at all.
I likewise am disappointed in new construction Alpine windows. Our house was built in 2007 and we had to replace two Alpine windows with failed seals shortly after we bought the house in 2010. Recently I noticed several growing rust spots between the pains of large picture window which is a sign that a failing seal is letting moisture enter. The windows have a lifetime warranty, but only for the original owner which we are not.
Sorry to hear about your trouble. I would bet you can order the replacement parts from them. They’re typically not too expensive and often pretty simple to replace.
Thanks, Windowdog. Unfortunately this window is about 20′ above ground in a very awkward place to get to. Just noticed I misspelled “pane” as “pain.” A Freudian slip for sure.
Architects do seem to design houses with little concern for the maintenance needed as they get older.
If you can’t make it up a ladder it probably wouldn’t cost much for a handy man to take care of it. Good luck!
thewindowdog, you are delusional. Alpine Windows really suck. I am the original owner of Alpine Windows that lost the seal, and the warrantee department to me to go fly a kite.
Hi Darwin, it’s always possible that I’m delusional, but not too likely. Do you have a copy of the warranty? There have been many windows produced over the years and as I recall Apline was sold to the current owners back in 2004 or so. Before that they were a different company. The warranty would be pretty clear about what is covered and they’ll likely honor it. If the problem you’re having isn’t covered then they likely won’t do anything for free. That’s just how warranties work. Good luck with your issue.
I had four different replacement window salesmen give me quotes last week. I have thirteen wood casement windows to replace and have some wood rot. I experienced a lot of the sales tactics you described. The Anderson salesman I had was the worst. Other were not as bad. I’ve been on your web sight a lot this past week and it has helped me through most of this. My choices now are either Pella or Preservation. I used Pella for a sky light at my last house and I liked it. But a friend at work had Pella aluminum clad window and doors in her house and ten years later they have wet rot. She hates them. Preservation (AMI) costs more then Pella but I think I can handle the costs. I feel I need to stay away from wood products. Is there anything you can add and is there a way to approach these local companies on a lower price? I have told them I could put almost half the price as a down payment.
I just can’t believe how sloppy their single hung windows are uugghh I will never recommend alpine to any of my clients again the quality is a big O I just installed these 6 months ago cheapest quality windows I’ve ever installed junk
Alpine is generally a new construction product which means very focused on cost. There are nicer new construction windows out there. Unfortunately builders tend to drive down the pricing of new construction windows to the point that they’re just not as nice as a lot of replacement windows.
Selkirk Construction in Hayden Idaho is building our new home.
We’ve been given the option to upgrade from Alpine to the Milgard Trinsic windows. The cost increase for the whole house is $1970.
Our home will be at about 3000 ft altitude.
Would you recommend the upgrade?
We’ve had good experience with Milgard in other homes, but never had Alpine.
Hi,
I’m just trying to get a grasp on your website. I know that most of these reviews say something along the lines of….”we’ll provide a detail of all of the alpine windows and sliding glass doors”….and then list the ones you’ll be providing a detailed review on. But when I read further…there is no detailed review on the products? There are some generalized statements but nothing detailed. Am I missing something? Please let me know as we will be replacing our windows soon. Thanks!
Hi Kathy, we don’t have all of the reviews finished yet. We’re at several hundred pages and posts written so far and it will likely take several hundred more to get the site mostly finished. There are many window reviews written but it’s defininltey possible to come across some that are not.
I bought Alpine window’s when we built our 36 hundred sq.ft. home completed in 1989. One of the resons I chose them is because it came with a life time warrenty as long as origenal owner still lives there and or their family. I always planned on staying in home so it seemed worth the investment. Now I am retired and on fixed income. About 1/3 of windows have failed by 2009 or sooner and I can not get them to replace or reimburse me for my loss … should I seek legal action for this?
1989 is a long time ago, but in my experience they’ve been pretty easy to deal with. Do you have a copy of the warranty and what have they said when you filled out their online window warranty claim form? Generally companies will do what’s written in the warranty and they won’t do more than that. If your issue is covered and you provide the relevant claim info I’d expect it will work out just fine.
I could try again….should I call Associated materials? Thanks…Judy West p.s. you can text me at 425 870 4416 would be greatly appreciated!!!
Yes, that’s where I would start. If something isn’t covered by the warranty they’d probably be able to order parts.
My window I. Kitchen and sliding doors have something growing inbetween the glass panels where it cannot be cleaned. I have 3 neighbors with exact same problem on exact window and sliders.
I need to figure out who to speak to about this.
You can contact Alpine windows through their website with a warranty question. I imagine they’ll be able to help out.