how much better are new high end window vs old windows + storm

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi everyone,

Main question is, how much better are new high end window (new construction style + best practices) when compared to older 1990’s single pane Marvin window + storm ?

I apologize in advanced, kind of long, but I just can’t make a decision because as its my father's house that he built with blood sweat and tears.

I have a two family house and in the portion of the home that I live in, my late father built, but didn’t have a chance to finish. He tinkered with DIY projects and changing his mind every day for the past 30 years, until the day he died. So everything in the house has meaning to me. I am in finally in the position mentally to finish his house for him. I have the funds to make it exactly the way he wanted.

So here is where the confusion comes in from. We are finishing his house, and everything is coming together the way he would like. Since my dad never finished the house, all of the windows except one have no trim and no exterior brick on the outside. The windows were never finished on the outside, they were preprimed 30 years ago and never painted. To finish the window to match the house, we would have to stain+poly the window trim. Then we would have to sand and paint the exterior. A few of the windows need new weather stripping (5 dollars a window from Marvin , I checked) , and adjustments, and locks installed. Precovid, I thought it would be easier to rip the old windows, get high end vinyl and trim the windows out in painted wood. This would be a perfect balance of cost savings of not having to poly and stain, and not dump money into old windows.

Now I am at a dilemma. Replace the windows he put in, or fix up the ones he has. The main reason for my hold up is, with covid, I’m at least 1-2 month out with new windows and contractor wants to finish. And so do I. Also now that I think about it, its not really good investment as there are already storm windows on the doors, and I’ll never recoup the cost since the house is jointly owned. The coowner’s windows are from 1960, and they usually “Forgets” To close the windows in the winter. Gas meter is the same, So ill never recoup the cost. Its only going to be from a comfort point of view. So my question to you guys is how much more comfortable is new window with best practice install when compared to a old window with storm?

My mom likes to be toasty in the house, so I don’t mind changing them to but, ascetically, the old windows match, they aged to a honey pine that matches all the trim of the house. they are what my dad put in, and I very found of.

Any help, or words of wisdom here?

If it makes a difference, Marvin is ~4.7k(elevate), provia high end endure is 3700. for 1 double hung, and 4 twin double hung windows. Labor would be the same either way.

Thank you in advanced either way.

pictures for ref! https://imgur.com/a/vTGU9Ei Notice the one window he trimmed out and how beautiful it looks. Notice how the other windows are not trimmed out and unfinished on the outside

also to add, I still have 8 patio doors, 8 half rounds, to replace in the other section the house he built but did not finish. These windows totally rotted out because the company went under during 2008 crash. so I have a lot more money to spend on windows coming up.

Featured Answer

User

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I love the passion you are putting into finishing your father's house!

I personally shy on the side of repair over replacement.

Please see this resource from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. They did studies and testing on single pane windows with interior storm windows, exterior storm windows, new replacement windows, etc. There are some great charts in the executive summary.

https://forum.savingplaces.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=80dc79b4-3814-59ac-9abe-842685e77747&forceDialog=0

I hope this helps!

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Comments (7)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
2 years ago
Is it just refinishing work or are there other things wrong with them? How are the storms?
B G thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
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PRO
CoolAir Inc.
2 years ago
If these are not creating problems then there is no need to replace them however if there is any issue then you can go ahead.
B G
Original Author
2 years ago
@Windows on Washington Ltd

Unfortunately I'm missing one storm window. The storms are fine. just needs to be painted. I might be missing 1 set of screens that got damage.

Two windows sashes have damage panes, but I have replacements in the garage. theoretically this looks easy to switch.

one of the balance tubes might need to be adjusted or replace to get it to close properly.

the weather stripping all around looks shot. the plastic thing is so brittle . but replacement weather stripping will take about 2 min per window to change. and its dirt cheap from marvin. (5 dollars a window)

ZERO wood rot. just needs a sand + paint job on the outside.

The biggest issue is that they were just caulked into place and fiber glass + caulking was put in to weather seal them. There is no sill flashing. I know this because I had to rip out the frame on oen window that was hit by a tree. (i wanted to see the rough opening before ordering)

Its in the back of the house with a good over hang, so I don't see it being an issue. But foam + full flashing all around would have been my preferred method. I still have room to foam them on the sides, but still wont be 100%, but good enough.

The other thing is I could just go a head and get tilt pac replacements from marvin.

Cuz what i realized I would have to buy new brick mould to match the previous look and pay extra to have that installed.

I attached a set of pictures, looks like a dimond in the rough?

Part of me still looking at high end vinyl as a replacement for all the windows. I'm about to pull the trigger on a elevate replacement for the window that blew out. but i also just came back from Windsor dealer And im thoroughly impressed.

sorry for the long post again :)
B G
Original Author
2 years ago
@User Thank you ! I Saw that, and was looking for it actually. I was just checking this morning, the difference between the window with no storm, with storm and double pane window we have. its a noticeable jump between the two. but less so going from storm --> double pane. but it is there.
User
2 years ago
You are welcome - I am glad I could help!
B G
Original Author
2 years ago
@User actually I'm so glad I didn't . the window and storm package my dad had looks like to be a specialty package from Marvin. The storm window sits flush and actually looks really good. and will look even better once its sanded and painted.

If I had gotten a new window I would have also had to buy new trim and do a build up to mount the trim on the exterior masonry. (I have cmu wall) . I found out I can easily install marvin tilt pac replacement if I ever want better efficiency. On marvin's website their current storm + double pane window option is apparently like a U factor of ~0.21. So imagine keeping what he did and just upgrading in the future if i need to. That would be a warm feeling (literally) right?

Also I'm waiting for a quote on new weather stripping all around.

The only thing I'm a bit disappointed in myself is I already pulled the trigger on a new elevate window. (on the window that blew out by a tree) And its not going to be "historically ''. Similar to the other marvin's he installed.

Anyway. thank you for helping me choose not to gut my history :)

how much better are new high end window vs old windows + storm

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how much better are new high end window vs old windows + storm

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