Want to replace my windows, crazy estimates, need advice

last year

So my current windows in the house I bought are about 35+ year old and really cheap vinyl type, mix of casement and gliders.
I wanted to replace them with all double hung, no grids no special additions. Most windows are 30ish wide x 45ish high. Got a few that are 34x34 and 2 that are 27x84 glider in the main floor.
So far Renewal by Andersen quoting me 46k for 14 windows. Pella wants 25k for 14 windows and it their 250 series. I had 2 other companies out just for the 27x84 glider cause I needed them the most and I was quoted $2800 for a slocomb glider or $4800 for a casement picture style. Then Ecoview who windows seem to be a.simonton window they brand.themself wanted $4850 to put 4 awnings style windows in place of the 27x84 gliders.
End of day if like to do all my windows and be done with it but Im having trouble locating a good vinyl window or probably better said an installer who will stand.behind the install for years but still get a reasonable price. I would have assumed 15-16k in this market could get me 14 windows installed. No crazy large sizes I'm working with and even dropping to double hung over casement.
Is there a specific brand window I should look into? How best to find certified.installers of said windows? Really need any help or advice I can get. Thanks!

Featured Answer

millworkman

last year

I would look at Marvin either Essentials (all fiberglass) or the Elevate (fiberglass ext/wood interior). Not a fan of Renewal as they are a decent window just crazy pricing. I would never consider anything Pella or Slocumb. You could stop in at a Windowrama Center I know they will be fairly local to you, just be careful and stick with what you went in there for as they sell a lot of brands and quite a few are junk. Just not a huge fan of them however. Riverhead Building Supply is a solid bunch of professionals and would take good care of you.

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Comments (14)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
last year
Where is the home located (i.e. some offerings are regional in nature) and what type of material are you okay with? Composite, vinyl, fiberglass, wood, etc.?
Eric
Original Author
last year
I'm in NY on Long Island. I'd prefer Vinyl or composite to help keep cost down but I don't want cheap quality windows that have poor construction. I also don't want to pay an insane price for windows either.

Last year a Andersen certified contractor quoted me $1,400 installed including haul away moldings etc for Andersen 400 windows but I really don't want wood windows. I just feel they would take a beating with the weather profile here in NY. I honestly not against the Andersen 100 series that are fibrex but I am open to better quality composite or vinyl windows if I can get in that 1,000 range installed per window.
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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
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millworkman
last year
Are you looking for full framed windows or insert type replacements? Where on L.I., perhaps I can help direct you as I am on the island as well.
Eric
Original Author
last year
I'm in Suffolk county near Babylon. I would probably opt for full frame just so I can fix up any framing issues there possibly could be seeing as the current vinyl windows are 30+ years old.

I don't want to change the size of any windows either unless there was a benefit to doing
Eric
Original Author
last year
Are there any other Vinyl brands to consider that are well constructed and not extremely over priced?
millworkman
last year
"and not extremely over priced?"

Quality comes with a price. Okna, Sunrise, Softlite and Vytex, are all quality vinyl windows that can be used in either new construction frames with a nail fin or as an insert replacement.
Eric
Original Author
last year
Yes quality does have a price but there are value vinyl windows I am sure. Ones that have a good price to performance ratio. There are also dirt cheap vinyl that you wouldn't install on your worst enemies home.

I'm just trying to target a few brands that have a quality and affordable factor. I don't want to pay Andersen renewal $3000 a window installed, but if I could be in the 1k-1,500 per window installed for a decent double hung option I'd be satisfied.

I'd love to say give me the best price is no object but I'm on a budget and I have to replace these terrible windows, so can only do what I can afford but don't want to get ripped off or put a bad option in.
millworkman
last year
$1500 per may very well get you a very good window. I would definitely look into the brands I mentioned. May be a bit more than that though with new construction windows due to the siding removal and reinstall as well as interior drywall and trim work. Unless you are not including that work in your figures. Renewal while a pretty good window is very over priced.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
last year
+1 to the previously mentioned brands that MWN noted above.
William Rossman
last year
Getting a new construction installation ( full tear out ) adds to the cost considerably.
Stephanie
last year
last modified: last year
Just chiming in to say we have vytex vinyl replacements (the previous owners installed them) and have been very pleased. no issues at all and they are local to us in MD. i would recommend them for the mid-atlantic region.
Eric
Original Author
last year
I don't believe I need all new construction. Last year a contractor who was an Anderson certified contractor gave me a quote for 1,400 per installed Andersen 400 series windows. That was for new window rip out old and framing if needed new molding and cap inside and out. I felt that was fair but I didn't want wood windows and all they had to offer at the time.

I will check into those other brands see what I can find around here
Eric
Original Author
last year
@milworkman

I have 2 companies coming out to quote me for the ground floor 24x83 window replacement. One is for Okna and the other is for Sunrise Window. I am trying to find a dealer for vytex and Soft-lite.

Specifically to replace 2 picture gliders that size where the left and right glide open and the center is just flat window, what would be a reasonable cost for those brands?

Right now I have a $2800 quote for 2 gliders from slocumb installed or the $4850 for 4 awning windows that would be 2 windows.inneaxh 24x83 opening. Those are the Simonton windows but no idea series since it custom made.

I really like the reviews I seen on the Okna 500 series but just trying to guage what would be fair to avg pricing for what I'm looking to get. Any opinion or advice is appreciated.

Right

Want to replace my windows, crazy estimates, need advice

millworkman

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