Replacing windows; where to purchase?

Question

Hi there, on a cedar shingle sided house with a mix of old aluminum and wood framed windows, is it best to just measure and order from a place like home depot?  We have all the siding off, so it seems now is the time, just want to figure out the most cost effective way.  Any help is appreciated!

Ian Saingarm · Answer

@Jim K. good idea on the foam.  The replacement ones have been easy and we've done them ourselves, but we have our handyman frame in the new windows, which doesn't seem so hard so far.

Than you!

Ian

Ian Saingarm · Answer

Wanted to follow up on this and say two things.

1) replacing windows was very easy.  Pull the trim, pull out the windows/frames.  Shim/adjust frame for new same size or smaller window.  Level it, screw it down.

2) home depot costs on custom window sizes for drop ins was very cost effective. Between that an using restore, we have all new windows for about 1/5th the cost of quotes we got.

Ian Saingarm · Answer

@David Hildebrandt thank you!  I did not know about thumbtack.

@Tom Shallcross thank you for all the advice!

I removed one window, it was aluminum frame within a wood frame, if that makes sense.  One of the windows I need to do is apparently actually a true wood frame window; large picture style window.  I can't seem to find the exact size windows so I was going to do slightly smaller windows, then build up the sides with some framing, and then get a drywall guy to tidy up the insides.  We will be doing flashing and the surrounding insulation like you mention.  LMK if that sounds right?  Much appreciated!

Ian Saingarm · Answer

To follow up on this,

For the replacement windows we ordered direct fit replacements from home depot and they were very reasonably price.  For the new installations where there were not windows we went to Habitat for humanity and got some nice quality brand new windows in the sizes we wanted and now the house has new windows for penny's on the dollar.  Install was not hard at all, people made a big deal about it but you just get slightly smaller windows and *firr* (not sure how to spell it) them in to the correct size.

Ian

Morgan Reinart · Answer

Don't remove the wood windows if they're original. Have them reglazed, painted, and install a quality storm window. It will be of similar energy efficiency and the future homeowners will thank you when their new vinyl windows won't need replaced every 15 years for the rest of the house's life.

Jeremy England · Answer

Whatever you chose to do, negotiate the price down.  I replaced 4 windows here in florida and due to all the energy crap, wind crap and what not, the first quote I got was 4000 installed.  I called two more contractors then negotiated with the cheaper one down to 2400

Jim K. · Answer

@Ian Saingarm

Yep. We usually go with Great Stuff foam on the slightly smaller windows. The Big Orange Retail Giant typically sells better DIY replacement windows than it's major Big Blue And Red Retail Giant competitor.

Window replacement companies are notorious overchargers. You get the right handyman, he'll reliably do replacement windows for $50-$75 a pop.

Ian Saingarm · Answer

@Tom Shallcross Awesome thank you!!!

Tom Shallcross · Answer

@Ian Saingarm - yes you're all good to go.  Some people don't want to deal with framing which means the window purchase needs to be exact.  Others do some framing but forget about the drywall which leaves some obnoxious sized trim on the interior.  If you have framing and drywall under control you won't need a contractor to take a look.

Check your local code, but I believe tempered glass will be required for any windows where the bottom is within 18in of the ground, in a bathroom, or directly over a bed.