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I went with the Marvin and couldn't be happier.

i work at a lumber yard and sell alot of different windows.  first they are marvin intergrity, they are very good but costly, anderson is very good but also costly, check with your local lumber yard to see what they recommend or shoot me a pm and i will give you better more cost efficent windowsw.  i also just installed 5 new windows this oast fall and 3 the year before.

 We have Vinylite in our new home and I am not impressed. We put some replacement windows in our old home a few years back and the were very good, they were made by MinnKota. I believe they are out of Fargo. They are vinyl also.

Whatever company you get, I'd advise you to buy the low E and Argon filled ones. I built a cabin last summer and even leaving the heat on low all winter, the bill is amazingly low and the windows don't feel cold holding your hand in front of them, like in our house! Better windows in the cabin! LOL Also, as I'm sure you know, spend the time and effort to insulate them really well around the edges, etc. before you put on the trim, etc.

bobkat Said:
Whatever company you get, I'd advise you to buy the low E and Argon filled ones. I built a cabin last summer and even leaving the heat on low all winter, the bill is amazingly low and the windows don't feel cold holding your hand in front of them, like in our house! Better windows in the cabin! LOL Also, as I'm sure you know, spend the time and effort to insulate them really well around the edges, etc. before you put on the trim, etc.

Thanks bobkat, I've got the low E and Argon gas part covered.  I've requested that in all estimates.  I thought for insulating around the jams I'd fill about half of the opening with non expanding foam.  And only about half way so it has room to expand somewhat which I'm sure non expanding will still expand a little.  Then I'll stuff fiberglass insulation to fill the rest of the void up to the interior wood trim.

Also they have some special wide window tape that goes over the nail fin on the outside.  I plan to use that also to avoid any draft.

Am I missing anything? 

 I replaced my windows a couple years back with Anderson replacement windows. I replaced 9 regular windows and a very large picture window. Double hung and tilt out for easy cleaning. Western Products from Fargo put them in as they were the new rep for Anderson replacement.  Since I signed up for the windows during the initial consult they threw in maintenance free exterior for free. No more painting window trim for me.  They were a little more expensive than the other ones we looked at but are well worth the price. I think it cost me around $8500.

MGD2 Said:
   Since I signed up for the windows during the initial consult they threw in maintenance free exterior for free. No more painting window trim for me.  They were a little more expensive than the other ones we looked at but are well worth the price. I think it cost me around $8500.

Western Products does NOTHING for free. i install Minnkota Widows and have for years. give Brent a call.

bucksnbears, since you install Minnkota windows, what can you tell me about them?
Are they any good for this climate?
Who is Brent?
Thanks

 Here's their website:

http://www.minnkotawindows.com/index.php

pm sent

I work for Infinity Replacement Windows, a division of Marvin, so keep in mind I will be a little biased in my opinion.  I feel we have the best bow/bay window in the market and some really good replacement windows, especaily if you want mainteance free, performance and good looks.  Here's the rub, quality isn't cheap, and we only sell to installing retailers.  That means you can't just buy our units and install them yourself.  The reason is that the majority of problems with all windows is they get installed wrong.  The other thing windows can get a bad wrap for is customer service.  We strive to make sure our customers get the best service and the best install.  If you buy from an Infinity dealer, it just like dealing directly with Marvin.  Ok, thats the sales pitch, here are the things you should look at:

LoE and Argon is a givein, check out LoE 366,a better LoE and if the window you buy has it, there is a good chance you can get the tax credit.  So it may be a free upgrade.  The benefit of this LoE in norhern climates can be debated becasue it has lower solar heat gain.  The amount if technical info on windows can be mind numbing.

The other thing you might want to do is shop a couple of installing retailers, Infinty of course and 1 or 2 competators.  A good retailer will ask you what your goals are; maintenance free, quality, inexpensive, performance, looks, etc., and recommend a type of window; wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and god forbid, metal.  Replacement or full tear out.  This will give you a start to be able to shop your DIY windows.

Since you want to install replacement windows yourself, you need to make sure you measure everything correctly, because those windows will be custom made for you.  If you plan on doing a full tear out, that might even be more expensive overall becasue how intrusive that is, so please educate yourself on the differences if you haven't already.  There are good replacement window forums to do research on.

Lastly, I obviously recommend a Marvin family of windows, especailly fiberglass, but if you don't want to go that route, I recommend any of the big names.  They are big for a reason.  Also, if you live in Fargo, and try shopping where the installers do, like D&M Industries.  The box stores or lumber yard is not your only source.

 

bucksnbears Said:

MGD2 Said:
   Since I signed up for the windows during the initial consult they threw in maintenance free exterior for free. No more painting window trim for me.  They were a little more expensive than the other ones we looked at but are well worth the price. I think it cost me around $8500.

Western Products does NOTHING for free. i install Minnkota Widows and have for years. give Brent a call.

Yeah that is true.  I am sure that goes for every company of any kind when they say they will throw something in for free.  

minnkota and nothing else-replaced 7 windows in my home a couple years ago with minnkota windows on the advice of my brother the contractor and they are the best i have seen-had lots of positive comments on looks and performance has been well beyond expectation-good stuff

Thanks for all the input guys.  I've been casually researching this for about a year and you guys have been most helpful.  At this point the Minnkotas are looking pretty good along with the Integrity's.  Haven't got all the info yet and made a firm decision, but if anyone has any pros or cons on these two or additional suggestions, please feel free.................

Thanks again.

I

I replaced one window with a jeld wen several years ago very happy with it, no frosting up or anything. The spring that holds it in the up position went bad after about 3 years. called up jeld wen, sent me a new one in a matter of days.
My wife worked at Marvins for a couple of years. Wounlnd't wish working there on my worst enemy!!!!

Thanks for the input Grunt.  I've heard similar things and the most common response is "it's not the window, it's too much humidity in your home".  Have you monitored the humidity in your home during all seasons?  If you have a very air tight house, well insulated, with minimal air exchange, and it's really cold outside and high humidity inside you're going to get condensation on your windows.  Since the R-value of your walls is greater than your windows, the warm air will condense on the windows.  Houses have to breathe too.  Just sayin......other stuff to consider in various circumstances.

elkhunt Said:
I replaced one window with a jeld wen several years ago very happy with it, no frosting up or anything. The spring that holds it in the up position went bad after about 3 years. called up jeld wen, sent me a new one in a matter of days.
My wife worked at Marvins for a couple of years. Wounlnd't wish working there on my worst enemy!!!!

A buddy of mine put jeld wen in his house a couple years ago also and has no complaints.  They're probably not bad windows, but I want really good windows.  Ones that will reduce my energy consumption considerably and good enough to qualify for the tax credit.  Sorry your wife didn't enjoy her job much, I heard it was a good place to work but I don't know.

That is the reason I had a fresh air line plumbed into my furnace was to get some fresh air into the house to help with the problem. Marvin is probably a good window. What I dislike about the ones I have is the wood trim along the window. I wish it was vinyl so at least the wood wouldn't be losing it's finish and "rotting" the wood. I'm sure most all windows see some type of condensation from time to time.