Choosing replacement windows on a BUDGET!!

What are the best and most energy efficient options that aren't going to break the bank? I've been looking, and I'm liking the idea of composite (vinyl clad wood?) windows over vinyl ones, but I can't seem to find anywhere that really gives me a price--I'm not anxious to waste a bunch of people's time when they tell me that the windows are $100+ each (even if we install them), and I know that we can't afford anything like that. At the same time, we can't afford ridiculously high energy bills to pay for the leaky ones the house has now. I know that they always say "oh, they'll pay for themselves in 5 years...." but in our case, they are going to have to pay for themselves in a year or less for us to afford them--and they'll have to have a "payment plan".

Does anyone know approximately how much a set of windows cost? We'd need about 20 of the normal upwards sliding (single sash????) windows plus about 4 basement style windows (they slide sideways one way), and 1 egress window.

Is that tax credit still in effect for choosing energy efficient windows? That might help our budget a bit if it's still available.

 

Farmgirl,
Short answer...100 ea is at the bottom of the range. Fiberglass composite will prob easily run twice to three times that, even if your windows are small.

Will post more later,(I'm sure others will weigh in also) but I'm on my way to the attic on my own project, sorry.

 

Farmgirl, I don't know your budget or how long you plan on living in the home, but these two things are major factors in your window choices.
I recently decided against replacement windows and went with vinyl new windows instead. I didn't want wood either cause I don't wanna paint no more.
If you plan on staying in the house for years to come, I suggest you find the money and have new windows installed. If you go cheap you will regret it, have buyers remorse and wish you bought better windows. I got a tax break here in CT. because my new windows were Energy Star rated and for a NEW window, vinyl, E coated double pane window, 36"x36" I paid a local company, $150.00. I found this a great value after looking at replacements, Home Depot windows, Anderson and Marvin.
Windows are a major part of your home, both functioning and decor, I am a single, divorced guy who will install my windows, I am on a very tight budget but I think I got the right windows for my home and you should look at all the factors and not just the cash factor.
Good Luck.

DanO

 

Hi Farmgirl,

Good advice you've gotten here, already! Buy the best windows you can, or you'll be replacing them in 10 years or less. You don't have to do them all at once, either. You can do one room at a time.

Because it's an energy saver, you may get a tax credit, and you may also qualify for low interest loan. Since the economy is in such a bind now, some dealers may actually give you no interest, so don't be shy about asking. They need to move inventory.

One more thing...if there is a Habitat for Humanity Restore in your area, you may want to browse there...sometimes there are bargains you wouldn't believe!

Connie

 

I don't know...I'll check out the Humanity ReStore thing--maybe they'll have enough in the sizes I need to get it partially done. I am pretty sure they all need to be ASAP--they are rotting out. The paint has been gone for quite some time, and I don't think painting them at this point would do any good. Realistically, money is a BIG thing--mostly because we have no equity to borrow against, and we've spent our savings on the downpayment.

I'll be sure to ask if there is a no-interest option--that might help also if they are willing to do a payment plan.

Actually, we are only planning to live there for about 5 years--unless my hubby just absolutely loves his job and couldn't leave. And maybe more than that--we're still young and are just starting out, so who knows what we'll be doing in 10 years.

I don't know--this was our first ever house-buying experience, and it was the least expensive one in the area. We knew it was either this house or be homeless--our mortgage is less than half what we would pay for rent in the "slum"

 

Ive done 13 windows here for right at $300 most from demo sales (where a house is getting torn down or remodeled and you pull what you need ) typically 15-20 per window a few from habitat

like any bargain you have to work for it , lots of demo sales and trips to habitat to find the right . size style and color but it can be done

its taken a few years but it was a nice cheap way to upgrade our windows

 

Farmgirl,
By the way, congrats on your first home, it will be fun and really good fights could develop from home ownership. Just wanted to let you know, I am no expert, my first house I did everything cheap and I would have replaced everything I did all over again within 5 years, no doubt. That's why I said previously, spend if you can get the money. On my second house, the one my ex-wife lives in now, I did everything without worrying about how much, Anderson windows, nice siding, 30 year shingles, etc. What I learned was it was worth it.
As far as your windows, maybe doing some now, some next year and so on may be a good way. You can decide which rooms need them most, like your child's room, bathroom, etc. Make sure the windows you have do open, especially in your children's rooms, in case of a fire. I know what happens when you do some rooms now, others later though, the later rooms get put on the back burner because of the furnace, roof, etc and then you have some good, some bad windows.
Good luck again, I hope you are in a warm climate.

 

I think the Federal rebate ended Dec. 2007, but there is talk about new rebate coming soon.

 

even if you are going to move the resonably priced windows are the way to go get the best energy saving windows you can afford. by the way don't install low e on the north side unless they help with energy flow out of your house, also if you like house plants low e will make it hard to grow them.
we installed new vinyl dual pane windows in 95 and they have paid for themselves many times over the years. The first year we saved $50 month on heating.
Murphy was an optimist