Hurricane Impact Windows - Who to choose?

Question

Hello,

I'm working on a flip in the Miami area and I'm looking to change out all the windows. I've dug around and talked to a few window people to get estimates and it seems like each installer is trying to sell me on a different brand and I'm trying to understand the differences and advantages of each.

The brands I've been bid on have been:
Eco Windows
CGI Sparta Series
Lawson Industries
ESWindows
Assura

Assura is from home depot, main advantage i've found is that they have a quick lead time of 4 weeks, compared to everyone else saying 6-8 weeks.

CGI I heard its a reputable brand with a good warranty

Lawson, cheapest quote but Im' hearing has a huge lead time now and they have been messing up peoples orders with sizes or specifications

ES Windows, comes from Colombia and I heard spare parts, replacements and customer service is terrible

Eco, I haven't really heard much about but price seems close to what I'm being quoted for CGI Spartas

Anybody on here with more experience that can help me narrow it down?

David Affholder · Answer

I am a newly state certified General contractor in south Florida. I am currently quoting new windows for my own home and have found Mr.Glass windows to be the cheapest quote for windows from Glass Pro sales. They came in around 30% cheaper than ES windows and were all stocked locally. DO you mind sharing where you purchase your Lawson windows from?

Malgorzata Sadowska · Answer

We did ours through Lowe's. Plenty other (smaller) outlets in Miami Dade.

Adrian Lemus · Answer

As a Contractor myself, on my New Constructions I use Lawson windows and I NEVER had a problem with these windows that involves quality, I’ve had problems with the other manufacturers that were mentioned above. For the flips I do or just the services I do in the area of changing out these windows I usually use Lawson but they are taking 10-12 weeks. If the customer wants them sooner then I usually go with Eco which I receive them within 8-10 weeks.

All these manufacturers are pretty good, just contractors get married to one brand and not use others.

A Local brand that we have down here but I stay away from is Mr. Glass because they are 5 months out and are overpriced compared to what I get the other brands.

AND FROM EXPERIENCE I WILL STAY AWAY FROM HOME DEPOT AND LOWES WINDOWS!!!! Never had a good experience with those. I’ve told my investors that I do Flips for that if they want those installed they would have to get a different installer.

Matt Kocer · Answer

I am a seasoned marketer for Window Installers. I deal with numerous Brands. Here is my 2 cents. Eco is OK. CGI is Better. Avoid Lawson, one of my clients got in trouble bc of their terrible quality issues. ES is a cheap option but Ok. PGT is the best quality but expensive.

If you are looking to quote these options I can recommend a window installer in Palm Beach County and another window installer in Miami Dade County. They are both reputable and licensed installers of all these brands.

Adonis Aviles · Answer

Hi Ashraf - I'm currently in the process of getting impact windows on a SFH. The brand I went with was SIW windows. It's not the cheapest yet their price were not that much more than their competitors and SIW was a better product. Also they offer a lifetime warranty.

Adonis

Adonis Aviles · Answer

Hi Ashraf - I'm currently in the process of getting impact windows on a SFH. The brand I went with was SIW windows. It's not the cheapest yet their price were not that much more than their competitors and SIW was a better product. Also they offer a lifetime warranty.

Adonis

Mike S. · Answer

@Adonis Aviles

PGT is what I have used on some of mine.

Shannon Kiefhaber · Answer

Ashraf, would you mind sharing which windows you went with? I have to replace the ones on my rental in Stuart this year and have been doing research on cost and if I should get impact rated or not. I live in Virginia and usually only pay around $250 per window for replacement in my flips.