topic Re: New Windows in Community Chat

New Windows

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:08:16 GMT

Hi, all. Had new windows installed recently? I'm having them done and I'm a little stressed, even though I think I have a great contractor. Going from wood to vinyl (blech) is a shift but I can't continue to maintain the wood. I'm getting triple pane, so the heat/cool loss should be signifcant, but I was curious to what you may have been through.

Re: New Windows

Jessa9 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:31:22 GMT

We had our windows replaced last March from Window World. Went from sliders to double hung vinyl. Had a good experience and love them.

Re: New Windows

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:59:13 GMT

We went from wood to vinyl and like you...not a fan but the wood on the windows would swell and we had trouble washing them....I'd love to have the wood back, if I could.

Edited to add: I find the vinyl impossible to keep clean on the outside.

Re: New Windows

Carmie — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:28:54 GMT

We had Crestline windows. Wood on the inside and aluminum clad outside. They rotted out under the aluminum and you could put your fingers right through the sashes from the inside. They were beautiful, but junk recommended by our builder.

We replaced them with solid vinyl. I liked the wood look ( stained wood) that matched my woodwork better and had to get used to white windows against stained window trim.

The experience was good. It didn't take long at all. I had to call the owner of the company once because one of his installers did not replace the rotten wood around the bottom of two windows. The water that got in the old windows ruined the wood in the walls. He came immediately and the work was done right.

We're happy with the vinyl windows and noticed right away that our house was quieter. The new windows muffled the noise from outside.

I hope you love your new windows.

Adding: My old and my new replacement windows tilt in for cleaning. I have a two story house and we can wash both sides of the windows easily from the inside. One window( glass) got broken and the window company just brought a whole new bottom sash and popped out the old and popped in the new...it only took a minute.

My bathroom has frosted windows on the bottom....no see thru. Love them.

Re: New Windows

SilleeMee — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:25:20 GMT

I got new windows several years ago. They are vinyl with gas-filled, double-pane low-E glass. I live at high altitude so they were manufactured locally to preserve the gas-filling. The two most significant things about them is how much soundproof they are plus they have lowered my energy bill a lot. I couldn't be happier.

Re: New Windows

Sooner — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:32:06 GMT

Be aware you may be getting green windows. My friend had almost every window in her house beat out by baseball sized hail a couple years ago. It took 18 to 24 months for many to get new panes.

When they got them they were a pale green glass--a government mandate for environmental issues. There were a LOT of unhappy folks with green glass in some windows. I think maybe whole new windows didn't have to be green--can't remember!

Re: New Windows

RedTop — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:01:03 GMT

We replaced the wood windows with storm sashes that were installed when the house was built in 1981. Very good experience and we like our vinyl replacement windows that tilt in for cleaning.

Your lifetime warranty is only good as long as the company that did the installation is in business. We also went thru a company like Window World, and they were here with replacement glass the day after our home was broken into. Our dealings with them were very good, but the owners sold out years ago and the new ownership deals with a different window maker so they did not assume warranty on previous sales.

We now have 2 windows that are hazy and the plan is to have the local glass company come out to replace the glass on site.

Re: New Windows

FranandZoe — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 07:17:14 GMT

We replaced our wood windows with vinyl ones about 20 years ago and they're still great. Our house was built in the mid 70s and the original windows were very hard to open. The vinyl ones tilt in and are very easy to clean. Also energy efficient and sound proof. Love 'em!

Re: New Windows

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 09:19:27 GMT

Good to know! Thank you for the answers.

If I had all the $$$ in the world I'd probably do things differently, but since I am fortunate enough to own a home and to be able to replace windows, I'll take my chances on these new vinly inserts.

We live on a quiet street but I think I will enjoy the soundproofing, and the reduced air leakage. Wasting energy just seems foolish.

@Sooner , yes, these windows will probably have a slight tint, but that should help with heat gain in the summer. It's harder to cool this house than it is to heat. I had new patio doors installed a while back and I didn't find the low-e glass that much different to look through.

I'll rest a bit easier, too, knowing that I could get out in an emergency. These old wood windows no longer operate properly. I'm excited to get an awning window for the kitchen - hinged at the top, opening outwards, so you could even leave it vented in a light rain.

I hope the facade is not too changed. I had to go with a creamy exterior, not screaming white; I am hoping it blends well enough with the old pale yellow siding. Good grief, maintaining a home can be exhausting!

Re: New Windows

qualitygal — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 11:13:28 GMT

We're due to get new LR windows put in very soon. We will be getting called as to when, soon, I should say.

Re: New Windows

FranandZoe — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 20:20:54 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
Good to know! Thank you for the answers.

If I had all the $$$ in the world I'd probably do things differently, but since I am fortunate enough to own a home and to be able to replace windows, I'll take my chances on these new vinly inserts.

We live on a quiet street but I think I will enjoy the soundproofing, and the reduced air leakage. Wasting energy just seems foolish.

@Sooner , yes, these windows will probably have a slight tint, but that should help with heat gain in the summer. It's harder to cool this house than it is to heat. I had new patio doors installed a while back and I didn't find the low-e glass that much different to look through.

I'll rest a bit easier, too, knowing that I could get out in an emergency. These old wood windows no longer operate properly. I'm excited to get an awning window for the kitchen - hinged at the top, opening outwards, so you could even leave it vented in a light rain.

I hope the facade is not too changed. I had to go with a creamy exterior, not screaming white; I am hoping it blends well enough with the old pale yellow siding. Good grief, maintaining a home can be exhausting!

:You are so right - it is ALWAYS something!

Re: New Windows

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 20:48:16 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia If you find something that cleans the outside of the window vinyl frames, please post. I have asked numerous contractors, sales people, etc. I have yet to find a proudct that clean the outside vinyl.

Re: New Windows

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:10:05 GMT

Hey, @Mom2Dogs . I had the house power washed last year. Heretofore we had not been able to get the gravel road dust out of the other vinyl surfaces (siding, soffit). The operator did a super job, washing down and away. Might consider hiring someone. Things do get grody!

It was not cheap but I think there is an algaecide in the washing formula (we live in the woods) and things on the house remain pretty clean. I think you just don't want to scratch these plastic surfaces or they forever hold soil.

Re: New Windows

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:37:03 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia Algaicide cleaner - maybe that is the key. I will look into something similar, thanks. We have a local farm store, they might be able to help me as well.

Re: New Windows

RedTop — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 23:39:58 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

The exterior vinyl on your windows should clean up nicely with regular window cleaner unless they are covered in mildew.

Harsh chemicals used repeatedly will pit and damage the vinyl surface, thus shortening the lifespan of your window frame. I just focus on cleaning the glass, and wipe the frame with the last cloth used on that window.

Re: New Windows

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 23:59:14 GMT

@RedTop The windows are not problem, they tilt in for easy cleaning but the problem is the caulk or what ever it is.... and the outside frames, just icky looking. Once the weather warms up, I will see what I can do with the frames.

Re: New Windows

RedTop — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:36:46 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

None of my windows have visible caulk, so I cannot relate to that.

Re: New Windows

tototwo — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:32:10 GMT

Shop around! We got all new windows 5 yrs ago and we love them. We interviewed several window contractors and went with a company that developed a product that's not exactly wood, but not vinyl either. Some composite that looks better than vinyl, but doesn't 'weather' like wood.

Anyway, talk to different companies. Check out what materials they use, their guarantees, their installers, etc.

Good luck.

Re: New Windows

gardenman — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:41:51 GMT

It could take a while to get new windows if your existing windows aren't stock sizes. The last I heard (and this was a few months ago so things could have improved) there was a six month or longer wait for custom windows.

Re: New Windows

Another new name Sue — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:45:06 GMT

We are happy with our vinyl windows. They do keep your house quieter, which is good, but I miss hearing the rain unless it's pouring hard. I wanted to keep some of our old wood windows because it's a tribute to the way the house was built decades ago, but we ended up replacing them all. Less maintenance.

on installation, some of the interior paint was damaged, so I will have to have a painter come in. It's OK.