The windows in my track built home are cold and leak.
I got an estimate to have Renewal by Anderson installed and the esimate came in at $44,000 !!
I am finding that in the Texas heat one should avoid vinyl windows due to warpage, twisting etc. and the fact that vinyl has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is 7 times greater than glass….
So a friend of mine told me that I shoud go for a good quality aluminum window – he told me that he had them installed in his house and they are very tight and keep his house much warmer.
Any recommendations on window replacements. I cannot afford Andersons, I am weary of vinyl and wonder about what my friend told me re: aluminum.
Also any recommendations on brands?
Replies
Why not make your on windows?
I have a low opinion of 'sealed' units unless you will be a short term dweller.
If I had to redo my own house, I'd make single pane wood frame windows with interior 2nd pane inserts.
And I'm sure you make your own glass, from sand laying around the site.
Replacement Windows
In New England, people use aluminum storms. These can go over vinyl. Harvey Tru Cjannell or Allied are good brands. You might not need to replace you wndows if they are protected from the elements.
Insulated glass will last as long as the caulking, the the entire window gets dumped in a landfill somewhere. Energy Star calculations don't count throwing out plastic crap 10 years after it's made.
Harold Pomeroy
First off, what kind of windows do you have now, and what's wrong with them?
Very often the problem with windows is not the windows themselves but their installation. You can often make dramatic improvements by removing the inside trim and foaming between window jamb and rough opening with low-expansion foam, stuffing wider areas with pieces of fiberglass. And often the weatherstripping has fallen off the windows or cracked -- this can often be replaced with stock weatherstripping from a home center or (for more exotic varieties) from a glass shop.
As someone else said, aluminum storms are often a good value in your neck of the woods -- they protect the windows from weather deterioration (though you have to be a bit wary of overheating on the SW side), and they in many cases give you better energy efficiency than full replacements.
Well you are right to do some homework before getting started. Windows are about the most expensive component in your house, so when replacing, it's important to do it right ... you'll only have the one chance.
I'm surprised by your statement about the vinyl. I live near death valley and year before last our average daytime high was 105 degF for about 75 days straight. People here use vinyl all the time and I've never heard of any issues with it and the heat. I'd reconsider and talk w/ some manuf reps about it. If you go metal, chose a thermally broken frame type. Metal conducts heat readily.
Do some more homework. Get multiple bids for sure!! You spending that kind of money, you'd better be knowing who and what commands a high price.
Consider fiberglass frames. Many swear by them. Consider Marvin windows as another brand. Also, things like casement windows drive the price up much higher than e.g. sliders. Pick the type of window for the application.
Do you know how many sqft do you have in your windows?
Also pick your glass carefully .... use the right glass for the right application. Go low-e glass at a MINIMUM ... it tends to be standard with many manuf any more. On unprotected exposures (e.g. east/west or unshaded south) consider other glass options ... e.g. tinted and/or mirror finish to get a low SHGC. Unprotected glass in hot climates should have a SHGC of 0.25 or less. 0.15 if you can get it (you should be able to do this).
Window prices can vary. I've seen some low-e vinyl for $8/sqft. But it wouldn't surprise me to see e.g. Andersen or Pella for te $25-30+ range (windows only, not installed).
If you're considering spending $10K + for windows, you'd better be doing your homework unless you got that kind of dough to be just throwing around. Know your frame options. Also know your glass options. FH had a fair article on windows in the last couple of years. If you know little or nothing about windows and glazings, I'd get up to speed to make the best bang for your buck. Your comfort and your wallet will appreciate your extra effort ... and as I always say ... you might actually learn something from the process.
"So a friend of mine told me
"So a friend of mine told me that I shoud go for a good quality aluminum window - he told me that he had them installed in his house and they are very tight and keep his house much warmer." ... in the Texas climate, not sure that would be a good thing.
You know ... metal probably has an even higher coef. of expansion. It's not really too much of an issue as the glass isn't held rigidly in place.