Thompson Creek Replacement Windows Review

My home had several windows with problems, mostly clouded panels that had leaked and allowed air to enter the space between the double-pane glass. We considered replacing the panels with new glass but figured that we could get new windows for not a lot more money. Therefore, we replaced six windows with custom replacements from Thompson Creek Windows. Thompson Creek is a local company, based in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, which is one reason why we decided to go with Thompson Creek.

Making the decision

As I said, one reason we chose Thompson Creek was because the company manufactures and supports its windows locally. In addition, the company has an excellent warranty and will cover the windows for as long as we own the home. Finally, the salesman who visited us strongly touted the energy savings with the new windows. Thompson Creek replacement windows will qualify for the recent federal government energy credit, which was another factor in our decision.

We decided on Thompson Creek for the above reasons, and were prepared to go with the company before the salesman even called on us. However, the company seemingly requires a lengthy visit from a salesman, so he arrived to give us a pitch. As sales pitches go, it was okay. I wish I could have bailed out sooner and just signed the papers, but he was not deterred and did the entire one-hour-plus sales presentation. That over, we got an estimate and signed the papers. It took another eight weeks before our windows were ready.

Note that we did not replace all the windows in this home. In fact, we replaced windows on only two sides, as the rest of the windows are in good shape and fairly recent. We did get a little pressure to do all of them, but not much. The final cost was about $5,900 for six windows, although Thompson Creek counted a single complex window as two different windows. Therefore, our contract said there were seven windows, although it was really only six to us. (This final point caused a bit of confusion a couple times, but nothing serious.) Assuming we will get roughly $1,500 back in an income tax credit, the net out-of-pocket cost is about $4,400, or about $735 per window, installed.

Installation

We made sure to clear the area inside the room where each window was to be replaced. When the installers arrived, they were tidy, quick and professional. They unloaded the new windows, then removed the old windows and threw all the trash into their truck. Once all the openings were prepped, they began installing the new windows. Keep in mind that we had six wide open holes for some time during the installation process. Fortunately it was May and the weather was beautiful. It was also too early in the season for the heaviest insect assault, so the bugs were minimal. A month later would have been worse for both heat and insects, so we were fortunate. Rain could have been an issue, but it wasn't.

The two installers finished all our windows in one solid day (about nine hours). The installation looked good, although there was a LOT of caulking. The installers were careful to trim everything precisely and I was impressed at their attention to detail. I was also impressed that they didn't smoke, didn't swear, and were all-around professional and courteous. I took a lot of pictures and videos of the installation, and they never objected.

The company delivered the windows with the wrong screens but quickly agreed to ship the correct screens. When the new screens were ready, a technician delivered and installed them -- very classy.

The windows

Once installed, the windows look good but not great. I probably had unrealistic expectations but I was thinking that the windows would have a higher-quality look. I've been a homeowner for 30 years and have had vinyl windows installed in other homes, and these Thompson Creek windows look just like any other vinyl windows. They may be better than most, as the salesman said, but they don't look better than any other. For the cost ($735 per window after the tax credit), it would be nice if they had some real wood trim or had some other impression of overall quality.

That said, the windows work perfectly. The latches operate easily and the sashes pop out for cleaning easily. These Thompson Creek windows should be easy to live with and I do not expect any issues with them. I had these windows installed in early May 2009 and it is now the end of September, and I've had no problems whatsoever with these Thompson Creek windows.

Summary

The bottom line for me is that Thompson Creek Replacement Windows seem pricier than some other brands. For that price, I was expecting something that looked a little better than an average vinyl window from the inside, but these Thompson Creek windows pretty much look like any other window. They may be superior to other replacement windows, but that's not obvious by looking at them.

The installers were courteous and professional, and the company has so far stood behind its product. Those are very good things. I give Thompson Creek Replacement Windows a modest thumbs-up -- I just wish I didn't have the feeling that I paid a Cadillac price for a Pontiac product.