Simonton Prism Platinum Review

• Owned by PlyGem Windows.
• National Manufacturer.
• The Simonton Vantage Point 6500, Reflections 5500 and Prism windows are THE SAME WINDOW.

The Simonton Prism Platinum Window is an all-purpose double hung window has been on the market for a very long time. We at Adams Exteriors sold a ton of these windows in the 90’s and into the 2000’s but for the most part, the window has aged without upgrades. Other manufacturers have developed and produced almost identical windows for a fraction of the cost.. The Simonton Prism Platinum window goes to great lengths to let potential customers know that their product is made with “virgin vinyl” but after a decade of asking, they haven’t been able to tell me why virgin-vinyl is better… or even why it’s significant.

The nice thing about working with the Simonton Prism Platinum window is the delivery time. They are EXTREMELY quick about building and delivering windows. Depending upon when the order is sent to them, they usually can produce the window and deliver it within 7 to 10 days.

Standard Colors

Like many other quality window manufacturers, the Simonton Prism Platinum window is offered in standard white and tan colors. However, unlike many, these windows are also available in the third standard color of “driftwood”. Other manufacturers might call this color “clay”… they’re almost identical. Exterior colors can get a little more creative, although there is obviously a price for this “extra”. Adams Exteriors suggests being extremely cautious about installing dark colored windows. Painted windows are almost always a no-no. Simonton laminates the exterior of their windows and they don’t seem to fear the dark colors that they offer. We’ve seen dark colored windows absorb too much heat and warp but I will say, never specifically the Simonton product. If you decide to take the risk on dark colors like chocolate and bronze, it might make you feel better than Simonton offers one of the most respected warranties on the market. If you ever notice that the dark colors are causing the window to warp, don’t be shy about calling Simonton directly and claiming that warranty.

Simonton is relatively careful about the max width and height of their windows. For this reason, it’s not rare to find situations where Simonton Windows just aren’t an option. They might absolutely refuse to build a window in the size needed. Another problem for Simonton is that they don’t build specialty shapes into opening windows. If you have an opening window that is round on top, you’ll have to install two separate windows… one that opens and a round-top that sits on top of it. When those two windows can be combined into one window, money can almost always be saved. This is not an option with the Simonton Prism Platinum product.

Our history at Adams Exteriors is primarily centered around installation. This is the one factor that isn’t listed in brochures or manufacturer reviews. How a window is built can play a role in how difficult a window is to install. This matters because the installation of your window is half of the deal.  If a window is difficult to install, that increases the chances of it being installed incorrectly. If a window is too rigid, it won’t flex with the natural movement of a home and if the window isn’t rigid enough it will bow out of shape and become impossible to lock. Having said all of that, the Simonton Prism Platinum window is fantastic to install. Even though the window opens from both the top sash and the bottom sash, the frame is rigid enough to keep the window “square”.

There are many dealers who work with the Simonton Prism Platinum window. Home Depot is the only dealer of the Vantage Point 6500 Series but these two windows are exactly the same. If you’ve gotten an estimate that you think is a bit high from Home Depot, get a couple of estimates from local installation companies for the Simonton Prism Platinum. The same window but often a much lower price.  The Simonton Prism Platinum window can usually be purchased and installed for between $450 – $550 per window. Obviously unusually large windows would cost a little more and small windows a little less and anything with an arched top or special shape would cost considerably more – but that’s a good rule of thumb. As with all other manufacturers, anything that can be labeled “specialty” (color, shape, glass, hardware) can increase the average cost of your windows considerably.