OT--- Replacement windows

[brian64x]

I have an old limestone house built in the early 1900's. The old orginal windows are single pane, wooden frame, and cold!!! When the temp is below 0 outside there is 1/2" of ice on the inside of the windows!! I have looked at a few brands of replacement windows, Pella and Anderson, but I don't have a clue.... Anybody have any knowledge on the subject??

 

[Queequeg]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

Pella and Anderson are excellent manufacturers. Your choices will rest on the insulation, UV, and E ratings of the glass as well as the type of window sash you'll want. Replacing windows is something you can do yourself as long as you are clear about the pertinent dimensions and some home work assuming you aren't a window guy.

 

[Maggot]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

ConIsider Home Depot. I had them replace all the windows in my home last year and am very pleased with the quality of product and the installation. About $10,000 for a 2000ft/sq house with a lot of windows. The crew came out and had it done in one day. Took away all the old stuff. Another nice aspect is that Home Depot will finance it for a year with no interest no payments. Hard deal to beat. And they come with a double lifetime warranty (extends to the next owner)/ even against glass breakage while you own the home. I considered doing it myself but with everything HD offers it just made more sense to let them do it. It made a HUGE difference in the overall tightness of th house, and made it much quieter as well. I believe they use Symeington. Argon filled. Double treated glasse, In the course of looking I heard that Pella in general is geared more toward cold climates.

Like anything ask questions and do your home work. Make sure you get what you want the first time.

If they are Evergy star rated you can get nice tax allowences as well.

 

[Strickland]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

The windows that are used by the Home Depot installers are really great. They are made by Simonton.

The ones installed by Home Depot are made exclusively for Home Depot, however, Simonton's top of the line 9800 series are basically the same window unit.

If you have skills, you can order the Simonton 9800 series from local suppliers and save yourself about 50%. Home Depot quoted me almost $3k for 4 windows (and that was with a 10% coupon). I found a local supplier that quoted me the 9800 series for right around $1500.

http://www.simonton.com/Products/_ProductDetail.htm?i=92

 

[brian64x]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

Thanks for the info guys!! I believe in the buy once cry once theory, so I want the very best windows I can afford. I am looking at replacing 18 windows so it will be a fair amount of $$$ invested.

 

[DaveV]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

Pella=biggest bang for the buck

 

[Strickland]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

Oh, those Simonton windows I mention above are the ones I am planning to order this year. I am going to do a few windows at a time. I've researched the shit out of windows and keep coming back to these windows.

However, I will mention that there are another set of windows out there that I am starting to hear about. They are fiberglass frames instead of vinyl frames. They are suppose to be stronger / stiffer and won't take up as much of the viewable window space as vinyl does. The name I keep hearing on the radio are Infinity windows.

http://www.infinitywindows.com/

I will say I don't know anyhing about them or if you can even order them yourself. However, I do plan on doing some research prior to committing to the above.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

There is always a way to do this stuff yourself. There is always a wholesaler or building supply outfit that will sell direct to you, though you may have to inflate your credentials a tad! It's tough times in the home improvement business and worse in new construction. These people want to move product. The downside most important thing to keep in mind is to be prepared for surprises when you remove the old windows. Start early by laying up some extra materials, shims, caulk, insulation, screws, etc. Also get familiar with their installation requirements.

Like plumbing, you hate to find out you need to go back t the supply house for a part once you have the assembly laid out on the floor!

With windows and doors, you can always lay in a sheet of plywood if you can't finish it up the first day!

 

[DaveV]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

The biggest question comes down to Vinyl vs. Wood. Wood windows (Pella, Anderson, Marvin, etc.)only come in stock sizes and may not fit your openings well. They, however, are sized in the traditional wood window sizes (like yours), so you may get a great fit. You will just have to measure and talk to your dealer. Vinyl, on the other hand, come in stock sizes but will make them in custom sizes. You simply measure your opening and order the window the same size without nailing flanges. They install very quickly.

 

[dar1246]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

I do windows in Nebraska. Anderson do have custom sizes. The Home Depot vinyl windows are made by Silverline windows. They are just a private label window. They are the same product just a different name. I carry that line also. The Simonton brand is a Norandex brand.

Wood windows are always the top brands. The vinyl windows will be a good choice. Look for the windows with a .30 u-factor. This will allow you for the energy tax credit. The windows are easy to install. Should be able to do 1 window every 20 minutes. My company does about 10,000 units a year. Do your reasearch and buy once. Good luck and hope this helps

 

[GcH]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Strickland</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> They are suppose to be stronger / stiffer and <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">won't take up as much of the viewable window space</span></span> as vinyl does. </div></div>

This is the biggest issue I have with my new windows. I had them all replaced last year and went with vinyl as it was the most cost effective way to do it with the thought that we count on moving in 5-7 years. Looking at them in the showroom, and the display models they brought to the house, I did not expect to lose so much viewing area. I think I would rather have my old drafty windows back to gain that space back.

 

[Strickland]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do windows in Nebraska. Anderson do have custom sizes. The Home Depot vinyl windows are made by Silverline windows. They are just a private label window. They are the same product just a different name. I carry that line also. The Simonton brand is a Norandex brand.

</div></div>

True, to an extent. The vinyl windows that the installers use, Simonton, are not available in the stores. When they come out to your house and they bring their cutaway 12 chamber version, it is the Simonton windows. The Silverline are their in store models.

At least that is the way it is down here. I confirmed with Simonton themselves when I called and talked to them directly about their windows. They told me the 9800 series were basically the same window as done by the HD installation crew and not available in the stores.

 

[dar1246]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

The pirvate label for the Silverline windows is American Craftsman. Silverline got bought by Andersen. Here is the link to Home Depot. It even says under the name an Andersen Company. I carried this line since 1996.

http://www.homedepot.com/Doors-Windows-W...3&langId=-1

The real story. As far as good windows are concerned. Strickland you are right these are good windows. There is a lot of good windows on the market today. A lot of vinyl window manufacturers don't make the products. They buy the parts from a couple of suppliers. The put it together and slap their name on it. These same parts may be on 10 different windows but everything is called something different.
This is why the wood products is another setup.

With this being said. Today market it is hard to buy shitty windows. There is some better than others. But all windows today are probably better than the current windows in older homes. Good with the search.

 

[Remsen]

Re: OT--- Replacement windows

We recently did a gut reno on our master suite and had Marvin Infinity windows put in. One of the big concerns was better sound insulation (to keep the noise from the neighbors minimized). The difference between the old aluminum dual panes and the new Marvin fiberglass dual panes was hard to believe. The noise levels dropped substantially. The new windows also help to keep the cold out quite well. Overall, they weren't cheap but they are, so far, well worth the cost.