We have a contractor who is installing new windows for our house. I has
originally requested Jeld-Wen or Milgard double pane vinyl windows. The
contractor then told me that they prefer LBL windows...and I trusted
him..however when the windows were delivered, they were Empire Pacific
Windows. I asked about this and the contractor then said they no longer
use LBL windows as they had some problems with them... Well they
installed the windows, but it seems that our house is even colder than
when we had the aluminum windows and the sound (we live near a busy
road) is even louder, even though the contractor claimed that the new
windows they installed would muffle the sound.

Are Empire Pacific 5200 Series vinyl windows comperable to Jeld-Wen and
Milgard windows? I checked with our local Home Depot and was told that
they are cheaper windows (about 25%), but since they sell Jeld-Wen
figured they may be a bit biased.

Thank You

You have to compare certified ratings, for U value, cdf, vlt, shg etc
etc are they LowEargon, hardware quality and more, check out both sites.
Comparing takes time. Construction quality is another issue. If you
specified a certain window and these are less in performance you have an
issue.

You have to compare certified ratings, for U value, cdf, vlt, shg etc
etc are they LowEargon, hardware quality and more, check out both sites.
Comparing takes time. Construction quality is another issue. If you
specified a certain window and these are less in performance you have an
issue.

"kwest" wrote in message
oups.com...
We have a contractor who is installing new windows for our house. I has
originally requested Jeld-Wen or Milgard double pane vinyl windows. The
contractor then told me that they prefer LBL windows...and I trusted
him..however when the windows were delivered, they were Empire Pacific
Windows. I asked about this and the contractor then said they no longer
use LBL windows as they had some problems with them... Well they
installed the windows, but it seems that our house is even colder than
when we had the aluminum windows and the sound (we live near a busy
road) is even louder, even though the contractor claimed that the new
windows they installed would muffle the sound.

Are Empire Pacific 5200 Series vinyl windows comperable to Jeld-Wen and
Milgard windows? I checked with our local Home Depot and was told that
they are cheaper windows (about 25%), but since they sell Jeld-Wen
figured they may be a bit biased.

Thank You


You wanted brand A or B, they talked you into C, and then you let them install D.

You should have done your homework first. Since you agreed to let them install brand
D, you may not have any recourse now.

jim menning

Umm it was not a matter of me letting them install D, that was what was
delivered and was half way completed when I got home from work.

kwest wrote:
We have a contractor who is installing new windows for our house. I has
originally requested Jeld-Wen or Milgard double pane vinyl windows. The
contractor then told me that they prefer LBL windows...and I trusted
him..however when the windows were delivered, they were Empire Pacific
Windows. I asked about this and the contractor then said they no longer
use LBL windows as they had some problems with them... Well they
installed the windows, but it seems that our house is even colder than
when we had the aluminum windows and the sound (we live near a busy
road) is even louder, even though the contractor claimed that the new
windows they installed would muffle the sound.

Are Empire Pacific 5200 Series vinyl windows comperable to Jeld-Wen and
Milgard windows? I checked with our local Home Depot and was told that
they are cheaper windows (about 25%), but since they sell Jeld-Wen
figured they may be a bit biased.

Thank You

Can't tell you about the Empire Pacific windows,
but I installed Jeld-Wen windows in my house to
replace the original aluminum framed double glass
windows. The Jeld-Wen windows were double pane
lowE, argon filled vinyl windows. The reduction
in sound transmission was surprising and
immediately noticeable and the reduction in heat
transfer was so great that I decided to not
reinstall the storm windows that I had used on the
north side windows.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but if you
can't readily detect a noise reduction or a
reduction in heat loss, your window are really
pitiful... OTOH, it maybe poor installation that
didn't thoroughly seal the window frames to the house.

Since you didn't specify a window you had
confidence, you probably will just have to live
with it. To get any kind of relief you would
probably have to prove that the windows were not
installed correctly.

m Ransley wrote:
You have to compare certified ratings, for U value, cdf, vlt, shg etc
etc are they LowEargon, hardware quality and more, check out both sites.
Comparing takes time. Construction quality is another issue. If you
specified a certain window and these are less in performance you have an
issue.


To be exact you would, but any decent vinyl frame
window will greatly reduce heat loss compared to
an aluminum frame window. One caveat, there are
some aluminum frame windows that have a heat
transfer break (hard plastic) molded in the
aluminum frame which are considerably better than
regular all aluminum frames. None the less, even
comparing those, the vinyl frame window should be
an obvious improvement.

One thing is if you had double hung windows with window weights. Maybe the
weight pockets were not filled. Not sure by aluminum windows you meant storm
windows. Also check on a windy day and fell around the windows to see if
they leak any air anywhere. Even low end windows should eb a little quieter
and energy efficient.

This is good advice. This is exactly what happened with me and very good
Harvey windows. The installers didn't fill the old weight pockets---huge
amount of air infiltration and heat loss. Pull the trim and see if you can
spray low-expanding foam into those gaps. Go easy---only fill 1/3 of the
way, walk away and let it expand for 12 hours.

Huge difference once I did this. Also, you could look into installing
storms...

wrote in message
news:GwPsf.3403$yx.1536@trndny01...
One thing is if you had double hung windows with window weights. Maybe the
weight pockets were not filled. Not sure by aluminum windows you meant
storm
windows. Also check on a windy day and fell around the windows to see if
they leak any air anywhere. Even low end windows should eb a little
quieter
and energy efficient.

So what was written on the contract, thats what you pay for.

if you got a 2 pane with welded frame that alone would have been
big improvement. but that low e glass really makes a difference. ..
sealing and filling up the cavity around the window is often overlooked
and cold air can get in there. i fill the cavity with insulation and or
expanding foam. some installers dot pu in anything....... once the guy
gets your money your at a disadvantage because youll have to go to
court. ..... id be scared to death to sell a guy one brand and bring
another brande.

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

"kwest" wrote in message
ups.com...
Umm it was not a matter of me letting them install D, that was what was
delivered and was half way completed when I got home from work.

Then you should have had them stop, dip****!

Do you have a SIGNED CONTRACT spelling out what kind of windows that were
supposed to be installed? No?

Then STFU and take you lumps....

If someone did not install Harvey windows right let them know. Have used
them for many years and have found that they do not like to have their
windows installed improperly. Harvey has video tapes and plenty of other
installation info to make sure each of us contractors know how to install
their windows.

Lovely language and so helpful.

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If you know some solutions to does problems please contact me through
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With many thanks.

If I read your post correctly... it sounds like you "mentioned" to
your contractor that you wanted Jeld-Wen when you were originally
"negotiating" the contract, and he told you they prefer to install LBL.
In other words neither Jen-Wen nor Milgard were documented anywhere in
your contract.

Did you at least list R-Values and window function similar to the
Jeld-Wen in the contract?

Without specifying the exact manufacturer in the contract you have no
recourse. If LBL was listed in the contract then hire a lawyer. If your
contract didn't specify things like vinyl versus aluminum, or they
must have argon gas, or listed a minimum R-value etc., then you more or
less left the entire decision on window selection to your contractor.

If this is the case, I'm afraid you have little recourse. Rule of
thumb, (for future reference) if a contractor cannot install or build
something specific to your request... then find a different contractor!


I had a customer who insisted I install Pella windows. The customer
even specified the series and model number. The windows were very
expensive and would increase the total job estimate/cost ("and"
would reduce my profit margin on the job!) It's easier for me to add
my markup on a less expensive window. That said, I would have at least
made sure the insulation qualities on my choice would be similar to the
Pellas. In the end, I installed the Pellas because the customer refused
to budge. In all honesty I could have installed a different window with
the similar specifications and insulation properties for less money to
them (and put more money in my pocket)... but they knew what they
wanted. If I didn't make the arrangements to install the Pellas they
would have found another contractor who would.

Next time... Two Rules:
1) "Never forget who's holding the checkbook"
2) "Get it in writing"