Window buying advice needed

[asscherisme]

I would love to hear advice and experiences buying windows. The good, bad, and ugly; and what you learned from it.

I knew my new home (new to me, almost 40 years old) needed new windows when I bought. Not an emergency, but on my radar for the next year or two.

Current home has casement (crank) windows, and I HATE them!! They stick and are hard to open, and a few don't latch properly when I crank them in because the crank is messed up; so I have to then send my son outside to push the window from the outside so I can latch. I have never had a home with casement windows and didn't really think about it until I moved in. The inspector did warn me though that a few had issues and I should budget to replace all windows within a few years. Home has original windows.

I want to replace with double hung. They are large windows and I checked easement codes for where I live, I would have enough room to change the out to double hung.

So, shopping advice? Red flags when getting quotes? Etc.

Also, need to replace a sliding glass door off my family room. I am thinking of switching that into a solid glass panel/picture window with a glass door in that same space. But am open to keeping a sliding glass door. I just don't like sliding glass doors but don't want to majorly increase the price.

Budget considerations are important. And while this house is expensive to me, I live in a very expensive area, so it is actually lower than the average price of homes where I live; so the realtor warned me to not "over upgrade" so when I sell I don't lose money. I plan on staying in this house for at least 5 years, but beyond that, I don't know. May relocate at that point. So, resale important too.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lyra]

Our house is 99% casement windows. I hate them too, but I know that they direct breezes well. We looked into replacing them and it's mega $$$. I would prefer any other type. That's all I have to say. Our neighbours replaced all of their windows and it made zero impact on selling their home, so if that's the case there too, do what you prefer.

 

[TooPatient]

We had a company do estimate. They wanted to push triple pane. Not worth the extra cost in most areas.

Installation can get expensive. Make sure to go with a company that does it right. That involves siding work. Doing it wrong includes cutting the flange off to avoid siding work. This is very bad.

You can buy the windows and have someone different install. Just be sure they are reliable and won't flake. Our neighbors did it themselves (handyman company owner) and saved a lot of money. We did one small window ourselves. It went okay, but bigger or up higher would be a pain.

 

[diamondringlover]

get alot of different companies to come in and give you quotes...we are going thru this right now, my window's in my house are the org windows from 1913, we desperately need windows we have been here 25 years and we are finally in a position to get them...some companies just blow smoke up your butt so listen to each one and then go with the one that has the best quality along with a good price

 

[ringo865]

Casement windows suck especially if you have any cottonwood trees, as the cotton will stick to the screen in the vortex.

I live in MN so we did spend extra for the insulated panes of glass. The house was 32 years old with the original Marvin wood casement windows (that had vapor leaks and were all cloudy and had condensation between the panes).

I had all my casements replaced with sliders (like double hung, just sideways, not up/down).

I liked that they had a full screen which was on the outside. My cats then got a new ledge to sit on. Be careful if they run to hop up onto said ledge. One cat made a break for it and ended up in the yard while I was at work one day (fenced)(from 2nd floor)(she was okay).

When I finally did replace the last (biggest) window to put the house on the market, the size would have been custom. So, I just went with a stock size in the next size bigger than the opening. That way they kept the existing header, added a new footer, and were able to cut down the existing siding to replace it back over the new (bigger) window. And, I got way more light cuz of the larger window, didn't have to pay for a custom size and didn't get the large boxy extra frame outside like I would have installing a smaller window. (All in time to sell )

 

[Octo2005]

I know what you mean about sliders, I don't care for them either. Maybe you could replace the slider with double french doors if the space allows

 

[sledge]

What's your long term plans with the house? Only asking because some upgrades make your life better, but doesn't make financial sense. I treat home purchases as investment vehicles meaning that upgrades get done and prioritized in ways that help me sell the property in the future.

This has worked well for me and I've made a few bucks buying & selling different homes.

I asked the long term plan because not all upgrades increase property value. For instance, if you put in a new A/C unit, that is a hefty expense that technically makes the home more valuable. But the odds a buyer will pay more for your home than a competing home is slim. When the appraisal is done, consideration is only given that you have a working A/C. Not that is new, a Trane, etc.

I've not yet been in a property where I've had to do windows but I would talk with an agent and see what effects this may have on your resale value. My opinion is it won't increase your sale price, but it will help sell your home faster because it will be more desirable. Same thing can be said for a home that is well painted. Technically all homes have paint on the walls so having designer paint isn't of much monetary value but it may evoke a feeling in buyers to choose your home over another or possibly be more expedient in their purchase as they don't want that one to get away. On the flip side, a bad paint job can drive buyers away but still has no affect on appraisal value as long as the paint is in good condition that is comparable to other properties.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

i got new windows last fall. My house was built in the early 1950s and had original windows. I ended up with Pella's triple pane double hung windows. I got three quotes. The guy who installed them actually priced out 5 different options and Pella was not that much more. I like it comes with a transferrable warranty which I think helps with resale. New windows are the best. So easy to open and close. Good luck!

ETA: winters where I live are very harsh and very long. Triple pane was not much more than double so for me it was worth it. I have no idea what the energy savings are because I had them installed a month or so after I closed. I tell myself I am saving money on heating/cooling costs.

 

[sledge]

I might add you will keep your costs lower if you are willing to make minor framing/siding/veneer modifications so that you can use modern STANDARD window sizes. Anytime you go custom, they will be more expensive.

 

[asscherisme]

Great advice. I think I am going to delay windows unless I NEED them. I will see how the winter goes. I don't know my long term plans. I need to live here until my youngest is out of high school, that is 5 year away. My house was built in 83, so it seems my windows are not that old compared to what some of you replaced. I think as long as they don't leak, I am going to defer it, and when I need to open for air, just avoid those few windows that are a pain to close.

Great advice on making repairs on resale and what will appeal to sellers. When I chose it, I admit I definitely bought based on resale and desirability in terms of features and location. I could be here 5 years or 30, I just don't know. But my gut is telling me I will probably relocate after my daughter graduates high school.

ringo865, good advice about my cats! That must have been startling about your cat escaping. My 2 girls are definitely indoor only! The are enjoying that most of my windows are pretty close to the floor so they can see out them better than my last home.

 

[Arcadian]

Whatever you do, get windows with a warranty. We spent nearly 30K on windows with the last house (they were EXPENSIVE!) But it was the best money ever spent. Your installer is going to be key for fit and finish. Our guys did a fantastic job! No casement windows except the kitchen. They were triple E double hung (for washing and additional breezes) and yes when one broke, it was covered under warranty. Do your due dilligence on that! We got Andersen. We didn't like the screens that came with so we had them remade. basically the darn things were bulletproof. That is good and bad in some ways.... Don't spend a lot of money on that if you're not seriously security conscious though!

 

[AprilBaby]

I got Marvin windows with double pane. The heating bills went down. I replaced French doors to the deck with a slider because the doors were a pain to open with furniture and they took up too much “sunshine” space. I have way more light and it feels way more airy with the sliders.

 

[AdaBeta27]

Slider windows were usually the least expensive style whenever I've shopped for windows.
There used to be a width limit like 36" for double hung vinyl windows, but I think they can exceed that now by using sash reinforcements.
I had a house of triple pane windows and replaced 3 of the oldest with modern double pane and didn't really feel any difference in the temperatures of the windows or those rooms. If your windows are not large, it may not be worth the extra cost for triple pane. My windows were 36W x 48H, iirc.

>>> If you get double hung, and you use windows instead of AC in summer, get full screens. The way double hung windows are meant to work is by convection currents. You raise the bottom sash and you also lower the top sash. Hot air goes out the top and cooler air gets sucked in at the bottom. To do that, you need a screen at the top as well as the bottom. If you don't plan to use the windows as primary cooling, then you can probably get by with half screens and then stick a slider screen from the hardware store in the top sash on the occasions that you want to exhaust hot air.