Windows for the house?

[Charles]

One of the codes is any window around a water source such as sinks and showers must be tempered glass.

Anybody in the North Texas area looking for windows should talk to Trick.

[muzzlebrake]

I had these folks do mine last year. Great job and dropped my electric and gas bills by 1/3.
I got the series 2000. They also reduced the ambient noise by a lot, almost too much as I can't hear a car pull up now.
I got 9 windows done for just under $2600.

http://www.windowworld.com/

[Smokeater]

I'm kinda leanin' towards the diy on the small ones. My house is siding so I think it would be easier and I may go back with new trim instead of trying to reuse the existing stuff. I'm thinkin' on hiring out my big windows...the doublewides and one triple then after seeing how they're done(and lettin the funds build back up!) then do the smaller ones....get the ones that are costing me the most in utilities done first. Then theres the $1500 limit on rebates that the pinheads went with. Like stated before, if the idiots were serious about wanting to cut down on usage, they would give you an across the board percentage on the total amount of approved (along with proof) work done. So I guess to get that I have to drop $5g on windows, and that doesn't count labor....or it ain't suppose to anyway. Thanks again to all!

I just wonder what non-TBH'ers do when they need expertise.....must suck to be them!
Thanks Again, Brett

[Bill]

I would think that in the current economy, with people unable to borrow against their home equity for upgrades like this (my elk hunting partner is a roofing contractor and he was 1st killed by the illegals working for contractors, now people not having $ to put on new roofs) and so many construction folks hurting, calling a 1/2 dozen places that do them and getting competitive bids (let them know you're sending it out to 5 others) might get you some very aggressive pricing.

My understanding of the replacement windows (I'm not an expert) is that they are slightly smaller than the original windows, and after the old ones are removed (external and internal walls are not touched) they slide into the opening, are shimmed/sealed and screwed-in and trim pieces put around the edges. That's what I saw done here.

[Mike D]

Sent you a PM Smoke.

[hightech]

I have also been doing quite a bit of research..

Joined angies list for the reviews and in my area foster exteriors and Window World both came back with great ratings..
Then started looking at window MFG.. Seems the Monarch brand used by Foster and Window World are the same window with WW being cheaper.
After more research I ended up going with Fosters but upgraded to the Wincore 7700 series. (they will negotiate)
I decided to go ahead and purchase the best I could afford in my opinion U factor of .28 and SHGC of .21
They were ordered this morning. double hung low e argon.
Everything I have read about triple pane is overkill in the south. Mainly for northern cold climates.

I am having them do the install.. at $100 a window it is worth not taking the chance..

For tax credit …A “qualifying” window or door is one that carries both a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30.

[recar]

hightech.. which company did you end up ordering through. I live in Flower Mound and need a good comapny to do my windows as well.

[hightech]

I went with Fosters Exteriors. After getting 5 quotes and talking to a few salesman I felt that Lynn was much more knowledgeable and did not try to oversell me.. they had a stellar rating with Angies List and BBB
Window World salesman was a joke.. it seemed I knew more about windows and energy ratings than he did. I am am no expert by any means

http://fosterexteriors.com/

Since I just ordered them I cannot share my experience yet but I am hopeful I made the right decision.. feel free to give me a yell and I will let you know how it went.. Scheduled to arrive Jan 25th and install later that week.
I will PM you my cell

[Smokeater]

Got your pm Mike D...thanks! Hightech, thanks for sharing all the research! Now when the warden asks me sumpin about it, Imona just let her read your info and be done!
As far as gettin abuncha bids, I'm prolly gonna try and deal with the one and only window/door/glass fellar we have here in "hooterville" aka Clifton....dang good guy and if I get the black rifle-itis..he'll be my go to guy. I'd rather keep it right here....now if he's crazy high?!?!well then we'll go to plan B! As far as where the windows come from....you TBH'rs are awesome and I do appreciate all this info! I'll be price shoppin' like a mad man as far as the glass is concerned! Thanks again to all!! ba

[tinman]

Don Young Windows

For the best value on replacement windows, Texas-made Don Young Company is hard to beat. They build both vinyl and thermal-break aluminum windows with all the whistles and bells of the "big name" companies. There are fancier windows (Renewal by Anderson, Kensington, etc...) but the DYC product looks great and there's not that big of a difference in actual construction or performance (insulation/noise reduction)....plus, they're made right here in Dallas.

I'd go with Low E, tempered, Argon gas, vinyl frame myself.

I don't really sell many windows anymore but we do seem to average a window or two per month (privacy glass in bathroom remodels), so I do have an account with DYC. I'd be happy to help you purchase (at cost) if you wanna do-it-yourself.

[tookeymonster]

I think you can even get a Tax credit for this

[Smokeater]

Thanks Tinman! I was thinkin' you used do windows. I'll look'em up and sho nuff appreciate it!

[Devin]

I don't really sell many windows anymore but we do seem to average a window or two per month (privacy glass in bathroom remodels), so I do have an account with DYC. I'd be happy to help you purchase (at cost) if you wanna do-it-yourself.

I was gonna recommend Joey, but didn't know if he still did them. He did ours several years ago and they're awesome. It's one of the best investments we've ever made on our house.

[Roscoe]

I think you can even get a Tax credit for this

There are alot of tax credits out there for energy efficient home renovations: windows, heating/ac, insulation, etc...thing to remember is that if you are doing multiple jobs you may not get the full credit for each one. I believe they compound towards a common tax credit total. We did a new AC system last year and some additional insulation also. If I'm reading the rules right, we'll get no tax credit for the insulation because the AC job gobbled up all the tax credit by itself. The insulation was still very worthwhile w/o any credit, but it's something to be aware of when making a buy or not buy decision.

Also, I don't think you can get the tax credit every year. Say you do windows this year and insulation or radiant barrier next year. I believe once you reach the $1500 dollar credit level once, you are done. Maybe someone with better tax knowledge can confirm this?

[Smokeater]

Yeah, my wifes a CPA and she told me the tax credits were jack. With a $1500 cap on it I don't think they are really serious about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna get the 15 but I would do alot more if I knew I was gonna get 30% of my money back for buying approved stuff. But wait, that might create jobs and we can't do that right now! I'm hoping some of them pinheads will see that and take the cap off or make it an annual cap or something.
Hey Devin, thanks for quick kudos on Joey's windows. This thread just keeps gettin' better!