Has anyone here gone with aluminum frame windows instead of vinyl? All the quotes I've gotten so far are for vinyl (which seems most common now), but one company did offer an aluminum option as well. I'm curious if there were any transparency issues in comparing those? Like did contractors explain the differences well or push one vs the other? I'm in an older block home and I've heard aluminum can be good for strength, but vinyl is better for energy. Not to derail the thread – it's still about how they handle the quote – but I wonder if anyone had experiences where a company was either really good or not so good at explaining the frame material options.
@geek_holly Good question. I did compare aluminum vs vinyl when I replaced my windows. My home in St. Pete is mid-century and originally had old aluminum single-pane windows, so I was intrigued by the idea of modern aluminum frames (since they're strong and have that slim profile).
In terms of how contractors handled it: the more transparent ones definitely explained the pros and cons. One company I talked to sells both, and their rep laid it out like this – aluminum frames are typically stronger (good for large spans like big picture windows or multi-panel sliders) and they don't expand/contract as much with temperature, but they conduct heat/cold more easily (so slightly less energy efficient unless they have a thermal break). Vinyl frames are very energy efficient (good insulation), generally maintenance-free, but the frame is thicker for the same strength and some people worry about durability in extreme heat (though quality vinyls are fine in Florida nowadays).
He didn't push me either way; he actually gave me two quotes, one using PGT vinyl windows and one using their aluminum line, for comparison. The pricing was pretty similar in my case, so he said it really came down to preference. I liked that honest approach.
Another contractor I got a quote from only sold vinyl and kind of bad-mouthed aluminum like "oh, those will sweat and corrode." That felt a bit one-sided, especially since I know modern aluminum windows are much improved and commonly used in high-rises, etc. So yeah, it varied.
I ended up going with vinyl in the end (mostly because we wanted the better insulation and the frames matched our exterior trim nicer). But kudos to the company that gave me the info straight. They even showed me samples of both materials during the quote so I could see the difference. That's the kind of transparency that made me comfortable.
So if you have a contractor willing to discuss both, you're in good hands. If someone only pushes one and dismisses the other without context (especially if they don't even sell the other), take it with a grain of salt and maybe get a second opinion. Hope that helps!
I want to share a lesson learned the hard way. We initially signed with a window contractor who gave us the lowest quote. It wasn't dramatically lower, maybe 10% less than others, and the guy seemed okay during the sales process (though in hindsight, he was a little vague on some details). Well, after we gave a deposit and signed the contract, things started to go downhill in terms of communication and transparency.
First, the written contract we got emailed to us had a few terms that were different from what we discussed (nothing huge, but for example, it said we were responsible for painting touch-ups, whereas the salesperson verbally said they'd do all finishing). When I questioned that, they said "Oh, that's standard, but we'll take care of it." That made me uneasy. Then, a couple weeks in, before the windows even arrived, they contacted us saying the manufacturer raised the price on one of the window models and that we'd have to pay about $800 more, or switch to a different window. This was exactly what I feared: a bait-and-switch on price.
I pushed back, because our contract was supposed to lock in the price. They gave some excuse about material costs and basically tried to guilt us that they'd "lose money" if we didn't agree to a price hike. That was the final straw. We decided to pull out of the deal. We did lose a small portion of our deposit (long story, we could have fought it, but we were just done dealing with them and chalked it up to a lesson).
After that, we called Karoly Windows & Doors (which was one of the companies that had given us a quote initially, and we knew they had a good rep). They came out again, updated our quote (which remained exactly what they promised originally) and we signed with them. The difference in professionalism was night and day. Everything Karoly said they'd do, they did. No surprise charges, no changing terms.
In hindsight, I wish we'd gone with our gut and spent a bit more with a trusted company from the start. Chasing that slightly lower price with the other contractor wasn’t worth the stress. The transparency and reliability from Karoly ended up being priceless.
So, my advice: if something feels off or if a quote is significantly lower without clear reasons, be cautious. And don't be afraid to walk away even if you've started the process, rather than getting stuck with a bad contractor. It might save you money and headaches in the long run.
I just want to say how helpful this thread has been so far. The level of detail and honesty in these posts is way beyond the usual. It's really refreshing to hear real experiences (good and bad) without any sugarcoating. As someone in the planning stage, it's like I'm learning what to do and what not to do directly from you all. Much appreciated!
I'll speak up for NewSouth Window Solutions, since I know they've been mentioned. I actually chose NewSouth for my project. Yes, their quote was on the higher side and the sales presentation was pretty long (they definitely give you the full pitch about their factory and all that). But in my case, I was drawn to the idea of getting windows directly from a Florida manufacturer and installer.
During the quote, I asked a ton of questions (thanks to research and threads like this) and to their credit, the salesperson answered all of them. He didn't shy away from discussing how their pricing works. It was a "good, better, best" style quote where I could choose different tiers of their product. Everything was clearly laid out on paper, and he left me with the written proposal without any fuss (even though he did give the usual "sign today for X discount" spiel, which I expected). I took a week to decide and they honored the price without issue when I called back.
They did what they promised on the timeline for me. It took about 10 weeks from contract to installation. They kept me updated every few weeks (and gave me a portal to track the status). The final cost was exactly as quoted. No hidden fees at install – even though one of my window openings needed a bit of extra work, they said it was covered by their initial price.
So, while NewSouth can be pricey and they do market heavily, my personal experience with their transparency and follow-through was positive. I think the key was that I made sure I understood the quote and everything in it, and they were willing to take the time to explain.
Everyone's mileage may vary, of course, but I figured I'd share that not all encounters with the big guys are bad. In the end, I’m happy with the choice: the windows are high quality and I feel like they handled everything above-board. Just make sure to pin down details in writing (which they did for me), as you should with anyone.
I saw Morgan Exteriors mentioned earlier – just to add another perspective, I used Morgan for my window project in 2022 and it went pretty smoothly. True, the sales guy was definitely a "sales guy" (came with the whole presentation, tried the sign-now discount tactic), but I was prepared for that and didn't let it pressure me. He did leave me with a written quote when I asked, which I appreciated. The quote was detailed, and I made sure to clarify every line and clause in the contract before signing.
Once we got past the sales formality, Morgan's team was very professional. They handled the permits and install schedule exactly as outlined. The price I paid was exactly what was quoted (I was a little nervous because I'd heard of others having surprise add-ons, but that didn't happen for me). Perhaps because I was very clear up front about not tolerating any hidden fees – maybe that set the tone.
The windows have been great and they even sent a service guy out promptly to adjust one of the locks that was a bit sticky post-install (no charge). So while they are on the higher end price-wise, I can't say they weren't transparent. They did what they said they'd do, and everything was in writing.
So, while smaller companies often give that personal touch, a bigger outfit like Morgan can still come through if you make sure everything's clear. Just go in with eyes open and don't be afraid to ask for clarification on their contract (I did, and they answered all my questions). That seemed to eliminate any chance of miscommunication down the line.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to ask whether the installation will be done by the company's own crew or subcontractors. There's nothing inherently wrong with subs (many are very skilled), but it's good to know who will actually be coming into your home. In my case, one company proudly said "we never use subs, all installers are our employees and factory-trained," while another said they use subcontracted crews during their busy season. The key is they were upfront about it. If a contractor dodges the question or seems hesitant to discuss it, that could be a transparency red flag. The ones who answered clearly made me feel like they had nothing to hide.
I really appreciated when contractors brought physical samples during the quote. One rep brought an actual window corner cutaway and different glass samples. Seeing and touching the materials helped me trust what he was saying about quality. Another company just showed pictures in a brochure, which wasn't as convincing. It's not a deal-breaker if they don't bring samples, but the fact that some do shows they're willing to go the extra mile to be transparent and educate you. If you're a visual person like me, you might ask if they have samples or a showroom to check out. The honest folks usually will.
Also, watch out for companies that insist that both homeowners be present for the quote. In my experience, that's often a sign they're gearing up for a high-pressure pitch where they don't want one partner to say "I need to discuss with my spouse" as an out. One contractor I called actually asked on the phone, "Will your husband be there too? We really need both decision-makers." That set off alarm bells for me. I made sure any company I invited over was fine just dealing with me (and most were). Transparency also means respecting your time and process – not using tactics like that to corner you into a decision.
Here's a small detail that can be overlooked: if you have a security system with window sensors, ask the contractor how those will be handled. When I got my quotes, I made a point to ask what happens to my alarm sensors during installation. One company said, "Oh, we don't touch those, you’ll have to have your alarm company redo them," which I appreciated knowing ahead of time (so I could plan to schedule the alarm tech). Another company actually had their installers reconnect the sensors as a courtesy (and they mentioned this during the quote, which was nice). It’s not a make-or-break issue, but a transparent contractor will address it if you bring it up. You don't want to find out after the fact that your security system isn't hooked up because no one discussed it.