We used Red Carpet Remodeling for mid-grade vinyl windows last year in Vienna. I'm really happy with them. 12 windows costs us $5,000. They were in and out in less than a day with no mess to speak of...

We have had our "new" windows for many years now - home built in the late 80s. I think we only paid 20K. But not wooden. It does make a difference. When we lost power once we woke up and the house was only 58 degrees. We normally keep it at 64 during sleeping hours (OK lost power house was at 68). This whole year I have been pretty amazed that my heating bills (gas) aren't nearly as high as what my friends are quoting (and I don't think it's just my low thermostat). I think it's the windows, because I have an open conentory home with high ceiling and lofts and not the low ceiling that my friend in burke with their 70s energy effecient homes have.

We went through Pella in Bethesda and we replaced our windows in 3 phases. A phased approach (main living floor, basement, and then upstairs bedrooms) worked out wonderfully. Customer service is excellent. We got discounts as return customers too.

Posters here frequently rave about Windows on Washington.

Be careful of energy efficiency claims. You will likely get better bang for your buck elsewhere if efficiency is what you are looking for.

http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2012/02/window-marketers-settle-ftc-charges-they-made-deceptive-energy

OP Our neighbor did very careful cost analysis and told us that it would never be cost efficient/ or get the money back at sale. But he did it anyway b/c he has no mortgage and wanted the benefits. We had another neighbor in another state who did this, lost the house and now the new person got the benefit without paying a dime over the cost of comps. So this has to be something you do for yourself.

Anonymous wrote:OP: We have 45 windows because of how the windows spaces are designed. Think craftsman style house/ window look.

Thanks for the Windows Universe suggestion. We currently have just one bid from NOVA Installations.

Would anyone recommend doing the project in phases over 2 years? Or is it a big mess? We'd like to have the house painted this year too.

I wouldn't normally because it will make it cost a little more and you'll have to go through the whole estimate, measure again, hope you can get the exact same windows, etc but with that many windows it makes sense since the cost is so high.

Windows are pretty quick to do, so it won't disrupt your life too much.