Replacing Existing House Windows

[Scarlettsmom]

We had Alside windows installed in Colorado Springs and spent $16K for 32 windows, most custom sized and some fixed, some double hung all had the mullions (sp)? Had the same company make windows for our house in VA and it was about $8K. We got HUGE tax credits from the feds and almost $1500 in rebates from the state of VA.

We've replaced windows in 3 of the 5 homes we have owned. Never regretted it!! My house is so much more energy efficient, quieter and more comfortable. Windows are easy to overlook, but when you consider how much of your walls are taken up by windows, you can appreciate the improvement immediately when you replace them.

Definitely shop around. If you don't need fancy wood inside/vinyl outside type of windows, you should be able get them fairly reasonably priced. Anderson and Pella windows are expensive, but if you don't need that level of custom styled windows, don't pay for them.

[Liesje]

We need new windows too. Our house is 75 years old. Windows are all single pane, sash weights (mostly broken). I do like the look of them being all wood but we have the same problem with moisture. Also we have some drafty areas. Even if new windows can't help with heat I'm sure they could stop me feeling cold air blowing through the back of my love seat! Because our house is so old we also assume lead paint which further complicates who can do the installation and how it is done (if we want to do it legit).

[kiya]

Originally Posted by DHau

I have 16 dual pane windows and some have arches. They all have condensation in the morning and produce puddles on the sills. Lowes brought out samples only of their store brand, not Paella or other big name brands.

Replacing the windows won't really solve that problem. We have a moisture problem in our house. It was the worst last year when we did a new roof (not just shingles rip out old plywood). To make a long story short we had to have them come back and put in a ridge vent. It was actually "raining" inside my house whenever there was a freeze at night moisture would collect & drip down inside the house & under the soffit. We have a hot tub "room" adjacent to the sunroom there is no heat in there & I have to be really careful about leaving the doors closed. We are putting a fan in the bathroom to eliminate "steam" from there. Whenever we cook, I have a gas stove so water is a byproduct of the gas, creating a lot of moisture. If your house is well insulated or really tightly sealed that could be the reason for all the moisture, the house has to "breathe". Our house is stucco & sealed really well so thats why even the ridge vent wasn't enough. We just had a vent over the bathroom & one over the kitchen to resolve the "raining" problem.

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by DHau

They all have condensation in the morning and produce puddles on the sills.

What is the humidity in your house? Before I replaced all my windows, I would consider checking that out and possibly installing a dehumidifier given your location. We get condensate on our single pane window in the winter because it's 20 outside and 75 inside. Even worse when we start the humidifier. What is your average temperature in the winter in GA?

Originally Posted by GatorBytes

Another thing to consider about variables in costs and R factor is to get "Low E, Argon gas filled"

Given your location, I would look at some tinted glass for at least the south side of your house to keep it reduce cooling in the summer.

[GSDElsa]

Originally Posted by kiya

Replacing the windows won't really solve that problem. .

You definitely can't say that...........we have HORRIBLE condensation on the windows and would acutally get mold on the sills we weren't good about wiping down..........problem totally fixed when we replaced the windows.

It all depends on why you have the moisture IMO.

[Liesje]

Yep, it would definitely help me. Even if we still have some moisture, we won't have 75 year old wood getting damp and moldy with leaded paint peeling off!