Hey Guys/Gals,

We're looking to replace the windows in our condo this summer and would very much appreciate any recommendations. We live in northern VA and will need to replace five windows and two sliding glass doors.

Any recommendations on brands, types, and contractors will be very much appreciated. We did get a recommendation from a friend who recently bought Traco.

Thanks!!

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

Stefano, we have a local company named Atria out of Johnstown Ohio that builds a great product at a reasonable price. I installed 13 white vinyl double hung low e windows myself for just under 3 grand. Don't think twice about doing the job yourself, it's actually quite easy!!!

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1995 Toyota Pickup
2003 Suzuki Burgmann 400
2002 VW Passat 4Motion V6
1957 Aristocraft Torpedo Boat

Before you order,
If you haven't already done so, check with your condo association and check the master deed to find out about any restrictions on type, quality, color, etc. of replacements.
I presume the answer to the obvious question is, the windows are not part of the common elements, right?

Since you mentioned doing it yourself, HD, I am thinking of replacing my frond door. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard. I've put in pre-hung interior doors before. Did your project include one of those, or just sliding doors? I don't know if it matters. I'm just afraid of getting the old one out and finding that I can't get the new one put in correctly.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

My Dad has been in the window, door and awning business since 1952 and he has always sworn by Pella. Don't know if their quality is the same as it was in the 60's and 70's (Dad's peak years) but my house has them from 1965 and they are in fine shape. Check sources because I notice that the big lumber yard chains now carry them and there may be a different grade available through contractors only.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

We had Anderson windows in the old house. I liked the look of them...

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Anderson makes a decent product at an attractive price. I always prefer them to the vinyl replacements.

If you really want to step up.........consider Marvin........but, they're pricey. You get what you pay for.

Too many horror stories regarding Pella not standing behind the product. Avoid them.

As far as contractors, I recommend a subscription to Angie's List. I think it's about $6/month, but it lets you see what others have thought of contractors.

We got Simonton vinyl replacement windows installed about 3 years ago. The contractor also wrapped the wood trim with aluminum, so no more painting! We are happy with the quality.

http://www.simonton.com

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Anderson is the best "all around" window. There are high-end windows, but all in all a great window, and great service when things aren't right.

Pella is junk (as you can see from my sig.) -- I have given up on them entirely and will just watch as they continue to rot out of their frames. (I do enjoy giving people that are having work done with Pella windows, a link to a few sites to tell them to get them out of their home before they are stuck with the trash too.).

So, yeah. Anderson is the way to go.

Looks like Pella quality has suffered. I sure can't attest to their new products, only the older ones. And, in my limited experience, once a major retailer starts carrying a product such as this and it no longer is a contractor only offering, quality deteriorates.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

PGT is made just down the road a bit, and I have never ever heard a complaint about their product. http://www.pgtindustries.com/Index.aspx

If you have a cinderblock house, replacement will be easy. (check if you have to have a permit)

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Just measure carefully, as most are a standard size. You can just purchase the door without the threshold if the old one conforms to standard door dimensions...just replace locks and hinges and hang. Newer frames have adjustable-height floor threshholds...important to seal properly, or you willl get heavy rains and bugs making an entrance!

Only issue is with older homes or a house that has settled...if the old frame isn't plumb, you WILL have problems getting the new door to fit and seal properly.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car