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 An inexpensive window that will last
Author: Don (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   

Greetings!

I am looking to replace my single pane windows that need to be reglazed, are impossible to open, and would otherwise need to be painted. Seems like a good time to replace them to me.

I have been looking at all the posts, and I get the impression that each installer has a preferred window. Many are no doubt presented due to the fact that they happen to be what they are selling. Many, I am sure, are honest-to-goodness opinions in terms of which window they feel is the "best".

I am looking for a lower-end window that will reasonbly hold up over time, provide better energy efficiency (not hard to do coming from the windows I currently have), and won't break the bank. We live in Atlanta and need to replace 26 windows.

Today, I was quoted $270 for a double-hung Jeld Wen Caradco. The window looks great, and has the profile (raised) grid inside the two panes, low-e coating, and argon filled. They are also wooden with aluminum clad and painted white on the inside.

A good choice?

Thanks in advance,

Don

 

 Re: An inexpensive window that will last
Author: Jason (---.bhm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   

Don
After reading your post it sounds like the quote you got is a wood sash replacement kit. We handle many line of wood sash replacement kits and I always talk about the positive and negative aspects of the wood sashes. As far as price We are in Birmingham which is fairly close and that is a decent price is this area, I would assume that our markets are not to different. However word of warning, If your window frames are out of square, your new sashes will also be when they are done. Also examine the wood sash closly, tilt it in and you will see that there is no weatherstriping on the styles of the sashes themself. The air infultration rating will not be as good as other Non-wood products. are. I have found that my customers level of expectation is always higher than what they get with wood sashes. Best of Luck to ya
Jason

 

 Re: An inexpensive window that will last
Author: Don (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   

Hi Jason,

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it.

I was looking at the specifications for the Caradco window and the air infiltration rating (.17) is actually better than Andersen's double hung window (.19). Also, the other stats seem to be slightly more favorable for the Caradco.

If the Caradco is such a bad window, does that mean that Andersen is worse?

Kind Regards,

Don

 

 Re: An inexpensive window that will last
Author: dave.denver (---.dnvr.qwest.net)
Date:   

I almost went with the Milqard Classic as solid easy to operate low-price window. The double hung windows have a top latch that keeps the top sash in place.

Everybody sells them... you can even get a price from Home Depot or Lowes for product only and pay a contractor to put them in for $100 - $200 per window.

Good luck.

 

 Re: An inexpensive window that will last
Author: Don (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   

Thanks Dave. Which did you end up going with?

BTW, I don't think that Milgard windows are available here in Georgia.

Kind Regards,

Don

 

 Re: An inexpensive window that will last
Author: dave.denver (---.dnvr.qwest.net)
Date:   

I actually ended up going with a top end product... Schuco... info about them all over this site. They can be over twice the money as Milgard Classic (I got them at an OK price rather than the normal sticker-shock price because I have small amount inside jobber knowledge).

If you call a few home improvement contractors you should be able get less biased info, less salesmanship, and a better deal than a pure "window company".

The Alside Sheffield is often available everywhere too (almost identical to the Alside Ultramax which gets a ton of exposure, but the Sheffield have an improved lower sill that makes a big difference in performance (air infiltration, water, etc.)(glass ratings are the same.) Dealer cost on the Sheffields is virtually identical to the Ultramax according to a wholesaler I worked with. ((I could get in their door because I have a small property rehab business for real estate investors.))

Window World Inc. sells windows that come from Alside and gives them slightly different names (just like mattress companies do). In my area they had the very best price on these windows, but it can take 8 weeks to get them (my uninformed guess is they get Alside to make them a low price by putting them at the end of the order line).

lastly, Treco is an Eastern company and likely to service your area. They make a fine product too that will not cost you more than what you originally paid for the house.

Whatever you pick, never buy the low end of the product line. That is cheap junk (like what I put in rental homes with life span of 5 - 8 years).

Good luck.

 

 Re: An inexpensive window that will last
Author: Don (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   

Thanks Again, Dave.

I appreciate the invaluable information.

Kind Regards,

Don

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