Not sure how much this will mean, but the total invoice was appx $34k, which included appx $1200 shipping (Colorado to NorCal).

appx 3450 square foot home (2 floors, each 1725 sq'). So I guess it was appx $10 a sq'

22 total windows of various sizes, which also includes 4 sliders (2 sliders were large: 8'x8')

Call Alpen direct. They are great to deal with. I dealt with an inside sale rep named Leah Primrose. She really knows the product inside out and was a dream to deal with. They need to clone that woman. Ask for her. Email her a window schedule and she'll email you back a quote. She'll have many questions to fine tune the quote but you have to start somewhere.

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply.

I should have said cost per square foot of window, but your info gives me a good idea of what I can expect cost wise.

Glad to hear they have good customer service as my build site in Michigan does not have a Alpen dealer. I was told they work with a third party service company called UTS that can provide customer service in all 50 states if needed. I've been dealing with a fellow from Logic Windows and Doors in Niwot, CO. I think they are their dealer in Colorado.

Posted By JohnRLee on 20 Aug 2014 05:37 PM
Not sure how much this will mean, but the total invoice was appx $34k, which included appx $1200 shipping (Colorado to NorCal).

appx 3450 square foot home (2 floors, each 1725 sq'). So I guess it was appx $10 a sq'

22 total windows of various sizes, which also includes 4 sliders (2 sliders were large: 8'x8')

How many square feet of window space do you have?

I would estimate that you paid around $30+ per sqft for the window.

The square footage of the home is not an accurate measurement since the amount of windows a home can have is from a little to a lot.

What made you choose sliders over casement or tilt and turn?

I have not measured the square footage of that actual windows, so I'm unsure the square footage cost I paid.

By sliders, I meant sliding glass doors (hence 8'x8'). All actual windows were casement or fixed.

And I also selected stainless hardware, which bumped up the cost.  I did not opt for tempered glass, except for the sliding doors.

Posted By Lbear on 21 Aug 2014 02:05 PM

Posted By JohnRLee on 20 Aug 2014 05:37 PM
Not sure how much this will mean, but the total invoice was appx $34k, which included appx $1200 shipping (Colorado to NorCal).

appx 3450 square foot home (2 floors, each 1725 sq'). So I guess it was appx $10 a sq'

22 total windows of various sizes, which also includes 4 sliders (2 sliders were large: 8'x8')

How many square feet of window space do you have?

I would estimate that you paid around $30+ per sqft for the window.

The square footage of the home is not an accurate measurement since the amount of windows a home can have is from a little to a lot.

What made you choose sliders over casement or tilt and turn?

I doubt that it was close to $30/sq ft.  He has stated that he has 2 "large" sliders, which most people probably assumed were sliding doors, at 64 sq ft.  I doubt the others approached 50 sq ft on average which would be considered a very large window by most people.   I would guess his windows are closer to 25 sq ft on average, but highly likely even less, so 25 * 22 = 550 sq ft would make it closer to $60/sq ft

Posted By Lbear on 21 Aug 2014 02:05 PM

...What made you choose sliders over casement or tilt and turn?

Tilt-and-turn are not that easy to find stateside, at least for a reasonable price.

Where those triple pane? What was the U? Did they come with extension jambs, special color?
Custom sizes?
Why the high per window cost?

Boy, a lot of mental gymnastics (jumping to conclusions and assumptions) on the last few posts. And I suggest a few of you hone up on your reading comprehension skills.

Subtracting my 4 sliding glass window doors, I had 18 windows for a total of appx 300 sq'. 5 of these windows are 14" tall by 45-84" varying width wide (fixed) and up high on the wall. These allow natural light in during the day (don't have to turn on lights) while maintaining privacy. Because 5 of these 18 windows were wide horizontally but not tall, that probably contributed to a higher overall sq' cost (frames contribute to the costs)

My order cost for just these appx 300 sq' of windows (excluding sliders, freight and stainless hardware) was appx $18.5k.

2 of my sliders were quite large (96"x96") and they were appx $3500 each. The smaller sliders were 80 x 72" and were appx $2300 each.

These were Alpen 725 series. You can read all about their specs here on their site http://www.alpenhpp.com/residential-alpen-windows-725-series

I looked around and most mainstream window brands (Pella, Marvin, Anderson, Milguard), either didn't have these kinds of energy ratings at all or were more expensive. My conclusion is that Alpen spec for spec, comparable build quality... is competitively priced. I suggest if you think you can find a better built and better specified window, buy it. Their windows are very well built...you can see it just by close inspection. Better things sometimes cost much more. A Mercedes costs more than a Honda...even an Acura cost more than a Honda. Your mileage may vary.

These are closed cell foam insulated fiberglass frames, triple pane, same color inside and out. Different colors inside vs. out is a add on charge, so I opted to NOT do this. And I chose one of their appx 15 stock colors.

So would the pro's here recommend against going to Home Depot and just buying doors for their new home that away? I mean would you end up getting screwed? Or if you put basic common sense and buy a good door would you be fine? I ask b/c I'm trying to simply here without getting myself lost in the forest of details. Thank you!

Sliding glass doors are notoriously leaky, so if you are getting one, buy the best you can afford, like a Marvin Intregrity or better. Hinged doors like Therma Tru are OK, but unfortunately there isn't much of a choice in the "basic" price range. We use multi-point locks which add $350-$400 but are much tighter.

Posted By JohnRLee on 26 Aug 2014 08:19 AM
Boy, a lot of mental gymnastics (jumping to conclusions and assumptions) on the last few posts. And I suggest a few of you hone up on your reading comprehension skills.

Subtracting my 4 sliding glass window doors, I had 18 windows for a total of appx 300 sq'. 5 of these windows are 14" tall by 45-84" varying width wide (fixed) and up high on the wall. These allow natural light in during the day (don't have to turn on lights) while maintaining privacy. Because 5 of these 18 windows were wide horizontally but not tall, that probably contributed to a higher overall sq' cost (frames contribute to the costs)

My order cost for just these appx 300 sq' of windows (excluding sliders, freight and stainless hardware) was appx $18.5k.

2 of my sliders were quite large (96"x96") and they were appx $3500 each. The smaller sliders were 80 x 72" and were appx $2300 each.

These were Alpen 725 series. You can read all about their specs here on their site http://www.alpenhpp.com/residential-alpen-windows-725-series

I looked around and most mainstream window brands (Pella, Marvin, Anderson, Milguard), either didn't have these kinds of energy ratings at all or were more expensive. My conclusion is that Alpen spec for spec, comparable build quality... is competitively priced. I suggest if you think you can find a better built and better specified window, buy it. Their windows are very well built...you can see it just by close inspection. Better things sometimes cost much more. A Mercedes costs more than a Honda...even an Acura cost more than a Honda. Your mileage may vary.

These are closed cell foam insulated fiberglass frames, triple pane, same color inside and out. Different colors inside vs. out is a add on charge, so I opted to NOT do this. And I chose one of their appx 15 stock colors.

based on your final numbers, my estimate was almost exact.  I calculated $59.25/sq ft from your numbers, and I guessed $60, so not bad.  I am not sure how the other guy arrived at $30.  You would have to have twice the amount of window.  I think 1000 sq ft of window would be on the limit for a 3450 sq ft house.  I just calculated my window area, and it is almost identical to yours at 547.5.  However, I am a single story house and 3,000 sq ft.   We are still under construction, but when people visit, they think we have lots of windows and natural light.  We don't have any skylights, so all of our light comes from vertical windows.  I have 3 windows which are 5'x9', a 9'x10' patio door, 2 windows that are 3'x7.5'.  The 5'x9' windows feel like that are almost the size of the whole wall.

Posted By JohnRLee on 26 Aug 2014 08:19 AM
Boy, a lot of mental gymnastics (jumping to conclusions and assumptions) on the last few posts. And I suggest a few of you hone up on your reading comprehension skills.

Subtracting my 4 sliding glass window doors, I had 18 windows for a total of appx 300 sq'. 5 of these windows are 14" tall by 45-84" varying width wide (fixed) and up high on the wall. These allow natural light in during the day (don't have to turn on lights) while maintaining privacy. Because 5 of these 18 windows were wide horizontally but not tall, that probably contributed to a higher overall sq' cost (frames contribute to the costs)

My order cost for just these appx 300 sq' of windows (excluding sliders, freight and stainless hardware) was appx $18.5k.

2 of my sliders were quite large (96"x96") and they were appx $3500 each. The smaller sliders were 80 x 72" and were appx $2300 each.

These were Alpen 725 series. You can read all about their specs here on their site http://www.alpenhpp.com/residential-alpen-windows-725-series

I looked around and most mainstream window brands (Pella, Marvin, Anderson, Milguard), either didn't have these kinds of energy ratings at all or were more expensive. My conclusion is that Alpen spec for spec, comparable build quality... is competitively priced. I suggest if you think you can find a better built and better specified window, buy it. Their windows are very well built...you can see it just by close inspection. Better things sometimes cost much more. A Mercedes costs more than a Honda...even an Acura cost more than a Honda. Your mileage may vary.

These are closed cell foam insulated fiberglass frames, triple pane, same color inside and out. Different colors inside vs. out is a add on charge, so I opted to NOT do this. And I chose one of their appx 15 stock colors.

Thanks for your clarifications and additional info. Windows are notoriously priced like the wild west, very little consistency from vendor to vendor. To continue your car analogy, I would much rather have an Accord over a Mercedes 3 Series, catch my drift? Sometimes you pay those premiums simply for a badge. Anyways, good to hear a positive review on the Alpens.

Anyone every priced out the materials to DIY a tipple pane commercial fixed aluminum framed window?

We just did Sunrise vinyl Windows here in our Michigan home. They are foam filled and have a great U rating. 3 of our windows were their Apex glass package 3 pane, 12 layer coated and gas filled windows due to a NW face that in summer ROASTED our family room/kitchen it would be 20 degrees hotter. Apparently they typically use this package in the Western states AZ CA ect. We have been VERY pleased it has made such a difference vs the old builder grade junk we had! We did 21 windows in 18 openings, 1 doorwall was $13,500 but that was $2000 in installing casing and sills, we only had a 90 degree drywall to drywall transition and a small shoe molding to hide the gap at the window

Do you mean exterior glazed door(s)? If you want to avoid the details then someone like your architect, contractor, or window sales person will be deciding to confront or avoid the details. Common sense dictates a "good" door facing your pool in Pheonix would be entirely different from a "good" door facing St. Nicholas Avenue in your historical brownstone in Baltimore. Without the forest of details, the previous sentence reads: "Common sense dictates a "good" door would be entirely different from a "good" door." And that's my point. ;) Good doors are different depending on the details regardless of where purchased, and that's just common sense. -N