Replacement Windows

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: JOD

I won't kid you, I probably put in 40 hours of work for each window, most of it paint stripping so I could then stain the original wood. But they're clear, old growth vertical grain fir, so it seemed worth it to me at the time. If you don't have a lot of paint on them, or you're OK with them being painted, it's a lot less work.

I believe it. At the age of 65 something isn't even on the radar screen. I devote as little time to this kind of activity as possible.

Having said that I enjoy doing some things that I don't really need to do in the area of home repair, etc. Windows is just not one of them.


With the amount of paint I stripped off of those windows, I may never make it to 65!

I totally understand the practicality of going replacement--I just figured I'd throw out for the class the other options.

As far as window "efficiency", there are certainly differences, but in the end the differences aren't all that significant. Look at the R-value for a solid wall to get some perspective. Windows, by definition, aren't that efficient.

 

[rjundi]

If you do not already know there is a 30% tax credit up to $1500 for energy star products that improve your efficiency.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: JOD

I totally understand the practicality of going replacement--I just figured I'd throw out for the class the other options.

I understand and I sure gave your suggestion some thought. Thanks for suggesting it. I may go that route on the two small double hung windows on either side of my Picture Window.

BTW the $118 replacement window from Home Depot is terrible quality. But its OK for a garage.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: fsskier
I have installed a number of new windows.....low E, argon filled, and now a few triple glass windows. Using a infrared gun and measuring the inside glass temperature, I got the following results:

Inside temp 68, 0utside -20 f.

Ordinary window with storm: 50 degrees

Ordinary window, triple glass 58 degrees\

Low E, argon filled 62 degrees

Low E "double sputtered
soft coat", argon 64 degrees

Low E, "double sputtered
soft coat, TRIPLE glass 66 degrees


I am on my 3rd window (after a brief hiatus). The last two windows are Anderson "Silberline) @ $167 each including tax. The Home Depot ones were $126.

Anderson are higher quality and they are purchased locally.

I also used an infrared gun abd found that the inside glass surface was on the average 3.5 F lower than room temp. (I kept the storms on the outside) That as compared to windows with storms giving 8 F difference.

That equates to the new windows losing about 45% of the heat as regular windows with storms.

If anyone is on the fence about doing it...go for it. Once you pull out the old sashes using a small prybar for the inside molding and then a Chanel Lock to yank out the track...the two sashes and track come right out. Cleaning up everything. Slide the new window in there..shim it at 4 places, run in the screws, calk, trim and you are done.

One thing I did was leave the old storms on. So I decided to make the "stool" (lower window well surface) flat, using a 1 x 4 White pine and shimming it flat to the level of the inside sill. That made the job much easier. But it took extra time.

I also went with a total clearance of 1/4" side to side and top to bottom. Thats the advantage of getting them "custom" made.

 

[Slick 55]

Al, be careful with keeping the storms on with replacement windows. Some manufacturers say that is a no-no.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Brett Miller
Al, be careful with keeping the storms on with replacement windows. Some manufacturers say that is a no-no.

Why? I didn't see anything.

 

[Warstud]

No spray foam used? Mike Holmes would be happy if you did.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
No spray foam used? Mike Holmes would be happy if you did.

No I didn't. I just thoroughly caulked around the inside around the new frame and original frame with "Air Leak and Gap Sealant." I used Air Gap and Leak Sealant and sponge foam everywhere else. I installed them so they could be easily removed if necessary. The reason could be to replace a broken storm window.

Although in that case I could consider replacing the whole storm window.

 

[Slick 55]

Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: Brett Miller
Al, be careful with keeping the storms on with replacement windows. Some manufacturers say that is a no-no.

Why? I didn't see anything.

Too much heat build-up between the replacement window and the storm window. Can cause the vinyl window frame to warp.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Brett Miller
Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: Brett Miller
Al, be careful with keeping the storms on with replacement windows. Some manufacturers say that is a no-no.

Why? I didn't see anything.

Too much heat build-up between the replacement window and the storm window. Can cause the vinyl window frame to warp.

OK thanks. I had considered that. I doubt that will be a problem though. As in summer I have serious overhang and north windows get almost zero sun.

But thanks. I'll keep that in mind this summer. I'll open a storm window if necessary.