Another home windows question

24giovanni · Post by **24giovanni** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:47 pm

Has anybody ever tried putting champion windows in there house for replacement windows or know someone who has? If so, what did you or they think of them?

thoughts

thx guys

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:34 pm

24giovanni wrote:Has anybody ever tried putting champion windows in there house for replacement windows or know someone who has? If so, what did you or they think of them?

thoughts

thx guys

replacement windows are pretty much made and put in the same way.

24giovanni · Post by **24giovanni** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:08 pm

Sava700 wrote:replacement windows are pretty much made and put in the same way.

So do you think the quality of them are just about all the same?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:09 pm

24giovanni wrote:So do you think the quality of them are just about all the same?

I went with pella for mine..

24giovanni · Post by **24giovanni** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:20 pm

Sava700 wrote:I went with pella for mine..

Yes, I remember you saying that. The reason I ask about champion is they are about $1000 cheaper. I PM'd you.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:34 am

Sava700 wrote:replacement windows are pretty much made and put in the same way.

Strongly disagree....there are big differences in quality, and just importantly..big differences in the skill levels of the crew that install them.

Outside of all the claims made by the salemen about how superior their product is to all others....

Differences in quality, the potential consumer can get a good feeling for as they look at the showcases. Open and close them, go for the ones that have action like they're gliding on melted butter and can move with the effort of 1 finger, and look at the quality of the hardware on them. Eyeball how well the seals are made.

Just going to something like home depot or lowes...and look at the 3-4 brands sitting next to each other, it's relatively easy to self determine the varying quality across the brands.

Differences in insulation values.

And then there's the installation, what standards of craftsmanship are the installers held to, how good is their work, how neat is their work, how careful are they of your existing framing, inside 'n out, and siding, and cleanup. How well is the window installed, insulated, flashed, trim put on properly, etc.

Granted much of this comes down to the individual(s) doing the work, but companies often enforce minimum standards, have a boss stop by and eyeball things to make sure they're up to par.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:36 am

24G, spend some time on Google with "replacement windows"....you'll find some consumer reports, ratings, even a few online forums and research sites dedicated to replacement windows.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:14 am

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Strongly disagree....there are big differences in quality, and just importantly..big differences in the skill levels of the crew that install them.

Outside of all the claims made by the salemen about how superior their product is to all others....

Differences in quality, the potential consumer can get a good feeling for as they look at the showcases. Open and close them, go for the ones that have action like they're gliding on melted butter and can move with the effort of 1 finger, and look at the quality of the hardware on them. Eyeball how well the seals are made.

Just going to something like home depot or lowes...and look at the 3-4 brands sitting next to each other, it's relatively easy to self determine the varying quality across the brands.

Differences in insulation values.

And then there's the installation, what standards of craftsmanship are the installers held to, how good is their work, how neat is their work, how careful are they of your existing framing, inside 'n out, and siding, and cleanup. How well is the window installed, insulated, flashed, trim put on properly, etc.

Granted much of this comes down to the individual(s) doing the work, but companies often enforce minimum standards, have a boss stop by and eyeball things to make sure they're up to par.

I guess in my situation having alot of wood working and mechanical drawing skills its easy for me..true but the more I look at it there isn't much to it if you have the right tools.

24giovanni · Post by **24giovanni** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:56 am

YeOldeStonecat wrote:24G, spend some time on Google with "replacement windows"....you'll find some consumer reports, ratings, even a few online forums and research sites dedicated to replacement windows.

Thx Cat for the advice. Trust me I have googled them. I have found forums about Champion windows. The few I have found are from like 2004. I am sure their windows have changed since then so I really can't go by that only because technology has changed greatly since then hence the reason I turn to forums. I also plan on calling the BBB to see if they have had any recent complaints on them.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:52 pm

Sava700 wrote:I guess in my situation having alot of wood working and mechanical drawing skills its easy for me..true but the more I look at it there isn't much to it if you have the right tools.

If you're putting them in yourself...yeah...I did 1/2 of my Pellas....my whole upbringing and initial college education was mechanical engineering, drafting, design.
I have a bit of architect training also, my father designed the 2 houses I was raised in, and I myself did most of the design of the house I own....from scratch. Had deep crash courses in every_single_brand_of_every_single_component of a house..from top to bottom, inside out, soup to nuts.
But I'm going to wager 24G isn't installing them himself.
Which still leaves the varying quality of brands out there.

hoss · Post by **hoss** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:09 pm

My in-laws put in Anderson Renewal's. by far once of the best windows I've seen. the crews that install for them work for Anderson, meaning the work isn't sub-contracted out to whoever has the time in that area.
On the other hand, my mother put in some 'other' brand and has been cussing about them ever since. They were not built very well and have really bad seals with most of the weather stripping falling out. She's been working with them to make it right but is about 1 week away from having her lawyer have a come to Jesus conversation with the company's VP of sales.

24giovanni · Post by **24giovanni** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:33 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:If you're putting them in yourself...yeah...I did 1/2 of my Pellas....my whole upbringing and initial college education was mechanical engineering, drafting, design.
I have a bit of architect training also, my father designed the 2 houses I was raised in, and I myself did most of the design of the house I own....from scratch. Had deep crash courses in every_single_brand_of_every_single_component of a house..from top to bottom, inside out, soup to nuts.
But I'm going to wager 24G isn't installing them himself.
Which still leaves the varying quality of brands out there.

My house already has newer windows. The house where the newer window is my mother's house. I would try and do them myself but she would rather have them done. I am told by the people who sell them that she has all metal framing holding the windows in place but is a pain in the a$s' to deal with while replacing them. Personally, I believe there is screws holding the metal casing to the 2X4's would be easy to do. It's not my choice and so be it.

Another question I have for you is after putting the replacement windows in, should there be any condensation inside the house on the windows when it is very cold inside? Please let me know.

thx