Replacement Windows

The invention of double pain windows is truly a marvel for the home. New double pain windows block out 10 or more times the noise than traditional windows. Double pain windows regulate the temperature almost like a solid wall would. The quality and benefits of new double pain windows is impressive. These benefits have fuelled a booming marketing for replacement windows.

In fact I strongly recommend double pain windows to anyone living in a hot, cold or noisy area.

The different brands and qualities can vary a little. For the most part you get what you pay for when it comes to quality. Here are some of the common rules of thumb:

1. Vinyl window frames are the most cost effective, but the color any fade in the sun. Consider this if you are installing white windows.
2. Vinyl window frames are also the most likely to bend or misalign during the installation and over time with weather. The window frame itself will never warp, but if the wood around it does, vinyl offers the least resistance.
3. Wood windows will come unfinished from the factory. If you are handy this really is not a big deal. You can stain, seal or paint the surface yourself. Depending on your skill level the windows can be customized to your desires. If you are not comfortable with this then you will need to hire someone to finish the interior/exterior surface of your windows. This will be an extra cost.
4. Most higher quality brands can provide you with vinyl or aluminum on the outside and wood on the inside. This is an advantage in terms of durability.

When the topic of installation comes up there are two options. The 1st option is to remove the entire existing window and place the new replacement window in its place. Most times this requires demolition around the window, so that the new window can be anchored. The cost to replace the removed drywall and exterior surroundings can increase the cost of installation to about $450 per window. Since a high quality window is between $400 and $500 you are now looking at almost a $1,000 per window.

FYI – I am speaking from experience with Marvin & Milgard Double Hung windows in Southern California. Other brands are different prices and other areas have different labor costs.

To avoid the high installation fees another type of window is available. These are windows that only require the removal of the existing window to the frame. The replacement window comes in a box and literally slides right into the old window box. The new window is anchored into the old window box frame with screws and the cost of installation is reduced to about the $100 level. This manor of installation is also very possible for the “do-it-yourselfer.” Some brands call these styles “tilt packs” (as they tilt right into the old frame box” others call them “replacements.”

As far as cost goes the Tilt Pack or Replacement is the way to go, but there are style issues that need to be considered.

1. This will reduce the “window” opening. The past window pains sat in the window frame box you are installing into. The replacement window frame will be about 1 inch on all sides, which equates to a reduction in opening of about 2 inches in height and 2 inches in width. If you have large windows this is not a big deal. However, if your windows are small or average size this is a serious consideration.
2. Your window molding will need to be very wide to cover the two frames (old and new). This may require patching old walls that were covered at one time or replacing existing molding. This can become a style problem with the rest of your house.
3. Lastly if the old window box frame is damaged or warped your new window runs the risk of becoming loose in the future. Old houses with termite damage or past water damage could cause future problems.

Based on the three issues above, you have to consider if the appearance is going to be worth the cost savings. If the appearance is not a consideration then by all means save the money, Tilt Pack replacement windows are a great solution. If one of the above options will cause your new windows to look awkward or to clash with the design of the rest of house, saving a little on installation will not be worth it in the long run.