Home and Auto Home windows

patteeu · 04-20-2009, 12:38 PM

How do you decide when it's time to replace home windows?

I've got quite a few windows in my house. A few of them have broken mechanisms which makes it difficult to open them, but since I have plenty that still open and since I use A/C when it gets hot outside anyway I don't often find this to be a practical problem. I've also got a couple that seem to leak a little bit when it rains hard. Recently, a piece of siding blew off my house in a storm and revealed a pretty rotten/weathered looking piece of wood on one of my windows. They're mostly double paned, but a few of them seem to let a little air through even when they're closed so there is an issue of energy efficiency.

Is there any way to gauge how much I could increase my energy efficiency by replacing them or is it all just guess work? I'm reluctant to rely on the expert opinion of a random professional window guy who has a vested interest in selling me new windows. Any recommendations?

**Lumpy** · 04-20-2009, 12:49 PM

I would say it's time for u to replace all ur windows. I wish I could b/c, just like u, I have a few that do not function correctly. That and they're made out of wood. I would really like to have vinyl windows throughout. As far as efficiency and such, u could always call a company that offers free evaluation/estimates. At least u could get a better idea that way, even if u decide to either hold off buying or going w/ another company.

**HemiEd** · 04-20-2009, 01:02 PM

How old is your house?

I have no forumula, but we were shocked at the improvement after replacing some. Rooms were warmer, and heating bill dropped.

We didn't do it all at once, probably would have saved money if we had.

patteeu · 04-20-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

How old is your house?

I have no forumula, but we were shocked at the improvement after replacing some. Rooms were warmer, and heating bill dropped.

We didn't do it all at once, probably would have saved money if we had.

It's about 17 years old.

epitome1170 · 04-20-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

It's about 17 years old.

I would say it is time for windows. I am looking to replace mine as well, but my house windows are a little older than that even.

I would imagine that you still have single pane and they are not very energy efficient.

patteeu · 04-20-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epitome1170

I would say it is time for windows. I am looking to replace mine as well, but my house windows are a little older than that even.

I would imagine that you still have single pane and they are not very energy efficient.

Actually, they're double pane windows. I assume they're the original windows, but I've only lived here for the past 6 years or so, so I'm not certain about it.

PastorMikH · 04-20-2009, 02:32 PM

We ordered replacement windows last week. For us, we thought the time might be close when we sat in front of our living room window and could feel cold air coming in AFTER caulking every place I could find for air to come in. We knew it was time when we finally found someone that would do the work we wanted using a quality window.

We decided to go with an outfit out of OKC that makes the windows from a factory in Tulsa. We also chose to go with Aluminum windows that have a thermal barier between the inside and outside aluminum frames.

**mlyonsd** · 04-20-2009, 02:41 PM

You might want to try and call your local power company. Some of them offer free energy audits. We do anyway.

Course if the power company says your windows are fine should you believe them?

patteeu · 04-20-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

You might want to try and call your local power company. Some of them offer free energy audits. We do anyway.

Course if the power company says your windows are fine should you believe them?

38yrsfan · 04-20-2009, 03:22 PM

At my place the crash and then profound silence is usually the indicateion theat a window needs to be replaced ($400 in the past year). At least the guilty party (so far always one of my kids) confesses.

**Bugeater** · 04-20-2009, 03:42 PM

From the information you're giving in this thread, I would guess you have cheap builder grade windows. If you can afford it, and you're planning on staying in your house for a while, I would replace them not only for the energy savings but also aesthetics, and it sounds like those cheap windows may be leaking water into the house causing additional damage, and you don't want that.

**mlyonsd** · 04-20-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

An after thought, if you decide to ask your power company about an audit ask them if they can come close to determining the R value in an older window.

I built my house in 96 and used pretty expensive Argon gas Andersons. It has to be about -20 with a stiff wind blowing for them to fog up on the inside.

**Mr. Kotter** · 04-20-2009, 05:03 PM

"World of Windows" out of Omaha (through there local office in our town) did ours about 3-4 yrs ago. Good price, quality products, and good installation. 12 vinyl double-hung and a deck door. Difference in insulation has been pretty amazing. Been very happy with them...so far.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-20-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

From the information you're giving in this thread, I would guess you have cheap builder grade windows. If you can afford it, and you're planning on staying in your house for a while, I would replace them not only for the energy savings but also aesthetics, and it sounds like those cheap windows may be leaking water into the house causing additional damage, and you don't want that.

We have cheap, builder's grade windows in our home. When it's hot outside, you can feel the heat from several feet away. When it's cool at night (I won't say cold because 58 isn't cold), we might as well be outside.

Late last month, we replaced the crappy windows with new Jeld-Wen windows on one side of our home (the side that faces Southwest). Our old windows are .5" thick. The new windows are three inches thick, coated with Low E tint.

The difference is amazing. Our house isn't cool at night and while it's 101 degrees outside today, we're not losing the A/C which has keep the home incredibly cool today.

I'd highly recommend new windows but be sure not to "skimp".

joesomebody · 04-20-2009, 06:27 PM

My parents home and the current home I rent were built in the 1800s and all have wooden windows. My parents home definitly needs new windows, but they want to keep them wooden and stick with the antique style, which is going to cost them 10 times as much and won't be near as efficient.

The house I rent has baddass wooden windows with the weight/pulleys. Haven't tested EVERY window, but the ones I have opened are very easy to open and stay up on their own.

04-20-2009, 12:38 PM
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	Home windows How do you decide when it's time to replace home windows? I've got quite a few windows in my house. A few of them have broken mechanisms which makes it difficult to open them, but since I have plenty that still open and since I use A/C when it gets hot outside anyway I don't often find this to be a practical problem. I've also got a couple that seem to leak a little bit when it rains hard. Recently, a piece of siding blew off my house in a storm and revealed a pretty rotten/weathered looking piece of wood on one of my windows. They're mostly double paned, but a few of them seem to let a little air through even when they're closed so there is an issue of energy efficiency. Is there any way to gauge how much I could increase my energy efficiency by replacing them or is it all just guess work? I'm reluctant to rely on the expert opinion of a random professional window guy who has a vested interest in selling me new windows. Any recommendations?
Posts: 110,871

04-20-2009, 01:02 PM	#3
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $2810564	How old is your house? I have no forumula, but we were shocked at the improvement after replacing some. Rooms were warmer, and heating bill dropped. We didn't do it all at once, probably would have saved money if we had.
Posts: 33,609

04-20-2009, 02:32 PM	#7
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9925087	We ordered replacement windows last week. For us, we thought the time might be close when we sat in front of our living room window and could feel cold air coming in AFTER caulking every place I could find for air to come in. We knew it was time when we finally found someone that would do the work we wanted using a quality window. We decided to go with an outfit out of OKC that makes the windows from a factory in Tulsa. We also chose to go with Aluminum windows that have a thermal barier between the inside and outside aluminum frames. __________________
Posts: 20,454

04-20-2009, 02:41 PM	#8
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $1203762	You might want to try and call your local power company. Some of them offer free energy audits. We do anyway. Course if the power company says your windows are fine should you believe them?
Posts: 38,946

04-20-2009, 03:22 PM	#10
38yrsfan Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: In many minds, rent free. Casino cash: $9945667	At my place the crash and then profound silence is usually the indicateion theat a window needs to be replaced ($400 in the past year). At least the guilty party (so far always one of my kids) confesses. __________________ During the 75 season the Chiefs mascot Warpaint would circle the field after a touchdown. This prompted a great quote from long ago Raiders coach John Madden after the 42-10 loss at Arrowhead. "We couldn't beat the Chiefs, but we damn near killed their horse."
Posts: 1,350

04-20-2009, 03:42 PM	#11
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	From the information you're giving in this thread, I would guess you have cheap builder grade windows. If you can afford it, and you're planning on staying in your house for a while, I would replace them not only for the energy savings but also aesthetics, and it sounds like those cheap windows may be leaking water into the house causing additional damage, and you don't want that.
Posts: 70,443

04-20-2009, 05:03 PM	#13
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $5395285	"World of Windows" out of Omaha (through there local office in our town) did ours about 3-4 yrs ago. Good price, quality products, and good installation. 12 vinyl double-hung and a deck door. Difference in insulation has been pretty amazing. Been very happy with them...so far. __________________ "I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment...We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me.”
Posts: 46,403

04-20-2009, 06:27 PM	#15
joesomebody Waiting to be voted off Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Casino cash: $9994900	My parents home and the current home I rent were built in the 1800s and all have wooden windows. My parents home definitly needs new windows, but they want to keep them wooden and stick with the antique style, which is going to cost them 10 times as much and won't be near as efficient. The house I rent has baddass wooden windows with the weight/pulleys. Haven't tested EVERY window, but the ones I have opened are very easy to open and stay up on their own.
Posts: 2,584