To clad or not to clad?

A friend has had two estimates on replacing windows, which were significantly different. The lowest bid was without cladding. Should new windows be installed without cladding? Or is it an unnecessary expense?

 

Does your friend like to paint? Natural windows look beautiful and suite a log or other wood sided houses. They also require maintenance to keep their good looks. Windows can be clad in vinyl or aluminum, the later offering a wider colour selection. This type of window is virtually maintenance free.

 

Allan has scratched the surface, and by getting 2 quotes, so has your friend. Window shopping should be one area that a homeowner needs to do a lot of homework before making a final decision and the purchase. Learn the pros and cons of each type of window that is available (wood, vinyl, aluminum, the clads, etc.), and how the various options (low-e glass, argon, etc.) compare and what they cost, what the warranties are from the many different mfgrs. (not only for the frame, but also for the seal of the glass between the panes), along with some of the more apparent choices, like color, price,...

 

AND AS A FURTHER SCRATCH IN THE SURFACE:
SHOULD THE WINDOWS BE REPLACED AT ALL?
WILL THE NEW WINDOWS FIT THE PERSONALITY OF THE BUILDING?WILL THE PAY-BACK PERIOD BE LONGER THAN THE LIFE OF THE STRUCTURE(OR THE HIERS)CAN THE EXISTING WINDOWS BE UPGRADED FOR 1/2 THE MONEY? ...CAN WE AFFORD TO JUST DISCARD THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF OUR ANCESTORS?
..SOUNDS KIND OF PREACHY,BUT STILL,CAN IT HURT TO ASK THE MOST BASIC QUESTIONS FIRST?

 

Wes raises some good points. Look carefully at your present windows and figure out just how efficient or inefficient they are. The payback for replacing a fairly good window won't be that great. But if your present windows are single pane, maybe aluminum casement or wooden double hungs, replacing them with new windows is something that will pay for itself in very little time. We have seen customers cut their utility bill by 25% to 30% and more just by retrofitting their windows.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by WES:
AND AS A FURTHER SCRATCH IN THE SURFACE:
SHOULD THE WINDOWS BE REPLACED AT ALL?
WILL THE NEW WINDOWS FIT THE PERSONALITY OF THE BUILDING?WILL THE PAY-BACK PERIOD BE LONGER THAN THE LIFE OF THE STRUCTURE(OR THE HIERS)CAN THE EXISTING WINDOWS BE UPGRADED FOR 1/2 THE MONEY? ...CAN WE AFFORD TO JUST DISCARD THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF OUR ANCESTORS?
..SOUNDS KIND OF PREACHY,BUT STILL,CAN IT HURT TO ASK THE MOST BASIC QUESTIONS FIRST?<HR>