Ply Gem is a part of Cornerstone Building Brands, a leading provider of exterior building products. The company has been in business for more than 75 years and is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina.
The company primarily does business with builders and developers, but they also work with homeowners. Through their website, you can view their windows and even find a professional installer for your windows. Ply Gem provides windows for both new builds and for replacements in existing homes.
Types of Windows from Ply Gem
Single Hung
Ply Gem offers a wide range of window types to meet every need and architectural style:
- Single Hung
- Double Hung
- Slider
- Casement
- Bay or Bow
- Awning Windows
- Geometric
- Garden
- Picture
Under each category, buyers have even more options for energy efficiency, style and materials.
Windows Series
Ply Gem has different windows series to choose from:
MIRA Series
MIRA windows come in 46 colors, allowing you to make a statement. The solid wood interior can be painted or stained to complement the home’s interior.
The high-performing lass packages available through MIRA can help lower your energy costs while reducing noise. Choose from obscure or tinted glass.
MIRA glass options include:
- Impact rated
- Laminated
- Noise reduction
- Low-E
- Tempered
These high-performing windows have a clear Low-E coating that helps improve energy efficiency. High Performance glass also contains Argon gas to improve insulation protection.
- Laminated glass has a durable layer of PVB to improve your home’s security.
- Acoustic glass helps reduce outside noise by up to 50%.
- Low-E or laminated glass also help prevent fading caused by UV rays.
- Textured glass options enhance privacy while still allowing sunlight to pour through.
MIRA windows can be purchased Energy Star certified for any location.
200 Series
The 200 Series is made of wood composite. These windows have a cellular PVC brickmould and frame as well as an exterior primed sash. The exterior is durable enough to stand up to harsh weather conditions and only requires minimal maintenance.
Glass options include:
- Obscure and tinted options for added privacy
- Low-E package, which includes warm edge spacers to improve energy efficiency and prevent fading from UV rays
- High performance (HP) glass with Argon gas to improve energy efficiency
- Can be Energy Star certified for any location
300 Series
Available in wood composite, windows in the 300 Series have cellular PVC exteriors and interiors.
Glass options include:
- Low-E glass for improved energy performance and to reduce fading
- High Performance glass with Argon gas to improve thermal efficiency
- Energy Star certification available for all climate zones
400 Series
Cellular PVC and wood-composite come together in the 400 Series of windows. Obscure and tinted glass options are available as well as:
- Low-E package
- High Performance glass option
- Energy Star certification in all locations
Classic Series
The Classic Series of windows are made with multi-chambered vinyl. Different glass options can help meet your solar, privacy and security needs.
Classic windows can be purchased in bronze tint, tinted and textured obscure glass.
Glass options include:
- Low-E glass
- High Performance glass
- Energy Star certification
- Laminated glass
1500 Series
The 1500 Series windows are made with vinyl and come in classic colors to match your home’s look. Interlocking components further help block wind and rain. Obscure and rain texture options increase privacy while still allowing sunlight through.
Glass options include:
- Low-E for improved energy efficiency and to prevent fading.
- High Performance glass with Argon gas between the panes for added thermal efficiency.
- Energy Star certification for every location.
- Acoustic glass packages to reduce noise.
1100 Series
With custom sizing available, the 1100 Series is constructed with durable vinyl. These windows are energy efficient, and a variety of jamb extensions make installation quicker and easier.
Glass options include:
- Tinted and obscure texture for privacy
- Low-E glass packages
- High Performance glass available
- Energy Star certification
- Acoustic glass to reduce sound
5000 Series
The 5000 Series windows are durable and energy efficient. Several jamb options are available to match your home up to nine inches deep.
Glass options include:
- Low-E packages
- High Performance packages
- Energy Star certification available
- Tempered glass option
- Laminated glass
West Pro Series 700
These windows have an extended frame depth for added durability and strength. Several frame options and colors are available.
Glass options include:
- Obscure, rain, glue chip obscure and tinted texture options
- Low-E glass packages
- High Performance glass packages
- HPMax triple-pane glass
- Energy Star certification available
- Laminated glass with PVB interlayer
Premium Series
Created with rigid PVC vinyl, the Premium Series has standard R-Core insulation, which is the same insulation used in freezer and refrigerator doors. These windows also have other advanced features and options, like:
- Fiberglass reinforcement
- Heavy-duty weatherstripping
- Interlocking components
- V-groove cut glass
- Designer glass
- Tinted, glue chip obscure, obscure texture
- Low-E glass packages
- High performance glass option
- Acoustic package for noise reduction
- HPMax triple-pane glass
Pro Series
Energy efficient and made of vinyl, the Pro Series is designed for optimal thermal efficiency.
Glass options for this series include:
- Obscure, tinted and glue chip obscure texture for privacy
- Low-E packages for energy efficiency and to prevent fading
- Acoustic package to reduce noise
- Energy Star certification available
Ply Gem Windows Warranties
Ply Gem stands by their products. All of their windows are backed by warranties, but warranty terms and lengths vary with each product. Detailed warranty information for each series and window can be found on the Ply Gem website.
As a general rule of thumb, vinyl components are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, glass defects by a one-year warranty and insulated glass units by a 20-year warranty.
Are Ply Gem Windows Good?
If you’re building a new home or looking to replace the windows in your home, you want to make sure that you’re making a good investment.
Ply Gem windows offer good quality for the money. They are backed by a decent warranty. They cannot be compared to high-end windows, but there are a variety of options, styles and colors to choose from.
When given the option, homeowners should steer clear of any windows offered by Ply Gem (or any other window company) designed for contractors. These are usually low-end windows. Premium and Pro Series windows are of higher quality. They come at a higher price point, but the cost is worth the peace of mind that you have higher quality windows.
Most Ply Gem windows reviews are positive. Some customers have issues with the windows being difficult to open and close, but these comments are rare. No window company is perfect, so some customers are bound to have issues.
Overall, Ply Gem windows are a good buy if you’re looking for affordable windows for your home.
