Windows for the house?

[Smokeater]

I knew I could count on y'all! Keep it coming! I certainly appreciate all the good info! We're not going anywhere for a long while so I don't mind droppin a decent dime. Like y'all have said, if it cuts utilities then it's a gitterdun deal. I was wondering about the metal vs. vinyl...now I know! Thanks so much and keep the good info flowin' amigos!! Thanks!

[RedSeal]

I bought Pella's from Lowe's. Vinyl frame and double pane, they have worked very well in this cold stuff.

These are great windows we install them in alot of costermers house and they love them!

[BoneDigger]

I have read a TON of bad reviews about the Pella windows from Lowes. First off, realize that Lowe's takes bids on their window selection each year or two. So, those Pella windows may or may not be supported by Lowe's in 4 or 5 years. When that happens, what happens to the great warranty?

Instead of supporting a large corporation like Lowe's I went with All Seasons windows out of Longview, TX. Great customer service, wonderful windows, and great warranty. Plus you are supporting local business rather than Lowe's.

Read a few of these:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/pella.html

I did a lot of research before deciding AGAINST Pella windows. Do some searches and see what others have to say about them.

Also, the other brands that Lowe's sells. Try to find ANYTHING online about them and you'll see that they are a hard to track down company.

Todd

[Draco]

When I built my house I put in Pella's. They are wood on the inside and al. on the outside. They were very easy to install and you can clean both sides of the glass from the inside. We bought from the Depot and they beat the Pella store's price by forty percent.

[Moose]

We're in the process of building a house and our builder highly recommended Maritech vinyl low-e windows- No idea if they're good or not but it's another choice for ya.

[cliff0884]

I would go with a Jeldwen Premium Vinyl or Aluminum Clad. Don't go with a builders grade vinyl you will regret it in the long run. The price may be the factor in the choice. Jeldwen offers great warranty on their products and excellent customer service. Just a thought. I used to sell various brands of windows and these always recieved the best customer feedback.

[Smokeater]

Thanks again to all! Did most of y'all go with double pane and is that sufficient for most Texas weather cuz I've even seen some triple pane.. is that too much?!

[kyle1974]

what does a typical installation run per window?

pricing the windows seems to be easy....

I have to do something at my house... I have single pane aluminum frame, leaky *** windows right now...

[Scout Man]

I got tripple pane vinyl From Woodbridge Classics. I love them. heater barely runs anymore.

[Tommyh]

there has been a company in Houston that was advertising double paned windows installed for 199 each, including the price of the window. trying to find it.

http://www.gulfcoastwindows.com/

[ronny]

If you're going to do it, get the best you can. At least get vinyl framed, low-e, windows. The vinyl doesn't conduct heat and cold like metal does, and is lower maintenance than wood frames. The better the low-e coating the better. Krestmark windows in Grand Prairie is who we get ours from. You'll probably have to get a contractor to buy and install them. I don't think they sell to individuals. They do make replacement style windows in the vinyl, low-e. Good luck...

X2 thats what I use.

[Trick]

Triple pane is over kill but if you have the money go for it. You will see a difference. A good quality Low-e window is sufficient here. Like someone else mentioned, buy the best you can afford and you won't be disappointed. How long you plan on staying in the house should play into that as well. Prices for installing depends on how a particular company costs it out. Some just have a flat rate per window lets say $100. That's $100 if it's a small window or large one. Obviously they are banking that the majority will be smaller windows. We cost it out per window. If it's a small window you pay less, if it's a large window you pay more. I think that's more fair to the customer myself. I also have less risk with a smaller window than say a large one. Once I pick the windows up I own them. If I break one in transit I have to pay for a new one. That make sense? So to answer the question, it depends on who your dealing with.

Matt

[Mudslinger]

I will give you one suggestion on replacing your windows, the cheapest is not always the best way to go, as it is in a lot of other items. There are windows out there that are very cheap on price and installation, but the problem comes in when this window will not pass a code inspection. We have builders here in town that got caught up in this when building new homes. The windows look good, but when the building inspector came to give the inspection on the new home, red carded because the windows did not meet code standards. Most very good quality windows and very good installation will run from $250 to $400 per window. Do your homework and be careful and good luck.

Anderson Windows are good, but expensive.

[Bill]

What kind of code violations were found on the windows? Insulation rating factor or bad installation?

I suggested looking at installing them yourself because when my neighbor did her windows, I walked over and watched what they were doing on one window, and the guys doing the work were semi-English speaking laborers who were not rocket scientists- I figured if they could do it, so could I if I understood the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations to install.

Carry on- lots of good info on this thread.

[Trick]

All good advice Mudslinger. No doubt, you can do it yourself. Learning to remove the old windows wiithout damaging the brick or sheetrock will be a learning curve though. But if your good with you hands and have patience you can figure it out. Wood siding homes can be easier you just have the added work of replacing trim if damaged.