Replacement Window Suggestions?

[Gman]

Milhard or Milgard?
http://www.milgard.com/

[fairrpe86]

Milgard sorry autocorrect got me on that one.

[Gman]

We met with Champion yesterday. Their quote was a bit higher than Pella's entry-level vinyl, but the quality of the Champion product won us over.

[rockhound]

they make a good window, glad the tip worked out for you


i have also had good luck with Gravinas

[spongejosh]

We got Champion a few years ago and I'm not happy with them. The fit and finish once installed is not what I expected. They were the cheapest once we shopped around and had them bidding against other companies and I can see why. The windows I can live with but the sliding door is crap. It will probably be replaced when the patio is redone.

[Teufelhund]

We had all the windows (a dozen) replaced in our house a couple years ago. All vinyl Pella, through Lowes. They were cheaper than the other quotes we got, the installation was fast and professional, and I am very happy with the quality of the new windows. We opened a Lowes credit card to pay for it because they were offering 18 months no interest, so we made sure to pay it off in that time frame.

[SamuraiCO]

Champion was here on Tue and installed the five windows downstairs and new back door that face east. For the first 14 years of living in this home it was always 10 degress warmer in the kitchen area and drafts in the winter.


There was an immediate difference even before I finished hanging the blinds. Their crew worked hard and did a much bettet job than the crew from a different company that relaced my west windows when they were damaged from hail.

I had some small cracks to spackle and paint before I could hang the blinds. One wire for one window sensor was left short and I had to make sure the wire for the back door did not get left behind the new door trim. I got all the sensors placed back on, spliced some wire to the one window to get a proper length then placed that sensor. Finally painted the new trim pieces around the back door.

Guess the install for our job went well I seem to have a good crew.

[Gman]

The Champion windows are being installed today. They brought a larger than usual crew to have it done in 1 day. They're finishing up with some final caulking right now. The house is already much more comfortable. It's a trick putting square windows into a home where the builder didn't seem to know what a square was, but they're doing a really great job.

One of the windows was supposed to have grids between the glass and didn't. Factory goofed making the window. They'll be remaking the window with the grids and will be letting us know when the glass is ready to be swapped out.

A representative from Champion came out and checked up on how the installation was going. Apparently this is one of their best crews so he wasn't concerned, but he happened to be in the area and decided to check in.

One other thing we're also noticing right away is how much quieter the house is. The old windows didn't block noise at all.

[rbeau30]

I am in the middle of an issue with Milgard. It might turn out good mybe bad I don't know yet. (quick story)


My house is 6 years old. Just bought it. The springs on the windows are all getting separated from the sash and rendering the window inoperable. Called Milgard, they sent out a tech. The tech said "wow the windows are not supposed to do that, you need ALL of the spring sets switched out." I'm like OMG because these windows are double sashed upper and lower... so there are EIGHT sets of springs for each window! The tech said since we are not the original owners that they are probably not under warranty, but he will make sure we get an estimate for repairs. I told him so if I repair these, and the springs all decide to go bad in my out of warranty windows what then? He didn't give me an answer to that.

Got a call from the local maintenance place. Lady said " I'm calling to schedule your Window repair." I'm like WTF? I wanted an estimate! She said, It will not cost anything, We are repairing them no charge.

I have an appointment on Monday to have this done. I'll update if you want.

[Gman]

I am in the middle of an issue with Milgard. It might turn out good mybe bad I don't know yet. (quick story)


My house is 6 years old. Just bought it. The springs on the windows are all getting separated from the sash and rendering the window inoperable. Called Milgard, they sent out a tech. The tech said "wow the windows are not supposed to do that, you need ALL of the spring sets switched out." I'm like OMG because these windows are double sashed upper and lower... so there are EIGHT sets of springs for each window! The tech said since we are not the original owners that they are probably not under warranty, but he will make sure we get an estimate for repairs. I told him so if I repair these, and the springs all decide to go bad in my out of warranty windows what then? He didn't give me an answer to that.

Got a call from the local maintenance place. Lady said " I'm calling to schedule your Window repair." I'm like WTF? I wanted an estimate! She said, It will not cost anything, We are repairing them no charge.

I have an appointment on Monday to have this done. I'll update if you want.

Sure, let us know how it goes. This thread might prove useful for someone else down the road. That's pretty nice when someone stands behind the quality of their product like that.

Spongejosh had noted that their Champion sliding door from a few years ago was crap. We also had a slider replaced and the new door moves so smoothly and effortlessly that the wife and I find that we're throwing it open. The old slider required so much muscle that we have to retrain ourselves to take it easy. The installer did mention that the slider was redesigned in the past year. I've never had a slider with a key entry from the exterior before.

One thing out of this that we didn't expect? The builder used various thickness walls in the exterior of the house. Most of them are 4" walls. We had 2" blinds on all of the windows since the old windows were so cheesy and thin. With the new windows, there's not enough room to put the 2" blinds back flush with the window casings. We get to find new window coverings. Yay!