When preparing to buy new windows, it can be a challenge to find the right brand to meet your needs. There are a lot of manufacturers out there who cater to different niches and markets. One of the manufacturers working to enter the Florida market is ES Windows. One of the others with a more established reputation in Florida is Simonton Windows.
Does ES Windows have what it takes to stand out against the major players in Florida’s hurricane window market like Simonton? The real question is: Which one is the best fit for your home?
Let’s compare the features of these window brands to see which one is the best for your home!
Simonton vs ES Windows: Price
As with any window brand, the cost of a window from a given manufacturer may vary depending on the product line in question. An impact window with three layers of glass designed to withstand extreme weather like hurricanes will naturally cost more than a simpler, single-paned window.
Additionally, the larger a window is, the costlier it will be to purchase and install.
When it comes to impact-rated windows, both companies aren’t that different on pricing. However, when some installers pick ES Windows, they may use commercial-rated window products to cut costs, since these windows are mass manufactured for large projects, and thus are less expensive.
ES Windows is in a race to the bargain basement… Just remember that you get what you pay for.
Winner: Draw when comparing similar products with similar upgrades, ES when focusing on their lower-end offerings.
Simonton vs ES Windows: U-Factor
U-factor is a measure of how well a window insulates your home against outside temperatures. The lower the number, the better the window is at keeping your home cool in the summer heat.
A large part of what determines the U-Factor is the material of the window frame… and that’s where ES Windows encounter a major issue. Their impact windows are made of aluminum.
Depending on the alloy of aluminum used, it can have a thermal conductivity ranging between 70 W/m*K for aluminum bronze and up to 240 W/m*K for a normal aluminum alloy, according to The Engineering Toolbox.
Meanwhile, Fraunhofer IRB states that aluminum used in fenestration products has a thermal conductivity around 160 W/m*K.
Simonton offers vinyl (PVC, or polyvinyl chloride) impact windows. The Fraunhofer IRB report states that PVC has a thermal conductivity rating of 0.17 W/m*K. This makes vinyl anywhere from 411.7 to 1,411.7 times more effective at preventing heat transfer than aluminum.
This is reflected in the u-factors of the individual window products.
For example, the U-factor rating of Simonton’s 43-35/43-50 double-hung windows have u-factors between 0.29 and 0.32. All of their impact-resistant “StormBreaker Plus” products have u-factor ratings between 0.24 and 0.32 when given argon gas fills and other energy upgrades.
Meanwhile, the Elite ES-EL 100 single-hung window from ES Windows, which has an aluminum frame, has a U-Factor that ranges from 0.63 to 1.08. They do have an energy efficient window option in the ES-V100 single-hung window line, which is their vinyl window that has U factor ratings between 0.29 and 0.32 like the Simonton windows.
Winner: Simonton. While ES Windows has one product line that can match Simonton’s energy efficiency, Simonton has multiple Energy Star v 7.0-compliant product lines (including their Stormbreaker Plus impact window line), giving you a wider variety of styles to choose from while maintaining energy efficiency.
Simonton vs ES Windows: Durability
Hurricane windows need to be extra-tough to stand up to hurricane season. Not only do they have to take a beating, they also need to have fail-safes built into them to prevent wind, moisture, and debris intrusion.
When it comes to ensuring durability, metal frames have an advantage over vinyl ones. Aluminum has a much higher tensile strength than polyvinyl chloride. This is one reason why manufacturers like Simonton put aluminum reinforcements in the frames of their vinyl windows. The vinyl covers the aluminum so it isn’t exposed to direct sunlight or heat transfer, but can still help increase the strength of the frame.
But durability against hurricanes requires more than just tough frames. The glass needs to be set into the frame correctly, there needs to be failsafe measures installed in case the top layer of glass breaks, and the whole window needs to be properly secured to the window opening.
Also, how well does the appearance of the window hold up over time? Does the finish scrape off at every little impact, or is the window frame unpainted so that minor scratches don’t show as easily?
Simonton Windows has windows in their StormBreaker Plus line that are certified for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones like Miami-Dade and Broward County, meaning that they’re durable enough to protect your home from a Category 5 hurricane.
All of their StormBreaker Plus windows clock in at a design pressure (DP) rating of +50/-50 psf or better (maxing out at +65/-70 psf) depending on the specific product.
ES Windows’ brochure for their Elite window line states that their windows have DP ratings varying from +60/-80 to +90/-90. This is the product line that they market to residential homeowners.
Winner: For sheer durability against single missile impacts, ES Windows outpaces Simonton’s offerings on average, thanks to their solid aluminum construction and poorer weep and drainage.
How does weep and drainage factor into wind resistance? Because, it takes more wind to force a driving rain into the home around the window frame since the water doesn’t have as many places to go. Simonton’s better weepage actually works against them in this performance category.
Thankfully, the DPs of both brands is so high that they’re well above the conditions even a Cat 5 hurricane can throw.
However, the long-term durability of ES’ windows is more in question.
Aluminum may be more susceptible to corrosion in Florida’s hot, humid environment during long-term exposure than vinyl is. Especially along the coastline where the window will be exposed to salty ocean air and sand. So, over the course of years, an aluminum window may fail far faster than a vinyl window.
Simonton vs ES Windows: Warranty
Even the best windows from the best manufacturers might occasionally have a defect in them that requires you to make a warranty claim. There might be some issue with the installation or the manufacture of your window that causes an issue.
When these issues occur, you need to be able to count on the warranty that backs your window installation to get the issue resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. Nobody wants to be stuck with a bad window that doesn’t look right or has a gap that lets air and moisture in or out.
ES Windows has a warranty… that it relies on its ‘authorized distributors’ to fulfill. The company’s warranty periods, like many other window manufacturers, varies based on the product.
However, some parts of ES Windows’ warranty terms are highly restrictive. For example, in their own FAQs page, they highlight that “For any missing or damaged parts it must be reported upon delivery and up to 24h after. Delivery makes reference to the Delivery Date to our authorized distributor, not to the final customer.”
This means that if your installer doesn’t notice that there’s a problem with your windows, such as missing pieces or chipped glass, prior to the installation (as they count the time the windows arrived at the distributor’s business, not the installation site), then you might not be able to get warranty coverage.
ES Windows also states that their warranty “makes reference to the replacement of parts and pieces free of charge but does not extend to the installation or onsite replacement of it.” Worse for Florida homeowners, their warranty also states that: “Exposure to salty atmospheres, acid rain, alkaline or other extreme condition(s) is not covered.” Considering that any home within a mile of the coastline is going to be exposed to salty ocean air, this renders ES Window’s warranty null and void.
Compare this to Simonton Windows’ warranty, which is amongst the best in the industry. Each product line has its own specific warranty, which is readily available on the Simonton Windows website.
For example, their StormBreaker Plus line of windows has a lifetime limited warranty for residential customers that covers the vinyl, hardware, and screens of the window, while the glass has a prorated 20-year warranty. Any factory-applied exterior coating has a 10-year warranty.
This warranty is even transferable to another residential owner (one-time transfer), so if you sell your home, the new homeowner will still be covered by it. It covers things like peeling, flaking, chipping, blistering, and corrosion for the applicable warranty period. If they occur, Simonton will supply replacement parts at no charge to the Warranty Holder.
Like with ES Windows, the Simonton Warranty does not cover the cost of labor to replace damaged or defective components. This is why it’s so important to work with a window replacement company that has its own reliable warranty that covers installation work.
Winner: Simonton and it isn’t even close. Simonton makes it easy for claims to process and proactively works with your installer to make warranty work as easy and painless as possible, plus they don’t rely on warranty loopholes that make getting coverage too difficult.
Simonton vs ES Windows: Appearance
The appearance of your windows is an important consideration when choosing any new window. You want your windows to look good and be easy to use.
When comparing color choices, ES windows have a lot of color options for their frames. Their Elite product line features frames in silver, dark gray, bronze, black, or white, and the hardware comes in four colors: bronze, silver, white, and black. Their Prestige line of products has five colors for their ‘duranar’ frames and four woodgrain options, and six hardware finish options.
Compare this to Simonton’s StormBreaker line, which has three frame color options (white, tan, and bronze), three hardware finishes (white, polished brass, and tan).
Based on color options alone, ES has the advantage. However, Simonton also offers a variety of grille patterns to enhance the customization of your windows’ appearance.
Beyond the initial look of the window, it’s also important to consider the long-term durability of the window’s finish. One of the problems with aluminum frames is that the paint on them can chip and peel over time.
Meanwhile, vinyl windows are molded in their color. So, even if they take a scratch, you can count on them to remain beautiful long-term without obvious marks that can be seen from a mile away.
Winner: It’s a toss-up.
For colors, ES Windows’ product line has more options, but Simonton has grille options that ES doesn’t and can even create custom grilles on request. Also, vinyl windows show scratches less obviously than painted aluminum in the long run.
The winner might be a matter of personal preference for you. Whether you like having more color options or would rather have a finish that lasts longer.
Simonton vs ES Windows: The Verdict
So, which is better? Simonton Windows or ES Windows? In our experience, Simonton is far and away the better manufacturer. They know the Florida market, they assemble their windows in the USA rather than in overseas factories, and they’re a reliable partner to installers like Karoly.
There’s a reason why we personally prefer to work with Simonton Windows & Doors versus ES Windows. ES may be the less expensive option much of the time, but Simonton has quality and consistency that make it the better choice for residential use and homeowners who want tough, long-lasting windows.
Need a new impact window from Simonton or another top-quality brand? Karoly Windows & Doors is here to help! Reach out to our team and get a quote for window and door replacement from one of the best window replacement companies in Florida!
