Replacement Windows

[Carl]

I am looking at getting replacement windows and wa contacted by Melani Brothers. A company that installs windows, siding and decks. The price they quoted me for 8 windows/installation is approx $8500. The demo window they brought out to my house, created by SunriseWindows seemed very high quality with no dead space with inthe frame or construction. The window is laser fused and is not mechanicaly (screws and bolts) constructed. They compared their window to a replacement window purchased from Lowes or Home Depot in how it is constructed and the overall quality, their window does seem far above what they tell me about the competitors windows, but it is just that... what they tell me.

Is $8500 a fair price for the windows and installation? Where would be a good place to go for information about their quality and workmanship? I have gone to BBB website and there were less than 10 complaints, all of which were resolved in one way or another.

The windows are (2) 32x66 and (6) 32x52.

Thanks for any help/advice you can give me. Carl

[roger61611]

Agreed as usual with ToddH, 8500 is about double what I would have expected.

[Todd H.]

Over $1000 a window? Jesus. I got a 1970 built 4br raised ranch home re-sided in vinyl and all 12 windows replaced for less than that total of $8500.

Get more quotes. I got some Alside windows that I dearly miss at about $350 installed a piece--I think we did 12 of them. They weren't as long as your windows, but a similar quote was given to me at my new place which has these longer windows.

Best Regards,

-- Todd H.

[m Ransley]

Look into windows with known quality like Marvin Anderson and Pella. Consumers Reports has a good article on windows it was a test of 23 done a few years ago. Go to

to learn about your investment, there is alot to learn as none are made or perform equaly.

[AllEmailDeletedImmediately]

check w/alside. ours were 400ea, installed, for L+W=

[Moisés Nacio]

"Todd H." wrote

I agree Alside manufactures a decent window. And, they've been around for a long time. I do know they back their products.

The OP should be able to get a better product and much better price, for the size of the openings.

[Bob (but not THAT Bob)]

By laser-fused I'm guessing it's vinyl?

If so, based on the price I paid for similarly sized windows in a house I remodeled for resale, you should be looking at no more than 2 grand installed including formed aluminum outside coverage.

All vinyl is crap anyway and begins to get brittle from UV exposure upon installation, so "premium prices" don't get you any more longevity.

[Martik]

I just finished replacing my 13 windows with Jeld-wen low-e argon for approx $2500 doing the install myself. They have a lifetime warranty.

Those size windows should be approx $200 each.

Home Depot sells them and installs at a decent price, probably < $100/window for that size.

[Doug]

That $8500 price is exhorbitant!

I assume that you are talking about vinyl frame replacement windows that drop into the original window framing and not new construction windows?

Another poster suggested Pella, Marvin or Anderson windows but they are not known for replacement windows, at least not around here.

Also, despite the statement made by another poster that vinyl windows deteriorate rapdily due to UV exposure, I&#39;ve not found that to be the case. I&#39;ve installed over 50 of them, some going back 20 years. So far, there&#39;s been no noticeable deterioration of the vinyl. If the vinyl did indeed deteriorate that fast, vinyl siding makers wouldn&#39;t be able to offer their warranties. The makers add UV inhibitor chemicals to protect the vinyl.

The H-D windows sold under the American Craftsman brand are actually quite decent. Their better 8500 series has low E glass, 7/8" glass spacing, Argon filled AND fusion welded frames. The price for just the windows (no installation) in your sizes runs around $175 to $200/ea.

When I&#39;ve been too busy to do my own installs, I use a local supplier that installs a similar high quality low-E/Argon filled/Fusion welded double hung window for around $225/ea in minimum quantities of 5 per job site.

Doug

Slumlord par excellance!

[Lena]

Agreed. We had our vinyl windows replaced recently after 35 years. They looked like new, but were single pane with storm windows and many of the clips that hold the windows up were broken. A real PIA to clean. Deteriorated? No way! The new Alside windows are easier to open, close, clean, better insulation and are more secure. Paid $5000 for job including removal of old windows, hauling them away, installation and flashing, 16 windows including a large picture window in the livingroom.

Lena

[homeguy]

[Colbyt]

Last year the cost of a 32x70 DH vinyl here was $169.00. I am sure the cost is somewhat higher now then it was a year ago BUT;

I think I would shop a little more if I were you.

Colbyt

[ToMh]

Your premium wood windows will be in a landfill for twenty years while those Vinyl windows are still on your house.

[D. Gerasimatos]

Yes, which is why my 77 year old wooden windows are still in place on my house...

Dimitri

[Lena]

How many times have they been painted? Reglazed? Do they stick? How difficult are they to clean, on the outside? Have the counterweight cables been replaced? Do you bother to open them on a cool day or is it too much trouble? Do you have storm windows over them? Do they sweat in the winter? Wood windows are a lot of work, aren&#39;t they?

Lena

[D. Gerasimatos]

Are you kidding me? The previous owner put in 3 vinyl windows and I can&#39;t wait to get rid of them in favor of wood.

Dimitri

[KLS]

Same as on my house, built in 1930, and we have *NO* (zero, none, nada) intention of replacing any of these windows as the ROI is ridiculous.

[KLS]

They&#39;ve been painted about every 10 years or so. Reglazed as needed, mostly on the south and west sides. They don&#39;t stick, and we&#39;ve replaced a few of the counterweight cables. We always open them on a cool day, without hesitation. We do have storm windows over all except one attic dormer window that I plan to build a simple storm for, just to protect the main window. They do not sweat in the winter (western New York). They&#39;re really hardly any work, and again, the return on investment for replacing them is on the order of 30 years. No, thanks, honey. I&#39;ll stick with these.

[Bert Hyman]

Careful; you may be saying the same thing about your vinyl windows in a few years.

We have a bunch of &#39;em and the ones that are opened (and closed) a lot now leak air; the plastic-on-plastic bearing surfaces apparently wear quite a bit. The ones that don&#39;t get opened very often are still in good shape.

When we remodeled the kitchen, we got aluminum (exterior) clad wood windows from Marvin. They&#39;ve only been in 6 years, but so far, so good.

[Todd H.]

It&#39;s important to note that they don&#39;t make wood they way they used to.

Older windows are worth maintaining. Now these 12 year old piece of shit builder windows made of fast growth pine, I&#39;ll be replacing with vinyl just as goddamn soon as I have the money to do so. These things suck.

I&#39;m sure the 77 year old windows, however, will last and if yer willing to do the maintenance, they&#39;ll look good doing so.

-- Todd H.