Do any of you guys know anything about purchasing new windows and the install? I want to go ahead and purchase new windows for my home but I dont have the slightest clue. This would be great food for thought before I walk into home depot or Lowes. dc
There are lots of contractors that will do this. The trick is to call around and get estimates. A lot of them will say, "We'll only give you this special price if you sign tonight. After today, it goes up by X amount." Don't fall for it. If they can sign that price tonight, they can sign that price in a week. They're all hurting for business, since people don't want to borrow more from their homes and anyone with an ARM loan is screwed anyway. I used a company called Pinetree Construction and they were great. If you just do a smartpages.com lookup, I'm sure you'll find a whole bunch of places. Good luck!
Quote from: Ducatista on June 11, 2008, 03:34:58 PM
There are lots of contractors that will do this. The trick is to call around and get estimates. A lot of them will say, "We'll only give you this special price if you sign tonight. After today, it goes up by X amount." Don't fall for it. If they can sign that price tonight, they can sign that price in a week. They're all hurting for business, since people don't want to borrow more from their homes and anyone with an ARM loan is screwed anyway. I used a company called Pinetree Construction and they were great. If you just do a smartpages.com lookup, I'm sure you'll find a whole bunch of places. Good luck!
Thanks I will look them up
Hey DC, what kind of house do you have? Brick? wood? What's the framing like? All that stuff will fall into the equation. I had somebody install 11 windows, Kolbe & Kolbe, two over two, true divided light with double pane and the low E coating. I have a balloon framed farm house and my studs are not straight. Built in 1873 so the studs are all like 35 to 43 feet tall, Instead of squaring the window opening he shot foam between the studs and window frame. That was f*ed up. Make sure that whoever does it squares your frames and does a proper install. Don't skimp on windows or the roof (when that happens)
just my .02
bdub
I just had mine replaced. I'm so glad I got the window company to do it. I had would could be assumed to be the original windows in my 1950's house. They had a hell of a time getting those windows out and had it been me it would have probably taken all day just to do one. These guys were in and out under 2 hours. I had them replace 12 windows, a few2 stories up. If you get a company that just sells windows or such they will usually install the windows pretty much for free.
Good Info as well ...
So who just sell windows these days?
Quote from: bdub on June 11, 2008, 06:14:17 PM
Hey DC, what kind of house do you have? Brick? wood? What's the framing like? All that stuff will fall into the equation. I had somebody install 11 windows, Kolbe & Kolbe, two over two, true divided light with double pane and the low E coating. I have a balloon framed farm house and my studs are not straight. Built in 1873 so the studs are all like 35 to 43 feet tall, Instead of squaring the window opening he shot foam between the studs and window frame. That was f*ed up. Make sure that whoever does it squares your frames and does a proper install. Don't skimp on windows or the roof (when that happens)
just my .02
bdub
I have a condo that is brick . The windows appear to be wood to me. The birthdate is the early 1900.
Quote from: ducati culture on June 12, 2008, 05:12:19 AM
Good Info as well ...
So who just sell windows these days?
DC,
Home Depot, and Lowe's sell windows. They have a lot in stock, or you can special order.
Replacement windows sometimes use the original window's frame, others you have to replace the entire unit. I've replaced existing windows both ways, and I would opt for removing the entire original window. I've also installed windows in new construction, by far the easiest. In your situation, the toughest part is probably going to be getting the new window level.
Basicly all you have to do is remove the existing window, look inside at the framing and determine how your going to fasten the new window to the framing. Level it up with shims, fasten it to the framing. Insulate. Trim.
Give me a call if you hit any snags.
Jeff
drop bobspapa a line, he does windows for a living.
OOO... You have a condo? I'd check to see if you even own your windows. If it's a condo (i.e. your condo association owns anything that touches the building exterior to include windows) you might not have the option of replacing them. Check with your condo owner's association regs.
Quote from: ducati culture on June 12, 2008, 05:12:19 AM
Good Info as well ...
So who just sell windows these days?
Thompson Creek Windows...
I do this for a living, among other renovation work, and specialize in older homes in the Norfolk VA area. If you just want replacement windows, Home depot carries American craftsman windows. They're a well constructed window at a decent price. I like the 8500 series.
If you go to the American caftsman website, and make noises like you're a business, they will give you a card for a 10% discount on your order.
Replacement windows use your existing frame, you just pop them in after you remove the upper and lower sash, screw them in, insulate, caulk, trim, and your done.
The first one is the hardest. After that, you just get faster.
Good luck.
I work at home depot and right now all summer they are having a promotion on windows doors and other stuff like that... They offer free estimate and I believe 20% off if you get a them to install before september
We installed 7 of the American Craftsman windows in my next door neighbors house today. Took two of us a little over 2 hours, but that's cause the new guy had never done any before. I showed him the first one, watched him do the second, and he did 2 more by himself.
Quote from: Bun-bun on June 13, 2008, 06:03:20 PM
We installed 7 of the American Craftsman windows in my next door neighbors house today. Took two of us a little over 2 hours, but that's cause the new guy had never done any before. I showed him the first one, watched him do the second, and he did 2 more by himself.
Hmmmm This sounds double. So All I have to do is measure and go buy windows? dc
Quote from: ducati culture on June 17, 2008, 07:49:09 PM
Hmmmm This sounds double. So All I have to do is measure and go buy windows? dc
Umm, basically, yeah. When you measure, Measure from the part of the sill that the old bottom sash sits on, not the top of the sill, and measure to the top of the actual window frame, not the sash stop that seperates the two sash tracks. When you go in, make sure that they use your measurements as the actual size of the new windows. HD has a bad habit of subtracting 1/4" each way.
When your windows come in, let me know, and I'll PM you my cell # in case you have questions.
Go for it.