We are getting quotes to have all our windows replaced and they seem really expensive. We have a brick ranch in Atlanta and 23 windows with most being 36 x 54. Quotes wwe have received are about $20,000, which is about $870 a window. I am not an expert in this area, but this just seems like way too much money. The windows are all vinyl with one quote using double glass and the other triple glass. So, is this in line with what a good replacement window installed should cost? If so, it looks like it is time to save some more money as this is about twice what we thought we would spend. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.
Take care

 

Your quote does sound high. In the replacement window world, higher prices do not always equate higher quality. While that may be true to a certain extent, you can still get a decent replacement window for closer to $500 each, or a little more depending on what options you would like.

 

I agree, a bit high for replacement windows, which means the existing frame remains in place. Feel free to mention name brands. And I will suggest Certainteed and Paradigm as two possibilities.

 

Thanks!
One quote is from Champion and they make the windows. The other, which the guy was a real clown! is only a rep/distributor and he just hand wrote our quote on a piece of blank paper...
Anyway, I will check out the two names you provided and thanks again for your help.
Take Care

 

I haven't heard many Champion stories that have a happy ending. But maybe they are getting better.

 

A Sleeper...
Man, am I glad for this post. Their guy had the best presentation and seemed professional... What type stories have your heard about Champion, if you don't mind? And do you have anyone you suggest?
Thanks again and take care

Dan

 

Well, I think Champion is a national chain which usually means they have a slick sales crew that keeps their sales going. Around here they are known for having a low quality window at a low price. They may have a different repuation in other parts of the country. Installation crews also vary from place to place, but you rarely get a cheap window and then get the best installation.

So I guess I'm suprised that your high bid was from them.

I don't make it a habit to promote any particular brand of replacement window because there are literally hundreds of them out there, many of them being remarkably the same. If you haven't talked to a Schuco dealer, you might check into that. I personally have no affiliation with them, but have met lots of dealers that swear by them as being the best replacement window they've seen.

 

I recently checked out the major home stores for replacement windows. Lowe's carries Pella, Home Depot carries Andersen. Any comments on the relative quality of those 2 brands, and if Lowe's and HD are good sources for getting replacment windows?

Also, at Lowe's prices for the windows (Pella) were around $150 for the window, (of course varying by size) lus $99 for installation. Seems like a good price?

 

IMHO, I would avoid big box(blue or orange) or Sears, for replacement windows. I am not a big fan of Pella and Andersen(Renewal) does not make a replacement window that can be installed by HD. My suggestion for Certainteed/Paradigm are because they are old national companies(Certainteed is over 100), Paradigm was started by engineers from Certainteed(better idea), and they stand behind their products.

 

Thanks. What problems have you seen wit Pella? Have they bee with their wood clad or their vinyl windows?

Also, if I wanted to go with Certainteed, what is the best way to get them?

 

Any wood or wood-clad window has the potential for problems with water damage and warping. Supposedly they are manufactured in such a way so as to keep water out and have a warranty that covers damage. The problem is that many companies make it difficult to collect on their warranty by specific language, such as: Windows must be properly maintained, glazing checked annually, siliconed as needed, etc. Basically they are acknowledging the possibility that water damage will occur to wooden parts of the window if those parts are "allowed" to get wet by the homeowner.

No company I know of will give a lifetime warranty on a wood window. Wood is a natural product that rots when exposed to wet conditions. The warranty they offer on the wood parts is usually very limited- not only in the length of time, but also limited to a manufacturer's defect. This is the reason vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass and so on, have become more popular- they don't rot, and don't require as much maintenance.

Working with windows for many years I have seen all sorts of rotton wood windows. Andersen, Pella, Weather Shield, Hurd, Marvin, Integrity, Caradco, the list goes on and on. Rarely have I ever seen a company make good on their warranties, and if they do it is generally just a failed IGU or something simple. (Try getting free crank arms for a 10+ year old window sometime.) Even then, aside from Andersen, most companies will tell you you are out of luck after 10 years, or they begin pro-rating from 10-20 yrs. And labor is never free no matter how good the warranty sounds.

So every company has horror stories, and you can find dozens of them on the net, usually written by the angry people who got shafted. At the same time there may be thousands of happy people out there too, but you don't hear from them, because they have nothing to complain about since their windows are just fine. So don't give too much stock to people's complaints since they aren't always representitive of the company as a whole. (for instance, comments from disgruntled Andersen factory workers who are unhappy with their lot in life or changes within the company- probably some truth and some distortion there.) Sometimes these horror stories may not result in immediate results for the person with the complaint or problem, but they do sometimes result in future changes to the product. So the 10 year old complaint of someone who had a problem with a 10 year old window is actually 20 years in the past and that model of window has long ago passed away, to be replaced with a new, hopefully better version.

 

Those aren't really Pella. They are Thermastar or Thermaseal (or something like that) BY Pella
What I was told, was that Pella bought out an existing low end window manufacturer to capture some of that market. They are poor quality.

 

We had a guy out from Lowe's based on the $99 replacement deal. He told us that it only applies if you already have wood windows. The price per window for taking out our aluminum windows is $229 per window under the sale and $299 per window regularly.

 

I just replaced all my windows with Milgard and couldn't be happier.
Did it myself and it was a snap.
I ordered the replacement to fit into the opening from the inside.
Just removed the old sash's cleaned up the opening and tilted the new window in, squared it up and replace the inside trim.
30-45 mins. per window.