Replacing windows

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

What with winter coming up, and the tax credit for energy efficient windows about to run out, I thought now might be a good time to look into replacing some of my leakier windows. I was wondering if anyone on DS has done this and can make a recommendation.

I have a good contractor already, but I thought I'd look into someone who specializes in windows. So I'm really only looking for someone who has that as a focus.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I've added the 'home repair' tag which has several earlier posts about windows. Don't know if these are helpful, though:

http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/2003149.html
http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1829394.html
http://community.livejournal.com/davis_square/995720.html

[masswich.livejournal.com]

Not precisely what you are asking about, but I would generally say that most experts don't believe replacing windows is an effective use of "energy efficiency" investment. Its far cheaper (and actually better for the environment) to keep your old windows with new storms and good copper weatherstripping. You get almost the same energy efficiency and lower cost, plus the feeling that you're not wasting the energy and wood that went into the old windows. Try windowrepair.com, or google "old window repair boston" for a start. As for storms, the Harvey trulines seem to be the most respected.

I think most studies show that insulation in the walls and attic, along with sealing the exterior of the basement and some general caulking, is the way to go. The tax credits, etc., are substantial for these improvements. Right now there is a program through the utilities for "enhanced energy audits" that can tell you how to maximize your efficiency dollar and your rebates.

Now, there are some times when new windows may make sense. I think that if you are dealing with lead paint it is sometimes much easier to replace the windows. Also, if your original windows are actually replacements or are from the 70's, they may not be worth saving. I ended up replacing the upstairs windows and stripping/weatherstripping/storming my downstairs ones.

OK, so now you want me to stop proselytizing and answer your question. I found that the contractors that JB Sash hooked me up with were good. As for the actual replacement windows, Marvins and Pellas are the best. Trimline and Harveys are the next level down. Andersen has a new replacement window that's supposed to be OK. I definitely would stay away from cheap-o vinyl or metal replacements. Wood with an exterior cladding or fiberglass are the best insulators.

[avjudge]

In addition to which, if your old windows are original, pre-WWII wood, they can be restored to better-than-new shape (since their "new" shape usually didn't have the weatherstripping mentioned above) and last another 100+ years - whereas any vinyl window will be in the landfill long before that, and modern wood will probably rot out in short order. (I was actually talking to window people at a show who said don't get unclad wood because it would rot so fast - yet the 1938 or older sashes in my parents' house are all in great shape, rattly because they haven't been weatherstripped, but no rot.) So beyond energy, restoration is less wasteful.

You'll find people who are passionate about this in the oldhouseweb.com forums, including one woman who restores old windows for a living.

[kelkyag]

Why will modern wood rot more quickly than older wood?

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Wood from mature, old-growth trees is supposed to be more durable.

[avjudge]

My understanding is that it's really pine that's deteriorated so much, due to the speed of growth in southern plantations, resulting in low # of growth rings per inch, etc. Just think whether a pine board or stud that you get today from Home Depot could stand up the way all the floors & sheathing & framing lumber in our houses has!

I've read (I admit, I really don't know beyond what I've read - I'm not a woodworker) that oak & other hardwoods have not really changed in quality, but they're not really farmed the way pine is.

[amy-s1.livejournal.com]

We bought 22 of the Harvey Tribute triple pane windows in 2008. its a vinyl replacement but it looks very much like wood that is painted white. It doesn't have the plastic "lever" that I think makes alot of the others look cheap. Overall very warm, sound dampening, no drafts, and you can pick from quite a few pre-painted external colors.

They were installed by ProWindows (out of Waltham).

I do sometimes wonder if I should have restored the existing, but we had ALOT of lead paint in the window trim...





Tribute was introduced a few years ago, and is a higer end window than the other Harveys.

Windowrepair.com

[ravingwanderer.livejournal.com]

For about $400/window (more than you'll pay for inexpensive replacement windows, but probably less than the likes of Marvin and Pella), I had Windowrepair.com rehab my old windows (100 year old single-pane windows, some with diamond lights) and install Harvey Truchannel storms. The rehab included weatherstripping, replacing ropes with chains, and making sure each window closed and sealed properly. The fit was not always perfect, but the windows are way less leaky than they were before this was done. Some of my windows need reglazing; this will probably help with some of the residual leakiness.

Equivalent new windows from Pella were IIRC $400-500 for regular windows, and custom $$$$ for diamond-light windows.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about windows, but check with http://www.masssave.com/ and your power company to find out about the availability of an energy audit-- Windows may be the way to go, but there may be other items that'll give you more bang/buck.

Plus they give you free lightbulbs.

[acechorizo.livejournal.com]

Another voice for restoring your windows. We hired Restoration Windows - our windows were already in decent shape, but they replaced the ropes with chains, added copper weatherstripping, added storms to windows and doors that didn't have them already. It made a big difference, and I think it was about $250/window.