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Alliance Window Reviews
Read Alliance window reviews from contractors, installers and consumers who know the product and company and can provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this company.
If you'd like to ask our editors a question about your replacement or new construction windows project, send Tom an email.
Feel free to include project quotes and bids and get an expert opinion on which proposal(s) is right for you. Our site editor, and our website in general, is not associated with any window company. Instead, our advise is based on the idea of providing American consumers with the best long term value for your dollar.
Editor's Alliance Window Review
Alliance is a group of independent window manufacturers. The idea here was to allow smaller window companies to have access to better manufacturing equipment for the fabrication process. I think the overall concept here was good. It does get a little confusing though.
So Alliance Windows aren't quite franchises. They are more like a network of independent window manufacturers. However, this makes it tough to say they are good or bad in terms of window installation. Each company that is part of the network is going to have their own reputation and level of professionalism.
From a product perspective, in general, Alliance vinyl windows are in the solid mid range level. This is not a bad thing. There are lots of homes that will be well served with a good mid range vinyl window. The key here is to combine the product with a high level of installation.
Alliance offers the Windgate series in a new construction window. New construction windows have a nailing fin along the top and sides and allows the window to be nailed securely to the window opening header and sides. Alliance offers the Hawthorne and Belmont series in a replacement window. Replacement windows do not have a nailing fin and are installed in place of an existing window that is cut directly out of the opening. Replacement windows are installed using screws through the frame.
All in all, Alliance windows are a viable offer if the company doing the installation has a credible track record.
Tom - Site Editor
Alliance Window Reviews vs Soft-Lite
Alliance makes average windows. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with that, there are lots of reasons that a homeowner might want an average window, but it's a problem when it's promoted like a premium product. If you aren't going to be in the house long, or it's a rental property or something, then for the right price they aren't bad, but there are so many better windows out there. I'd look at some others, mainly Sunrise, Okna, and SoftLite. They all have high-end, premium windows, and that tends to be what they are known for, but they make good mid-range lines too. They can give you a product that costs about the same as Alliance but is much better in quality. Also, Alliance advertises it's "heavy walled framing" of 0.70, but that's actually thin. The Soft-Lite Elements line has a wall of 0.80.
Barry - Contractor - from 2012
Read Additional Soft-Lite window reviews.
Alliance Window Review
I'm replacing 11 double hung windows and a picture window. I've narrowed it down to Gorell 5300 or the Alliance Midway Hawthorne. Both of them have the features and colors I want, but I'm not sure which is better quality?
Dave - Homeowner - from 2012
[Contractor Response]
Gorell is far better than anything from Alliance. I really like the 5300, but there are supposed to be some changes to the next generation of it so you might consider waiting just a little longer. They also have a long history of outstanding customer service, but they were recently bought by Softlite and I don't know how the different departments and policies and employees will settle. I would take a look at Sunrise, HiMark, and Okna if you aren't totally sold on Gorell. If you really love the Gorell, they are a nice product but I'd wait for the new updates.
Holland - Installer - from 2012
Alliance Vinyl Windows
Trust me, I know Alliance and they make a low-quality builder's window. They talk about their 0.080 wall thickness, but it's a cheap pvc formulation. I'd rather have a thinner wall, maybe 0.065, with a higher quality material.
Matt - Contractor - from 2012
Alliance Windows vs Marvin
I don't understand why so many people like Marvin better than Alliance. They have almost identical numbers when you look at u-factor, shgc, air infiltration, etc. They aren't the best quality but not too low either. What makes Marvin so good?
Lance - Installer - from 2012
Read Additional Marvin window reviews.
Alliance vs Polaris Windows
I'm looking at Polaris vinyl windows and the Waudenas and Hawthornes. Which is better? I'm in Iowa, we get some strong winds but mainly moderate weather.
Ardath - Homeowner - from 2010
[Contractor Response]
The only Hawthorne I know of is made by Alliance, which is just that, a group of small manufacturers that decided to join together to seem bigger. If that's what you're looking at, I wouldn't use them.
Wayne - Contractor - from 2010
Alliance vs. Vinylmax & Champion
We are currently looking to purchase 18 vinyl replacement windows (6 picture, 13 doube hungs) in the Kansas City area and have quotes from 3 companies; Champion windows which will be installed by them for $12,800, Vinlymax windows that will be installed by a local dealer for $6,300, and Alliance windows which will also be installed by a local dealer for $8,100. The installation and warranties will all be the same so the question is whether it's worth it to go with the Champion or one of the considerably cheaper options?
Johnathon - Homeowner - from 2011
[Contractor Response]
Champion makes a good vinyl window - they use good parts and materials and they do all the installs themselves, which both adds to the bottom line, but they seem to know their stuff and I haven't heard many complaints about their work. But they do charge more for what breaks do to a little better window, but not that much higher in quality. Vinylmax is a good company and the Easton is their mid range offering. I don't know enough about Alliance to make a call either way. Do some research on whoever is installing the Vinylmax - if they get solid reviews, I would say go with them for the lower price tag.
Johnathon - Homeowner - from 2011
[Homeowner After Install]
Decided to go with the Vinylmax and the installation went very well. They put them in in a couple of days and did what looked to me like a very thorough job - removal of old windows, install, insulation, caulking etc. The noise levels have reduce remarkably and they don't let in air, and they are just such an improvement over the old builder grade windows that were in there before. We felt like we got decent windows at a very good price.
Johnathon - Homeowner - from 2011
Contractor Review
Alliance is a contractor grade window. They aren't even a top contractor window, they're like the bargain version of a store brand. Because they're so cheap, a lot of contractors like using them. They can give a nice low quote, and then the customer has to make the choice to upgrade. The low numbers bring them in whether they end up upgrading or not.
Mike Contractor in Delaware - from 2009
