My current Windows are terrible (single pane). They leak during bad storms and get condenstation in winter.... My questions are:

1) For double pane replacements anyone have any recomendations on type or brand thats very, "cost effective" but performs well? Basically the cheapest best window leaning a little towards the cheap end

2) I live on Vancouver island. Can anyone recomend a good installer and or place to purchase? We have Home depot, Sears, etc and a bunch of smaller guys as well.


Thanks,

 

If you want to keep costs down, you're looking at installing vinyl frame windows. I live in California, where it's reasonably hot, so we look for low U-value (heat transfer), Low-E (emissivity), and low SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coeficient). Up north, you'll probably only care about the U-value. You'll get reasonable performance with vinyl at reduced cost. Of course you'll be a bit more limited in the variety of shapes and types.

Home Depot and Sears are both good sources for vinyl windows. Both will provide installation and thought I don't have experience with Home Depot, I do know that Sears is very good about standing behind their installation services.

Dave