Replacing windows - how much does it cost on average?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used NOVA Installations and while I can't remember the exact price, I do know that they were way less than some other estimates we got.

I think it is worthwhile to get a number of estimates. I couldn't believe the way some of the salepeople approached it. We had one guy out to the house who quoted us a crazy high price and then kept piling discount upon discount until he was acting like he was giving us SUCH a great deal. In fact, his bid was still higher than the one we eventually got from NOVA Installations and they were much easier to work with.

Would not recommend NOVA for anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can get screens made at Blaine Window in Alexandria

Blaine Window moved from Alexandria about 5 years ago.

Try American Screen and Glass for screens - 703-471-4500. Be aware that screens are much more expensive than you may think

For the type of house you describe, spend about $500 per window. Try Allied Window Center - 703-256-0600.

It will make a huge difference in appearance and comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wood windows suck vinyl is suprerior

Wood windows offer better insulation. Vinyl is -- well -- vinyl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wood windows suck vinyl is suprerior

Vinyl replacement windows never need painting or sealing.

Can we say more? If you've ever spent a weekend painting the inside of a wood window, you'll know what I mean.

Vinyl windows are nothing amazing, but they're hardly an eyesore.

Vinyl windows don't make people say "ooo and aww". Yet they don't raise eyebrows, either. Let's just say they're the standard you find in most houses nowadays.

Vinyl windows are less expensive than wood.
You'll find this is consistent among most window companies.

Vinyl replacement windows have a quicker turnaround time than wood windows.
Again, call it the law of supply and demand, but you'll find window companies give you an earlier start time when you order vinyl rather than wood windows.

You do know that the sun breaks down vinyl and it eventually will deteriorate and the windows will have to be replaced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my contractor told me NOT to get replacement windows. He advised adding storms to the outside because my old wooden windows (original to the house) were drafty. I did, and the house is much warmer.

He said replacement windows are a scam, and that they really don't save you much money on your heating/cooling bills. The best way to save money is to insulate your attic. If the floor is open, you can add four to six inches of insulation, and count on saving quite a bit on your heating bills.

Plus, if you have nice wooden windows, replacement windows are not that nice looking. I had to replace one window that was completely rotted out, but I bought nice storms for the rest of the windows, and I'm happy with my easier and much cheaper choice.

I didn't insulate the attic because mine is floored and the ceiling is finished. But if my attic were open, that's where I'd spend my money to try to save on heat.

Plus 1. I would not give up my wood, true divided light, 6 over 6 windows for anything. When we remodeled, I bought 12 Marvin wood true divided light windows which are double pane for a new family room. I refused to have any shlocky vinyl products to detract from my original wood windows. I have storm panels which are easy to remove for cleaning both the windows and the storm panels.

[Anonymous]

If you live in a house built before 1978 please remember that the window installer will have to do lead based paint testing and protect the area when the older windows are being removed. The installer will also have to clean up the area to make sure if they find any lead based paint it is cleaned up properly. This will add to the cost of the window installation. If you live in a pre-1978 house and an installer does not tell you this, they are cutting corners.

[Anonymous]

Got 24 Marvin windows for $28k including installation. I think they look great. Unfortunately we still have another 10 windows left to replace, mostly magnum (oversized).... Window painting cost $2k for all 24 windows. Generic custom sized wood windows were around $22-23k. That difference wasn't enough to not go Marvin.

[Anonymous]

I cannot Stress enough that replacement by Anderson is the most overpriced deal out there. My friend was getting windows from them, 13 Windows installed 23,000 dollars. 10,000 for materials and 13k for labor. Sorry but 1k a window for installation is INSANE! Two guys could install them in probably 2 days. You tell me 2 window installers that make 3,250$ a day for labor on installing windows.

[Anonymous]

My windows are good but I want to get rid of the grids on the outside of the windows. Can I just buy or replace the window and not the frame?

[Anonymous]

Anderson windows are a rip off. They wanted 9k for a small bay, home depot did it for 4k. Same build level of window.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you live in a house built before 1978 please remember that the window installer will have to do lead based paint testing and protect the area when the older windows are being removed. The installer will also have to clean up the area to make sure if they find any lead based paint it is cleaned up properly. This will add to the cost of the window installation. If you live in a pre-1978 house and an installer does not tell you this, they are cutting corners.

Window Nation replaced 15 windows in our 103-year-old house for a little less than $10,000 3 years ago. They're about 6-feet tall, vinyl, and 3 are triple-pane while the rest are double-pane. They were really great about containing all the lead and debris, cleaned up after themselves, and were in and out in 2 days. We're planning in using them again for the rest of our windows soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vinyl windows are shit. Get Marvin - they will last a lifetime.

Yeah. NO! I am having to have my entire house of windows redone because of Marvin and wood rot. The home is only 15 years old. Such a joke.

[Anonymous]

Be careful of this window people especially Renewal by Anderson ! There prices are substantially higher then having a local carpenter buy an Anderson window and replace it ! They are rip offs they gave me a a price for six sliders $8,000 can you imagine and I have had three other quotes by local reputable carpenters all in the range of about $3800 and for top of the line windows

[Anonymous]

Would you guys say that 24 (4 BR 2 story house) double hung vinyl, interlocking windows, most 32"X74", double paned and double coated low-e glass with 5/8" argon filled gap, colonial grids, top sash reinforcements, foam filled construction using only new vinyl, guaranteed to never yellow or "chalk", dual top camber locks, fold out feature, installation includes any repairs or squaring of frames, special foam insulation between frame and window, and a LOT more safety features and bells and whistles, lifetime warranty with a transferable 30 year warranty for $10,200 is a good deal? That's $425 per window incl install. 2 day completion if 2 workers. 1 day completion if 3 workers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you guys say that 24 (4 BR 2 story house) double hung vinyl, interlocking windows, most 32"X74", double paned and double coated low-e glass with 5/8" argon filled gap, colonial grids, top sash reinforcements, foam filled construction using only new vinyl, guaranteed to never yellow or "chalk", dual top camber locks, fold out feature, installation includes any repairs or squaring of frames, special foam insulation between frame and window, and a LOT more safety features and bells and whistles, lifetime warranty with a transferable 30 year warranty for $10,200 is a good deal? That's $425 per window incl install. 2 day completion if 2 workers. 1 day completion if 3 workers.

I think it sounds good. Sounds similar to our house (5 br 2 story, similar windows), but we had a few sliding glass doors, too, and some oddly shaped picture windows. It cost us $14,000. Same warranties, etc. And that was about seven years ago! (We used Thompson Creek. One of our sliding glass door handles became loose recently, so we called them up about the lifetime warranty. They came out to the house the week after and fixed it for free, no problem.)