To the average homeowner, even after perusing these boards for days/weeks, manufacturers websites, NFRC site, going to the showrooms to put "hands on", plus all the other stuff out there... trying to pin down replacement windows seems to be more elusive than buying another car! You folks have been a godsend when it comes to slicing through a lot of the smoke and mirrors - yes, even when "gently" disagreeing with others. Thank You!
Now - on to my query... It looks like I'll be going with Simonton 5500s (Reflections) to replace my nearly 30 year-old double-hung, double pane wood windows on my all cedar-sided (barn-red stained) rancher. I was going to go with the Alside Sheffield initially, until I looked at both and identified some of the comparisons (and saw the greater percentage of folks like you rating it on a higher level!). It took some convincing after the initial immediate denial, but I guess vinyl replacements won't really look that bad. I have a few sills to replace, along with some brickmolding which has begun to rot... but nothing huge.
I was wondering, with everything being a bit different depending on location and what the market will bear, is there a "ballpark average" that one would anticipate paying for let's say a 32 x 48 double hung, Argon, no-grids, LowE type window? I know that various options can raise the price per window, but a basic "estimated cost"?
Secondly - and I believe I read it a couple times on some of your posts - would a figure of approximately "100.00 per window" be an average figure for installation (not including any "extra" work like repairing/replacing sills, etc) to include wrapping, insulating, and all the other usual tidbits - cleanup, etc.? I have seen posts on this board which seem to vary widely. I completely understand the issues of businesses needing to make a profit and that better installers are like better carpenters (they can command a better fee), but it would be comforting to see if a contractor is close to the mark or "way out there"...
I realize there are many variables out there - size of business, overhead, etc. I think I would rather pay someone I trusted a higher "percentage" for a better installation, and that the person would be around in several years if a problem developed. This all demands the higher level of installation costs than some of the "outfits" you all have referred to from time to time... I certainly don't mind paying that for the peace of mind; but, just like the "average Joe", I don't want to get taken advantage of.
Folks, please keep up the good work. This discussion board is GREAT!
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