Thanks for the suggestions. I am weighing the opinions but am leaning towards repairing/replacing the stills and stools that are no good and going with replacement windows for now! But I still gathering info on it! But I saw some Youtube videos and they had the stucco ripped about 5 inches around the window opening and after it was installed; you still have to patch the stucco. That not the way I wanted to do it! Better to just replace or repair the damage window framing and do the replacement window. I can do that myself too! I may schedule it for next Spring/Summer as my next major project! Plus, I can do shopping during the winter and hunt for the best prices too! Not sure about my bay windows however! I have to check how to do the replacement windows for that but I sure it pretty much the same as the regular windows.

Hi all, An update on our situation. We found out that we DO have natural gas to our neighborhood. We are currently getting bids for spray foam insulation and A/C units. I have included Manual Js calculated with spray foam. They also provided Manual Js for batt insulation, and I can post those if needed. We are getting different advice from different people and I'm a little overwhelmed right now! We need to watch the budget as much as possible, but we would like to have a tight house, low energy consumption, several zones (definitely one for my mom's area / or a mini-split?) and would like to incorporate smart home features. We also really like Trane products, but are willing to go with other options if necessary. I'm including screen shots of the manual J calcs. The company that calculated the Manual Js bid approx $10,000 for:TRANE - FOAM HOUSE - 4TWR5049E, TEM6AOD48H41, 15 KW, Time delay relay, Control tcont624 - 15 SEER HOOD VENT R-6 DUCT GAS HEAT ALL UTILITY AN BATH FANS 50 CFMS FLOAT SWITCHES JUMP DUCTS IN ALL SECONDARY BEDROOMS & STUDY RETURN AIR IN MASTER This appears to be a discontinued model?? We also received a verbal approximate estimate (written estimate is being prepared) of $17,000 - $20,000 from another A/C company for the new model of the unit above. What gives? That estimate is double the first estimate! I am also awaiting bids for spray foam insulation.... a little scared to see those.... What do y'all recommend?

Marcie, a couple of us have posted questions about windows and doors in SoCal. Do not know how much time you have put in yet. Let me warn you, I have been trying to decide for over two years. The Pros here are very helpful. You can probably find my posts. Unfortunately, CA codes are strict. I have looked at all the brand you listed and more. Please make sure your house can pass Title 24 with aluminum windows such as Fleetwood. In my case, Integrity was not significantly less than Ultimate because I was told some window sizes could not be done with Integrity and I got a mix of Integrity and Ultimate windows in my quote.

window forum here at garden web. metal framing is very conductive. this means as it heats up outside or gets cold the metal framing will transfer those temps into walls. without a thermal break, between metal framing members insulation value will be derated to much lower R-value. here in the south, to do it right we put foam sheathing on exterior of walls to stop thermal transfer. also where rafters meet top plates to stop transfer from roof rafters into walls. or use spray foam insulation in walls and roofline/attic floor. metal framing is an efficiency don't do if you can't do it right. oversizing hvac system won't solve issues just cover them up. just like you stay away from metal framed windows and upgrade to less conductive material like vinyl....imagine whole house conducting ambient temps into the house 24/7 365. best of luck