Comments on: Ask Us: “changing my original single pane windows…”

By: diana

diana — Sat, 22 May 2010 02:08:14 +0000

are you still happy with your trimline windows… i just got a price from them today … and i’m worried becasued i’ve nevered heard of them … i’m looking at double hung wood inside.

By: paco

paco — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:39:11 +0000

lubricate the sash weight pulleys and wax the slide track.

[Editor's Note: I'm amazed the content filters let this through. ]

By: Rose G

Rose G — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:28:51 +0000

Our house in Pasadena, Ca was built n 1941. For the most part, our original double hung windows work fine and have held up nicely. However, there are a few windows that make way too much noise when opened and closed.
Please suggest some solutions to fix this noisy problem.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:47:37 +0000

Re resale value.

we got some new facade windows. I dont want to mix up my numbers but i think we got 5 windows for about 6K (you are welcome to contact “the window and door shop” for photos and quotes of our own project.

each window is about the size of a door (think those victorian bay windows), they are custom stained glass double glazed and sound proofed (for a pair and YES it works very well). And 100% bay area local (glass is custom made in oakland, wood is custom cut in SF etc).

And the price was very similar to standard plain “custom” by Marvin (same wood, same double hung no stain glass no fanciness). HOWEVER, the ROI is much greater because it’s a true custom = there is no other window like those around, and they fit our facade. So I believe/think/hope that we have a ROI of 1-1 for the window part (just like any window replacement – because it was necessary to replace leaky aluminium windows) and an ADDITIONAL ROI because we enhanced the facade, thus the curb appeal/architectural value etc etc.

In magazines, I do believe that they MERGE the two parts, making it very difficult to translate to SF where the architectural part can be a deal breaker in resale value vs “just fancy”. That also mean that if you replace 5yo vinyls by identical wood, I’m not sure you get ANY ROI at all.

That said, we used the same company for all the other no-facade windows. They helped us pick home made vs Marvin window by window, depending on size, to get the best price on each unit. Another custom stained glass window was indeed less expensive going the Marvin way, because the size was right standard and easy.

there are at least 3 window shops in SF that will * RESPECT your house * be talented AND competent AND competitive for home made windows. So bring your photos, go to the shops, and talk with them about what is included or not, pricing, options, etc. And the names are easy to get: drive around the to the stub restorations of the victorians-oooops, of projects IDENTICAL to yours- and ask. Owners are usually very pleased to give names and references.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:50:00 +0000

I mean http://www.bluevinyl.org

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:49:12 +0000

Before replacing go to http://www.windowrepair.com and see all the information there.

http://www.greenwichwindowdoctor.com

Est. l989 and look up http://www.bluevinyl.com the by product of anything vinyl is dioxin!

By: leplusjeune

leplusjeune — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:25:15 +0000

My house (built 1991) originally had all Andersen double pane, wood with vinyl cladding on the outside, casements. Almost every one developed condensation after about 10 years (warranty just expired on the seals, lol) and you could hear everything from the outside – we do/did have good wall insulation, though, and knew it was the windows that were a problem.

We replaced them all with double hung, low e, custom made, Trimline wood with aluminum cladding on the outside. Sooooo much of an improvement!

Crestline also make a nice window.

By: leplusjeune

leplusjeune — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:13:04 +0000

“And if you are replacing bedroom windows, and the windows are not wide enough (like less than 3 feed wide or something), then you might run into some weird city firecode as well — like they want you to replace it with casement style window, rather than the traditional single-hung style (so I guess it’s easier for people to escape the fire)”

Right, They’re called “egress” windows. It’s part of the national uniform building code that most communities are now adapting.

By: sparky

sparky — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:24:45 +0000

I get bashed on my project about Brand stuff, because I am into quality over brand. I.E. Wolf vs. Bertazonni. The fact is people love to see brand name when buying whether they will ever use it/need it or not. I do feel like windows are a little different because your not leaving the stickers on and there are so many other things to look at in an open house. I’m not anti-vinyl window, in fact I put it in often and have yet to have a gripe on that (unlike brand of Dishwasher). I like the function and maintenance of vinyl over wood.

If your working an re-habing a victorian, you have to think wood. Now if your do-ing the current trend of modernizing a victorian you can look at vinyl, but your probably thinking metal or stained wood.

By: 40YearOldRenter

40YearOldRenter — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:27:11 +0000

Sounds like the bottom line is that new windows are better than old windows. Do you guys believe that window replace recapture 100%+ of the value of the windows? Spend $10,000 on windows, get $12,000 in value out of it? I constantly read trade magazines that say “recoop on average 124% of cost” etc.

What are your thoughts? Kitchen, bathroom, windows, decks. I guess perhaps people in the know, buying higher end homes really focus on the details i.e. brand/window type, etc, and therefore know the cost, and are willing to pay more, just like any remodel, since their time is precious and they are wiling to pay up for turn key.

BTW, everybody seems to have heard of Andersen, not everybody about the other brands, but I have.

40YOR