Often the threads I read on this wander off into discussions on the entire window lines of these companies. I have beat my head on the wal, I see so many pluses and minuses for each mfr. If we can keep the discussion to the fiberglass/composite lines that would be most helpful, we are pretty much set in stone on wanting that.

So specifically, and we know we will pay through the nose to have composite windows, but the choices I see in this area (we don't have Milgard naywhere near us) are:
Renewal by Anderson, Pella Impervia, and can do either Marvin (Integrity or Infinity, although different installers for each)

If I have this correct, Infinity and Renewal are installed only, although we aren't remotely interested in a DIY anyways.

Anderson and Marvin seem to be the front runners, I just found out about the Impervia, there is a showroom we will visit to look at it.

We looked at Infinity once and were blown away by the looks, the company also said they would do the staining.

I have the previous thread form yesterday about new vs replacement, we are still on the fence about that; we would need to do 2 of them as replacements anyways so might just do it all the same, Infinity and Renewal are both replacement only although Integrity we can do new, not sure on the Pella.

Also not sure what the warranties are on each yet.

As I mentioned on the previous thread we are planning on residing at the same time.

We have time to decide, we are saving a boatload of money, we know this will be big bucks.

 

The one thing i have noticed about the impervia is that the finish on the fiberglass isn't a perfectly smooth surface. It reminds me of a board that's been run through a power planer but hasn't been sanded. But i haven't installed one in a year or two.

 

Mentioned Pella to my wife (who's radar is definitely "up" on this as well) and she pointed out that the area Pella dealer just does windows and doors, and we really want the installer to "do it all", not one contractor doing the windows (oh and also we want to change out out patio door with a sliding French door), and another doing the siding, we are planning on soffit and gutter changes as well, really changing the look of the house without doing anything really radical.
I havent read any really "glowing" comments on Impervia or the area installer either, is based quite a distance from us but has a place closer to us.
The Infinity installer has a great reputation but we're afraid is going to be out of our price range, we will look at the Integrity dealer and also we have never looked at Renewals yet. Should be leaving the house shortly to visit some dealers, we have set aside today to get out and look and talk at the showrooms.

 

Well went today and really just checked out Andersons.

The place that carries Integrity just does windows and doors and again we want the siding done by the same place.

The Renewals look fine, with a few hesitations I want to ask about.
The inside you can get colored or stained wood, they will stain it as part of the installation, but I like the thought of the Everwood on Marvin, but am trying to keep an open mind.
The Anderson, it seems like the highly touted Fibrex just acts like the wood in a clad window, it is only inside, the outside is not Fibrex, or the inside, they can do a wood interior though and will stain it. (I am still trying to digest the Anderson brochure, they don't come right out and tell you things very well, I am having a hard time understanding how just the interior of the window being Fibrex being a big advantage if it's cladded.)
The Marvin if I have this right is all Ultrex, they have the EverWood interior option which I think is just the wood pattern in the Ultrex.
Dealer at Anderson says they don't use the Fibrex in the Patio doors as it is too expensive, although they do offer patio doors in the Renewal product like, IIRC wood clad. Marvin does make patio doors out of Ultrex in the Infinity line though.
Warranty, there is a difference, Marvin has lifetime frames plus 20 yrs on the glass, if I would need to move the warranty is the same 10yr frame and 20 yr glass if it is transferred to a new owner. No warranty on the labor, the area dealer offers a year on instalation, no factory instalation warranty.
Anderson is 10 yr frame, 2 yr factory on installation, 20 yr on glass and all transferable.
Anderson was the first dealer to show the difference between an insert replacement and a full frame and wondering if anyone can point us in the right direction, for now I'd say we like the full frame better and we know it will cause the interior trim to probably be replaced.

 

A full frame replacement is definitely the way to go. Your new trim can perfectly match the new window that way, rather than have used trim with a new window. If you want to re-size or shorten any windows, you can that way. You can also do a much better job of insulating the frames than was probably done originally.

Not sure what your reasoning is on wanting the same ppl to do the siding and the windows. Do you imagine they are going to give you a price break that way? Siding guys are not necessarily the best at window installation or ESPECIALLY the finish carpentry aspect and vise-versa.

 

I think the same company would use different crews doing the siding and windows.
The main reason for wanting one company is so later on if there is a problem you don't have company A saying company B messed something up so the problem is the other companies fault. I think that sums up the reason.

 

That makes perfect sense. Probably a good move to foresee that, sounds like what they would probably say, too.

 

Yeah "The more you know the better it gets".

I had a post all made up, then I couldn't post it so hopefully this doesn't get posted twice".

Yes I have been pounding the net hard for info.
The biggest thing standing out is what Fibrex really is, vinyl and wood pulp (sawdust).
I brought up fiberglass at the Renewal showroom and I guess that is the wrong thing to do! The salesman asks if I would "Leave a Corvette outside overnight?". I should have stopped him right there, he is making it sound like there is a problem with fiberglass in the cold, is the only thing I can imagine, and everyone pretty much knows there isn't a problem, this was a big topic when the Vette came out in '53, but I think everyone knows it isn't a problem. I should have said "Only because I'd be worried about vandals", LOL. Windows don't work that way, can't put them in the garage for the night, LOL.

The glass is the same between the two I believe, I know the barriers will be different, and still researching that part.

Conductivity seems to be close between the two.

Warranty, to me seems to be better, have asked the Infinity installer if their workmanship warranty is still 1 year, from what I am reading it may now be 5 years. Otherwise this is the only aspect where the warranty exceeds Infinity, 2 years. Infinity is lifetime as long as we own the house, if we sell it becomes the same as Renewal.

About expansion rates, this is a big advantage I see to Infinity, about the same as glass. However this makes me wonder, about the expansion rates vs the house framing, I mean somewhere something has to give, but it would seem better to have the frame, sash and glass to expand/contract at about the same rate.

I've never had a formal estimate done for the siding (we did get one for Infinity but was 3+ years ago). We mentioned the siding to the Anderson guy, he said they tell people to plan on $10 sqft., does this seem reasonable? Because I tried to come up with the sqft on our home yesterday evening, I think I did a pretty accurate job (tri level with a 2 car attached garage), came up with 1813 sqft! Ouch. $18K???

 

Just to further muddy the water for you find an Andersen dealer that carries their "A-Series" line--most do not. This is their top of the line window and it sounds like what you're looking for. Composite exterior bonded to real wood interior. Yes they're more expensive than the 400 series but it's not a big price jump and doesn't make much of a dent in the overall budget. The quality is immediately apparent.

A-Series

 

Looks like a Franken-window, wood, fiberglass, AND a Fibrex frame??

This said I want to see a good cross-section of how an Infinity is made.

 

Nevermind then. I got the impression from your earlier posts you didn't like the fake wood look on the inside. Marvins Everwood synthetic looks pretty real and has a good warranty. I would trust that over normal veneered fiberglass.

 

No I like the EverWood look just fine.
The problem I am having with Renewal is I believe the salesman said it is real wood inside, the sash inside is Fibrex, then something else outside, I think he said aluminum cladding? They info in either brochure is a bit vague, the one for Renewal especially, but can also fault Marvin, would like to see a cross-section of both of them.