I'm getting quotes at the moment for replacement windows and can empathize
with your disturbing feelings. The replacement window business is
cut-throat and there are some shady contractors as well as reputable ones.
It's sorting them out that is the frustrating problem. I can't help you
with the VA contractors because I'm up in Canada.

Anyways, about the quality questions. I'm sticking to one reputable
manufacturer and getting quotes from contractors who install that
manufacturer's windows. The manufacturer I'm sticking to is Gentek, the
vinyl window manufacturing arm of Alcan. I first did considerable weeding
out of the window market, looking for the product I wanted. Gentek offers
excellent quality, warranty and service. They have a certification program
as well and contractors who qualify can be afirmed by Gentek. So the
problem of finding a reputable dealer/installer is simplified for me. The
only variables are related to the individual contactor's perceptions of
quality of workmanship, customer satisfaction and price. I am choosing
between five different installers, quoting on the same product range, same
quantity of windows, same target installation date, same size mix. I'm
asking for references and checking them out. That seems to me to be the
best way to find the installer that will work best for me.

Window quality I think can be gauged from looking at the product. For me, I
want the manufacturer to use Truth hardware, period. I rejected any window
that didn't. I looked for a vinyl extrusion that had many chambers for
strength and insulation value. I looked for low-e coatings on two interior
surfaces, not just one. I looked for triple weather seals (most have this)
and argon fill (most have this also). Gentek use a manufacturing process
where the window's corners are welded using a four point welder. This means
the joint is formed and made in one step, precluding the need to release the
frame from the jig and flip the window (as most lower quality manufacturers
must do who use a two-point welder). The result is the frame remains
registered in the jig throughout the weld cycle. If you have to release the
frame, flip it and reclamp it, you risk misalignment, however slight. One
manufacturer tried to sell me on their use of UPVC versus Gentek's use of
PVC but I haven't been able to independantly verify their claims so I remain
skeptical as to their validity.

Much of the insulating value of the replacement windows is up to how the
installer performs his job. You can buy the best quality windows and still
end up with inferior results if the installation is not performed properly.
So, the installer has to size the window for the opening properly, shim and
fasten it properly, use the correct spray foam insulation in the gap, clad
the outside and caulk it properly (if you choose retro-fit instead of
brick-to-brick) and trim the inside attractively. The references should
help you to evaluate this aspect of the job. Write up a contract that
everything including the specifics of minimum quality standards that you
will accept. A reputable installer will not baulk at signing such a
contract because their work should meet these high standards anyway. Become
involved with the installation and do inspections while the job is underway.
Don't accept shody workmanship and stop the job immediately if it looks to
be going pear shaped. It's a lot of common sense involved.

Good luck with your hunt.

"Unknown" wrote in message
news:XuPPd.48989$2p.1585@lakeread08...
Anyone have any input on what defines a "Quality" window.
How does one know that the window is quality and worth purchasing?
Can you just compare windows on the attributes alone?

Thanks a bunch, Window shopping is terribly disturbing?