(763) 276-7465

Home » Minneapolis Replacement Window Composition Defined

Minneapolis Replacement Window Composition Defined

Ben Juncker
16 January 2015

One of the confusing aspects of researching potential replacement windows, is what materials windows are made of. There are three main categories of windows: Aluminum Clad, Fiberglass, and Vinyl. Each material has different benefits and disadvantages. When determining which window is best for your home, what the window is made of should be one of the first decisions made.

Fiberglass Windows

Beechworth Product Photo Low Res Double hung prairie SDLs straight exterior — Fiberglass Exterior

Beechworth Product Photo Low Res Double hung interior colonial — Fiberglass Real Wood Interior

Fiberg

Advantages

Fiberglass is dimensionally stable – Won’t expand and contract
Real Wood Interior
Very Energy Efficient
Stronger than vinyl and aluminum
Extremely Hail Resistant

Aluminum Clad Windows

Vinyl Windows

VinylInterior — Interior of a Vinyl Window

VinylExterior — Exterior of a Vinyl Window

Vinyl windows are the most popular window right now for one reason – price!! Vinyl windows are quite energy efficient. One of the main disavantages of vinyl windows is the look. While some manufacturers do have a “faux” wood finish, it doesn’t look very good most of the time. So if you don’t want white or beige on the inside of your home, vinyl probably isn’t for you. Another drawback to vinyl is that it is not as strong as fiberglass or aluminum. In our extreme climate, vinyl is always expanding and contracting, which can lead to problems down the road.

If you would like us to come and take a look at your project, please call 763.276.7465 or fill out the form at our Contact Us page. Along with your windows, we also install James Hardie Siding, GAF roofing, and Azek decking.

Ben Juncker

Author

When Ben Juncker was sitting in his high school career planning class, siding installer was not on his list of potential career paths. As with most people in the construction industry, certain questionable life choices led to a point where they were wearing a tool belt, working with their hands. His path started just this way and he would not change a thing. Those early years in his business of scraping and clawing their way to profitability and stability, have helped him to build a culture of hard work and perseverance at Craftsman’s Choice. Ben started his company in 1998 and they installed their first James Hardie job in 2000. Since that time Craftsman’s Choice has become one of the nation’s top James Hardie Remodelers. They have won James Hardie’s prestigious President’s Club award every year since it’s inception in 2015.

Remodeling Services

What Causes Siding to Fade and How Can I Fix It?

Is James Hardie Siding Worth The Investment?

How Long Does It Take to Install a New Roof?

You Take Pride in Your Home. We Take Pride in Our Work.

Let's Create Something Awesome Together!

We Wrote The Book on Minnesota Siding

Craftsman’s Choice is Minnesota’s leading expert on exterior home siding. We are also one of the largest James Hardie siding installers in the nation. We wrote this book specifically for Minnesota homeowners like you, so that you can understand the pros and cons of today’s siding material options. After you read our siding guide, you will become an educated buyer and will be ensured to get the best possible outcome for your home and budget. Contact us today and get a free PDF download of our Amazon #1 bestselling book!

COMPANY INFO

REMODELING SERVICES

PROJECT GALLERY

Neighborhoods & Cities

Siding Type

Special Features

Craftsman’s Choice
5680 Quam Ave NE a,
St Michael, MN 55376
Phone: (763) 276-7465

contractor marketing by: kcwebdesigner.com & theguerrilla.agency

Google Rating

4.9

Based on 156 reviews

Craftsman's Choice, Inc.

4.9

review us on See all reviews

Rick Lackner

1713308566

Elmore was great! Very satisfied with the project!

Katie

1712947553

Brynne Nelson

1712681181

As returning customers of Craftsman's Choice, we can confidently say they continue to exceed our expectations with their exceptional service and high quality products. From the initial consultation to the final installation, every step of the process has been seamless and professional.We own an 110 year old home, and our top priority was keeping the charm and character all while giving the place a much needed facelift. The team at Craftsman's Choice understood and shared our love for our old home, so we knew it was in the best of hands!The team at Craftsman's Choice is not only knowledgeable but also incredibly friendly and accommodating. They took the time to understand our needs and preferences, providing valuable recommendations along the way. Their attention to detail is truly commendable, ensuring that every aspect of the project is executed flawlessly. It was so refreshing to work with a company that truly cares about their customers!The quality of products was very important to us when beginning our project, and it's safe to say that we were not disappointed. We were working on a budget and the team worked with us to find which options were the best fit for our situation. At every price level, the quality met all expectations and then some. So, not only did we enhanced the aesthetics of our home, we enhanced the quality which was equally as important to us.Craftsman's choice went above and beyond to ensure that we were happy with the results, addressing any concerns promptly and efficiently. Their dedication to excellence is evident in every interaction, making them our first choice for all siding and window needs.We cannot thank and recommend Craftsman's Choice enough!

Inga Borggreve

1709926279

Super meticulous crew:Perfectionist installation and cleaned up every day.

Garrett Juncker

1709218499

Scott Rousseau

1707436197

Craftman's choice put James Hardy siding on our home over 20 years ago. I called them over a concern with the siding chipping away by our deck. They had installed it according to Hardy's instructions, but Hardy updated the method of installation because of this issue. Craftsman's choice stuck to thier word and honored thier warranty. They came out and fixed it for me! This is a company with integrity that you just don't find anymore!

Carol Berde

1707338576

I can’t say enough good things about this company ! Workmanship is amazing, but communication is also important and we are very impressed with everyone !

Anslem Goonetilleke

1705492551

One of the best after Sales Service by Craftsman's Choice

Susan Mayer

1701886896

The whole process of refurbishing our deck was fabulous! From the estimate to the finished product there was exceptional customer service. The people at Craftsman's Choice are friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. The craftsman that did the deck work were courteous, neat, clean and tidy. They were also extremely fastidious about making sure the installation was perfect. Craftsman's Choice also put Hardie Board siding on our house years ago and with the professional installation and top of the line product, it still looks like new. I LOVE this company! In my opinion, get a quote and design from Craftsman's Choice and there is no need to shop further.

Emilie Bowman

1701368300

Ben and team have been an absolute pleasure to work with. Highly recommend them if you're looking for a contractor in the MN area!

Alison Warford

1700514810

Ben and his crew were great to work with. Ben showed an appreciation for the details of an old house and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome! As expected when working on a 100 year old house, there were some surprises along the way, but the communication was excellent, the workers professional, and things were done when they were supposed to be done. HIGHLY recommend!

Laura Johnson

1700511816

We went through a different contractor for new windows in 2021. We had nothing but issues with them and even had water coming in this fall. I was referred to Craftsman's Choice to fix this issue since I was sick & tired of dealing with the other company.The owner himself came out to take a look at the problem and we got it fixed today! I'm so grateful for this headache to be over & having a fix that I know I can trust. I will for sure be returning to Craftsman's Choice when we are ready to do more window replacements.

Caleb Wilson

1698777622

Excellent customer service and professional work. Will definitely hire again. They replaced my siding, roof, garage door, and windows. Highly recommend.

Rebecca Schulz

1694299806

Ryan came by to fix my roof, he was very professional and courteous. Definitely went the extra mile to make sure things were done correctly. I would definitely recommend them.

Charles Funderburk

1693745529

A hailstorm went through the area and several roofers came by and said I had damage. They did not get on the roof. I called Craftsman’s Choice and asked them to come out. They have always done excellent work for me in the past(siding, windows, and deck). They did a complete roof inspection and said that no new roof was needed.Thank you Craftsman’s ChoiceChuck FunderburkApple Valley

PAULA CRIDER

1692723581

could not be happierhe did an excellent jobthe service was exceptional!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erik Hutchinson

1692401040

Craftsman's Choice has done it again. Several years back, the Craftsman's Choice crew did an excellent job re-siding our home with Hardie Siding and helping with the design we were after. Just recently, Phil LaFond and his team did a fantastic Hardie Siding repair on the side of the house where an old furnace/AC unit existed. They matched the color and styling beautifully. My wife and I can't be more happy with the repair completed.Thank you again Craftsman's Choice for doing excellent work and being very responsive to my concerns and questions.

Tommy E

1688075763

We worked with Craftsman's Choice about three years ago to replace the siding on our house and, at the time, we were very pleased with the work. Fast forward to about a month ago, we had our air conditioner replaced and the company doing the work accidentally broke a siding board. We called Craftsman's Choice only to ask them how we could order a replacement board thinking that we would just install the new board ourselves. To our very pleasant surprise, they told us that not only would they order the new board for us, but that they would install it for us. The whole process was very quick and the level of service far surpassed our expectations. Thank you so much and we can't say enough how much we appreciate your efforts to go above and beyond!

Richard Woodland

1686089505

Craftsman's Choice installed James Hardie siding, soffits, gutters a new entry, a screen porch, and 9 new windows in 2009. When I decided to get 16 more windows there was no question who I wanted to the job. They used Marvin windows with nailing flanges not insert windows. The windows are fiberglass on the outside and wood on the inside and the wood and trim was a match to the woodwork in the house. They did all the finish work inside and outside the house. It is a beautiful job. The Installer Lee did a great job and was great to work with.

Bill Schultz

1685479077

Ben from Craftsman's Choice, Inc. provided professional consulting regarding a siding issue I'm experiencing caused by the insulation building practices the original builder used back in 2000 in the rim joist area which adversely affected how the siding lies against the sheathing. Ben is very experienced and knowledgeable and went above and beyond to get me educated and comfortable with the problem explanation and process to remedy once I'm ready.

Jay Hahn

1684416943

Mike Anderson

1683921200

Four years ago I needed to replace the siding on my house, and after meeting with several companies I decided to go with Craftsman's Choice. I was not disappointed with the results. They were prompt, professional, and did a wonderful job replacing the siding on my home. To this day it looks fantastic and I take great comfort in knowing that I will have no issues with the siding for decades to come due to the quality of their work.Recently I had an issue with a leak in one of the vents on my roof. Though the roof and vent were not installed by them (the roof was installed by a different company by the previous owner of the house) I decided to call Craftsman's Choice to get some advice on how to address my issue. Once again they were prompt, professional, and knew exactly what I needed. They didn't try to oversell me on anything. (I believe the exact quote was "While I'd love to sell you a new roof, your roof is in good shape and you just don't need a replacement right now.") They took care of the vent issue, kept me updated on the timeline, communicated when the project was going on, and shared photos of the before, during and after they replaced and fixed what wasn't working.Craftsman's Choice's upfront honesty and quality of work in both of these project is why I not only put five stars on this review, but recommend them when people are looking for a siding or roofing company. If I need a new roof in the future, or have any other housing projects that they cover, I know they are going to be the people that I call.

Keith LaClaire

1682869948

Best group on earth. Especially Keith. He's so smart and really handsome.

Craig Koester

1682526884

Craftsman's Choice is very professional. For roofing repair they tell you clearly what is needed and also let you know what is not needed. Their approach is refreshing and allows you to make informed decisions about the project. They are prompt, courteous, and service oriented.

William McClaren

1682348715

We were clients in 2021-2022 for whole-house siding (Hardie and cedar Shou Sugi Ban plank) and roofing (asphalt shingle and raised-seam metal), along with exterior painting, new gutters, soffits and fascia, a new front door, and construction of a portico with coordinated window surrounds on the facade. We were very happy with the entire process from start to finish, and we always felt that our project was in good hands. Each person we encountered, from information and sales representatives to office-based personnel, to the on-site teams, was friendly, responsive and professional. CC was attentive to details and also willing to be flexible and creative as we finalized the design aspects of the project. They educated us about the technical considerations of various products and their installation and maintenance. Forecasting and timelines were realistic, and so was their problem-solving when the inevitable little speed bumps popped up along the way. We feel that CC provided great service, pricing, and value. We continue to recommend Craftsman's Choice to family, friends and neighbors.

Margo Crook

1679948811

Craftsman’s Choice is aptly named. The three craftsmen that worked on my door installation were professional and skillful workers. They took great care in their with work as if it was their own home. I will definitely use Craftsman’s Choice in the future. I am very pleased with my beautiful new doors.

Jim Olson

1678303239

Ben and Crew put Hardie Siding on my house and storage shed and did a fantastic job.I couldn't be more pleased.

Gary Knafla

1677969957

Craftsman's Choice resided the house with James Hardy board. They did an excellent job and were easy to work with during the entire project.

Andrew Winde

1677871788

Very knowledgeable contact and accomodating, Thank you

david reinking

1677273705

Craftsman's Choice is our 'security blanket', full-service contractor. We've trusted Ben and his team twice with our home's exterior and again recently for a ridge vent installed on our garage. From the materials to the installers - Craftsman's Choice is simply the best contractor we've ever worked with -Period.

Mike Abram

1675206789

Highly Recommend .We had Craftman’s Choice replace our roof after a hail storm. They took care of everything from start to finish and did a professional and quality job. No debris left in yard, no clean-up left for me to do.I had an insurance company that dragged their feet, and Craftman’s Choice and Matt (owner) were excellent in working with me and being patient with the situation. You can tell a lot about a company when something goes wrong with them getting paid, and they handled it gracefully and professionally. I’d work with them again.

Ryan

1674507916

I live in NY and called Craftsman's Choice to inquire about the finish details of a project posted to their website. Chris not only humored this request but took the time to look through old work orders to answer my questions. To do all that for someone who geographically can't be your customer says a lot; I can only imagine how responsive they must be to their customers. If you ever expand east, let me know!

John Santjer

1674009188

Craftsman’s Choice does great work, operate with professional and skilled teams and provide outstanding service. You don’t have to worry or wonder if the job will be finished correctly and to a high standard. I would highly recommend them, and have referred them to several neighbors and friends.

Travis McDaniels

1673543871

If in Minnesota this is your go to contractor.I have used them for siding, roof, garage and windows. I must say they are they are the best. They are truly amazing and stand by their work.They will walk you through the details of the project and make it as smooth as possible.Awesome staff and crews. I would definitely recommend this place if you’re in the need of any home improvement projects.I had James Hardie siding installed with a new garage door, all new windows and patio door and a roof installed by craftsman. The work was top notch.

Eric Anderton

1673284116

Ben is a high-integrity leader who cares about his employees and customers. This drives him to provide excellent, high-value service for every project his company works on. Highly recommend!

James Larson

1669238811

I choose Craftsman’s Choice for residing my house based on their responsiveness to my input and questions, their through explanation of all of James Hardie’s product choices, their flexibility on scheduling, their commitment to complete job before moving on, their provision of list of customer addresses and colors used, reviews, their price and one page contract form that included all possible choices, their ability to make and repair porticos, help with color choices, and their status as a James Hardie Preferred Elite installer.Mike was a great sales person who was very good at helping me work through the many options. There is much more involved in residing a house than you might expect. I wanted to have my jog done during the winter to minimize damage to my gardens and shrubbery. Very cold winter weather delayed start time but they were able to begin towards the end of March 2022. With a six-person crew, they were able to complete the job within one week.The crew did a great job. They were real experts who were highly skilled and knew the right way to do the job. Re-painting trim work had to be delayed until temperatures were above 40 degrees. This is something they do that other contractors might not. They do it because factory painted white trim tends to get smudged during installation and to cover nail heads. I have almost always been disappointed by the work of painting contractors but the painters who did my job did a great job. Clean up was good but be aware that clean up in winter time will leave some nails and debris buried in snow/ice. Work also involved redoing the support brackets and ceiling for the portico over my back door. I provided a bracket design that I had seen online and their shop was able to replicate in 4” x 4” solid cedar at a reasonable price. The underside of the portico roof was relined with tongue-in-groove cedar in place of the previous aluminum cladding.Communication throughout the process was excellent. Mike always got back to me promptly for the sales part of the process as did the project manager, Jeff. I am really happy that I chose Craftsman’s Choice for my house residing project. I am delighted with the way things turned out and with their friendly and helpful staff. Kudos to all.

SUSAN MORGAN KELLY

1669195451

I highly recommend this company, they are very professional, knowledgeable and trustworthy!

Thomas Hanson

1667926653

Craftsmen's Choice previously installed all our Hardy Board trim and siding. Amazingly accurate, artistic work. The entire neighborhood comments on the amazing job done.Since then, we hired another door company (not Craftmens Choice) to install heavy exterior side and rear doors with the written agreement including reinstalling our storm doors as well. It took about a year for the doors with the order being too long, swinging the wrong way, then more than 6 months of start stop start stop installation dates with a general refusal to communicate with us. It finished with no storm doors reinstalled, threats by that other company to get us to pay up without the storm doors, and the Attorney Generals office attempting to mediate.We contacted Craftmens Choice to see if they could reinstall the storm doors the other company refused to do.The answer was, "yes." Elmore arrived, listened to our concerns and did an expert job not only reinstalling the rear storm door, but also readjusted the front storm door as it was not hung with the Hardy Board siding by yet another person. We now have exactly what we needed just before Winter comes upon us.Even after a few years passed, Craftsmens Choice treated like we just left off the great customer relationship we had before and were amazing again.The work, the responsiveness, the customer service were not inly excel,but covered for another Window/ Door Install company in all those ways. We ate grateful.

Kimberly Sinjem

1666639656

They did great work! Very professional and knowledgeable. Would definitely use them again!

Aron Hill

1665774431

Great Company. We originally reached out to Craftman's Choice after seeing their State Fair display Ben took the time to understand our situation regarding an insurance exterior siding job that was underway. He provided very helpful information on what to expect and what to look for in proper Hardy installation. We learned a lot, James Hardy siding is a fantastic product but must be installed properly. Many companies install James Hardy siding but not all companies correctly install James Hardy products. The shear willingness to help us understand more about the benefits and installation processes with James Hardie speaks volumes about Craftsman's Choice and their concern for the customer experience and satisfaction.

LIsa F

1665697852

Removed old wood siding and removed dated brick. They added spray foam insulation, Hardie siding, and natural stone, new lighting fixtures, and lights in the soffit above the garage. Replaced gutters, posts, fascia, eaves, and added a large window over the front door.We met with two other company’s besides Craftsman’s Choice. The other two knew less about installing Hardie siding than I did.Ryan was amazing to work with! Every detail was taken care of and resolved effortlessly.We couldn’t be happier with their craftsmanship. Our house looks stunning. Every contractor including the electrician was top notch.Any concerns that came up after the project was finished was handled promptly.We have nothing but good things to say about Craftsman’s Choice!

Eric Larson

1665589093

We've worked with Ben and his team for years, here at Fox Hollow Golf Club. We always appreciate their professionalism and organization, and most importantly for us, the good pace they maintain while they're here at the club. I'd recommend Craftsman's Choice without hesitation.

Todd Tarvestad

1665147303

They took care of everything. The work was quick and clean. I would highly recommend them.

Mike Goldstein

1664462279

If you are living anywhere in the great state of Minnesota and in need of home improvement, especially siding work, I don't know of any better contractor than Craftsman's Choice and working with Ben. Their reputation for excellence is well earned.

Randall Boom

1663384762

They were very helpful in finding the correct window that was very high quality while fitting my budget. Very professional and polite crews. I would recommend them for any exterior projects.

Adam Seitz

1662764103

J Alvin

1662662325

The name Craftsmans Choice is an aptly named company. They are first rate in material quality siding and craftsmanship. I had my siding replaced by them 12 years ago and it still looks as fresh and new as if it had been completed last week. Always courteous and professional in every aspect of their business. Highly recommend them!

Jeff Loher

1661443369

Fantastic job! Holding up for many years and standing behind their work!

Bridget M

1660767554

Thank you Craftsman's Choice for the much needed update to our home! Working with Craftsman's Choice was a very easy process right from the start. The workers on site were very friendly and had a very clean work area. Quality work done by all!

(763) 276-7465

Blog

Minneapolis Replacement Window Composition Defined

Table of Contents

Fiberglass Windows

Aluminum Clad Windows

Vinyl Windows

Ben Juncker

Author

What Causes Siding to Fade and How Can I Fix It?

Is James Hardie Siding Worth The Investment?

How Long Does It Take to Install a New Roof?

Popular Topics

We Wrote The Book on Minnesota Siding

(763) 276-7465

Blog

Minneapolis Replacement Window Composition Defined

Table of Contents

Fiberglass Windows

Aluminum Clad Windows

Vinyl Windows

Ben Juncker

Author

What Causes Siding to Fade and How Can I Fix It?

Is James Hardie Siding Worth The Investment?

How Long Does It Take to Install a New Roof?

Popular Topics

Tags

We Wrote The Book on Minnesota Siding