Window and Exterior Door Replacement Advice
#1
01-25-09, 09:26 AM
Window and Exterior Door Replacement Advice
Our 850 square foot 1975 built home here in Regina, Saskatchewan (Canada, eh!) needs the windows and doors replaced. Some of my thoughts:
1. We don't want to put a big financial investment into the house, considering that we predict our growing family with my wife and two boys (ages 3 and 5) will outgrow the house in maybe 5 years. Windows and doors replacement will make our house more comfortable and energy efficient during our time left in the house (we've been here 10 years). If we spent a lot on doors and windows, we wouldn't recover much of this cost in the short time we plan to be here. The next owner would benefit more than we would (IMHO).
2. We would like to have an energy efficiency assessment done on our house so we can take advantage of government grants and/or subsidies (i.e. $60 per windows and doors, etc..).
3. I consider myself quite handy and ambitious and I want to look into replacing the doors and windows myself. Is this a good idea? Pros and cons? I'm a big believer in "Sweat equity" as long as it's worth my while. (I'm a teacher - I have two months off - July and August!)
4. I am considering purchasing "off the shelf" slider windows from Rona (brand - Supervision). They are Energy-Star rated and I think I could get the $60 rebate per unit)... They are double paned low E, argon windows, with a nailing flange... The sizes appear to be correct to the rough openings, but I might have to make small modifications to the rough opening on a window or two to make them work. Custom size windows would be considerable more expensive. Know anything about this brand? Supervision
4. Our living room window that is quite large and we would probably have to custom order this one. The other windows and doors should be able to be purchased "off the shelf" because their dimensions match what exists on the shelf at Rona.
5. I am contemplating window and door replacement because new windows and doors would be a good selling feature, plus our house is cold and drafty. I plan to buy pre-hung exterior doors from Rona or Home Depot as well... comments?
Any advice, comments and/or suggestions would be great.
1. We don't want to put a big financial investment into the house, considering that we predict our growing family with my wife and two boys (ages 3 and 5) will outgrow the house in maybe 5 years. Windows and doors replacement will make our house more comfortable and energy efficient during our time left in the house (we've been here 10 years). If we spent a lot on doors and windows, we wouldn't recover much of this cost in the short time we plan to be here. The next owner would benefit more than we would (IMHO).
2. We would like to have an energy efficiency assessment done on our house so we can take advantage of government grants and/or subsidies (i.e. $60 per windows and doors, etc..).
3. I consider myself quite handy and ambitious and I want to look into replacing the doors and windows myself. Is this a good idea? Pros and cons? I'm a big believer in "Sweat equity" as long as it's worth my while. (I'm a teacher - I have two months off - July and August!)
4. I am considering purchasing "off the shelf" slider windows from Rona (brand - Supervision). They are Energy-Star rated and I think I could get the $60 rebate per unit)... They are double paned low E, argon windows, with a nailing flange... The sizes appear to be correct to the rough openings, but I might have to make small modifications to the rough opening on a window or two to make them work. Custom size windows would be considerable more expensive. Know anything about this brand? Supervision
4. Our living room window that is quite large and we would probably have to custom order this one. The other windows and doors should be able to be purchased "off the shelf" because their dimensions match what exists on the shelf at Rona.
5. I am contemplating window and door replacement because new windows and doors would be a good selling feature, plus our house is cold and drafty. I plan to buy pre-hung exterior doors from Rona or Home Depot as well... comments?
Any advice, comments and/or suggestions would be great.
#2
01-25-09, 01:26 PM
You are contemplating new construction windows with a nailing flange. Do you have a contingency plan for the exterior siding of your house in order to install this type window?
I have had no experience with this brand window, so all I can give is generic advice.
Replacement windows would be a little more expensive, but you won't have to tear off the siding on your house in order to install, and they can be done in 30 minutes each and not disturb any interior trim, etc.
I agree, new windows and doors would help you while you live there, and enhance resell price when you get ready to go.
I have had no experience with this brand window, so all I can give is generic advice.
Replacement windows would be a little more expensive, but you won't have to tear off the siding on your house in order to install, and they can be done in 30 minutes each and not disturb any interior trim, etc.
I agree, new windows and doors would help you while you live there, and enhance resell price when you get ready to go.
#3
01-25-09, 05:01 PM
If you were to replace your windows with a good quality new construction window such as Andersen you would spend a pile of money and would probably be able to recoup at least part of it when you sell your house. Otherwise, as Chandler said, vinyl replacement windows are fine. Be careful buying these off the shelf. On our jobs, I usually have them custom made. Doesn't cost more but takes a couple of weeks to get. I would buy one and install it before you commit to doing your whole house yourself. The install is no big deal but I don't know you.
#4
01-26-09, 09:28 AM
Originally Posted by Craig 845
Otherwise, as Chandler said, vinyl replacement windows are fine. Be careful buying these off the shelf. On our jobs, I usually have them custom made. Doesn't cost more but takes a couple of weeks to get. I would buy one and install it before you commit to doing your whole house yourself. The install is no big deal but I don't know you.
As for the install, I'm not too worried about it, other than maybe our big picture window in our living room...
#5
01-26-09, 05:44 PM
Anyone care to comment on the Canadian federal government "ecoENERGY Retrofit for Homes" program? (ecoACTION - ecoENERGY - ecoENERGY Retrofit– Homes)
Any tips or suggestions?
Any tips or suggestions?
#6
01-31-09, 04:46 PM
no tip or suggestion on the eco-energy grants, but i would comment that i'm very disappointed how little money they give you on windows, water heaters etc. they give you a bundle for insulation which is a relatively inexpensive job, but very little incentive to replace windows..which is maybe why only 2 percent of canadian families have done anything with it in over a year of it's existence and they've only spent something like 25 million of 220 million budgeted. great idea, but they were not realistic..i am getting some new windows given the announcement of the new home grant rebate program as i can double dip so that makes me feel a bit better. i'm very disappointed our alberta govt has not done anything to match the federal program.
#7
01-31-09, 11:22 PM
Originally Posted by tenax
no tip or suggestion on the eco-energy grants, but i would comment that i'm very disappointed how little money they give you on windows, water heaters etc. they give you a bundle for insulation which is a relatively inexpensive job, but very little incentive to replace windows..which is maybe why only 2 percent of canadian families have done anything with it in over a year of it's existence and they've only spent something like 25 million of 220 million budgeted. great idea, but they were not realistic..i am getting some new windows given the announcement of the new home grant rebate program as i can double dip so that makes me feel a bit better. i'm very disappointed our alberta govt has not done anything to match the federal program.
