Buying new windows

[ni4ni]

I purchased and am having new double hung vinyl foam filled replacement windows installed in my home. $3995 for 7 windows from a company called Windows USA. I know several people who have purchased from them and they have excellent customer service.

Anyone heard of them?

EDIT The company is an Arkansas company in business since the 1940's.

Lifetime warranty including glass breakage. Installation will only take one half a day.

Estimated projected savings for five years on utilities is $2258.00.

The windows are custom made from the measured sizes. The sizes are around 28 width x 48 height.

They have an interesting referral program as well. If you allow them to come out to demonstrate, you get $100.00 as well as the person who referred you.

 

[dartworth]

not to bad of a price...that is complete installation?

 

[zerocool84]

You have to give some more details. Size of windows, type of windows, things like that. You could be paying a good price or getting raped.

 

[Greenman]

Never heard of them.
What brand of windows are they installing?
Will the new windows be inserts or hack outs?
Is the company licensed and have you checked out the number?
Do they carry general liability and workmen's comp?
How long have they been in business?

When you can answer those questions you'll know something about what you're getting and the company doing the work.

 

[DrPizza]

I've had two different windows companies come to my house with very high pressure sales tactics. We turned both down. Most of the guys I know who work for local contractors said you can get just as nice of windows, if not nicer made by Anderson/Pella/Marvin or one of the other companies and have them installed by a local recommended contractor for overall less money. Personally, it's hard to comment on your price since you didn't give the size of the windows.

Coincidentally, they had an episode on This Old House tonight about installing replacement vinyl windows - they had the homeowner - a woman (sorry if that sounds sexist) - do most of the work on one of the windows. They made it look much easier than it is (especially how easy it was to tear out the old windows) but the big question is:

Did you shop around? Did you get a quote from a local contractor? If not, no one can answer your question about price. Here's a site to glance at: here If you read the article, it sort of implies that window installation is incredibly easy. Also, if you look at the first reply, you'll notice the guy who measured wrong saying "eat the $200." In other words, his replacement windows cost $200 each, compared to your $570. But, since you and he make no mention of actual size, a comparison is pretty difficult. (Not that the prices vary that much by size, but labor varies greatly depending on your location too.)

Here's another link which also suggests getting more than 1 quote before you commit: here

I hope it wasn't true of your experience, but when we had our high pressure salesman here, he pointed out that of course, it costs the company more money to come out more than once - if I was to buy that night, since it cost the company less money in the long run, they'd pass the savings along to me - 15% or something ridiculous (which amounted to a couple thousand dollars). That, and misleading my wife led me to showing both salesmen to the door. I still have a pretty sour taste in my mouth about the whole experience.

edit: also missing from the quote you received is how much work they'll have to do - is there going to be a lot of custom carpentry involved? In many cases, it's simply a matter of removing the old window, cleaning a little bit, a bit of caulk, 4 or 6 screws, some more caulk, replace the existing moulding, and done.

 

[DrPizza]

Did some more searching for a while... the only conclusion I can come to is avoid the Thermastar windows sold at Lowes (manufactured by Pella, I believe) - Pella's upper end is great stuff, but somehow, someone convinced them to produce some absolute crap & sell it at Lowes. Ditto for getting windows from H.D., and ditto for using H.D.'s contractors. Also by "size" considerations above, I was more referring to a large bay window vs. bedroom window; a 2'x3' vs. a 3'x3' window should be very similar in cost; no difference in installation time, etc.

 

[OVERKILL]

Dr Pizza,


Thats some useful information.
Thanks, :thumbsup:




Randy

 

[ni4ni]

Sorry I didn't go into more detail.

The company is an Arkansas company in business since the 1940's.

Lifetime warranty including glass breakage. Installation will only take one half a day.

Estimated projected savings for five years on utilities is $2258.00.

The windows are custom made from the measured sizes. The sizes are around 28 width x 48 height.

 

[ni4ni]

Originally posted by: dartworth
not to bad of a price...that is complete installation?

That is complete installation.

 

[Capt Caveman]

What kind of windows are these? I installed in my old house 15 replacement windows by myself for under $3k.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: ni4ni
Sorry I didn't go into more detail.

The company is an Arkansas company in business since the 1940's.

Lifetime warranty including glass breakage. Installation will only take one half a day.

Estimated projected savings for five years on utilities is $2258.00.

The windows are custom made from the measured sizes. The sizes are around 28 width x 48 height.

Are these wood or vinyl?

 

[ni4ni]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: ni4ni
Sorry I didn't go into more detail.

The company is an Arkansas company in business since the 1940's.

Lifetime warranty including glass breakage. Installation will only take one half a day.

Estimated projected savings for five years on utilities is $2258.00.

The windows are custom made from the measured sizes. The sizes are around 28 width x 48 height.

Are these wood or vinyl?

Foam filled vinyl.

 

[ni4ni]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
What kind of windows are these? I installed in my old house 15 replacement windows by myself for under $3k.

It is made by Windows USA in their factory here in Arkansas. It is called the Alaskan Super Vinyl Window System.

They are double hung foam filled vinyl replacement windows.

 

[dartworth]

if going the DIY route...figure around $200-300 a window. Having them installed would double that.

 

[ni4ni]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Never heard of them.
What brand of windows are they installing?
Will the new windows be inserts or hack outs?
Is the company licensed and have you checked out the number?
Do they carry general liability and workmen's comp?
How long have they been in business?

When you can answer those questions you'll know something about what you're getting and the company doing the work.

They make the windows.

They will be removing my 30 year old aluminum windows that are surrounded by brick.

The company is licensed and they do carry the proper insurance.

They have been in business since the 1940's.

 

[ni4ni]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
What kind of windows are these? I installed in my old house 15 replacement windows by myself for under $3k.

I can not install the windows. I am lucky I can replace a light bulb.

 

[mattlear]

Windows sizes and types do play an important part in the overall cost.

If your openings are not standard, you may have to elongate the opening or bring the sides in... these are all things that are a nuisance.

I installed my own windows - anderson 400 series tilt wash double hungs I purchased from Home Depot during a 10% off millwork special. It was several thousands of dollars cheaper than the local lumber yard.

I didn't think that hanging windows was trivial... it takes patience because you want to make everything level, and make sure the jambs are straight so the windows open and close with ease. My brother and I fussed with each window because

Good luck with the new windows!

-Matt

 

[BoomerD]

We had new Simonton vinyl windows installed this past November. 11 windows, ranging from one smal 2X2 in the bathroom, to a 4X6 in the living room, 2 30X60 half-moons, and patio sliders.
They are all argon-filled, "super-spacers" foam filled frames, "super low-e glass and "self-cleaning" outer glass. The two half-moon windows have obscured glass in a rain pattern..
I WISH our price was anywhere close to what you paid. We had 4 window companies come give prices.

All four started at about $18,000, but of course, 3 of them proceeded to offer "whole house" discounts, "$100 off per window" discounts, "I think my dog is pregnant by my teenage son" discounts, etc., and they ended up in the $8000 to $9500 range. The fourth one had no discounts to offer. He did have a VERY nice line of windows to sell, )Atrium brand) but they weren't worth double (or more) what everyone else had to offer.

2 of the companies sold nearlythe same Simonton windows. IIRC, there was a difference in the level of low-e each one offered.
The 4th company's windows were ugly, with large bulky frames and looked poorly built. After he gave us his "best, last offer" he left, and the next day, his boss called and offered us another $2000 off..:roll:

We went with the Simonton dealer that pulled the old aluminum frames. Some companies prefer to leave them in the wall, because they don't want to "disturb the vapor barrier." It sounds like a good reason, and if they're done wrong, it COULD be an issue, but in reality, it's just another step to take and more labor costs for them...

Our final cost was about $9200. We had double pane windows before, but they were 10 years old, and were cheap quality, contractor-grade aluminum frame windows, and many had lost their internal seal. Standing in front of one during the summer was like standing in front of a blast furnace, and they radiated cold in the winter.
Not so with the new Simonton windows...you can tell there's sunlight on you, but you don't feel any heat. In the winter, no more cold spots.
I can't say we've noticed a huge change in our utility bills, (hasn't been a year yet, and the weather hasn't been "normal," bt the comfort level in the house is better than it's ever been, PLUS, with the low-e glass, it's like having a nice pair of sunglasses on the house.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea good ones are pretty sweet. carpet that used to be hot from morning sun is cool to the touch now.
insert ones where they don't remove the entire old aluminum frame work ok, window size is reduced a little. and yea low e and argon. basically atleast in the bay area you don't really need to use the heating anymore during winter think the brand is anlin. inserts take part of a day to finish. quite fast

 

[JJChicken]

windows xp FTMFW

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: ni4ni
I purchased and am having new double hung vinyl foam filled replacement windows installed in my home. $3995 for 7 windows from a company called Windows USA. I know several people who have purchased from them and they have excellent customer service.

Anyone heard of them?

EDIT The company is an Arkansas company in business since the 1940's.

Lifetime warranty including glass breakage. Installation will only take one half a day.

Estimated projected savings for five years on utilities is $2258.00.

The windows are custom made from the measured sizes. The sizes are around 28 width x 48 height.

They have an interesting referral program as well. If you allow them to come out to demonstrate, you get $100.00 as well as the person who referred you.

$571/window?!

never knew windows were that expensive.

and $2200 in savings over 5yrs?!? that sounds a little optimistic.
what were your old windows? single pane w/o chalk?

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: ni4ni

Originally posted by: Greenman
Never heard of them.
What brand of windows are they installing?
Will the new windows be inserts or hack outs?
Is the company licensed and have you checked out the number?
Do they carry general liability and workmen's comp?
How long have they been in business?

When you can answer those questions you'll know something about what you're getting and the company doing the work.

They make the windows.

They will be removing my 30 year old aluminum windows that are surrounded by brick.

The company is licensed and they do carry the proper insurance.

They have been in business since the 1940's.

Sounds like you got a fair deal.