(08-04-2018, 09:44 PM)JTTHECLOCKMAN Wrote: So what is a good window in your opinion??
As far as wood goes, I like Marvin and Andersen. I like Pella also but they're very difficult to deal with. If you want to get them repaired under warranty, you almost have to hire a lawyer and start a class action suit. Personally, I like Marvin the best but I really like Andersen's service and they make and warehouse parts for older windows.
There's a reason vinyl windows don't put their names on the products.
As far as vinyl windows go, I'd probably buy Mi windows. Back in the day they were called Metal Industries but they quit building aluminum windows a long time ago and changed their name to Mi. They are usually sold through building material suppliers. 84 Lumber sold them, not sure if they still do. I'd also consider Home Depot's American Craftsman. They own a large share in the company. They used to be complete junk before HD stepped in. Not really sure how good they are but HD isn't going out of business any time soon so I have someone to complain to. I've seen a lot of nice vinyls in home I inspect but rarely find brand name on them. Vinyl extrusions are commercially available so just about anyone with a miter-saw and a glass supplier can go into the vinyl window business.
I wouldn't buy a vinyl window with mechanically joined corners. I'd only buy the welded corner window windows. They're basically welded with a hot plate. Get the ends hot and push them together.
I have "Castle" vinyl windows in my house, they seem ok. I believe they don't sell windows without installation.
One key to keeping vinyl windows in decent shape is to keep them latched. Particularly double hung windows. If you keep them latched, they won't distort so much. I see a lot of vinyl windows where the extrusions get so bent that they won't latch and won't slide up and down. The bent sashes will eventually cause the seal in the insulated glass to fail from stress.
If I were building a home, I'd specify Marvin or Andersen. I inspected a house today that all the Andersens replaced with vinyl except for 2 in the garage and 1 in a bathroom. The windows worked but the balances had gone bad. They could have been fixed. The house was built in 1981 so the Andersens are 37 years old. I've never seen operable 37 year old vinyl windows.