Plastic and Wood-Aluminum Windows - Recognizing Quality

So, we spontaneously decided yesterday to also visit the third show house of our preferred home builder. It was a good decision because here the wood-aluminum windows were actually installed and even white on the inside, just as we originally WANTED.

Please take a look at this, I have to say that the quality didn’t exactly blow us away. The aluminum cover strips somehow don’t seem to be really “welded,” but there isn’t much of a gap either. The house was built in 2012, of course that’s already 9 years ago, but I actually plan to live in my house longer. Some of the handles were even a bit loose. Cracks were also visible at the corners inside :eek:. That wouldn’t bother us (since we decided yesterday to have the windows black both inside and outside (not anthracite)), but if that was more of a sign of “not good,” that would be very unfortunate.

We also asked the seller there who the manufacturer of the windows is. So the wood-aluminum windows come from a smaller company from the region of the home builder called “Fenster Braun.” Maybe someone knows this brand? Unfortunately, you won’t find much information on their homepage :confused:. The plastic windows come from a company not far from the home builder called “Gugelfuss,” their homepage is designed a bit more stylish but that doesn’t mean much at first.

I don’t know either company, so I would be grateful for your feedback here as well.

We still tend to prefer the wood-aluminum windows (which maybe won’t be as affected by the desired black color over time!?), but as already written in the initial post, this is not really justifiable.

Honestly, I wouldn't focus so much on the show homes; they are often not even from the manufacturer who is working there, especially in show home parks. Do you have the opportunity to visit construction sites of your preferred building companies?

Difficult, I could ask if they offer customer houses for viewing. Our favorite is not so strongly represented here in the area (near Stuttgart) and only builds around 100 houses per year.

Why do you think those are not their houses? I would find that a bit harsh...

So, yesterday we spontaneously decided to also visit the third show house of our favorite home builder. It was a good decision, as here the wood-aluminum windows were actually installed and even white on the inside, just as we originally WANTED. [...] We still tend to prefer the wood-aluminum windows (which maybe also don’t mind the desired black color for a longer time!?),

How does the change from white to black happen so quickly? - Pussi, uh, Mr. Winkelmann recommends a fresh stone gray :)

Please take a look at this, I have to say the quality didn’t really blow us away now. The aluminum cover strips don’t seem to be really “welded,” but there’s not much gap there either.
The house was built in 2012, sure it’s already 9 years old, but actually I plan to live longer in my house. Even the handles were a bit wobbly in some places.

The windows look pretty decent. Of course the handles wobble after nine years if even every twentieth dachshund wants to test the quality. Show houses simply get more “visitors” than the rest of us.

We also asked the seller there who the manufacturer of the windows is. So the wood-aluminum windows come from a smaller company from the home builder’s region called “Fenster Braun.” Does anyone perhaps know this brand? Unfortunately, you can’t find much info on their homepage :confused:. The plastic windows come from a company not far from the home builder called “Gugelfuss”; their homepage looks a bit fancier, but that doesn’t mean much for now.
I don’t know either company, so I’d be grateful for your feedback here.

Most window manufacturers don’t have their own production (and conversely, we would have been better off not doing direct consumer business as a manufacturer back then). In automotive manufacturing, this is called “badge engineering,” when you just slap your brand stickers on a product bought ready-made. All the fuss about ISO, RAL, and Rosenheim certification is not economically feasible for a small business. So it’s usually Schüco, Kömmerling, or the like inside if “unknown brand” is on the label. If the same window manufacturer still supplies your favorite today, they probably aren’t bad.

Why do you think these aren’t their houses? I’d find that a bit harsh…

I already explained that in “When Show Houses Lie”:

Stand locations at show house exhibitions of several providers are not plots of land but are more like trade show booths in nature. If a house provider closes their business fully or at least their representation at this location, the corresponding show houses are often not torn down but leased by the trade show operator to another provider.

But a supplier can also change without any indication in the show house. The construction service description often lists a specific manufacturer with the note “or equivalent,” after all.

We still tend to prefer the wood-aluminum windows (which maybe don't mind the desired black color for a longer time!?), but as already stated in the original post, this can't really be justified.

Then just take those! If you choose other windows now, you'll regret it - no matter which is of higher quality. Quality is very subjective, and usually, you install what you can afford and what you trust. Windows from brand manufacturers are always a good solution: they all work. Handles can be replaced, readjusted... the locks and catches as well. Anyway: take what you can afford and what you trust!

How does the change go straight from white to black? - Pussi, uh, Mr. Winkelmann recommends a fresh stone gray

You speak in riddles as often… Winkelmann? Fresh stone gray? Deep black, because we imagined black accents a long time ago (fittings, railings, etc.). Since we have a lot of white and rather little decoration, black windows probably wouldn’t be very oppressive, more likely the right contrast (presumably)!? With black, you (hopefully) also don’t see the cracks so easily :-). Venetian blinds are also planned in black (as said, not anthracite).

The windows look quite neat.

That actually makes me really happy!! Did you look at all the pictures? The cracks in the white corners? The brand of the fittings? Is all that any good?

Then just take them!

Thanks! Your encouragement feels unbelievably good, considering all the decisions we (one) have to make. I think if something here were completely out of line, there would also be a justified objection!?