New Construction Window Choices & Culture Stone

[steveinmo]

Hi Alan,

Around my part of the world most high end builders either use Pella or Anderson. We went thru the same decision process you're struggling with. There are slight differences in the construction but I couldn't really see a big difference in the quality - just different. The difference for us was that the Pella was aluminum clad and the Anderson are vinyl clad. Since we get hail fairly frequently we were concerned that the Pella may end up with pock marks. So we went with the Anderson and so far are very happy.

Keep in mind that there are different versions of both brands. Generally at Home Depot you will see the 200 series Anderson. I don't remember the different Pella model numbers. If you're looking for quality you need to step up to the 400 series in the Anderson line. These are double pane, low E, Argon filled.

My pricing info is at work. I'll try to remember to email you some info next week. If I forget - remind me. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Good luck in your journey.

Steve

 

[jim_wilson]

I added a second floor onto my ranch style house and replaced all the windows in the house a couple of years ago and use Pella windows for almost all of the window replacments - I used Anderson in couple of places where I couldn't get the correct size from Pella.

It is hard to give an exact price because the prices vary depending on the window line you choose within each brand and the actual size and type of the window. I bought all of the Pella windows we used from Lowes and the Andersens we used came from Home Depot. The big box stores usually do not carry the full product line from each manufacturer - they only carry the lower priced line. The largest windows I used were 34" wide x 52" high (I think that is the correct one) - and they were about $190.00 each a couple of years ago. Some of the smaller windows I used were down around $110.00. This is for double hung - insulated glass - unpainted interior wood with no grilles. You can start adding features and/or go up to a higher line window and get up to that $500.00 per window number you had.

I did all of the installation myself so that saved me a sizable amount of money right there. The windows are cheap compared to what the typical contractor is going to charge for installation - and I think the install is easy so it is worth the money savings.

Check out Home Depot and Lowes if you have them in your area for prices. For the Pella's Lowes carrys certain sizes in stock and can special order the other sizes they do not stock but there is a little bit of a premium if they have to order the window - I think it was about $15.00 per window. You can also go to the Pella and the Andersen web sites and get the complete spec sheets for each window line so you can see what they carry for sizes and styles.

 

[Jagmandave]

I forgot to mention, almost all of our windows were casement type, I expect they're more expensive than regular double hung...........

 

[Av8r3400]

I am currently about to break ground on our new house , so these items are on my list to.

Windows: Remember the glass in the windows only come from something like 3 manufacturers in the entire country. Having looked at many brands with the aid of my FIL (35 year contractor/carpenter) I found that names like Anderson and Pella will supply good quality windows, but you pay ALLOT for the name. We have settled on Semco windows. Our design uses double hung, but they also make casements (FIL has them in his house). They are excellent windows at a reasonable price. I would compare their quality to Anderson and Pella, and from first hand experience their customer support is far superior. (avoid Crestline at all costs!)

Cultured stone: Has been around for years. Look to spend $15-$20 per square foot INSTALLED. Real stone is closer to $30 per square. (Wisconsin prices, may vary in your neighborhood) If done properly, there is no moisture problems and it looks as good as natural (to me). Not a whole lot of skill to put this stuff up, so don't pay a premium for labor.

I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tom_H]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not a whole lot of skill to put this stuff up, so don't pay a premium for labor.)</font>

Based on my experience with three different pair of masons applying cultured stone, I must respectfully disagree. Please see my post above. Let me at least put it this way. It could be true that it doesn't require a LOT of skill, but it does require SOME skill. (Though I'd guess that most masons would say it takes more than a little skill.) The first fireplace I had done looks like the result of little kids doing what they call "splatter art", just throwing stones at the mortared substrate. Don't assume any mason in the phone book can actually do it. Ask to see examples of his/her work first.

 

[Jagmandave]

Hey, thanks for the tip on the Semco windows, I added their website to my "House stuff" folder.

Here's a link to their webpage, for those who might need it......

Semco Windows

Turns out one of their dealers is bidding our cabinetry work, so I'll have them bid the windows while they're at it, it'll be a good price comparison since I already have the bid from Pella.

 

[Alan L.]

Looks like Semco doesn't have any dealers in my area (North Tx). Any body have any experience with Certainteed's high grade windows.

Wow, if the cultured stone costs $15 ro 20 a square foot I doubt I can afford it. Thats a hole lot higher than most brick veneer. Guess I'll come back to reality.

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> Wow, if the cultured stone costs $15 ro 20 a square foot I doubt I can afford it. </font>
Maybe you should get hold of Harvey and see if you can hire some of that talented help he had for the pond project.
<font color="blue"> Any body have any experience with Certainteed's high grade windows. </font>
About all I can add to the window search is have you looked a JELD-WEN windows. Looked at them at a home show last month. Looks like good stuff. You already have casement windows on your list. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[EddieWalker]

Alan,

Go to a few stores and figure out what stone you want and price it. You have to do it for brick anyway. Depending on the style you choose, it goes for a few bucks a foot to over ten, maybe more. The flatter stones, like austin stone are the cheaper ones per foot. The drystack style that you only see the edge of the stone is gonna be more expensive because it take more seperate stones per foot. Labor will add to this, but it wont' be any more than the labor to install brick.

Eddie