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Home : Reviews : Soft-Lite Window Reviews
Soft-Lite Window Reviews
Browse our Soft-Lite window reviews from consumers and contractors who know the different models and series and hear their opinions on the quality and customer service offered by this company.
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tommy@homewindowreplacementcost.com
Soft-lite Classic vs. Amerimax Craftsman Portrait
Dane, I?m in Colorado we have to replace 9 windows and a sliding glass door. We are replacing 20 year old builder grade vinyl windows on a tract home. I?ve got bids from two dealers Zen Windows and Colorado Window Source.
Zen is offering Soft-lite Classic (Nirvana) For $8,427
Colorado Window Source is offering Amerimax Craftsman Portrait For $6,924
Based on my research I believe both manufacturers and dealers are very good. However, my understanding is that Soft-lite is Premium whereas Amerimax is Mid-Range.
My question is simply this, is Soft-lite Classic worth the extra $1,500? Their U Values and SHGC are virtually the same. The Amerimax is assembled in Colorado there?s a less likely chance of the gas leaking out of the seals. I don'twant to pay $1500 for almost the exact same window. However, I plan on being in this house for a very long time (I?ve already lived in it for 20years). If the Soft-lite is far superior a product, than maybe it?s worth the extra money. Any advice you have would greatly appreciated.
Paul - Homeowner - from 2017
Editor's Reply
Hi Paul, so let me say this -- the Soft-Lite Classic is a good window, but it isn't their premium vinyl window model. The Soft-Lite Imperial LS and the Elements are their best vinyl windows and both are definitely better than the Amerimax Craftsman Portrait.
The Soft-Lite Classic and Pro Series are both good windows (the company's mid range window series) and perhaps a little bit better than the Craftsman Portrait, but not by much. I agree, I don't think they are worth $1500 more than the Zen offering.
The only caveat I would include here is if you can get the Soft-Lite dealer down to within say $500 of the Amerimax bid. If they are willing to come down to this, then I think that's your "breaking point."
Tom - HWRC Editor - from 2017
Soft-Lite Windows vs. Polaris Ultraweld
Hi Tom, just got a bid from Polaris from universal windows direct. They say they are Ultraweld and is the same window as the soft lite guy. Triple pane, low e,3 windows 3400! I thought they looked nice. Thanks
Bandy - Homeowner - from 2017
Editor's Reply
Bandy, the Polaris Ultraweld window is not the same window as a Soft-Lite window. However, perhaps what he meant is that the Polaris Ultraweld is the equivalent of probably the Soft-Lite Imperial LS window. Both are excellent windows, however paying $1100 per window sounds very high to me. I would absolutely get additional bids from two to three other local companies in order to compare the prices and see what else is out there. Cheers.
Tom - HWRC Editor - from 2017
Soft-Lite Bid Question
I received a free quote from a company for 10 double hung and one twin casement. These are all replacement windows. I was quoted $5300 for the windows and install. $470 each for the Imperial LS, White Exterior, White Interior, Dual Pane, Solar LOW E, half screen and Argon Gas. $650 for the twin casement. Is this a good quote becuase I thought these windows were much more expensive than the quote I received. The company said that they did not sell the Elements LS, only the Imperial LS. My home was built in 1962 and these are all original windows. Is lead testing important for this install if all the windows have been repainted previously?
Mark - Homeowner - from 2013
Discover more on Soft-Lite windows prices.
[Contractor Response]
The $5300 price is a fantastic deal on the Imperial LS Series - (assuming they are normal sized openings). That being said, you may want to consider getting a few more bids just to be sure that the bid is for insert installation and the contractor isn't overlooking any damage or repairs that need to be made to the sills etc. that would require more work up front but save you from costly repairs down the road. If the frames and sills are in decent shape, then the bid is VERY competitive. The Imperial LS is a great window and is pretty close to the Elements LS. As to the lead in the paint, this is certainly a possibility in any home built or repainted before 1978. I would recommend shelling out the $250 for an inspector to come out and do a proper lead test (not just a swab test) to determine if lead is present (especially if you have young children in the house). It's a small amount of money to insure the safety and health of your family.
Don - Installer - from 2011
Soft-Lite vs Alliance
Alliance makes windows that are, at best, average. 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 2010