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+--- Thread: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? (/showthread.php?tid=131920)
is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - clay - 02-13-2012
we live in a house built in 1975. We've been here going on 4 years, now, and we've discovered that the house is not as air-tight in the right places as we'd like. There are some things like replacing weather stripping in the doors that have made minor improvements, but we still feel a lot of drafts and outright wind inside when it's cold and windy outside. So, I've been trying to do what I can to minimize this, especially during the winter. This has meant putting up that plastic sheeting on the inside of the windows in the winter, which seems to help a little, but that also means that we can see evidence of the drafts when the plastic billows in and out in direct response to the wind outside.
The windows in the house are the vinyl type, double-hung, double-paned, for the most part. My guess is that they're at least 20 years old, but I can't tell for sure (maybe they're original?). In several cases, the latches no longer lock the windows, and so the windows will work themselves open a bit (sounds like fun, no?). I just re-closed 2 of them this week (brrrr!). And then there are the ones that have obviously come unsealed between the 2 panes of glass and have condensation inside of them. Quite frankly, I'm getting tired of feeling like I'm heating the outdoors more than I am the indoors.
So, I'm thinking seriously about replacing at least the very worst offenders, and all of them if it doesn't break the bank. At first glance, there would be about 10 windows that would be high on my list. I'm thinking that it may be best just to hire someone to come do them, because it'd probably take me 6 months of frustration if I tried to do them myself, just to save a thousand bucks (or whatever it costs to install). My brother-in-law works for a contractor, and could hopefully find me a good contractor to come do the work--I just want to avoid getting someone that cuts corners and doesn't seal well around the windows, etc. Oh well, that's another issue.
ANYWAY...for those of you that have replaced windows, or had them replaced, any words of wisdom? Did you do it yourself? Hire someone to do it? Rough estimate of cost of installation for 10 windows? Any words of wisdom re: quality of windows to purchase?
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - Black - 02-13-2012
Yes, worth it.
A house from 1975 probably won't have oversized windows, so you're looking at $1500 to $2500 for that job, I'd guess.
Is there trim involved? Make sure it's included in the initial quote.
Things to watch out for:
-disappearing small contractors
-contractor getting run of the mill windows from their "special source" and trying to make you think they're the best out there
-basic things not included in initial quote
-different style of windows than you expect, and especially that don't match the style period of the house.
You'll get much more useful (to you) information if you get a quote and come back here with questions about it.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - space-time - 02-13-2012
when I bought this place, we had Aluminium frame windows, and you could hear and FEEL the wind blowing in the bedroom. Next thing I did was to order new windows. I cannot tell if it made a difference in the utility bill (I am sure it did, I just don't know how much), but it's quiet, no draft, and the windows are clear, not foggy. I would go ahead and replace. YMMV
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - M>B> - 02-13-2012
Windows are one of the most expensive replacements that you can make!
I would recommend that your local gas, electric or utility company do a energy audit and see what they would recommend.
I would bet that they would recommend caulking, weather striping, insulation and more similar things.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - Dick Moore - 02-13-2012
I say Amen to replacing windows -- maybe one of the most important things you can do. The energy audit is a good idea, and there may be some money around to help from the utilities... but you really should do it if you can.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - JEBB - 02-13-2012
Some years ago I replaced my single pane windows with double pane windows. My windows are standard sizes so I did it myself. I painted them on the outside and stained and varnished them on the inside. The new ones look better and they are much easier to clean. They also can be raised and lowered much easier and there is no condensation on the inside during cold weather. There are no weights to mess with with the new ones. Although it feels less drafty in the house I'm not really sure my heating & cooling bills are much less.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - tenders - 02-13-2012
Did they have vinyl windows in the '70s? Didn't know that.
Windows are a great upgrade but as said, they are expensive, and it's difficult to get a positive return on investment. But that's true of almost any home upgrade.
I also agree with the energy audit idea - even if you decide to replace the windows, you'll know what you're doing for aesthetics and what you're doing for energy costs.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - Grateful11 - 02-13-2012
M>B> wrote:
Windows are one of the most expensive replacements that you can make!
I would recommend that your local gas, electric or utility company do a energy audit and see what they would recommend.
I would bet that they would recommend caulking, weather striping, insulation and more similar things.
Priced a new roof or HVAC system lately? Our roof cost twice what our windows cost.
Get Low-E glass in whatever you get, which I think is about all they make now. We had aluminum crank outs from
the mid 50's and on really cold mornings there be ice on the inside of the aluminum frames, even with some kind
of weird storm window that you could put on with screws and clips in the Fall. We moved here in '95.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - macphanatic - 02-13-2012
Grateful11 wrote:
[quote=M>B>]
Windows are one of the most expensive replacements that you can make!
I would recommend that your local gas, electric or utility company do a energy audit and see what they would recommend.
I would bet that they would recommend caulking, weather striping, insulation and more similar things.
Priced a new roof or HVAC system lately? Our roof cost twice what our windows cost.
Get Low-E glass in whatever you get, which I think is about all they make now. We had aluminum crank outs from
the mid 50's and on really cold mornings there be ice on the inside of the aluminum frames, even with some kind
of weird storm window that you could put on with screws and clips in the Fall. We moved here in '95.
Had the same type of aluminum crank outs. Same issue with ice on the inside. Replaced them with Anderson windows with low E glass. Made a big difference with comfort level. Not sure that it saved a lot on energy.
Make sure that if you replace windows, you get a quality unit. There are a lot of crappy windows out there.
I would go thru an energy audit. You might find that you've got bigger issues than your windows. For double hungs where the top sash is dropping, why not cut a board to hold the sash up? Not pretty, but it works.
Re: is replacing windows (not the OS kind) worth it? - rouderon - 02-13-2012
Used to sell windows (as well as other home improvement products) for a major company (rhymes with Dears :-)
They were probably the best product we sold. You're going to pay appx $1000 per window. If you don't get a window with Low E and argon gas then you're wasting your $$ and should just keep what you have. I would at least get one of their salesmen out to educate you on their windows - hopefully you'll get a decent rep. Do a Google search on Weatherbeater windows - my understanding is that in the southeast they are the only windows that are 100% virgin vinyl (they'll never crack or fade). Plus, the warranty is unrivaled - because it's with the company that's selling the windows and not the manufacturer. Pretty much any product you purchase will have a warranty, but it's only as good as the installation. Manufacturers are quick to void a warranty once they come out, can usually find at least one reason the product was installed improperly - it's pretty sick, but unfortunately is how a lot of manufacturers operate. We had a salesman come to work for us that came from a high end window company and this was what he was trained to do as their manufacturing rep.