Cheap windows now? Or wait another year or so to save up for good ones?

Erin · July 27, 2013, 04:43:55 PM

Pretty much where I'm at.
We could get cheaper windows now ($150-200 ea. range), or keep saving for higher quality in another year or so.

Because of the post&beam type of framing, with exterior insulated "panels," replacing the windows will be a fairly simple process of tearing off surrounding siding (probably board and batten), unfastening flanges, and putting up the new ones... It'll just be time-consuming and a new cost.

So which would you do? Go cheaper with windows that'll probably need replaced within the decade, but allow me to start finish work and move in earlier... Or wait and do it better the first time around?

MountainDon · July 27, 2013, 07:19:20 PM

Install the better windows. If it would work for you how about installing a "first set" and leaving some holes unfilled until you can buy the next set of better/best windows?

July 27, 2013, 07:25:53 PM

Quotethink about the long term energy saveings you will have from good windows.

well that part is completely irrelevant. lol
We're living in a 30 year old trailer house at the moment. Even with low end windows, I guarantee we'd save a LOT from what we have now.

Redoverfarm · July 28, 2013, 08:18:41 AM

Erin there are places in a build that you can downgrade in material. IMO windows, doors, roofing is not the place. The difference would pay for them in just a few years.

Danfish · July 28, 2013, 10:12:03 AM

Beside the energy issues... better quality windows offer superior construction, a life time ease of operation and a real warranty ( I have had to go to the warranty on every window installation job, no matter the manufacture, something always goes wrong). Why do the job twice?

July 28, 2013, 10:46:35 AM

Okay I will bite - we are getting very close to starting to build so I think

All the windows in our house plans are drawn as single hung windows. Who would you go with? I have talked to my buddy that owns the lumber yard a little about windows. The major jobbers around like BC, LP and Trimco here have dropped several of the major brands from their inventories.

I have installed a lot of sliders and single hung windows in the past in vinyl and several years latter had problems finding replacement catches and 'hardware'. Is wood better? Most are exterior faced now from what I understand with a metal or vinyl on the trim.

Then there is a local company that makes them but they are vinyl. I have used them before and liked the product.

Any suggestions?

Redoverfarm · July 28, 2013, 07:11:51 PM

If there was any way possible I would try to get double hung rather than single hung. Beside the ease of cleaning factor they also provide more options in circulation of air from the outside. Of course tilt in are the best in regards to cleaning especially on a second floor or any heigth that would require a ladder to clean. My addition are all double hung tilt outs but the original house only had double hung. Not too bad to clean as they are just above the porch floor w/exception of two dormer windows which require a little contortionism.

Erin · July 30, 2013, 01:23:35 PM

Personally, we're going with casements...

MountainDon · July 30, 2013, 01:37:34 PM

Love casements!!!

Hard to clean when second level though unless someone has had a clever idea since I last looked at them.

July 30, 2013, 03:11:00 PM

Yeah, we want a snug seal when the window is actually closed and that's the best way to get it.
The loft only has two full sized windows. The rest are just awning sized and I'm planning on tip-in for the sole reason of being able to wash them.

firefox · July 30, 2013, 06:58:17 PM

Just curious, does anyone make a window that pivots in the middle on a vertical axis.
Wash one side, then rotate it around 180 degrees and wash the other.
Also would be good for routing breezes into the house. The drawback would be
their intrusion into the inside. Any one have comments on this?
Bruce

rick91351 · July 30, 2013, 07:04:48 PM

A casement window could be done as such. Why don't you see if there is a patent. If not get a patent then go to Pella or Peachtree and make a lot of money?

Redoverfarm · July 30, 2013, 08:06:21 PM

Quote from: firefox on July 30, 2013, 06:58:17 PM
Just curious, does anyone make a window that pivots in the middle on a vertical axis.
Wash one side, then rotate it around 180 degrees and wash the other.
Also would be good for routing breezes into the house. The drawback would be
their intrusion into the inside. Any one have comments on this?
Bruce

That part would be easier than developing a screen to fit.

Patrick · July 31, 2013, 06:29:16 AM

I have no issues with cheap windows most that I have seen are argon filled and have u.v filters which seem to be the only things that matter. In my own house the only things that made any real difference in comfort and energy savings have been adding insulation to the attic and blinds to the windows to block the sun in the summer.I am in MN so it gets cold here. I have some cheap/old windows in our house and some I paid over 1000 for and to me the biggest difference is form and function and not energy savings.We replaced all the old single pane broken glass windows in my sisters house with almost no change in energy bills they looked and worked better but thats about it. Windows are so easy to replace I will even use used ones If its bad in a year big deal spend 2 hours put in another.I will never buy 1000 windows again.

July 31, 2013, 09:28:18 AM

QuoteI have no issues with cheap windows most that I have seen are argon filled and have u.v filters

The REALLY cheap ones ("barn windows") are just single pane. Otherwise, I agree. I don't think I've seen a household window, no matter the price range, that didn't have double paned, argon and LoE...
I think the price range determines quality of hardware, functionality, interior finish, and quality of the actual frame.

rick91351 · July 31, 2013, 10:04:42 AM

When no one wanted to toss some names around for those to get or avoid. I went back to the lumber yard owner that I will be buying my house package through. He did some checking and still his suppliers have not added back any wood windows. Their vinyls are no better than those produced locally at Western Window. Same energy numbers as required up here. But the pricing through them direct to the lumber yard kills the HD Lowes pricing on 'major brands' as well as his suppliers like GP, LP and Trimco. High end - low end price differential is like $12 to $15 per window on a single hung 3.0 5.0 window. Same glass - different different hardware, they claim a different frame but they look the same, better warranty.

Erin · July 31, 2013, 10:50:41 AM

QuoteWhen no one wanted to toss some names around for those to get or avoid.

I think the problem is it's not so much the brand name as the individual line within the brands...
Near as I can tell, they all have a cheap, low-end window. Some cost more than others, but they're still a low-end window.
But, the low-end window lines can't compare to their high-end window lines, KWIM?

cbc58 · July 31, 2013, 10:58:08 AM

Are you still doing the portable house thing or is this for a site built structure ? From a resale view - good windows and doors are noticeable to a buyer - if that is any concern. Think energy costs will only go up from this point forward.

rick91351 · July 31, 2013, 12:28:23 PM

Yep Erin I know what you mean........ $:-\$

I was wanting wood windows because of the amount of wood we are going to have inside. But once I get the windows trimmed out with wood and if we do the offered almond color it should look great.

We give thanks and have been well pleased - we changed up our floor plan and engineering last winter when we were 'snow-birding'. Whole new plan just the differences in trusses and concrete alone is looking at a savings of a little over eight grand..... Still waiting on a couple other bids but it is looking better all the time.

firefox · July 31, 2013, 12:29:54 PM

"That part would be easier than developing a screen to fit.

"

2 half size screens pivoted on the same axis on either side of the window.
If you look down from the top you would see an X. One of the lines thru the X would be the glass, and the other line would consist of two pieces which would be screens.

Bruce

July 31, 2013, 12:54:54 PM

The screens on our old casement windows were not a problem. They popped in and out easy for cleaning. Fit well and were just a top of the line window 'cept they were your old single pane windows with steel frames. And installed mid '50s.

Erin · August 01, 2013, 05:43:19 PM

Quote from: cbc58 on July 31, 2013, 10:58:08 AM
Are you still doing the portable house thing or is this for a site built structure ? From a resale view - good windows and doors are noticeable to a buyer - if that is any concern. Think energy costs will only go up from this point forward.

Portable house? We're currently living in our "portable house" (a 14x70 trailer lol). I'm guessing you're thinking of someone else.
And really, we're not overly concerned about re-sale at this point in time. Once this house is actually finished, we're going to collapse in exhaustion for a good 30 or 40 years.

Rob_O · August 01, 2013, 06:13:34 PM

Quote from: Erin on July 30, 2013, 01:23:35 PM
Personally, we're going with casements...

Knowing this, I'm going to say get the cheap windows and get moved in. Cheap casement windows aren't cheap, and the nice ones are crazy expensive. The time you spend saving for them is time you are forced to spend living in a trailer, do you really want to spend another year in a trailer?

cbc58 · August 05, 2013, 09:00:00 AM

Erin - sorry, there is a poster here named Erin85 and I thought you were one in the same...