Anonymous wrote:A grand a window, give or take (by a lot). Do you know if you want vinyl, wood, fiberglass, something else?

We just did fiberglass. It was $22k for 19 custom-sized replacement windows (so, pocket install versus full frame tear out). These were 16 double hung and 3 casement windows. We did white on white with cross grids (2x2). Every single custom thing you want to do will raise the price. We were quoted half that for vinyl, but I just really wanted a sleeker look and to be able to paint them if I want. I think aluminum clad wood would have been about $2k a window, but I couldn’t get anyone to give me a quote other than “astronomical.” Although it would have been a grand a window for just a sash replacement with builder grade 1 wood windows. We were replacing our 1960s wood windows. They were just a mess. Install took 3 days and so far I like them more than I thought I would.

DCUM (and all my style blogs) had me convinced I needed divided lite wood windows. It’s possible I did 🤔

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High quality vinyl, with the grids on the outside and inside, looks ok right? We have a 100 year old house. Hope we’re not making a mistake. We can’t afford 2k per window. Right now the windows don’t function, are full of chipping lead paint, and the storm windows we have to use in order not to freeze in the winter are disgusting. We have two young kids and just want to be able to get fresh air in the house without worrying about lead poisoning or spending more than we have.

Windows are the eyes of the house. You will be completely ruining the character and look of your house if you replace them with vinyl. Might as well put vinyl siding on the side of the house or painting the brick. You can replace the windows with quality wood windows or have them restored (often with tax credits offsetting some of the costs). Note the original windows were probably made with old growth wood that no longer exists. Restoring them is the best option IMHO.

Thank you for this, but restoring them isn't really an option because I can't have airborne particles of lead paint floating around. I have young children in the house. I also hate the look of storm windows, and it's too cold not to have them in the winter.

You can get this addressed with a EPA lead certified restoration contractor. We've done this and we have young children. As long as they're not eating the paint chips or you're in the house while a non-certified painter does the scraping, you shouldn't have a problem. All of our kids have been tested and never registered any levels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High quality vinyl, with the grids on the outside and inside, looks ok right? We have a 100 year old house. Hope we’re not making a mistake. We can’t afford 2k per window. Right now the windows don’t function, are full of chipping lead paint, and the storm windows we have to use in order not to freeze in the winter are disgusting. We have two young kids and just want to be able to get fresh air in the house without worrying about lead poisoning or spending more than we have.

Windows are the eyes of the house. You will be completely ruining the character and look of your house if you replace them with vinyl. Might as well put vinyl siding on the side of the house or painting the brick. You can replace the windows with quality wood windows or have them restored (often with tax credits offsetting some of the costs). Note the original windows were probably made with old growth wood that no longer exists. Restoring them is the best option IMHO.

Thank you for this, but restoring them isn't really an option because I can't have airborne particles of lead paint floating around. I have young children in the house. I also hate the look of storm windows, and it's too cold not to have them in the winter.

You can get this addressed with a EPA lead certified restoration contractor. We've done this and we have young children. As long as they're not eating the paint chips or you're in the house while a non-certified painter does the scraping, you shouldn't have a problem. All of our kids have been tested and never registered any levels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High quality vinyl, with the grids on the outside and inside, looks ok right? We have a 100 year old house. Hope we’re not making a mistake. We can’t afford 2k per window. Right now the windows don’t function, are full of chipping lead paint, and the storm windows we have to use in order not to freeze in the winter are disgusting. We have two young kids and just want to be able to get fresh air in the house without worrying about lead poisoning or spending more than we have.

Windows are the eyes of the house. You will be completely ruining the character and look of your house if you replace them with vinyl. Might as well put vinyl siding on the side of the house or painting the brick. You can replace the windows with quality wood windows or have them restored (often with tax credits offsetting some of the costs). Note the original windows were probably made with old growth wood that no longer exists. Restoring them is the best option IMHO.

Thank you for this, but restoring them isn't really an option because I can't have airborne particles of lead paint floating around. I have young children in the house. I also hate the look of storm windows, and it's too cold not to have them in the winter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High quality vinyl, with the grids on the outside and inside, looks ok right? We have a 100 year old house. Hope we’re not making a mistake. We can’t afford 2k per window. Right now the windows don’t function, are full of chipping lead paint, and the storm windows we have to use in order not to freeze in the winter are disgusting. We have two young kids and just want to be able to get fresh air in the house without worrying about lead poisoning or spending more than we have.

Windows are the eyes of the house. You will be completely ruining the character and look of your house if you replace them with vinyl. Might as well put vinyl siding on the side of the house or painting the brick. You can replace the windows with quality wood windows or have them restored (often with tax credits offsetting some of the costs). Note the original windows were probably made with old growth wood that no longer exists. Restoring them is the best option IMHO.

Anonymous wrote:High quality vinyl, with the grids on the outside and inside, looks ok right? We have a 100 year old house. Hope we’re not making a mistake. We can’t afford 2k per window. Right now the windows don’t function, are full of chipping lead paint, and the storm windows we have to use in order not to freeze in the winter are disgusting. We have two young kids and just want to be able to get fresh air in the house without worrying about lead poisoning or spending more than we have.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the big hate in non wood windows.

It's a mix of snobbery and a lack of understanding that there's a massive difference between a prewar wavy glass window and a modern, overpriced wood window.

They are carcinogenic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the big hate in non wood windows.

It's a mix of snobbery and a lack of understanding that there's a massive difference between a prewar wavy glass window and a modern, overpriced wood window.

Anonymous wrote:We ordered new windows recently. They came to about 950 a piece, all custom. Good quality vinyl with simulated divided lights. Could have done wood but those would have been a lot more. Hope they look good, they will be here in another 4 weeks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, first you have to decide whether you want vinyl or wood and how high quality. Top of the line we windows are going to exceed $2000 window, at least during the current market.

A window does not cost 2k, not even top of the line. If you pay that price you used the wrong company.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the big hate in non wood windows.

It's a mix of snobbery and a lack of understanding that there's a massive difference between a prewar wavy glass window and a modern, overpriced wood window.

What’s snobby about preferring the product with greater longevity that also looks nicer?

Average, modern wood windows aren't going to have a greater longevity. Pre-war wavy glass with old growth wood frame is a different story, but that's not what people are talking about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get the big hate in non wood windows.

It's a mix of snobbery and a lack of understanding that there's a massive difference between a prewar wavy glass window and a modern, overpriced wood window.

What’s snobby about preferring the product with greater longevity that also looks nicer?