Advice on window brands

[DFO]

So I'm in the middle of designing a custom home and we're looking at which window brand to go with. Our GC is pushing Lux windows - he seems to like the quality and price. The architect/designer hates Lux and is pushing Kolbe. She also said Metro is ok but thinks Pella is crap too. With the windows being such a big ticket item I'm getting a little stressed about the choice.

Has anyone here had experience with Lux or Kolbe - good or bad?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by DFO

So I'm in the middle of designing a custom home and we're looking at which window brand to go with. Our GC is pushing Lux windows - he seems to like the quality and price. The architect/designer hates Lux and is pushing Kolbe. She also said Metro is ok but thinks Pella is crap too. With the windows being such a big ticket item I'm getting a little stressed about the choice.

Has anyone here had experience with Lux or Kolbe - good or bad?

GCs typically get better deals the more business they do with a company. Windows and doors are more or less the same. Well, you get what you pay for. Think about it like buying a car. An $8,000 Hyundai and a $30,000 Honda are gonna be different. Depending on how you and your GC are doing business (construction management or lump sum?), you might just want to trust your GC and go with the company he uses the most. If he's never done business with a particular window company, his recourse is going to be a bit less if there should be any defects or something. Lux is a good company. For every GC that loves a company, there's one that hates it.

[moncton golden flames]

it's too bad you didn't look thru the cp power ring when looking for a house designer......

windows are a big ticket item, but they are also the single largest compromise to your building envelope. my advice is pay more for a better window.

kolbe, marvin, loewen & pella are widely known to be a more expensive, but better window. lux, ply gem (formerly cwd), gienow, all weather, jeld wen & ray-o-max would be considered middle of the road, or your average window. with that being said, all manufacturers have different quality levels, so do your homework.

also, if you hired an architect, are his fees based on total construction cost of the home, which i believe can be typical of an architect? if so, maybe there's your answer for him pushing kolbe.

[DFO]

I'm going to Lux tomorrow to see the facility and talk specifics about the style & sizes we're leaning towards. I'm a big believer in you get what you pay for generally so quality vs. price will play into it. But on the other hand our budget won't allow us to spend well over 100k on the windows either. Our GC was very up front that he gets the best pricing with Lux. Just one of the many fun decisions involved in a custom home!

[4X4]

I agree with Moncton about windows being extremely important for moisture control, however, it's the framer that installs them. Chances are that the windows are intact and functional upon delivery. What's really important is that they're installed properly. I'd be less concerned about the soundness of the actual window and more concerned about the person installing them, as far as concerns about building envelope go.

[DFO]

Originally Posted by moncton golden flames

it's too bad you didn't look thru the cp power ring when looking for a house designer......

windows are a big ticket item, but they are also the single largest compromise to your building envelope. my advice is pay more for a better window.

kolbe, marvin, loewen & pella are widely known to be a more expensive, but better window. lux, ply gem (formerly cwd), gienow, all weather, jeld wen & ray-o-max would be considered middle of the road, or your average window. with that being said, all manufacturers have different quality levels, so do your homework.

also, if you hired an architect, are his fees based on total construction cost of the home, which i believe can be typical of an architect? if so, maybe there's your answer for him pushing kolbe.

I think our architect was pushing Kolbe because she typically does 'traditional' styles and employs single & double hung windows - I guess they do a good job on those. She's working on an hourly basis for the design process. We're sticking to the side swing casement style for the most part.

So far I've seen more positive reviews than negative for Lux. I guess we're putting a fair amount of faith in our builder so far - may have to trust him on the windows. We've been thru a few homes he's done and the owners never brought up windows as being an issue.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I agree with Moncton about windows being extremely important for moisture control, however, it's the framer that installs them. Chances are that the windows are intact and functional upon delivery. What's really important is that they're installed properly. I'd be less concerned about the soundness of the actual window and more concerned about the person installing them, as far as concerns about building envelope go.

i couldn't agree more. installing windows might very well be the most important part of the window.