Top Energy Improvements?
My uncle is about to spend around 2,500 per window on his brownstone to get Marvins installed, and asked me for advice. I have renovated suburban houses, but not brownstones. Typically, windows are the least bang for the buck, but on brownstones this may be a different story. Is there a list anywhere of what…
My uncle is about to spend around 2,500 per window on his brownstone to get Marvins installed, and asked me for advice. I have renovated suburban houses, but not brownstones. Typically, windows are the least bang for the buck, but on brownstones this may be a different story.
Is there a list anywhere of what are the best ways to improve energy efficiency in heating and cooling? I’ve searched these forums a lot, and can’t find anything. If one of you could give me a list, or a link, I’d greatly appreciate it.
Ben
I think you’re all ignoring the fact that the cost depends largely on the size of the window. A huge floor-to-ceiling parlor window, for example, can easily cost $2500 installed, whereas smaller bedroom windows should be much less.
I’d love to know how you got Marvins for so little, pmm. Where did you but them and who installed them? We were quoted close to $8,000 for two large front parlor Marvin windows by EZ-Tilt in Bay Ridge.
We recently put in new Marvins as part of our renovation and they definitely did not cost that much. I thought they were expensive at about $800-1000 ea for windows (depending on size) and about $300 ea for installation, but can’t imagine how your uncle’s could be costing $2500 ea.
I think the cost is way too high. Argon gas and low E in insulated windows for a school we built didn’t cost that much. Hey Elvis, I know a contractor that does small jobs. Email at hvacr007@gmail.com. Tell them Anthony sent you. Thanks
He is (over)paying for the brand.Windows We Are are fine, even Pella or Lowen.
Insulate insulate wherever possible especially roof, but rpelacing the windows does make a HUGE difference. My heating went down dramatically (30%)after all windows were changed. During replacement I had insulation stuffed in any window pockets, under sills behind brick molds etc…werhever possible to cut down on air infiltration. There are lots of nooks and cranies in brownstone exterior walls.
We just got some new vinyl tilt-ins for the Crazy Stable, (blogged it today, actually) from the same place I’ve used before (Future home improvements, based out in Little Neck), generic or their own brand, they work fine 5+ years out, and the prices are excellent. I am actually replacing the first “new” replacement windows, which were custom insulated wood sash and architecturally “sensitive” and were generally atrocious; I think the place that made them (Millwork Specialties, 4th Ave. and Prospect Ave.) has since gone out of business, deservedly. Can’t testify to Marvin, not having used them; 20 years ago we got a few Andersons and didn’t like them.
Grand Army,
I still don’t believe Marvin costs that much.
My windows are all new frames and the most it cost was $900 per. All my old frames were ripped out and either new wood ones, or new vinyl ones, were installed. The old windows, frames glass and all were replaced (from between $400-900)
The only windows that I know of costing in the neighborhood of $2k are hurricane rated security glass which is basically impenetrable and required in some states (Florida for example) for insurance purposes. That stuff can withstand minutes of sledgehammer abuse.
Like I said, I still find it hard to believe standard replacement windows/frames cost $2500 per. That is ridiculous…
you could get triple panes (as needed for a passive house), but as the rest of the building won’t be insulated and tight enough to get to that standard, you probably are spending more and loosing the heat right trhogh the roof.
More appropriate if you are only addressing the window is to get good low-e double pane CASEMENT windows (tilt/turn). D
Double hung windows, no matter how good the seal are, result in air infiltration and thus create a drafty interior with inherent inefficiencies…
Marvin windows DO cost that much! Not sure why, but possibly because they are installed brick-to-brick, ie. they are not just an insert but include completely new framing. I have often wondered why they cost so much but I can say from personal experience that new windows installed into old frames (I have Pellas) don’t always work as well as they should.