Window Replacement

Am getting ready to purchase a 22-yr. old house and it looks like the single pane windows will need replacing (age, rotting sills, etc.). Any suggestions on how to do an economic replacement.

Although I consider myself somewhat literate on using carpenter tools, I would think this job is best left to professionals.

Figure double pane windows would be a minimum, but when it comes to wood, vinyl, alumninum, etc. I have mixed feelings. Currently have alumninum frame windows in my house built 2 years ago and the seem to radiate a lot of the "coldness" into the house.

 

if your original aluminium windows radiate cold into the house it is probably because they are not thermally broken. ie the outer side of the frame does not have a thermal barrior between the internal side of the frame these frames were common years ago because they were cheap, these days most frames are now thermally broken and windows can now be bought in a variety of colours, but the first thing you have to think about when replacing windows and doors is the age of the property, and current building regulations in your area, check out what the regulations are before doing any work as this can be costly once the work is completed but not inline with regulations and you can be forced to remove or undo what you have spent money on doing, by far the cheapest window replacements are in pvcu or plastic as it is commonly known, these to can come in many colours and configurations.
you can buy these frames cheaply as supply only frames and then employ a window fitter to fit them privatly for youbut a word of caution there are a lot of cowboys out there just wanting to make a fast buck!! if you have had friends or neighbours who have had them done then go on recomendations from these and look over their windows before deciding, ok so now your at the stage where your ready to order your windows,one point to remember is that if you measure the replacement windows yourself and order them and they are wrong you have to wear the cost of replaceing them with new one's, so the trick is to get the company you are going to order from to send their surveyor to take sizes for you you can then double check his sizes against yours if there are any big discrepensies then you can have these rechecked, also then when your new windows arrive if one is wrong it would be down to the company to replace the window with one the right size as it was their surveyor who took the sizes in the first place, saving you the cost of another replacement..
I hope that this helps, Handyman
My email is garnier@localdial.com if you require further info, this is my trade...

 

GHINES: I am assuming you live in the USA. Aluminum windows are in violation in code in most part of the country now. Yes, they leak cold. My suggestion would be to use Tilt In Windows for your replacement. They are vinyl and come in single,or double hung, plus picture and crank out styles. They fit in your old frames, easy to install,
and very economical. I would buy them through a lumber yard, and they will measure them for you. They come 1/4 smaller then you opening, this allows for calking and insulation. We put in about a dozen every week. Good Luck Jack the Contractor

 

well Jack is right,To a point, I know that Aliminium windows are still fitted in the U.S. as friends of mine have just had them fitted, also they are widly fitted in commercial premisses in the USA, Check your local building reg's to be sure, but with open in vinyl windows you have to take into consideration your curtains, especially where the wife is concerned, because with the open in windows curtains can get in the way also if you have kids running around the house these can be dangerouse if the child runs into it when open, also if used upstairs because they can open wide!!!! unsupervised kids can fall out so if you fit these, make sure you have some sort of child proofing fitted, ie lockable handle's, tilt locks for the tilt and turn type of window, and tilt restrictors, also fitting new windows into old frames can be detrimental to you in the long run especially if the old frames are wood, as sooner or later some moisture will penetrate and wether it be from the outside or from condensation on the inside this will eventually rot the wood unseen by you untill it could be to late and then you would have to remove the windows again and replace the wooden subframes so it is better to totally remove all the old wood and fit your new vinyl windows direct to the blockwork and if done correctly will give you years of stress free living but remember that any moving parts must be maintained there is no such thing as a maintenence free window or door.
Handyman..

[This message has been edited by Handyman (edited December 09, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Handyman (edited December 09, 1999).]