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| Author: | Dan Gediman |
| Subject: | Shopping for vinyl windows in Louisville |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-27 04:12:13 |
Folks,
I'm losing my mind trying to figure out what to do regarding my windows. I have had two windows salesmen here in the past week and I just about wanted to shoot both of them (no offense to those in the business). This has been, bar none, my worst experience with salesmen yet. As I learn more about their commission structure, I can understand their heavy tactics, but as a consumer, I must say that buying a car was a much more enjoyable experience, and I am not very fond of car salesmen either.
OK rant over, on to my questions.
We are wanting to do the right thing in terms of improving the status quo with our windows. We live in a turn of the century brick house with original windows that are quite loose and missing all of their rope pully assemblies. There are 20-30 year old storm windows on them that do not seem to be very well sealed. We also have one very, very messed patio door that we want to replace. We currently have no storm doors, although all the doors are new, albeit wood ones.
We are not sure how long we will stay in the house. Most likely under 10 years, but one never knows. Here are the things we have considered doing:
*having someone repair our existing windows (tightening them up, replacing the pully systems) and then installing good quality storm windows (this is a tactic espoused by the guys on "This Old House")
*getting good quality storm doors
*replacing all the double-hung windows with vinyl windows
*replacing the patio door with another, better sliding door
*replacing the patio door with french doors (or some other non-sliding door)
My first question concerns the cost/benefit analysis of plan A (repairing existing windows and installing new storm windows) and plan B (replacement vinyl windows). At what point is it worth it to make the switch to new windows when one factors in the cost of the new windows vs. energy savings and possible increase in the house's eventual sales price.
Second question is what are reputable window companies operating in this area? I have read a little bit about this on the web and it seems that the key thing is having good installation people even more than the quality of the window itself (given that poorly installed windows can't deliver on the promised energy savings of the design). So far, we have dealt with Champion, Gilkey, and Nu Sash. We got so frustrated with the Nu Sash guy last night that we talked about just buying windows ourselves retail and having a handyman install them just so we didn't have to hassle with the salesmen anymore.
Third question is whether it is worth it to spring for something beyond low-e double-pane glass with Argon (e.g. triple-pane, other coatings, etc.)
Many thanks for any advice any of you have, especially referrals to reputable dealers.
All the best,
Dan
| Author: | john |
| In Reply To: | Shopping for vinyl windows in Louisville (posted by Dan Gediman) |
| Subject: | RE: Shopping for vinyl windows in Louisville |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-27 17:23:32 |
Dan, i cant be much help with the storm windows, but i might be able to help you save quite a bit on the double hung vinyl windows and sliding door. Send me an email, and i will give you details. Take care.
| Author: | steve |
| In Reply To: | Shopping for vinyl windows in Louisville (posted by Dan Gediman) |
| Subject: | RE: I'm a louisvillian too |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-29 02:17:08 |
I just went thru the window buying process and I know how you feel. Had Champion give estimate, outrageous price. Atlas Window and Door had a "triple pane for double pane price" sale that was $1000 more than other double pane bids. I had Doug Jones Home Improvement do some of my windows. They sell the Alside Excalibur and my windows were about $320 installed(double hung, double pane low e and argon) Price included capping. I also had Americas Window give a bid. They would match Jones' bid using the Excalibur and $75 more to use the Sheffield. Found a local manufacturer Infinity Window and Door that has an excellent window and will sell to homeowners at wholesale. You have to find your own installer. I had 6 of these installed and they are the equivalent of the Sheffield only not near as bulky looking. These were $220 each, DH, double pane low e and argon. Size was @ 54" tall by 34" wide.
check them out.
| Author: | anon |
| In Reply To: | RE: Shopping for vinyl windows in Louisville (posted by john) |
| Subject: | RE: Shopping for vinyl windows in Louisville - you're offering him Silverline? |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-29 22:28:37 |
I took a quick look at your website and there is a two-pronged sales approach. DIY videos and the potential sale of windows. As far as the window sales end of it, it says you offer Certainteed in the western US and Silverline "everywhere else", so I assume Silverline is what you'd offer in Louisville.
A quick search of this web site seems to indicate that Silverline is not very well thought of by the window cognoscenti here.
Here's a couple of examples:
http://www.replacement-windows.com/window-board/read.php?board=1&id=10608
http://www.replacement-windows.com/window-board/read.php?board=1&id=13184
No offense intended, but I would have to encourage the original poster to make liberal use of the Search feature before considering a Silverline purchase.
| Author: | Dan Gediman |
| In Reply To: | RE: I'm a louisvillian too (posted by steve) |
| Subject: | RE: I'm a louisvillian too |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-31 02:59:12 |
Steve,
Thanks for the response. Just so I understand, you had two different people install different kinds of windows? Or did I read this wrong. It looks like you had Doug Jones install some than got someone else (unnamed) to install the Infinity Windows. Can I ask who you got to install the Infinity Windows? From what I have read, that is the ticket, getting them installed properly.
Thanks for the response!
Dan
| Author: | steve |
| In Reply To: | RE: I'm a louisvillian too (posted by Dan Gediman) |
| Subject: | RE: I'm a louisvillian too |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-01 03:23:46 |
The installer I got was suggested by Infinity. And eventhough he did a satisfactory job, I don't feel he was top notch. I had to intervene a couple of times and give him some mid course corrections. In all fairness though, even the Doug Jones people tried to get by with some shortcuts. The first 4 windows they did, they just used a box style wrapping of the brick mold. Before I paid, I had them come back and re-do them using the compression bend(which is how the salesman said they would do them in the first place). It looks much nicer. Yes, a good install is important. If you listen to every salesman, they will always tell you their installers are the best. Getting references and checking them is the only way to go.