hi all! my first post! i will soon be installing some american craftsman 8500 series double hung windows. i have 12 to do. my existing windows are 30+ years old and are in poor shape. on the outside of these windows is a triple track aluminum storm window, with screen. on the exterior of the home, i checked them out. looks like they are caulked and screwed in. should i go OUTSIDE and pull these storms off first? my gut tells me i should -- we won't need yet another window and screen once i have the 8500's ... and i would think it would look pretty cluttered with all those tracks in front of the new window... also, wondering if these storm windows and tracks are attached to the blind stop that i'm going to butt up against the new window? any advice appreciated! tj

I normally do all my own home improvements but I never have replaced a window before. I had Champion out yesterday and they wanted $500 per window (32x38). I really liked their window but that is just too much money per window in my eyes. My question is what are some things I should be looking for when getting a window and installing it myself? Where is a good place to get the windows from? I went to Home Depot and Lowes but thos windows they have on the self just seem soo cheap and low quality. Thanks for you time.