New Windows for the House. (1 Viewer)

[PinkydaPimp]

So i need to replace the Windows in my house(they are probably the original windows in a home built in the 1920s so anything will be an improvement).  I am evaluating quotes and wanted to get feedback.  I am looking at getting Vinyl.  So far i have quotes for Okna 800 brand double hungs and MI Window 1650 Extreme Vinyl windows.  Price is about the same.  Anyone familiar with either of these?

 

[[scooter]]

A good resource for questions is the Houzz forums: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/windows

From what I've seen, most vinyl window companies use the same basic vinyl components for their windows. The key thing that you need to consider is 1) what kind of glass do they use?, and 2) what kind of warranty do they offer?

 

[Galileo]

A good resource for questions is the Houzz forums: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/windows

From what I've seen, most vinyl window companies use the same basic vinyl components for their windows. The key thing that you need to consider is 1) what kind of glass do they use?, and 2) what kind of warranty do they offer?

Which if you have luck like mine won't matter.  I had new windows installed in 2009.  The company who installed them went out of business 2 years later.  But I have a lifetime warranty from the window manufacturer!  Oh wait...they went bankrupt and no longer exist either!  So, now I have 5 windows whose seals have gone bad, and I have wonderfully useless warranties from companies that no longer exist!

 

[mr roboto]

Which if you have luck like mine won't matter.  I had new windows installed in 2009.  The company who installed them went out of business 2 years later.  But I have a lifetime warranty from the window manufacturer!  Oh wait...they went bankrupt and no longer exist either!  So, now I have 5 windows whose seals have gone bad, and I have wonderfully useless warranties from companies that no longer exist!

This is why I would only go with a company with a long history. 

 

[Galileo]

This is why I would only go with a company with a long history. 

The company who did the installation had been in business for over 30 years in the area.  And the window manufacturer was founded in 1947 and had nothing but good reviews for their products when I had looked into it back in 2009.

 

[[scooter]]

A good resource for questions is the Houzz forums: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/windows

From what I've seen, most vinyl window companies use the same basic vinyl components for their windows. The key thing that you need to consider is 1) what kind of glass do they use?, and 2) what kind of warranty do they offer?

Which if you have luck like mine won't matter.  I had new windows installed in 2009.  The company who installed them went out of business 2 years later.  But I have a lifetime warranty from the window manufacturer!  Oh wait...they went bankrupt and no longer exist either!  So, now I have 5 windows whose seals have gone bad, and I have wonderfully useless warranties from companies that no longer exist!

Did the bankrupt company get bought out by another window manufacturer? If so, you might still be eligible for a warranty. You may also be eligible for a warranty from the glass supplier (if you can find out who it is).

At any rate, replacement glass for vinyl windows is not very expensive (maybe $15-20 per square foot). When I did my remodel, I got 3 new windows but just replaced the glass in 4 others. And I was able to replace the glass myself by popping out the vinyl perimeter pieces that held the glass in place.

Also, if the glass is not tempered, then you might be able to drill a hole into it to suck out the fog (example here).

 

[Galileo]

Did the bankrupt company get bought out by another window manufacturer? If so, you might still be eligible for a warranty.

At any rate, replacement glass for vinyl windows is not very expensive (maybe $15-20 per square foot). When I did my remodel, I got 3 new windows but just replaced the glass in 4 others. And I was able to replace the glass myself by popping out the vinyl perimeter pieces that held the glass in place.

Also, if the glass is not tempered, then you might be able to drill a hole into it to suck out the fog (example here).

Interesting, I just got a quote to replace the glass from the same company in the linked article...$1100 for the 5 panes of glass (double pane/low e).  They never mentioned any type of process like this as a possibility.

 

[[scooter]]

Interesting, I just got a quote to replace the glass from the same company you linked here...$1100 for the 5 panes of glass (double pane/low e).  They never mentioned any type of process like this as a possibility.

New glass is the better option, IMO. Drilling a hole is just a temporary fix. If the window seal is broken, then the dirty air is going to find its way back inside the glass eventually.