new windows

We live a pretty old house. The windows are getting bad. The aluminum combination window on the outside are falling apart. I would like to replace the windows this year, but am confused about which are better. I don't want to buy cheap windows, because I would like them to last, but I also can't afford very expensive ones. We would like to have them made to fit the opening, so we realize that it will probably increase the cost. I talked to a fellow at a home show that was selling Great Lakes Windows. They are energy-effecient custom vinyl replacement windows. He had a sample window there that would be about $335 (includes him coming out to measure the opening, and installation.) The sample window was quite a bit smaller that our openings would be. I'm not sure how much more ours would cost. Is this a reasonable price, or is it a bit much?? Any other ideas?? How about Anderson windows? Do they custom-make? Are most vinyl replacement windows about the same (regarding energy effeciency, durability, and cost)? Any help would be great!!
Thanks!!
Weze

 

Buying retrofit windows can be very confusing, because you can't judge them by price alone. You need to compare 3 things -- the warranties, the festation rating stickers, and the price.

Warranties can be defined in terms of a certain number or years, or as a "lifetime" warranty. Most are only good for as long as you own the house the windows are installed in (that's the "limited lifetime warranty"). The only one that I am aware of that is transferrable to the next owner is the Amerimax warranty.

The festation ratings are like the MPG stickers of windows. Except for the rating on visible light transmission, the lower the number, the better the window will be at reducing your energy costs. A window which has numbers in the range of .30 to .35 for the first two numbers, and a visible light transmission rating of .75 or more is a very good window. If the first two numbers are in the range of .35 to .40, that is a less efficient window. You should expect the price to be lower. A window that will reduce your energy consumption by a larger amount every month is worth paying more for.

Hope this helps.

 

My landlord got new windows installed in the previous house I lived in (which was a rental). I can't remember ratings unfortunately, I don't think they had any UV coating, but the windows we got were double glass pane, with vinyl frames, and tilt-out for easy cleaning, and they cost only $180 each installed. This was last year. They were all custom-made to size (I think all windows would have to be custom-made to size right?), and approx. 40" wide by 65" tall.

The house certainly felt a lot warmer after we got them.
Hope this helps.

 

Hey,
Thanks for the responses! Looks like I have a little bit of comparison shopping to do. Any little bit of info helps alot. I will look into all of the brands that I can find. Thanks again!

 

Replacement windows are made to fit inside the current windows frame. They are replacement sashes. If you have poor insulation around your current frames then this is not going to solve anything.

Replacement windows can be a good deal higher in price than new construction windows. But the installed price seems fair here.

Anderson manufacture excellent high grade windows. They are one of the biggest names in the window industry. The y are not cheap.

Do your shopping. Learn all you can. Be an informed buyer.

 

I just went to Andersen's Web site, and found a GREAT amount of information there regarding ratings, energy cost calculations, the works. Check it out.

 

I changed old windows with new, Andersen’s double tilt, energy efficient ones last fall. When I was considering replacement vinyl windows two things tilted decision to Andersen: 1. Vinyl looked cheaper for simple models. I used to live in rental with cheap replacement and they started to fall apart after five years. Better vinyl grade, ‘welded’, better glass (e=0.31) and quote champed from $120 to about $200 for my size. 2. Glass area would be 18% smaller (vinyl is retrofitted into old window frame).
I decided to go with Andersen. In Home Depot I paid $218 a piece. Installation took me one weekend per window finished outside, unfinished inside (plan for a winter time). I was able to find Andersen same width but a 3” taller then rough opening. Old window was removed (nailed solid, felt like concrete), new sill lowered and supported, siding cut a bit larger to accommodate new brick molding. My house is old with soft sheathing so I needed to install solid ¾ blocking outside and same jamb extender inside. Andersen frame is solid wood and it is possible to use foam (with caution) to insulate. Front of the house already had newer windows, I changed back four. During winter month with comparable temperatures from previous year showed 15 to 20% lower gas usage.
MikeJ