New construction vs. replacement windows?
shead
4 years ago
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seabornman
4 years agoRelated Discussions
windows...replacement vs. new construction
Comments (1)If the framing is that badly charred, you'd be better served replacing the framing. Hiding the damage will only lead to other problems in the future. Since you have to do the window anyway, I'd do it all now. The nailing flange is located on the outside, usually hidden by some exterior trim or siding. Depending on the kind of siding you have, and the trim detail, it shouldn't be too hard to use a new construction window. But I would be concerned about leaving badly charred framing to support my home. You should have the wall inspected by a professional to determine the extent of damage before doing anything else....See MoreInstallation cost of new construction vs. replacement?
Comments (5)1) You can do the lead work yourself, however it would be safer to leave it to a certified pro. 2) While there will be added costs either way, I believe WoW was referring to the fact that added containment measures are needed on a full tear-out as opposed to a replacement, so that option (full tear) would have a higher cost in that area (lead safe procedures). 3) As Todd mentioned, aluminum cladding can be done well by a skilled pro, but there are plenty of other options as well from replacing with new wood, to pvc and composite options in many different profiles. The aluminum is generally the most cost effective....See MoreNeed Advice: New Construction vs. Replacement Windows
Comments (7)Hi everyone, Thanks for the responses. It's been more than four months since my original query so I thought I'd post an update. After talking with several other contractors and vendors, we decided that going with replacement windows was clearly the wrong choice, so we switched contractors to someone with more large-scale remodeling experience and went with new construction windows. In the end we chose Anderson 400s and used Azek trim on the outside. The old windows came out and we found some damage to the underlying sheathing and framing, but not too much. The new windows were installed and insulated properly and the difference is huge. While we were at it we also replaced most of the edge and corner trim and drip caps on the house as this was rotting off as well. The project is taking a lot longer (we're hopefully wrapping up this week) and is costing a lot more than we thought, but I'm glad we caught this when we did as the damage would have been a lot worse if we had waited. Interestingly, the cost of the new construction windows was actually less than the replacement windows. The labor was more, of course, but we were already being forced to replace the rotting exterior trim so that was all equal. We did have to replace the interior trim, which was not inexpensive, but in the end the project wound up costing the same because the windows were less expensive. The difference in the new trim is amazing- it's nice to have real window sills and stools, with a less generic casing around them. The question of new windows vs. restoration was never an issue- the old windows (only 18 years old) were of poor quality, poorly installed, and leaked cold air to the point that we had to install plastic sheeting over the openings in the winter. Also, many of the window sills, mullions, and jams were rotting, so the amount of work to restore the existing windows would have been huge, We were going with new windows one way or the other. Thanks again for your help, Josh...See Morenew construction vs replacement windows
Comments (1)Find another dealer. I have always considered replacement windows as something that is made to fit in any frame. Unless the frame size is the same for both your current and new windows, I don't see how they would fit. Perhaps the wide blinds won't fit because the new window is wider than the old window (mainly because all new windows these days are double glazed.) As for LoE, it is a coating that lowers the heat transfer and retards the solar heat gain (i.e., the sun coming in and heating the home - which although good in the winter is very bad in the summer.) The glass manufacturer is probably Cardinal, which makes a number of LoE glasses - 240, 270 & 366. The last two digits are the visual light transmittance in percent (the lower, the more shading.) The 366 seems to be the best glass for any window that would get the summer sun, as it has the best solar heat gain retarding with a good light transmittance (good for east & west.) The 270 is the cheapest, but has low solar gain retarding (good for the north, or south, if the eaves are long enough.) The 240 is almost like a tinted glass, and nowadays is really only put in by cheap contractors who don't want to pay the extra for the 366. Argon or Krypton (or any noble gas) lowers the heat transfer even more - but not enough IMHO (at typical dealer prices) to make it worth it. Besides, evidently the gas bleeds out after a few years, being replaced with plain air, which is about 3/4 Nitrogen and 1/4 oxygen (both diatomic molecules which result in a higher heat transfer coefficient than the noble gases.)...See MoreHomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
4 years agoBT
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4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoAnglophilia
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