Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

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bluefan89
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Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:18 pm

Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#1 Post by bluefan89 »

Hello, new to the forum.....have read many posts on replacing windows.

We live in a pretty rural area of northern middle Tennessee. We are having a remodel going on with a 22 year old house, that has the original junk windows that builder put in.

So far until I started reading online we were "blinded by the big box stores" especially with the song and dance they gave us.

Got a quote on replacing 11 standard size windows with Jeld-weld 3900 DH for $5,500 installed
If we dropped down to the 3201's $4,500 installed

from what I have read Jeld-Weld is inferior it appears.

We want a good quality window that locks wont break like the junk ones we have now.

Thanks for any direction and information on good quality that won't break the bank.

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Windows on Washington
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Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:23 am
Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#2 Post by Windows on Washington »

1. Don't go to the big box stores. Even if you do land on the one decent window they sell (mid-grade at best), the installs are questionable at best.

2. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations.

3. Stick to looking for the brands that are quality and are sold via companies that specialize in windows/exteriors.

Soft-Lite, Sunrise, Okna, Kensington Quantum 2, and Vytex Potomac are all thought of as pretty solid windows.

bluefan89
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:18 pm

Re: Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#3 Post by bluefan89 »

Thanks for the information!

I will have to see if any of those brands of windows are close by.

As for patio doors which brand would be good to check out? Most of the doors I have seen around are probably lesser quality...wind blows through them and doesn't seem too stable when closing.

Thinking about 3 panels with one door opening to avoid the double entry problems.

Thanks again!

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#4 Post by Windows on Washington »

Patio as far as a swing door or a sliding door.

bluefan89
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:18 pm

Re: Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#5 Post by bluefan89 »

Hinged swinging

Wife does not think she would want to tug on a sliding door.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#6 Post by Windows on Washington »

Household Metals, Provia, and Home Guard are good ones that we see.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Replacing windows blinded by big box stores

#7 Post by HomeSealed »

+1, great advice above. I'd only add that you should expect the budget to bump up along with the quality form what you've been quoted. That said, it's a worthwhile investment to get a better product and install. Skimping on either will skyrocket the likelihood of total failure and leave you back in the same place-- shopping for windows-- but with a much lighter pocket book.

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