window replacement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this chain. Help! Just got quoted close to $3K a window from Andersen Renewal and it feels outrageous. We have a traditional brick colonial home in NW DC and are looking to spend $1500-$2000 per window (or less if thats even possible?!)

Please recommend a specific installer/contractor for windows + line of windows (should we look at Marvin? something else) (we are looking to replace our whole house - 30+ windows - pocket installation (not full frame tear out):

-Fiberglass or Composite Window w/ wood on inside. Higher End (but not top of line). We don't want vinyl, but we don't want all wood exterior either (and have to deal with up keep/painting)
-Single Divided Light/grids on inside out

They are one of the most expensive companies. Do a full frame vs. pocket as its an easier install and a better window. Look at Anderson from Home Depot or Lowes. You can custom order them in store and then get someone to install them. You might be able to find a handy person. They aren't hard to do.

You can get a high quality vinyl with SDLs for 1500 a window installed, maybe a little less. Ours look great. We were quoted over 2500 per window for what you want and comparing them side by side it wasn’t worth it for us.

And also, proper installation is really important.

[Anonymous]

How about sash replacement kits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about sash replacement kits?

Much harder to install and get it to fit properly. Take out the inside trim and do a replacement window to get a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do yourself a favor and do a full new construction window rather than replacement. Replacement windows look horrible and make the glass opening smaller.

Who has that kind of money? It doubles your cost, easily.

It was cheaper for us to do a full new construction than a replacement or kit. Its also much easier to install if you pull off the trim as then you just pull off the trim, clean up the rot, flashing, put the new window in, foam, replace the trim (and if you replace the trim you don't have to worry about led). The contractors make it sound hard but the hardest part is measuring properly.

[Anonymous]

If you have standard sized windows you can sometimes get them off the shelf. Home Depot has Anderson 400's which are the better quality vs. the 200 series then just pay someone to install them. They also sell Jeldwin which is good. For vinyl their American Craftsman brand is fine - we have a few of them and they have held up nicely/no issues (we custom ordered them). $1500 for vinyl seems very high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about sash replacement kits?

We tried one and it w as terrible to install and get a good seal. We went with full new construction for the rest of them and so much easier. I don't get the the prices they are quoting here as we as DIY could do 3-4 windows a day without spending all day doing it and pushing ourselves. The hard part was replacing the trim as that was time consuming.