Austin, TX ...Replacing 24 Alenco Aluminum windows

What a great discussion board!
I've been studying it for 2 weeks
Thank you all for contributing.

I am the 3rd owner of a home built in 1987.
I will be living here at least 10 years, maybe 20.

The front of the house faces South with little shade.
I have 6 front windows that have curved/eyebrow tops
They are creating a window buying problem.
All have grids. The new windows will have grids.
Here are the dimensions.

1 - 70"x58"
2 - 82"x47"
1 - 34"x70"
2 - 70"x68"

I want a replacement that will be efficient and last a long time
I like the thin frames of the aluminum.
I am leaning toward Restorations by Sunrise maybe Milgard Ultra.
A white or bronze interior, tan or bronze exterior is required. Bronze.
I also want a great warranty.
An Anderson installer told me it would take the Architechural series @ $3,000/hole???
($35K total for 24 holes using Anderson's 100 series for the other 18 holes)
This seems absurd, even if some of the windows are 2nd story.
Why not an inside install?

A Milgard guy says there is a problem constructing the eyebrows in both Ultras AND
Milgard's Thermally Improved Aluminums!
Note...He says he is certified but the Milgard website doesn't list him.
He is working on a quote.
I will double check with the website rec'd Milgard Co.

Restorations does not offer the eyebrow shape at this time.
I have been told it is coming Jan 1 '11. They would like me to
split the job up. This was a phone conversation. I have not priced
Restorations.

Is my "best" solution to back off the new technology and call Don Young Windows?
Why are these eyebrows such a problem?
Almost all the mfgs websites show "specialty shapes.
I am open to all suggestions.
Thank you.
62nds, Austin TX

The house is a split level, 3 sides are brick.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I will gladly add any info you need.
62nds, Austin TX

The Sunrise window is a solid product.

I will wait for another poster that is from Texas (randy) to comment more specifically.

the problem with eyebrows is having machines that can weld that tight.

Sunrise makes some good windows, and they are probably your best option in terms of quality.

While it is not equivalent with Sunrise, NT Windows can make the eyebrows you need at a very reasonable price. They come standard with Low-E366, and are a good value for Texas. NT's Energy Master or Presidential window is not the quality window that Sunrise Restorations is.

Don Young makes an excellent thermally-broken aluminum window, however, it does not meet the tax credit requirements. TBA offers very narrow frames, bronze color, and they are extremely durable. The price savings over vinyl may be more than $1500.00 too, and that would offset the tax credit. They are not available in split colors though.

Don Young's vinyl windows are, IMO, average at best. The only time I use them is for homeowners who want simulated divided lites. Don Young is a good company to do business with.

Assuming that you have only listed the problem windows, with more to be done, you might consider doing your job in stages - doing just enough of them this year to max-out the tax credit, and then do the eyebrows next year when they are available in the Restorations line.

Whoaaa nellie AND you guys are working weekends and Saturday nights too.
Now that is over the top!

A tip of the hat to you all.

Here are the other window sizes.
All windows are single hung.
The 1st 5 we are thinking of converting to picture windows.

5 - 82" x 42" Face N. never get sun

The following 3 are by the HVAC. I'm thinking maybe triple pane
to reduce the noise by the breakfast area. They have no shade.
1 - 82 x 48" Face E.
2 - 82" x 23 Face E.

The rest of the windows face N. no sun.
No windows face west.

1 - 60" x 34"
4 - 82" x 42
Two of these 4 are in the M.Bedroom.
This room gets noise from the pool equipment.
Triple glaze like the Breakfast area?

2 - 70" x 48"
1 - 58" x 22"
2 - 58" X 34"

Tell me if I'm on track...
Given the dimensions of these windows AND 100 degree days
in Central TX I'm running the risk of bowing and sagging
with regular premium vinyl.
I'm willing to forgo the tax credit for the optimum solution.
Aluminum?
I was surprised the eyebrows "are a problem" with Milgard.
I will double check this with another rep.
Milgard Aluminum Vs Don Young?
Milgard has only recently entered the TX market.
I have been told they have just established 2 warranty service teams
in TX.
I am also shying away from vinyl because of limited color options.
Reinforced Vinyl?
This seems to lead me to Restorations.
It may come down to cost Restorations vs Aluminum

Thank you all for any input.
62nds

Ahhhh...after more reading ...forget the triple pane for noise reduction.
Laminate or thicker glass.

+1

Triple pane has no impact, and possibly less STC control over good double pane.

The problem with the eyebrows may be in the frame material, The fiberglass and aluminum may have limitations as to the radius that can be bent.

Hello all.

Eyebrows...I've spoken with the Milgard Factory rep.
The height of the arch from the top corners must be a
minimum of 18" .... mine are 12"

I am meeting a Restorations salesman this morning.
We will discuss their current solution, if any.
We do not like the short leg approach.
It will make these windows look squatty.

I have set an appt. with a respected DYW installer Thursday.
Friday morning it is Milgard day.

I am forced to consider pure vinyl.
I've read all the relevant posts on the board.
I won't purchase pink or green or tan foam as reinforcement (VBG)
I suspect air chambers are in the same class...marketing spiel.

Cheers,
60

Here is what will help determine our purchase...

We will buy 24 windows from one mfgr.

The tax credit will not be a driver of this purchase.
The cost of the project AND the "look" of the
finished product outweigh $1500.
Given the Central Texas Climate, our full S & E exposure
a .21 SHGC from DYW combined with a less effective U will do
the job for us....Todays' Aluminum has to be far superior
to the tissue paper window we have now.

The interior color will be white.
Exterior can not be white.
We have a 3 sided brick split level brick.
The trim and the back side is freshly painted tan.

The installer will know his foams!

T minus 2 hours to lift off with Restorations.
Randy can you open that Hill Country office?
Windows on Washington?
Nobody from the Austin Area posts here?
Randy's quote button says there is somebody on this board.
After reading all relevant posts I haven't found'm.
If they aren't spending any time here all the oars aren't in
the H2O.

I am landing on Aluminum.
Don Young or Milgard Thermal Breaks.

The low profile of Restorations is close but
who knows when the eyebrows will be available?
More important, I want Single Hungs and
Restorations doesn't put Fibrecore in those.

I've eliminated the Milgard Ultra as well.
Weird window eyebrows I have and price.

Bottom line is I have eliminated vinyl.
I am 80% certain vinyl will work but
I am 100% certain Aluminum will work.
Vinyl including the tax break has a 10%
price advantage over Aluminum.

The look we want is worth that.

Fiberglass?
IF they made the shape, the price in my case
is 40%-50% more.

I can't justify that in my situation.

Any comments/questions fire away.
Especially comments on differences between
the 2 Thermal Breaks.
I have not seen the Milgard Aluminum.

I will.

Thank you,
60

The search is over.
I put 1/2 down on he Don Young Windows.

At this time Milgard is new to Central TX.
The gentleman who showed me the Ultra does not
have an Aluminum Thermal Break sample.
I called 2 other companies with showrooms...no sample.
The Milgard area rep is working on getting some.

I want these installed before Turkey is served.

Looking over all the Statistics SHGC, AI, U...
I don't think there is a relevant difference between
Milgard and Don Young.
Slight Advantage DY
Frame rating DY is Commercial grade vs Milgards Lt. Commercial
In a house it's probably a wash/not relevant
Warranty advantage - Milgard.

The kicker for me was the factory guys did not bat an eye at
my odd sizes and eybrows!

Install - If Milgard has no sample they probably have not sold any yet
My DY guy has install ratings through the roof. He's 5 years into
the bidness and just handles DYW
I will post a follow up in 4 or 5 weeks after the install.
Thank you window guys!

Merry Christmas Window Gurus!

Here is the followup report.

My new windows have been installed.
Smooth sailing!
I used Energywise Windows and Doors.

Bids...
Anderson (not Renewal) $35,000

Fiberglass top end product $35,000
Note the fiberglass window would NOT have been all
fiberglass! Only the vertical support was Fiberglass.
This was a tough piece of info to find. The windows also
had to be over a certain size to get fiberglass reinforcement!
Ouch.

DYW aluminum $20,800
I did not price vinyl.
I would put vinyl on a different house.

Aesthetics...
WOW.
We have a new house.
Inside and out.
I never expected the light/colors to be this beautiful.
You will be amazed at what new windows do.
The only comparison I can think of is low def to Hi Def TV.

The Practical.

Double WOW.

We finally had some cold weather in Austin.
I had to turn the thermostat down 4 degrees.
The house was too warm!
The new windows balanced the upstairs bedroom temperature
to the downstairs temperature. (Split level house)
IMO it is reasonable to expect similar comfort in the summer
raising the summer setting 4 degrees.
The non-heated 2 car garage is significantly warmer
It used to mirror the outdoor temperature.

Bonus Time ... I bet I get 2-5 years extra out of
the HVAC unit!

BUY THE WINDOWS!
Thank you all again for this outstanding resource.
60

Good to hear. Don Young, you'll be glad to hear, is absolutely one of the very best companies I have ever dealt with on service issues. Should you ever have problems, they will step up and make things right. The DY TBA window is typically very problem free though, so hopefully you'll never need service.