house windows

[scott_l]

OK a topic I have never seen on John Dee before

I need to look at replacing some (ideally all) the windows in our house but holy cow are they expensive. I can purchase any sled on the market plus a new two place (standard drive on drive) trailer for what they want for new windows.

The current windows that we have are horizontal sliders (not sure if there is a more technical window name). I have the standard "inside window" and then there is about a 1"-1.5" gap and then what I call a "storm window". This window is flush with my siding and is a part of the original window. The storm window as I am calling it has a full frame (that can be removed from the window casing) with a window screen (that can be removed from the storm window frame) on one side then a section of stationary glass on the opposite side (can also be removed just like the screen) of the screen and then one additional glass window that slides horizontally over the screen.

My inside windows are still in good condition but the storm windows are shot (they are aluminum over wood) and the wood is rotting.

My question is can I just purchase new storm windows some place? I am not the original owner of the house and can not find any info on the windows. I have found a number in between the window panes but cant find any info on that number any where.

I would love completely new windows but the check book does not allow it plus we don't plan to be in this house for ever so we don't want to sink a crap load of money into it.

thoughts?

 

[wags]

Hey Scott is there an older ACE Hardware in our area? Sometimes (at least down in my area) the Ace Hardwares carry things that the local builders in the area used. For example about 15yrs ago I needed some new wood base and I searched and searched the area lumber yards and came up with nothing then I was talking to an older gentlemen who suggested I try the Ace in town and low and behold they had what I needed stored in the back and the home was built 30yrs prior to that! Then once I needed counterweightes for a window and again I searched and searched to find nothing so again off to the local Ace and again they had what I needed.
It never hurts to check the local "old time" hardware store if theres one around.

Good Luck

 

[ezra]

installing vinyl replacment windows is 1 of the more ez jobs around the house.
some of the home store replacments are not to shabby and very home owner friendly.
I would ask some buds if they have know how and after they show you how to do 1 you will be good to go.
2 guys can knock out a ww2 rambler with all new replacments in a short day.
not to spendy to do a few at a time most standerd home store replacments are under 200 a view.
alot of your windows may be standerd size found at the home store worth looking in to.
if not a high end home replacment vinly is more than exceptable for resale. heck most of your new overpriced tract home windows are cheep vinyl with formika jambs all with a 500k+price tage on the house.
some of your local handy men will be willing to do just 1 or 2 you can watch them poss let you help you can have them mesure the rest for you tell them you will be buying them as you get the cash and calling him to help install then you will have all the mesurments and can just order and do your self.
in my parts installing 2 replacments labor would be from 300 to 500 worth it if you can learn to do your self.

 

[ezra]

btw what part of central mn? west metro? if so may be willing to show you how to do them for a nice JD price

 

[chords]

"My question is can I just purchase new storm windows some place?"

Maybe, dont know ??. You could custom build yourself to fit I'm sure

I replaced 6 windows and I would not say it was one of the easier DIY jobs. Prob cause I didnt know what I was doing and learned as I went and very time labor. And I did it alone one at a time. But I measured and ordered within 1/4 ". I had to custom cut wood to fit in the rough brick opening and had aluminum trim bent in 10' sections and I cut to fit. I think it was $130 ~ a window total (wood, trim ,window...)

The good part was I installed from the outside. No trim removal or repainting inside, just a small bead of caulk.

 

[thebluff]

I used to sell custom storms occasionally. Should be able to get them in MN as the wholesalerer from Superior called Manions deals with them. Almost as expensive as a good Simonton vinyl replacement window. They are high quality, easy to install and very reasonable.

 

[scott_l]

thanks for the info so far guys

One point I should have made is from my "home work" and having a couple of the higher end window companies come out is I can have complete window replacements or have new inserts installed. New inserts are about $300.00 a window cheaper but my current glass opening will become about 1.5" smaller all the way around. Really don't want to do that.

Unfortunately none of my windows are standard off the shelf size (for Menard's or Home Depot) have not checked with a real lumberyard yet. We replaced a patio door a couple years ago and that was an odd size as well (larger then most). But we where able to find a replacement (from Thermo Tech I believe it was). Replacing that went pretty well because it had the brick molding around the door, so we removed the molding inside and did a complete removal. But the windows do not have the brick molding and tackling 13 windows would be a heck of a job for me.

Ezra I am actually in Blaine MN, if I do find correct size windows (I know I can custom order them) and for some reason think about doing it my self maybe I'll look you up and see if a fellow John Dee member whats to make some extra $$$$

Chords I have gave it some serious thought about building my own and have not tossed that idea out the door yet, but figured I would like to the pros (window builders) first.

 

[doomsman]

Unless the inside windows you have now are thermopane I would replace the entire window.

 

[ezra]

I agree but dont wast your cash on argon filled or other gasses no real diff in energy loss.
they showed some charts in a cont ed class foe contractor or inspections cant remember but bottem line no real diff in energy loss.
but the coated glass "uv reflective" do make a diff.
btw buy the time you spend cash on storms if planing on selling just wasted money you will not get money out of storms but you will on windows.
when was the last time you saw a house listing that stated newre storms?
how about newer windows?
rest my case

 

[lenny]

OK a topic I have never seen on John Dee before

I need to look at replacing some (ideally all) the windows in our house but holy cow are they expensive. I can purchase any sled on the market plus a new two place (standard drive on drive) trailer for what they want for new windows.

The current windows that we have are horizontal sliders (not sure if there is a more technical window name). I have the standard "inside window" and then there is about a 1"-1.5" gap and then what I call a "storm window". This window is flush with my siding and is a part of the original window. The storm window as I am calling it has a full frame (that can be removed from the window casing) with a window screen (that can be removed from the storm window frame) on one side then a section of stationary glass on the opposite side (can also be removed just like the screen) of the screen and then one additional glass window that slides horizontally over the screen.

My inside windows are still in good condition but the storm windows are shot (they are aluminum over wood) and the wood is rotting.

My question is can I just purchase new storm windows some place? I am not the original owner of the house and can not find any info on the windows. I have found a number in between the window panes but cant find any info on that number any where.

I would love completely new windows but the check book does not allow it plus we don't plan to be in this house for ever so we don't want to sink a crap load of money into it.

thoughts?

from what you are describing, it sounds like the aluminum storm window unit is attached to the actual window jam and if that wood is rotted than you will not gain anything because you wont have a solid mounting surface. Also, aluminum storm windows usually don't go bad, they just keep the storm water off the wood surface. I'd be willing to bet your storms are still fine and your wood window jams are rotted meaning your window units are shot, not the storms.

 

[skiroule]

Custom Sized Windows

Scott L.

Here's something you may not know. Manufacturers of modestly priced windows, such as Jeld-Wen (which Menard's carries) will custom make windows for a remarkably small add-on charge. My sources at Menard's (I spend enough time there to have sources) tell me it's probably less than $10 on a $200 Jeld-Wen vinyl clad window. I was also told that you can go down to 1/8" on the custom size, which is probably way more precision than you need. Pull off your inside moldings - measure your rough openings, and you can order what you need.

I've replaced almost all of my mother's windows in her 90 year old stucco house in northern MN with a combination of Jeld-Wen vinyl double-hungs, single-hungs, and sliders and in spite of their low cost they have all performed beautifully in the -30 to -40 temps up there in the winter.

Something to be aware of (if you aren't already). Almost all new vinyl windows flange mount (some people call it a mounting fin) so you will need space to mount the flange. If you have brick molding, this space will suffice. If not, you may have to go slightly smaller on the window and add framing - not a big problem. Also, the newer windows tend to have a higher glass to frame ratio so the windows have a larger viewing area even if they are the same rough-in size or even a little smaller.

So I'm with Ezra on this - replace, replace, replace. Since I'm in the metro, I'd be happy to come up and give you a hand if I could work around my schedule - maybe as Ezra's unpaid lackey.

 

[frnash]

Replacement windows in da desert?

A question for the experts
How about replacement windows in the Arizona desert?

I currently have a collection of seriously leaky single-pane metal frame 'awning' style casement windows, vintage 1955. I hate 'em, always did, they just haven't made it to the top of my round 'tuit list thus far. Stupid long metal operating rod intrudes into the room in some positions, and swings and stores to one side when window is closed.

Questions about replacement windows:

Materials: aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl, wood, other?

Aluminum: I would think that aluminum is far too good a heat conductor. Yes/no?

Vinyl: Many plastics very quickly turn crispy, then crumbly, then virtually turn to dust in the dry desert heat. Is this an issue with vinyl?

Fiberglass: That's one I know nothing about.

Wood: This has been suggested as the best option, assuming you take care of the wood. Yes/no?

I have considered a triple-glazed front window with micro-blinds in between. That sounds like an intelligent alternative to the frequent cleaning of mini-blinds in the interior of the room. The last time I checked, a window of that size was only available as triple glazed.) I believe they were Pella windows. (Pella = pricey?)

I have also heard some positive reviews on Renewal by Anderson.

 

[ezra]

renewal buy anderson are great windows but lube up or it could cause bleading and or tearing.I made a pile of cash there 1st yr in to replacment installs then they started finding cheeper and cheeper and cheeper subs but that 1st yr you could bring home 7 to 9g a week busting hump but woth it

 

[ezra]

I am busy studing this weekend just on a 5 min break will get to your ? no later than mon

 

[frnash]

I am buissy studing this weekend just on a 5 min break will get to your ? no later than mon

No rush, ezra, I'm not seriously planning on a total window replacement this summer — we're already halfway through it; maybe a few selected windows if I get a "deal I can't refuse". Of course there's Anderson's current financing deal at 0% for 60 months (that's about the only kind of credit I'll consider using these days). Of course my gut tells me that such a credit deal is just a traditional old "shell game" — hiding the 'interest' in an inflated price.

I sure will appreciate any advice you can provide.

… lube up or it could cause bleading and or tearing. …

No thanks, I already had a colonoscopy last week!