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Home : Replacement Windows Complaints : Worst Window Brands
Worst Window Brands
Explore our picks for the worst window brands and series on the replacement window market. To be honest, quite a few of the window brands listed below are now defunct - thankfully. This might be for any number of reasons: poor quality windows, poor management, or simply due to recession or economic shifts. Unfortunately, not all of our picks for our worst window brands are out of business. Some are still going strong.
Click for my list of good quality vinyl windows, brands, and options.
Dane - Site Editor - Page Last Updated: April 12, 2024
"Unfortunately, there are lots of very poor window brands out there. While I don't love to shine a spot light on poorly made products (I prefer to focus on the truly excellent ones), I do think it's important for consumers to know what companies to stay away from."
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American Craftsman
CertainTeed
Crestline
Silverline
Xact
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Worst Vinyl Window Brands :: A to M
American Craftsman
American Craftsman sells their window series mainly through the big box stores. They sell the AC50 and the AC70. The company manufactures a fairly low quality vinyl window. In truth, they are meant for budget-minded projects and that's the quality and durability you can expect. Perhaps an option for rentals or flipping houses, but not ideal for maximizing the long term value of your investment. ( American Craftsman Windows Reviews )
Dane - Site Editor
CertainTeed
Back in the 2000s, CertainTeed manufactured their own line of windows. They had odd names like the BrynMawr III, New Castle III, and NewBridge II. In 2009, the company decided to sell off its window division to MI Windows. So now they don't make windows anymore.
However, many contractors who sell CertainTeed roofing and/or siding still sell windows to their clients. But it's not CertainTeed who is making the windows. Instead, it's MI. For the most part, MI makes a very builder grade product in terms of replacement windows. I'm not even sure what series/model they're selling, but I'm fairly confident that it's pretty low quality.
Dane - Site Editor
Crestline
Crestline is a Wisconsin manufacturer that focuses on, by and large, builder grade windows. This is a nice way of saying low end vinyl windows that are sold cheap. The problem with these is that they get installed and everything seems fine. Cut to 8 years later and they have condensation between the window panes, the balances are all off and they don't open and close all that well. What's it going to cost to rip them out and put in new ones?
Dane - Site Editor
Worst Window Brands :: M to Z
Xact Windows
Xact Windows is no longer in business. They were not "exactly" a great purveyor of windows when they were in business. Over a decade ago, their factory and assets were acquired by MI, which has not always been at the top of any lists for best vinyl windows in the world either. However, MI did acquire Sunrise back in 2021 and they have integrated that lineup into their own. This has greatly elevated the MI brand in my opinion.
Dane - Site Editor
Silverline
Silverline Windows are typically sold in many of the big box stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot. Silver Line specializes in mainly low-end vinyl windows, which includes their V1 and V3 series. They do offer a number of different styles including double hung's, single hungs, casements, hoppers, awnings, sliders and bay and bow windows.
As a general rule of thumb, Silverline does not make a very energy-efficient or durable window. They are probably okay for rental properties or if you're looking to flip houses, but other than this I would recommend staying away from them if you want to maximize your long term investment.
Dane - Site Editor
Worst Window Brands Q And A
Below you will find homeowner questions on the worst window brands - and my answers as to what to avoid and what to look for in the bidding process. Enjoy.
Dane - Site Editor
Best And Worst In Texas
Dane, thanks for your quick response. I am going to go with Gold Star Windows & Doors of Beaumont Texas to install my windows and doors. These are the window brands they carry, I think they may not be able to get the Sunrise any longer. Which brands in particular should I be looking at. Would like to get a vinyl, mid to high end if possible.
11 windows, 4@34.75 x 34.75, 3@ 34.75 x 58.75, 3@ 22.75 x 58.75, 1@22.75 x 34.75 budgeting 10,000 but am flexible a little for the right window.
Have a price from last year on a ProVia Endure 10,259 and a Sunrise Res. 13,337.
Anderson, Jeld-Wen, NT, Western, Showcase, Atrium, Marvin, Milgard, Ply-Gem , Wincore, Don Young Company Ram, Pella, Elevate, Sunrise, MI, Provia (ProVia Windows Reviews) and SoftLite.
Dan - Homeowner - from 2023
[Site Editor's Answer]
Dan, wow that is a lot of options there! Soft-Lite, ProVia, Sunrise, Don Young and NT would be my top brand picks.
My bottom five would be Jeld Wen, Western, Atrium, Ram and Elevate.
Dane - Site Editor - from 2023
Builder Grade Options In L.A.
I have been pricing windows for a long time. Okna dealer came over and started at $22,000 for 11 of the 500 series. Then came down to $15,500 but we had to buy now or the price goes back up, so we politely said NO, don't like to be pressured. Having trouble finding a good window in my area. Do you have any suggestions? I live in Sulphur Louisiana, 70663. Lots of cheaper or builder grade windows around.
( Okna Windows Reviews )
Any help will be appreciated.
Don - Homeowner - from 2023
[Site Editor's Answer]
Don, I have found that L.A. has some pretty poor options in general, but there are some good possibilities that I think we can work with. I have found Sunrise windows from a dealer near New Orleans, but I'm not sure if they are still around. (I will send you my list). Okna is one of the best brands out there. I'm actually surprised by the fact that Okna has a dealer in your state (because they are hardly anywhere in the south), and I'm surprised they were trying to charge you so damn much (however without seeing the project details I can't judge too much).
My advice - keep getting more bids! That's the way to find the fairest price in your area.
Dane - Site Editor - from 2023
Worst Window Brands
Would you be able to list your top five worst window brands for me. Just curious :)
Duane - Homeowner - from 2023
[Site Editor's Answer]
Duane, I hate to be a hater :) But here goes: Silverline, American Jewel, LBL (out of business, thankfully), Lincoln, and Napco (they need to stick to the vinyl siding industry). There are lots of others out there, but these are the brands that come to mind. (Read our Lincoln Windows Reviews here.)
Dane - Site Editor - from 2023
Related Topics: Best Vinyl Windows
Problems With Vinyl Windows