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Wookie · 03-02-2010, 11:00 AM

Looking at getting some windows replaced in my home.

31 years old as far as I can tell, would like to get some estimates, maybe some feedback as to which NEED to be replaced. I know they're all old, and past their life expectancy and the mean failure time period. But I'd rather someone who would say "this one is old, but fine" etc.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

Nufy · 03-02-2010, 11:29 AM

If you're gonna do one do em all IMO.

Replacing one or two would clash with the remaining. I do understand that budget is always an issue though.

I did the top floor of my house with Gentek windows a few years back including a big living room wondow for about 6 K.

Stay away from Meridian. You'd be better off shopping the Dollar Store for windows.

GoinAllTheWay · 03-02-2010, 11:34 AM

And stay away from All Weather Windows. Bunch of hacks screwed up pretty much every window they installed at my place.

The even managed to scew up the foam insulation which is quite a feat IMO. Massive gaps, the foam the used was a high expansion foam meaning it warped the window and made it near impossible to close. Now I have to get Crystal Glass in to fix them.

JBR · 03-02-2010, 11:37 AM

We purchased from Ecoline. Service was good so far. Install on Friday. I'll re-post with the results. Price was a bit higher than the average.. but not much..

Buff · 03-02-2010, 12:01 PM

Not sure who in Calgary installs them, but we got Berdick windows, and they were installed by Al Jensen Reno here in Lethbridge. Really happy with the windows. I can see out of them.

I would NOT go with Pella. They were far more expensive than any other place. I had three people quote me for all my doors and windows, and they all came within $1500. When Pella came, I had them quote all but the doors and one window that I wasn't going to bother with anyway. Without those, they still came in at $4500 higher.

csnarpy · 03-02-2010, 12:13 PM

we just went with Supreme Windows and, imo, they are a very good company. Frik, we went triple pane low e glass with all our windows and 2 custom doors and it was still only middle of the road in pricing compared to other companies (ie: All Weather, Greg Martineau, Western Windows...)

Reaper · 03-02-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csnarpy

we just went with Supreme Windows and, imo, they are a very good company. Frik, we went triple pane low e glass with all our windows and 2 custom doors and it was still only middle of the road in pricing compared to other companies (ie: All Weather, Greg Martineau, Western Windows...)

I'm not sure I'd be able to fully trust any company that cannot properly pronounce the word manufacturing in their commercials.

Wookie · 03-02-2010, 12:18 PM

Well the situation I'm in is our condo board was originally going to replace all our windows and doors and special assess us. The board and fund is pretty well established, so all this work was getting done for a great deal!! It was a sizable special assessment - but well worth it IMO.

However, from what I hear, they're now looking at doing the ones that need to be done first. Which I'm not sure would cover all of mine (including 3 patio style door sets), maybe a few would be done. I find that annoying as heck and would rather do all at once, even if it costs me more.

So I want someone to come in and say "yes, your windows are all garbage, they all need to be replaced" so I have some backup when it comes to getting them done this spring. I have 7 windows, 3 patio doors and don't want some new some old, would just look like crap.

csnarpy · 03-02-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

I'm not sure I'd be able to fully trust any company that cannot properly pronounce the word manufacturing in their commercials.

Whatever dude, the company was awesome and very professional.

(also, i've never heard their ads so wouldn't know about that anyways.)

Wookie · 03-02-2010, 12:20 PM

OH - and thanks for replies.

Reaper · 03-02-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Whatever dude, the company was awesome and very professional.

I'm not disputing that. The fact remains that I am a details oriented person and for them to not attend to one glaring detail makes me wonder about what other details they haven't attended to.

Also, my name is not Jeffrey Lebowski.

csnarpy · 03-02-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

I'm not disputing that. The fact remains that I am a details oriented person and for them to not attend to one glaring detail makes me wonder about what other details they haven't attended to.

Also, my name is not Jeffrey Lebowski.

lol, i never said The Dude....

Wookie · 03-02-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csnarpy

lol, i never said The Dude....

I called them - they seemed okay, are coming out next week.

4X4 · 03-02-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

And stay away from All Weather Windows. Bunch of hacks screwed up pretty much every window they installed at my place.

The even managed to scew up the foam insulation which is quite a feat IMO. Massive gaps, the foam the used was a high expansion foam meaning it warped the window and made it near impossible to close. Now I have to get Crystal Glass in to fix them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by csnarpy

we just went with Supreme Windows and, imo, they are a very good company. Frik, we went triple pane low e glass with all our windows and 2 custom doors and it was still only middle of the road in pricing compared to other companies (ie: All Weather, Greg Martineau, Western Windows...)

Lol. I was gonna come in here and say stay away from Supreme and drift towards All Weather. Now that I've said it, I stand by my statement. Boo to Supreme, props to All Weather.

csnarpy · 03-03-2010, 09:49 AM

Just like 4x4 to stir up the pot --- lol.

For our case, AWW couldn't provide the doors we wanted with no glass side lights. This was very much a deciding factor. Whereas Supreme was able to (same door model and brand).

Then AWW price came out the a few hundred more BUT with only double pane low E windows - we got triple low E with Supreme.

Finally, AWW couldn't provide a low E window with a blinds insert in our rear door - in fact they were pretty sure of themselves when they said you can either have the Blinds in the window without lowE or no blinds with lowE, and that's they way it is with all companies. Supreme - blinds with lowE?? Sure no problem, we've been doing them for 2 years now and if anything goes wrong with it then there is a 20yr warranty to fall back on.

Game. Set. Match.

(imo, of course)

csnarpy · 03-03-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookie

I called them - they seemed okay, are coming out next week.

I hope it goes well for you as it did for us. Our Sales Rep was Carl and was very good.

VladtheImpaler · 03-03-2010, 10:01 AM

I am in same situation as OP - 31 year-old house. I am curious what a reasonable ballpark price is for a 2-storey, including a big living room window and patio door? Is it worth it in terms of heating savings? How many years should you plan to stay in the house for this to be a reasonable expenditure?

EDIT: What is all this triple E, low E stuff?

speede5 · 03-03-2010, 11:24 AM

I have recently replaced all the windows in two houses, first was a flip and the second we are renovating to live in. Unless your windows leak (air/water), have broken seals between panes (cloudy), or are just old single panes the return on investment is quite a ways into the future. New windows are great for appearance, and convenience, but as far as energy goes even the best window is still the least efficient component of your house.

When you consider a wall is built to a minimum of R-12 (2x4 with batt ins.) a dual pane will get you approx. R-5 and a triple around R-7. Triples are not worth the investment for energy, but more so for noise. In the city I would use triples just for the noise. I put triple clear in the flip (not a good invesment but we were prepared to stay there if need be) and was amazed at how quiet it was. I went with dual low e in our new house as it is in the country and there is no noise to block. Low e is nice for saving furniture from fading. Argon is overrated as it disipates after a few years, but it's not a huge expense and if you want low-e you usually get the argon. A well sealed pane of glass is fine without argon.

If your windows are in good shape and you want to improve your energy losses you may be best off to pop off the casings and spray foam the gaps between the windows and the rough wall. Use low expansion foam and seal all your windows. If the windows are in good shape already this is probably the only thing you would be improving by buying new windows anyway (energywise).

New windows have some great features, easier to clean, better hardware, and they sure look nice but I am not at all sold on the energy savings and the break even point is a long way out.

As far as price, I spent $9000 on the triple clears, for a one level bugalow, including a massive living room window (132"x 52) and three large bedroom (113x30) batroom, kitchen, dining room and 5 basement sliders. (3 years ago)

I just spent $11000 on a two story farmhouse, with a smaller picture window, 5 bedroom casement windows, three large (80x46) fixed awnings and kitchen, dining, living room windows. (dual low e argon with grilles)

Doors extra. All installations by me.

VladtheImpaler · 03-03-2010, 05:17 PM

Awesome - I am out of "thanks", so big thanks!

csnarpy · 03-03-2010, 06:26 PM

From all the companies and manufacturers that i have seen/read. Double pane with Argon is an R-4 value and Triple is an R-8.

The big difference is the heat and cold - it is incredible not to feel any cold on these windows. These windows are made to deflect the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. Also, from our purchase from double to triple panes (all low e argon) for the entire house, was $800 - which was literally nothing compared to how much the whole house cost.