Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 16, 1999 06:35am | #1

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   Suzie, contact a reputable building supply firm (not a big box) and talk to a salesperson about the different types of windows available, so you will have some idea of what you would like to install in your home. Then ask the salesperson to recommend a contractor who could install the product (the person who is recommended will likely have a good reputation as an installer and a solid credit rating).

   If you want ripped off, then go for the replacement window guys who offer you "special pricing if you buy tonight" (estimates should be good for 30 days) , financing (are you talking to a contractor or a bank?), or my favorite (and I am not making this up): "a trade-in on your old windows".

   If your sills and jambs are in good shape, you may want to investigate the replacement sash kits offered by Caradco, Marvin, and others.

   Good luck,

   Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 16, 1999 07:40am | #2

   *Suzie, ditto on Steve's post. Avoid the Vinyl Replacement Window Salesman at all costs. Get a second opinion/estimate on the windows, from a quality local contractor. Learn about window ratings (the DP ratings), it's a measure of the window's wind and rain resistance, and will vary between makes and models. (DP20 is good, DP30 is better.) This is of great importance if you're in an exposed location (waterfront, mountainside, open plains)

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 17, 1999 08:22am | #3

   *... and do consider whether the windows need replacing. Quality windows are expensive. If you want to save energy there are other ways to get more bang for the buck. A lot of people are getting rid of decent wood windows to get vinyl that won't last ten years and will always look awful. That said, i have been replacing our nothing-special windows because of a combination of factors, including flaking lead paint and sash counterweight pockets that can't be opened without tearing the frame apart. Eliminating the pockets allows a larger glass area, too.Incidentally, the difference in price between Marvin's retrofit sash and an entire new window was about $30 for our needs. The BIG difference is in labor. I bought the whole window and put it in myself.

2. 
   don_hummer | Apr 19, 1999 07:27am | #4

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   Suzy;
   Here in the upper midwest I change out alot of
   windows. I would avoid Caradco however. As a rule
   of thumb I figure abput 150 dollars per window to
   remove the old window, insulate the new, reinstall
   the interior trim, and install cedar 2x trim
   around the exterior. I usually pull off the
   interior trim to get an accurate measurement of
   the rough opening and order the windows customized
   to size. If there are alot of windows you can drop
   down to $120 per opening. A premium clad double
   hung goes for about $300 so for a complete change
   ot you can figure about $400 to$500 per opening. I
   personally like Marvin, Wilmar, Hurd, and even
   crestline. And you don't have to remove siding to
   change out windows unless

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 19, 1999 06:08pm | #5

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   Don,

   unless...???

   The suspense! Do you write for network TV? :-}

   To be continued!?

   Rich Beckman

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 19, 1999 11:29pm | #6

   *They got him. The Soc'y Against Helpful Contractors takes out another stray. (Notice how everyone here is disappearing lately?)

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 20, 1999 05:36am | #7

   *What a shame! I was gonna ask him why he doesn't like Caradco.'Still here, Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 20, 1999 06:03am | #8

   *Suzie, 1) look up in the phone book supply houses of replacement windows, (might be under siding, the one in my area supplies replacement windows, siding and trim items). They would probably be a good source of preferred contractors and maybe you could look at products before you're "sold" a line. The supplier should give you a good run down about windows, provided they sell a variety and don't make them. 2) They make and sell them, but Pella makes a really good replacement window. They aren't cheap, but they have a great name and the ones I saw a while a go looked great.

4. 
   don_hummer | Apr 26, 1999 05:23am | #9

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   Steve;
   I built a three season porch with Caradco wood
   Gliders. They were so hard to slide that the nylon
   inserts at the bottom of the sliders came out of
   the slots when you moved the windows. We had the
   supplier come out and He said the slots needed
   cleaned and he sent out a serviceman with little
   posative results. Also the exterior cladding is
   not extruded and dings easily. On another jobs
   when we cranked open the casements the panes
   opened at an angle. Turns out they had one size
   casement hardware at the top of the window and
   another at the bottom of the window. And we would
   get alot of windows damaged. Not necessarilly
   Caradco's fault but we don't get many damage

5. 
   Guest_ | Apr 27, 1999 02:03am | #10

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   Don,

   You could write for our local newspaper. They're all the time leaving a story dangling at the bottom of the column. Like the story last week about the councilman who was caught by his wife with the

6. 
   Joel_E_Cotten | Apr 27, 1999 05:51am | #11

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   As a window installer I prefer Marvin, Pozzi, and Crestline. Not neccesarily in that order, but you definitely get what you pay for.

1. 
   don_hummer | Apr 27, 1999 07:27am | #12

   *Barry;Sorry I don't know why I don't get the last few words of my message posted. It happens every now and then.But back to the conclusion! When we ended our last episode I was about to say that we don't get many damaged Marvin's or even damaged vindows from Veeskonsin [Hurd, Crestline, Andersen etc.

1. 
   Len_Kubera | Apr 28, 1999 01:51am | #13

   *I am not a professional carpenter but have had great success in retrofiting Weathershield replacement wimdows. They come in both Vinyl and Aluminum. Check out their web at http://www.weathershield.com. Great quality.Len

7. 
   Suzie_Q | Apr 28, 1999 01:51am | #14

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   Hi! I need new windows, don't have the foggiest idea how to even start getting quotes to re-place them. I don't want to get ripped off or high pressured!!
   Got any suggestions for me? Where to start? Who to call? What kind are good?
   Thanks