What Kind of Windows?
Our replacement vinyl windows, installed by the previous owner sometime in the 90s, are so warped out of shape they don’t close and can’t be fixed, according to two window companies who’ve looked at them. We have to replace them asap because huge amounts of air come in the one-inch gaps at the window tops…
Our replacement vinyl windows, installed by the previous owner sometime in the 90s, are so warped out of shape they don’t close and can’t be fixed, according to two window companies who’ve looked at them.
We have to replace them asap because huge amounts of air come in the one-inch gaps at the window tops during the winter months. (Plastic coverings help a little bit.)
We’d like to get the fancy wood frame Marvin windows now and re-do the facade later when we can save the money. However, it seems after discussing the technical details with installers, that we really need to do both at once. We have vinyl siding, not brownstone.
Does it make sense to get cheaper replacement windows now (about $500 each) and then re-do everything in about five years? The fancy windows are about $1,000 each. (And actually, we can’t afford them now anyway.) And if so, should we get vinyl or aluminum, and who is the best and most affordable installer for these? Thank you!
Re storms, I’ve seen two basic styles that work in very different ways and the traditional type might be an effective and inexpensive option for your current problem. Traditional storms are a big pane of glass in a wood frame. You attach it with traditional storm hooks at the top of the window opening. On my house these are sized so that they are recessed into the window frame on the outside of the house. Seems like these would be pretty simple to make and install (they’re mechanically simple, glass is relatively cheap, storm hardware is readily available and inexpensive). You could continue using them when you eventually get new windows assuming the exterior frames and sills of the windows would not be replaced (just the sashes).
The other style, which wouldn’t make sense for you, is often called triple-track has a set of tracks with window glass and screens. The screen is on the outside of the lower sash, there is a glass pane for the top sash area and another on the lower sash area, and these can be raised and lowered. I think these became popular in the second half of the 20th century. They don’t require you to get up on a ladder to install, and they have screens, but they are ugly, change the look of your windows, and make it difficult to clean the glass. That said, they aren’t all bad because they do a good job of protecting original wood windows that aren’t getting periodic maintenance.
Re: storms. Essentially they are attached to the outside of the window opening. Have no idea how much they cost, you’ll have to check with some suppliers. For examples of what they look like, the best place to find them on existing buildings is in landmarks districts where they are an acceptable alternative to landmark quality replacement windows.
Anyone have an opinion on vinyl vs. aluminum?
Wow, storm windows. That’s an interesting idea. Wonder how much those cost?
Can they attach them to the outside?
Have you thought about putting in storms as a temporary measure. IIRC when we were in a rental with storms they were a PIA to clean as you had to maneuver to clean two sets of windows for every opening, but they will solve your air infiltration problem at less costs than replacements, I think.
We got a quote last year from Windows We Are for trimline wood/vinyl replacements and it was around $1000 per window. For this reason, we waited and saved and are planning to put in wood/wood Marvins. Would have priced out Kolbe, too, if Heights Historic Window and Door had ever deigned to show to EITHER of their appointments. Asshats!
Mopar, I’d give Chris at Windows We Are a call. They seem to be straight shooters as they talked me out of more expensive Marvin and Andersen’s (since I’m not landmarked). We used Crystal and Trimeline (vinyl in the back as it’s cheaper, aluminum in the front so it was black outside and white inside). They ran about 600 each for 6 windows and we’ve been really happy. Went from crappy 1980’s single pane to solid double pane, can’t hear any noise from the street save for car horns.
Just my $0.02
Dave, the windows are bent out of shape and cannot close or lock at all. Each has a one-inch gap at the top plus tons of air coming through in the middle of the window since the two panes are nowhere near flush.
BrooklynButler, we have to get new windows because even with plastic covering, the top (rental) floor cannot be heated to comply with the law — at least not at a reasonable cost and not without overheating the lower floors drastically.
Actually LWP’s on 3rd Avenue, not 4th.