Alside Mezzo windows are designed to be a middle of the road option and they accomplish that goal. In fact, Mezzo means medium in Italian so it seems they were shooting for the middle when designing the Mezzo model.
This newly designed window addresses many of the shortcomings of the (now discontinued) Alside Excalibur window.
Disclaimer: We do occasioanlly offer Alside windows and other higher end windows (almost) nationwide either for you to install yourself or with professional installation. We do it all with no in-home salespeople. Details here.
While the Alside Mezzo windows use a newer design than many of their competitors, Alside has been around for quite a while. They’re a large US manufacturer. They have 5 US window manufacturing plants and their products are very widely distributed.
Advantages to Alside Mezzo windows
- Slim frames to maximize light
- Low air infiltration rates for a tight seal
- Many color options available
- Lifetime warranty backed by large manufacturer
- Can qualify for federal tax credit
As you can see in the picture below, the Alside Mezzo windows have a slim frame to maximize the glass area. This is a factor we’ve repeatedly mentioned in our replacement window reviews. This is an important factor that is often overlooked by consumers.
In comparison, many other replacement windows will use thicker frames. This means the thicker window will provide less glass area in the same opening. That is something that is very important to many window shoppers.
The Alside Mezzo window is designed to be the workhorse of their replacement window line. It will likely become the most popular window they offer.
What are the Mezzo color options?
Like just about all vinyl replacement windows the Alside Mezzo window is custom made. As a result, the range of available options is pretty substantial.
They currently offer 13 exterior colors and 9 interior color options.
All combinations of interior and exterior colors are not available. It’s also important to note that far fewer colors are available in the west coast Mezzo model. You’ll want to talk to your salesperson about the options before you fall in love with an option that doesn’t exist.
They’ve recently added a black exterior option as that has become increasingly popular. The exterior color options do come with an additional cost and they look beautiful.
High quality screens
Alside has always offered a very high quality screen standard with their windows and they’ve continued that with the Mezzo. As you can see below, the screen is made of heavy duty extruded aluminum. In addition, the spline is on the inside to keep it out of the sun. The result is a screen that is more durable and better looking than most.
How about energy efficiency?
The Alside Mezzo window can produce pretty solid ratings for a double hung window. They are in line with other recently designed double pane windows and a solid step above previous generation products. For example, the Alside Mezzo window can meet or exceed the Energy Star guidelines. They can do this in all regions of the country with double pane glass.
As time has gone on these windows are still available to meet or exceed current energy star most efficient guidelines.
Do Mezzo windows qualify for federal tax credits?
Yes, they can. In order to qualify you’ll need to order windows with the Climatech PriME glass package. While the capitalization they use is ridiculous these packages are very efficient and will qualify for tax credits in most cases.
The PriME packages will be triple pane glass packages and they’re some of the most efficient options on the market. We commonly recommend these packages. We’ve written about the advantages of double pane vs triple pane glass here.
Alside Mezzo windows warranty
Newer vinyl replacement windows tend to come with pretty solid warranties and the Alside Mezzo windows are no exception. The Mezzo lifetime warranty is pretty robust and it is transferable to the next owner.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you get a written installation warranty from whoever is installing the windows. Alside, like almost all manufacturers, covers the windows and manufacturing defects. This means they DO NOT cover the installations unless ordered through the manufacturers installation program.
The basics of the Mezzo window are very good. They cover the windows for as long as you own and live in the house. The warranty covers seal failures (the most common warranty issue) along with the frames, the hardware, etc.
If you have Alside Mezzo windows and you’d like to file a warranty claim you can do that here. They’ll want basic info about your windows and your house. in my experience they handle the warranty process pretty well. If you have any trouble with your warranty or the warranty process post a comment below.
If you’re interested in ordering the Mezzo windows online we can help you with that here. We’ll send prices and info by email with no pushy in-home salesman.
Alside Mezzo windows cost
The retail price of Alside Mezzo windows depends on the company that is selling them. Alside distributes these windows through an extremely large network of independent dealers. They will each set their own retail pricing. Typical costs for windows like this would be in the range of $600-8000 depending on the options and colors chosen. Typical installation for Alside Mezzo windows would run in the range of $200-300.
Some companies do try to charge quite a bit more for these products so remember to shop around if you’re unsure. There is really no reason to pay more than $1500-2000 for a typical vinyl replacement window. For example a basic white custom made double hung window with professional installation can typically be found for around $900-1200.
We do hear from readers who have received quotes for quite a bit more. It may surprise you to learn there are companies out there charging pretty ridiculous prices for windows. One easy way to make sure you’re getting a reasonable quote is to talk with our recommended companies. You can also get a window quote review here.
Why you should never buy Alside Mezzo windows?
You’ll find there is always a competitor who will tell you why another other than what he’s selling is horrible. This is true no matter what window mode you’re considering. Here we’ll look a what the competitor will probably say (and why he’s wrong).
First, they may say Alside windows are “builder grade” or “contractor grade” or anything else along those lines. You should know this terminology is completely made up. It’s just fake. Anyone who uses terms like this is just messing with you.
Next, they may say that Mezzo windows use fuzzy pads to achieve good air infiltration rates. This is also nonsense. The Mezzo windows do achieve good air infiltration rates and that’s because they provide a good seal.
Competitors used to use air infiltration rates to justify their high prices and that’s changed a little bit as more and more windows offer better ratings. If you’re hearing this story you’re hearing from a salesperson who is desperate to make his commission.
Finally, you might hear that the Alside window frames are too thin or aren’t strong enough. This is also not really based in reality. Slim frames are generally a feature as they can allow for more glass area than a similar window with a thicker frame.
The guy selling the windows with thick frames needs to tell you something so he’ll usually talk about strength. Remember, you could take all of the windows out of your house and it wouldn’t fall over. The windows aren’t holding up the house.
They need to be strong enough to make sure the windows perform well and they’re tested to meet certain window and rain ratings. The windows all meet or exceed all common ratings so there’s no need to worry about strength, it’s just a distraction.
Problems with the Alside Mezzo windows?
One problem we see is the continued use of the constant force or coil balance system. This is in line with the workhorse nature of this product as it’s not designed to be the very top of the line (mezzo means middle in Italian). The constant force balances are a less expensive option so they do contribute to the competitiveness of the pricing. At the end of the day it’s not the option we would typically pick.
It’s clear they were not trying to make a top of the line product when designing the Mezzo window. That’s ok because many people want a product that is good, but not too expensive. The Mezzo window can fit that bill.
In addition, Alside has had a reputation for questionable quality control at times. Some of this talk is driven by competitors or those companies that offer competing products, but some of it is real. Alside tells us they have invested in new manufacturing equipment for the new Alside Mezzo windows so only time will tell if these past issues have been corrected.
What’s the biggest problem?
The biggest problem with Alside windows is the fact that they sell them through any “contractor” who wants to sell them. Other manufacturers are more discriminating, only selling to reputable and well established companies. Alside windows are sold by almost anyone which means the friendly guy offering these windows might not really know what he’s doing.
We see customers having problems with Mezzo windows that aren’t really window problems at all. They’re installation problems, and sometimes the customer doesn’t even know it.
If you’re considering buying windows from a handyman or a jack of all trades type of operation you might want to reconsider. Buying windows from a company that specializes in windows will be a much better solution.
Luckily, we have a listing of our recommended window companies all over the country right here.
Other posts relating to Alside windows and doors that you might find helpful:
- Can you buy Alside windows online?
- Alside sliding patio door reviews
- Alside Ultramaxx and Sheffield windows reviews (now discontinued)
- Climatech glass packages and efficiency options explained
- Recommended contractors or installers
Disclosure: Our company has never offered Alside windows in the past. With the release of the Mezzo window we now occasionally offer this Alside product under a new program we have recently started. We also offer upgraded products that will be a better value in most cases.
Find detailed reviews on more Alside window options here.
Remember, for more great window company info you can find our suggestions for the best local companies in your area right here.
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