Getting all windows in the house replaced today

[Sheepathon]

The windows and blinds are all probably 20+ years old. Window people are coming today to replace them all, haven't decided what to do with the blind situation yet (what kind, where to buy, etc).

Anything I should know before these guys get to work? Interesting anecdotes?

Thanks.

The Company Doing the Work

 

[Fritzo]

Make sure your wife hasn't arrested the work crew for illegal drug use before they come out.


We had an incident about 10 years ago.

 

[Kelemvor]

Jsut check them all before they leave. Make sure they fit nice, no gaps between the window and the frame. Make sure they open and stay open (depending on the window type), etc.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Make sure your wife hasn't arrested the work crew for illegal drug use before they come out.


We had an incident about 10 years ago.

sorry about that, i told the guys to wait for lunch and they couldn't :/

 

[lupi]

If the weather allowes it, keep every opening you can open for the next 2+ days or the smell will kill ya.

 

[Kreon]

Make sure the crew is sober when they install your windows
happened to my grandparents

Make sure that they follow the instructions/proper installation procedure. My parents home had giant gaps in the windows because they forgot some pieces (yet still charged us for them)
we finally got it sorted out withe the corporation (Jeldwin?). But it was a PITA

 

[BoomerD]

We had all new Simonton windows put in last year. What a HUGE difference it made in the comfort level of the house. Even though our house is only about 12 years old, they originally put in cheap-ass contractor grade double pane windows...and about half lost their seal within 5 years, PLUS, the aluminum frames "sweat" with condensation. When it was hot outside, they radiated heat, and when it was cold, it was the refrigerated case in the grocery store...

That's all gone now. With the glass upgrades we had put in, you can stand in front of a window in full sun during the summer and while light comes through, you feel NO heat.

We went with a contractor who removes the old aluminum window frames. Many don't because it's easier for them, faster, and there's less chance of damaging the vapor barrier. A GOOD contractor who knows what they're doing can remove those old frames without damaging anything.
(why would you want new windows sitting on a thin strip of aluminum that might cause the window frame to warp, plus they still stand a chance of condensation inside the wall...potentially leading to mold growth in the wall?)

You get what you pay for with replacement windows. If you found the cheapest windows on the market...that's what you're gonna get.
Spend a bit more, get better windows that will last. Ours have a lifetime guarantee and free window replacement. (which is a good thing since I managed to break one before the contractor got back to their shop after installing the new windows...long story) :roll:

 

[jtvang125]

My parents replaced the windows on their house not too long ago with some double paned ones. They fit great with no gaps. The crew did an excellent job.

The double paned windows also really helped soundproof the house. I use to be able to hear a car coming down the street with the regular windows but now I can't even hear a car as it passes right by the house.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
We had all new Simonton windows put in last year. What a HUGE difference it made in the comfort level of the house. Even though our house is only about 12 years old, they originally put in cheap-ass contractor grade double pane windows...and about half lost their seal within 5 years, PLUS, the aluminum frames "sweat" with condensation. When it was hot outside, they radiated heat, and when it was cold, it was the refrigerated case in the grocery store...

That's all gone now. With the glass upgrades we had put in, you can stand in front of a window in full sun during the summer and while light comes through, you feel NO heat.

We went with a contractor who removes the old aluminum window frames. Many don't because it's easier for them, faster, and there's less chance of damaging the vapor barrier. A GOOD contractor who knows what they're doing can remove those old frames without damaging anything.
(why would you want new windows sitting on a thin strip of aluminum that might cause the window frame to warp, plus they still stand a chance of condensation inside the wall...potentially leading to mold growth in the wall?)

You get what you pay for with replacement windows. If you found the cheapest windows on the market...that's what you're gonna get.
Spend a bit more, get better windows that will last. Ours have a lifetime guarantee and free window replacement. (which is a good thing since I managed to break one before the contractor got back to their shop after installing the new windows...long story) :roll:

I already read your entire post, now lets hear the long story :laugh: You know better then that. I'm curious what "good windows" cost, if you don't mind. Obviously you are happy with them.

 

[BoomerD]

heh-heh...yeah happy as hell...about $9200 for 13 windows and 2 patio sliders.

We had bids ranging from $4500 to $18,000...and the highest bid was for the exact same set of windows.:roll:

The long story...well, the contractor's crew showed up at 7 a.m. to install the windows without having called to let us know they were coming. (some windows had been delayed from the factory...so they were going to call and let us know when they'd be there)
In my mad rush to get furniture moved away from the windows so they had room to work, I ended up breaking the return portion of my computer desk. (cheap particle board with oak veneer some screws that held on the solid panel that serves as a leg)
After they left, I put the return back together, turned it back upright (worked on it upside down) and when I went to stand it up, the top fell off and into one of the new windows. (when I put it back together, I forgot to tighten a couple of "locking screws" that held the top on) D'oh...
Fortunately, it only broke the inside pane, so we were able to wait several days till the factory could get the replacement to us.
The installers came out, replaced the window in a matter of minutes, and laughed their asses off at me..
They told me that it was the fastest they've ever had to replace a new window in the company's history.. /story

 

[TallBill]

lol :thumbsup:

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Vinyl, composite (fiberglass), or wood?

My advice is lulz if the answer is A or B.

 

[Sheepathon]

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
Vinyl, composite (fiberglass), or wood?

My advice is lulz if the answer is A or B.

Vinyl

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Originally posted by: Sheepathon

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
Vinyl, composite (fiberglass), or wood?

My advice is lulz if the answer is A or B.

Vinyl

LULZ

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: SphinxnihpS
Vinyl, composite (fiberglass), or wood?

My advice is lulz if the answer is A or B.

Hasn't anyone invented a device to stab people in the face over the internet yet?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
We had all new Simonton windows put in last year. What a HUGE difference it made in the comfort level of the house. Even though our house is only about 12 years old, they originally put in cheap-ass contractor grade double pane windows...and about half lost their seal within 5 years, PLUS, the aluminum frames "sweat" with condensation. When it was hot outside, they radiated heat, and when it was cold, it was the refrigerated case in the grocery store...

Similar situation here, except my house is only about 110 years old
Not sure how old the previous windows were, but only a few of them would even open any more, and we went with Simonton Prism Platinum for replacements. Things must be cheaper here, though, we got out of it with 13 windows for under $5k.