HomeReplacementWindows.net
When purchasing replacement windows and doors (in my case vinyl) does it pay to go expensive?
The cost of high end replacement patio doors and windows is like 3-4 times as the ones you can by at Lowe's or Home Depot. If they last longer, wear better, they might be worth it, but I'm not a rich man, and if the differences are minimal, I don't want to shell out the big bucks. Thanks in advance for any advice and/or sources.
Public Comments
- Some advice - you can go to Home Depot, Sears, or one of the "big box" stores and save money, but BEWARE. These companies save money by hiring low-priced, sometimes very dodgy subcontractors to do the installation. And they're not too picky about the credentials of who they hire.
After two appallingly bad experiences with one of these big name hardware stores and absolutely no response by them to my complaints that their subcontractors had caused a major flood (and my homeowner's insurance rates up as a result), I paid a little more and got professionals who do their own installation to do the next series of renovations on my house.
Be sure to ask anybody "do you do your own installation with your own bonded and insured employees?" If they don't, caveat emptor. You could be having your windows installed by day laborers picked up off the corner by the subcontractor, who has to do the job cheaply because of the savings offered to you by the "big box" hardware store. The money you're saving could end up coming out of your other pocket in the damage these cowboys do. Also, the big name brands like Anderson, Pella, etc., are more expensive because of the money they spend on advertising to make themselves big name brands in the first place. Check the energy efficiency values, and buy accordingly. You DON'T need Anderson windows unless you're in a multi-million dollar house, and even then it's debatable. I found windows with energy ratings the same as Anderson for half the price. I paid more to have them installed, but I can sleep at night knowing they're properly installed and not going to fall out of my walls or let cold air in. That's my two cents worth.
- Hats off to iggy!!! I could not have said it better or agree more whole heartedly. To reiterate, stay away from big box stores in terms of labor. Compare apples to apples and see if windows, etc. are really cheaper at you-know-where if you intend to do this work yourself. Not only caveat emptor but ya git what ya pay fer.
- Most of the time it does, but compare quality with price.For instance Newpro windows are very expensive they are of excellent quality. But dispite what their salesmen might tell you, you can find the same quality at about 1/4 the price. But be careful many of these brands are very cheap in quality. Check for strenght in it's vinyl frame how well insulated is the glass and check those little plastic clips that you have to press in when taking the window out for cleaning these things are some times very fragile and break off easy. Also check the track how well it slides fragile pieces can break so windows can fall off track. Good Luck in you decision on replacement windows.
- The company you decide to purchase the windows from should be registered and ideally have a proven record. In the UK we have a requirement for installers to be FENSA registered, but I am guessing that you are in the USA. I would suggest that you ask the proposed supplier to advise how long a guarantee they offer the new units, the more established companies are increasingly offering 10years parts and labour over here. Generally speaking I would recommend that you ask to see a portfolio of recent and past installations ask if they would be prepared to put you in touch with customers whom have recently had units installed as well as those that have had them in longer. The longer a company been in business this will (should) give you better peace of mind. I would also suggest you speak to friends/family or even neighbours, see who they have used and would they recommend them????
Ask to see a sample profile (unit), be firm with the unit, if you were to imagine pulling the unit closed too firmly over a sustained period, would the unit last???
Also ask the company if they offer a discolouration guarantee, some of the cheaper units (particuarly white) tend to discoulour (turn yellow) over time, you want the peace of mind that if in 18nths this does happen that the company will rectify this and any other concerns
Most importantly of all get atleast 3 quotes, and don't be presurised into making a decsion on the spot, get all quotes IN WRITING and sleep on any decisions BEFORE making them and signing on the dotted line, window can make or ruin the overall aesthetics to aporperty so choose carefully, good units should last you atleast 15-20years
Hope this is of assistance to you
- I agree with Iggy 100%.
Home depot is the worse.... One of my co workers had new windows put in... Bought from home depot, installed by their contractors... The morons destroyed the siding around the windows, and then told my co worker, they could replace the siding for $xxxx.xx .... When he complained to home depot they pretty much told him to take a hike...
My girlfriends grandparents bought carpet from home depot, installed by their contractors... Now her grandparents are very very religious people... you can tell walking up their sidewalk... So what do the moron installers do? Turn rap music on, that contained killing, and many other words a religious person probably wouldn't want to hear... Not to mention they put several holes in the walls, and the carpet started to come up the next day...
Those big chain stores, don't do extensive research on contractors they hire.... Anyone could walk up with a business card they got out of a cracker jack box and see they want to do work, and they will probably get hired...
You might be better off to pay a little more and get a good contractor, that will do quality work that meets your satisfaction... In the long run you'll save money.
Good Luck
