Trying to figure out if Simonton vinyl windows are actually a solid choice or just okay. My neighbor swears by them, but I’ve seen mixed stuff online. Anyone have them for a few years and can speak to how they hold up? Especially curious about drafts and how easy they are to clean. Any regrets or things you wish you’d known before buying?
I’ve put in a bunch of Simontons over the years, and honestly, they’re decent for the price, but I wouldn’t call them bulletproof. Vinyl’s always gonna have some flex, so if you’re in a spot with big temp swings, you might notice a bit more draft than you’d expect—especially after a few seasons. Cleaning’s straightforward, but the tracks can gunk up if you’re not on top of it. If noise reduction or super tight seals are high on your list, you might want to look at fiberglass or a higher-end vinyl. Just my two cents—sometimes paying a bit more up front saves headaches down the line.
I’ve got Simontons in my place—put ‘em in about five years ago when I was redoing the kitchen and a couple bedrooms. I’ll say, they’re not bad for what I paid, but I wouldn’t call them flawless either. I live in the Midwest, so we get those wild temp swings—hot and humid in the summer, freezing in winter. I’ve definitely noticed a little more draftiness around the edges than I expected, especially on the north side. It’s not like a wind tunnel or anything, but on those bitter cold days you can feel it if you stand close.
What bugs me the most is the tracks. They looked slick and easy to clean at first, but after a couple seasons, gunk just builds up. Maybe I’m not as on top of it as I should be, but who really wants to be cleaning window tracks every couple months? I’ve got better things to do.
Noise-wise, it’s fine for my neighborhood, but if you’re next to a busy road or have loud neighbors, I wouldn’t count on these to keep things quiet. My brother went with fiberglass windows when he redid his place and honestly, I’m a little jealous—his feel sturdier and seal tighter, but he definitely paid more up front.
All that said, I don’t regret going with Simonton for the price point. They look good and work well enough, but if I was doing the whole house or planning to stay here forever, I might’ve stretched the budget for something a bit beefier. Just depends what you’re after. If you’re picky about drafts or noise, might be worth looking at other options. Otherwise, they’re fine for the money.
What bugs me the most is the tracks. They looked slick and easy to clean at first, but after a couple seasons, gunk just builds up.
Ha, you’re not alone there. I swear window tracks are like magnets for dust and mystery crumbs. I’ve put in a bunch of Simontons over the years—honestly, they’re decent for folks who want a fresh look without blowing the budget. But yeah, in places with wild weather swings, you’ll sometimes get that little draft around the edges. Not a dealbreaker, but you do notice it if you’re picky about that stuff. Fiberglass is definitely beefier, but not everyone wants to shell out that kind of cash. For the money, Simonton’s usually a pretty solid bet, but if you’re planning to stay put long-term, sometimes it’s worth stretching for something a bit more heavy-duty.
Not a dealbreaker, but you do notice it if you’re picky about that stuff.
That’s interesting to hear about the track buildup. I’ve noticed the same thing with mine, especially after a wet spring—seems like debris just finds its way in no matter what. As for drafts, mine are decent, but I do get a faint chill near the seals when the wind’s really blowing. They’re not perfect, but I can’t say I expected high-end performance at their price point. One thing I wish I’d realized: the white finish is a magnet for scuffs, which isn’t a huge deal but does bug me sometimes.
Yeah, the scuffing on the white finish is something I underestimated too—seems like even a soft cloth leaves a mark sometimes. I’ve also had to clean out the tracks more than I’d like, especially after pollen season. As for the drafts, I’ve tried adjusting the locks and adding a bit of extra weatherstripping, but there’s still a slight leak on windy days. Honestly, for the price, I wasn’t expecting airtight perfection, but it does make me wonder if spending a bit more upfront would’ve saved some hassle down the line.
Totally get where you’re coming from on the scuffing and the drafts. I put in Simontons a couple years back, and while they’re definitely better than my old single panes, I’ve had some of the same issues—especially with pollen clogging up the tracks in spring. I did notice my energy bill dropped a bit, but I still get a little draft on those really windy days, even after adding extra weatherstripping. Sometimes I wonder if going with a higher-end brand would’ve made a difference, but at the time, the price tag was just too hard to pass up.
I hear you on the pollen—my Simonton tracks basically turn into a science experiment every spring. Here’s what’s worked for me: once a month, I run a vacuum nozzle along the tracks, then wipe them down with a damp rag. Not glamorous, but it helps keep things sliding smooth and cuts down on drafts. As for the wind, I tried stuffing a bit of foam rope (the kind for pipe insulation) in the worst gaps. Not perfect, but better than nothing. Honestly, for the price, they’re decent... just gotta accept a little extra DIY now and then.
That’s actually super helpful—thanks for the tip about the foam rope. I’m about six months into living with these Simontons, and I gotta say, the tracks are already a magnet for everything from dog hair to pollen. Is it normal for the sashes to feel a bit loose, or did I just get a batch with “character”? Also, how’s the noise reduction for you? Mine are… fine, but not exactly soundproof. Maybe my expectations were too high?
The loose sash thing sounds familiar. When we replaced the windows in our 80s split-level with Simontons last spring, I noticed a couple of the sashes wiggled more than I expected. At first, I thought maybe the installer had rushed it, but after poking around some window forums (and, uh, taking a screwdriver to one out of curiosity), it seems like a little play is “normal” for vinyl—at least in this price range. Doesn’t help with the dust and hair, though. Our dog’s basically a walking lint trap, so I’m constantly cleaning out the lower tracks.
On noise: mixed bag here too. We live near a busy street and while it’s quieter than our old single panes, I can still hear garbage trucks at 6am. I guess unless you go triple-pane or something with laminated glass, “soundproof” is a stretch. Still better than before, but yeah—not magic.
Funny side note: I actually kind of like the white noise of cars now. Makes the house feel less like a bubble. Maybe I’m just weird…