Good Vinyl Windows

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Here are our top picks for good vinyl windows that won't break the bank when shopping for replacement windows. Please note: these aren't necessarily our picks for the best vinyl windows, nor are they inexpensive vinyl windows. But they are very solid vinyl window options that will serve many U.S. homeowners given the right price point and coupled with professional installation.

Review By John M. - Site Editor - Page Updated In December, 2023

Milgard Tuscany Series

The Tuscany series is a solid vinyl window that performs well at a nice price point. The Tuscany series will run 10% to 15% more than their low end Styleline and has a slightly thicker extrusion than the Styleline. It offers some nicer features, including a better locking mechanism, spacer system, exterior screen, weep holes and vent stops. The Tuscany is a more energy efficient option over the Styleline, offering a .29 U-value, .21 SHGC - an upgrade to a 3D Max Glass package. The Tuscany is a good west coast option.

Milgard Windows Prices

Milgard Tuscany Windows Reviews

Soft-Lite Classic

The Classic series was the original Soft-Lite window from their earlier days and is actually quite similar to the Soft-Lite Pro model. When the company came out with the Imperial LS and Elements Series, they had originally intended to drop the Classic. However, lots of dealers liked how the Classic looked (as did many customers), so they have kept it in their line up.

The Classic series includes several nice upgrades from the Bainbridge Series, including upgraded screens, sash and frame fills, and includes a lifetime glass breakage provision. Standard features include fusion welded frames, Delta locks, vent locks, an intercept spacer, locking screen latch, and a drip cap.

The Classic is very similar to the Soft-Lite Pro Series, but here are the differences between the two; the Classic uses an Intercept spacer, has a non-reinforced meeting rail, single strength glass and uses a 3/4" IGU. The Pro uses a Super Spacer, has a reinforced meeting rail, double strength glass and uses a 7/8"IGU. The Classic is a small below the Pro in terms of overall strength, performance and durability.

Soft-Lite Classic Reviews

Simonton 5500 Series

Simonton is sometimes referred to as the Ford of the window industry - a nice solid option that isn't super flashy, but gets the job done. The Simonton 5500 model is the high end Reflections Series and is also known as the Prism Platinum model. The 5500 Series comes with the super 366 glass option, double strength glass, their super spacer, and the same frame as is on the 5300 Series. Homeowners can expect performance numbers of roughly .30 U Value, .18 SHGC and .17 air infiltration.

Simonton 5500 Windows Reviews

Amerimax Craftsman Portrait Series

The Craftsman Portrait series is the company's mid range vinyl window that uses the SuperSpacer system, has triple weatherstripping and uses a double strength glass. Similarly to the Amerimax Masters Grande window, the Craftsman uses even sightlines and pretty similar energy efficiency numbers.

The Amerimax Craftsman Portrait ordered in a number of different styles and configurations. The window comes standard with a fusion welded sash and frame, beveled exterior frame, dedicated pocket sill, slim line extrusion, brass roller system (slider), contoured pull rail, metal reinforcement meeting rail and dual action cam locks.

I like the Amerimax Craftsman Portrait window. Assuming solid installation and a fair price point, I think consumers are getting a well made vinyl window that won't break the bank and will provide nice long term value. The Amerimax Craftsman Portrait Window Series gets a 4.4 out of 5 star rating.

Soft-Lite Classic Reviews

Anlin Catalina

The Catalina series is the company's entry level vinyl series. It includes a host of additional ordering options that includes fourteen frame color options, two glass packages, two casing styles, five hardware materials and 3 grid patterns.

The Catalina is available as a single hung, slider, picture window, combination, as well as a number of geometrical shapes and options. The Catalina has a frame depth of 2 7/8" and an extrusion thickness of .080 inches. In addition, the window uses a double strength glass, has equal sightlines, a single vent latch, silver coated glass and a Platinum Elite spacer system. The Anlin Catalina gets a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.

Anlin Catalina Reviews

Apex Insignia Series

The Insignia series is relabeled Alside 8000 series with some nice extra features added on. In truth, the vinyl window is quite good, although often the price point on the Insignia is higher than I'd like to see -- I make this comment on a lot of windows :) Alside Windows Reviews

Apex Energy Solutions is a franchise -- meaning each branch is privately owned. This means that the branch in your area might adhere to best practices or not -- make sure you get reviews on your specific branch to make sure that past customers are happy with the Insignia window, the installation, and the project price point.

Apex Insignia Reviews

Great Lakes ecoSmart

The ecoSmart series is an "eco-friendly" vinyl window that is touted as both an excellent performer and an environmentally friendly alternative to your standard vinyl window. I'm going to take the company at their word in terms of the environmentally friendly claim. In terms of performance, the window is quite good, but I wouldn't put it in the great category like I would for the Sunrise Restorations or the Okna EnviroStar.

The ecoSmart does have some very nice features and options, including a pinch fusion welded frame, a true sloped sill, high density foam fills (the company website claims that the R-factor of the ecoSmart is 7x greater than a non foam filled frame), a composite sill reinforcement, a vinyl exterior shield, an I-Core spacer system, two integral lock / tilt latch mechanisms, as well as a number of different glass options.

The ecoSmart is available as an awning, casement, slider, double hung, garden window, bow or bay, as well as a sliding patio door. One interesting note, you have to really search the website to discover that the windows are made by Great Lakes, I always find this interesting and wondering why they try to market the window as a standalone unit. All in all, the ecoSmart window is a decent performer with some nice features - I would certainly consider this vinyl window given the right price point and good installation. The Great Lakes EcoSmart Window Series gets a 4.4 out of 5 star rating.

Harvey Classic Series

The Classic series is the company's most popular model and comes in a variety of options that includes 28 exterior color options and 6 interior color options. Similar to the Harvey Slimline window, the Classic has a block & tackle balance system, although the bulkier mainframe will offer more strength and durability.

With the Energy Star package that includes grids, low-e and argon fills, the Classic Series achieves a .30 U-factor, STC rating of 28, 3.33 R-value, .14 AI, DP35, .27 SHGC and .49 VT. These are all respectable numbers, but not outstanding. The Classic window is comparable to Anlin Del Mar windows. The Harvey Classic Window Series gets a 4.3 out of 5 star rating.

Ideal Platinum 3000

The Ideal Platinum 3000 window is the company's premium vinyl window that is available as a double hung, slider, awning, casement, picture, hoppe, bay or bow window style. The Platinum 3000 uses a fully fusion welded frame and sash, 7/8'' double strength insulated glass, Duralite warm edge spacer, a reinforced sash rail, foam filled sash and frame rails, foam wrap on the jambs, an ultra view half screen, a tilt and lock mechanism, dual tech lock, as well as low E and argon fills on the standard glass.

The Platinum 3000 delivers some impressive performance numbers, although it's unclear how some of the numbers such as the U-factor are arrived at. For now, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that the Ideal Patinum window is a very solid vinyl window for the price point. The Ideal Platinum 3000 Window Series gets a 4.7 out of 5 star rating.

Okna 400 Series

The Okna 400 window, also known as the Precision Weld Series, is the economy vinyl window option from Okna. The 400 Precision Weld model can be ordered as a double hung, picture, slider, or hopper window. It is also available as a replacement or in a new construction set up. The Precision Weld is one of our top selections for the best cheap replacement window currently available on the market.

The Okna 400 Precision Weld includes standard features such as a fusion welded frame, 3.25" depth frame, a Heatseal spacer, a full integral interlock, double weatherstripping and fully extruded sash handles.

In terms of color options, the 400 model can be ordered in an interior white, almond or cocoa. On the exterior, it comes in white, brown, bronze, cocoa, sandstone, almond, as well as a number of additional custom colors. Hardware comes in the three interior frame colors.