We have a 20 year old house in Denver suburbs that had insullated wood windows. Apparently there was a class action law suit against that manuf due to seal failure on most of the windows. We missed out on joining that action so are having to replace on our own. When we looked to replace we wanted to keep the wood interior but not the wood exterior which in the Denver climate takes a beating. Looked at both aluminum clad and fiberglass clad wood windows. I am not a fan of vinyl in this high sunny climate and the lack of vinyl colors to choose from. Regarding aluminum clad we looked at both Pella and Marvin. The difference is Marvin uses extruded aluminum and Pella uses sheet aluminum. The extruded is much more durable but also much more expensive. I have heard that the sheet aluminum cladding can show dings when our all too frequent hail storms hit the frames which would be unacceptable to us.

To save on cost we went with Weathershield fiberglass clad in double pane insulating glass. To get the federal tax break we had to have a low U value which was achievable with double pane, saving the cost of a triple pane. Some manuf have to use tripple panes to get this low a value. We chose a factory paint color for the fiberglass that nearly matched our house trim color to save on extra painting. Casements, fixed, and one bay window were used. All have performed very well and am very pleased with the quality. We pre-stained the wood and even the hidden jambs prior to installing for longer durability and to avoid future problems. Used the ice-and-water shield tape on the nailing fins to seal to exterior sheathing/tyvec and nearly eliminate infiltration. We also chose to use Hardy Board trim cut to 1.5"x 2" sections, like a brick moulding, to frame around the window exterior and match up to the existing cedar siding. This was a substantial savings over the fiberglass snap on trim and believe the paint durability should nearly match the fiberglass since the Hardy trim is a very stable product. Avoiding exterior painting of the windws and trim was a priority. I may not avoid the painting during the windows lifetime but I have significantly reduced the need. They have been on for 5 years and look as good as new.

We did a total replacement in our 35 year old home in November. We chose to go with wood because we love the look. We couldn't be happier with the decision. However there is one thing to remember. We found that the newer windows sashes are a bit thicker than the older ones so it gives the appearance of a smaller glass opening. Minor but noticeable. And then there is the painting or staining. We chose to do it our self to insure the wood tone matched with the trim which turned into more work than anticipated. Double hung are wonderful.

Good for you, amjbauman - considering the age of the house is so important. Wood lasts, looks beautiful. Of course, like anything it needs to be maintained, but the quality is worth it!

Just to add: Vinyl, metal and fibreglass are ok, but they look like vinyl, metal and fibreglass.

OK...slowly we have replaced all windows and exterior doors. This is what I learned: no matter what the ads say, do not go with replacement windows. They last only 7-10 yrs. For just a little more $, you can get real e-glass double pane insulated, vinyl clad windows that will last twice as long. I went first with replacement (custom made) and they lasted about 12 yrs. Now I have all new windows, with no painting, pops in to wash, and you can stain or paint the interior to match your decor. I have one small bath window left to go (waiting on it now) and I'm done! Boy, no more drafts and easy to clean!

@lepstein: we have vinyl, but with a colored woodgrain layer (grey out, white in); people really need to look twice (or ask) before they see it's artificial.

To clear up misconceptions, you can get wood windows that are just "clad" on the exterior in either metal (most often Aluminum), vinyl, or fiberglass and still have the wood interior. The exterior clading is a to help improve long term durability of the surface exposed to the weather and sun. And you keep the wood for structural and thermal benefits and the beauty of the exposed wood on the interior. In my environment, wood exterior windows are not a sustainable choice.

When I bought my present home it had five year old vinyl replacement windows. The seals started going on one after another almost immediately and I was replacing the glass in them - expensive. The replacement glass I put in only lasted a couple of years before the seals failed again. I replaced all the replacement windows with new windows from a very well known local company that offered a lifetime warranty for as long as I own the house and seven years to the new owners. So far the seals have been okay but the gasket between the panes of glass detaches and starts popping up in the middle of the glass. I have 2, 3 or 4 of them to replace every year. If they go out of business, which I believe is a real possibility as they no longer advertise, I don't know what I'll do.

We did a full house window replacement on our 1,500 square foot home, in Vancouver, WA 10 years ago. We used Milgard windows. They were professionally installed by Henderson & Daughter. Debby Del Toro was excellent to work with. The three things I love most about our windows are:
1. We put a beautiful bay window in our small dining room. This change made the room seem bigger, let in more light and opened our view up to the back yard.
2. We enlarged the kitchen window to come down even with the counter top.
3. We had Reed obscure glass installed in the bottom pane of the bathrooms and garage.
We were so happy with both the product and installation, when our rental home needed new windows last year we used Milgard and Henderson & Daughter again.

We did our whole house over a 3 year period. We used the same company each year, but had a budget and did each year what we could afford. Same company also replaced our front door and put in a new sliding glass patio door. We chose to go with a sliding door with a mini blind between the layers of glass. Choose a style that is easy to clean, ours are sliding style but pivot so they can be cleaned from the inside.

I did a full house replacement of windows and learned four things - 1. best to do all windows at once. There's a lot to be said for having the disruption occur for only a few days and then it's over, and you can just sit back and enjoy. I'm SO glad we replaced the windows, even in spite of the hassles (see below) 2. If you are planning a siding replacement anytime soon, do the siding at the same time as the windows. Depending on the type of siding and the type of windows you choose, the installers may have to take some of your siding off to install the windows, as well as put up new exterior trim - if they're going to disrupt your siding that much already, then you'll save future labor costs by having them work on new siding at the same time as the windows. 3. Be sure and double-check any incentives that are available for insulation rebates from either the govt. or your local utility. It can be worth thousands of $$$ to be sure you meet the requirements. And keep track of all your paperwork, receipts, etc. so you can make your application correctly. 4. Don't just take the cheapest quote - and have a contract that specifies the completion date and what happens if they don't complete on time. I tried to save money on a cheap contractor and he kept interrupting my job to take on other jobs. What should have taken him 1 - 2 weeks took him over 4 months! Plus we had a billing dispute when he'd finished. So be sure to specify your contract carefully and get recommendations from his/her previous clients. Another thing he did - one of the windows came in in the wrong color (and with a ripped screen) and he installed it anyway, hoping I wouldn't notice. So inspect carefully before you call the job finished.

We needed new windows in our home about 5 years ago. After having many window replacement people come out (including Andersen- which our windows were) and seeing how much viewing space was lost with replacements we discovered something wonderful! We could buy new sash kits and replace the inner parts of our windows only. We have brand new Andersen windows that tilt in and are low E with the grids on the inside....we didn't lose any viewing space AND it was cheaper.

Check their work, particularly the installation quality. Ask the installer for references of happy customers and look at the homes if they will let you. We used a company referred by a friend and the install is not up to scratch. An expensive mistake that I have to look at every day.

Shop around. Visit home shows, company showrooms, talk to your neighbors, don't be afraid to have something different than other homes in your neighborhood. Check the BBB both in your area and in other areas where the company installs. If you ask for references, ask for 5-10 recent installs (within 6-12 months), 5-10 that have had the windows over 5 years, and 5-10 that are repeat customers. You don't have to contact all of them, but it may tell you something if they can't provide you with what you request.

We decided on vinyl double panes, low-e, full screens, no internal grids from our #1 local custom vinyl window company. We liked that they are local, have a great reputation, they give back to our local community and have been in business for years. They make the windows and employ their own service team. Any issues, except for the screens, they come out. Any issues with the screens, we can take them in and they repair them for free. Within 3 months of purchase, our home will most likely be a rental and hopefully will be sold within 3 years. Cost and warranty to the new prospective buyer were definite factors, in addition to having something that would be a selling feature at the time we list the home for sale. Lifetime warranty for me, 10 years for the first owner. And, read the warranty. Some have documents called a warranty, but when you read it, it's about only valuable from them unloading the window from the truck until the window is installed. I would be leery of high pressure sales such as someone saying they have a gift card that has to be used today for $x.xx off but you have to sign the contract today. If you get a funny feeling during the sales pitch, trust your gut and run.

Also, as part of your research, don't just buy from a company because of that company - find out who actually manufactures the windows and what the failure record and complaint records show for the specific windows you are purchasing, regardless of the company installing them. I found out during my research that there are companies who use windows from the same manufacture and a very slight change might be what allows them to sell the windows as their own. You may also want to see if your windows meet required certifications or building requirements for your area. One resource is the American Architectural Manufactures Association.

I love that my windows have full screens and no internal grids. I was nervous about that since mine would be different from the other neighbors, but now I love it. I have a clear view looking out the windows and when you drive down the street, mine stand out as great looking new windows. Hence, don't be afraid to select something different from your neighbors.

If you have companies do presentations in your home, in addition to taking notes, take photos of the window samples they bring. We found we remembered the stuff in our notes without the notes, but when trying to compare and think back to what the windows actually looked like, some of the differences were so minor that we were glad we had photos because after 2 or 3 presentations, they all started running together. Make your must have list. When comparing price, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Really can't compare double pane vs triple pane, low e vs. krypton, shatter proof vs. not. Even if each company doesn't offer the same options, you can put your own price value on the item to help bring balance to the comparisons, at least in your mind.

Two photos attached show the old windows and bad seals and two show the new windows.

Shop around. Visit home shows, company showrooms, talk to your neighbors, don't be afraid to have something different than other homes in your neighborhood. Check the BBB both in your area and in other areas where the company installs. If you ask for references, ask for 5-10 recent installs (within 6-12 months), 5-10 that have had the windows over 5 years, and 5-10 that are repeat customers. You don't have to contact all of them, but it may tell you something if they can't provide you with what you request.

We decided on vinyl double panes, low-e, full screens, no internal grids from our #1 local custom vinyl window company. We liked that they are local, have a great reputation, they give back to our local community and have been in business for years. They make the windows and employ their own service team. Any issues, except for the screens, they come out. Any issues with the screens, we can take them in and they repair them for free. Within 3 months of purchase, our home will most likely be a rental and hopefully will be sold within 3 years. Cost and warranty to the new prospective buyer were definite factors, in addition to having something that would be a selling feature at the time we list the home for sale. Lifetime warranty for me, 10 years for the first owner. And, read the warranty. Some have documents called a warranty, but when you read it, it's about only valuable from them unloading the window from the truck until the window is installed. I would be leery of high pressure sales such as someone saying they have a gift card that has to be used today for $x.xx off but you have to sign the contract today. If you get a funny feeling during the sales pitch, trust your gut and run.

Also, as part of your research, don't just buy from a company because of that company - find out who actually manufactures the windows and what the failure record and complaint records show for the specific windows you are purchasing, regardless of the company installing them. I found out during my research that there are companies who use windows from the same manufacture and a very slight change might be what allows them to sell the windows as their own. You may also want to see if your windows meet required certifications or building requirements for your area. One resource is the American Architectural Manufactures Association.

I love that my windows have full screens and no internal grids. I was nervous about that since mine would be different from the other neighbors, but now I love it. I have a clear view looking out the windows and when you drive down the street, mine stand out as great looking new windows. Hence, don't be afraid to select something different from your neighbors.

If you have companies do presentations in your home, in addition to taking notes, take photos of the window samples they bring. We found we remembered the stuff in our notes without the notes, but when trying to compare and think back to what the windows actually looked like, some of the differences were so minor that we were glad we had photos because after 2 or 3 presentations, they all started running together. Make your must have list. When comparing price, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Really can't compare double pane vs triple pane, low e vs. krypton, shatter proof vs. not. Even if each company doesn't offer the same options, you can put your own price value on the item to help bring balance to the comparisons, at least in your mind.

Two photos attached show the old windows and bad seals and two show the new windows.

i have had the worst and most expensive experience replacing seven windows on the entire back of my house. installation was to be done by manufacturer. after two days of tearing off the back of my house they said they could only install three because of dry rot. long story short, had to get a con tractor to reframe etc. and spend an extra $80,000!

We have recently replaced all the windows in our house (15 single, six doubles, and a triple). The windows that were there were an absolute disaster. We replaced most of them ourselves, except for the doubles and the triples which are upstairs and not over a porch. We have Marvin wood interior and black colored aluminum clad exterior. They are two over two divided light with full screens. We love them. We replaced them over a five year time frame as we gutted the house. There are a couple of things I wish we knew beforehand. a) The final result looked better if we replaced them from the outside, removing the exterior trim first. b) According to our local code if you have a sash window in the a bedroom, the open window must be big enough for a fireman with his oxygen tanks to climb through. We ordered two windows that didn't meet that code. Thankfully they were great for the bathroom. For the bedroom we used sliders that look like sashes instead (see photo).

On a 100 year-old house, I had windows restored and used Vintage Woodworks (Victoria, BC) to manufacture opening storms. So many heritage houses were destryped by replacing historically suitable windows with "energy efficient" double paned windows that are just plain wrong. A well maintained old window plus storms to as good if not better, and looks the part, preserving value.

On a 35 year-old house, we did a whole house reno and replaced single and double paned aluminum framed windows with Pella Architect series, wood inside, metal outside, and have been very pleased with the result.

On a 54 year-old house, we are replacing all windows over time. There are new Pella windows at the patio side where some unusual shapes had to be fit. Other, more routine windows will match proportionally, but we may go for a less expensive, double paned option. Currently, the older windows at 50/50 split. But, to bring out the period character, the new windows will have an asymmetrical positioning of vertical panes (70/30) in the principal windows.

On a 98 year-old house, I was asked for recommendations and resources to reflect the original character of a house that had a sketchy life in the 1970s (not along in that, eh?!). I found the right resources and designed an eyebrow window to create an intriguing walk-in closet area from an old attic, and preserved much needed enclosed space on the porch by introducing shapes that resonated with the original windows. Would LOVE to get my hands on this house again - so much potential!

As much as possible, I like to stay true to the period and character of the house, or create something that is unique to the property.

Installation is as important as manufacture of the window. Test for air flow, and note that winding handles installed to quickly have a way of scratching sills when turned. Consider opening direction for air flow--and washing!

We got triple pane windows, and they are awesome for keeping out the noise. Our old living room window was a large single pane, and the room was always too hot. I insisted on a window that opens, and I'm so glad that I did, because it's so great for keeping the temperature cooler. No need for any a/c.
I found out after, though, that you can get windows with built in blinds, and I wish I'd have known as my kitchen window has no room for drapes or blinds and it's a real pain. Had I known about that, I'd have gotten built in blinds on the kitchen window.

When I moved into this house in 1985, it had 35 yr old casement windows. HATED THEM. What a misery. Screens were cumbersome & on the inside, cranks always broken, didn't seal tight.. You get the picture. It seemed like I lived that way FOREVER. When replacement windows first became popular, like ca 2000, I started considering them.
I thought vinyl looked cheap, and hideous, still do. At that time, there weren't many options. The vinyl came in 2 color choices: white or beige, SAME color on BOTH sides. I preferred beige for the exterior, but have white plantation shutters.
The other option was fiberglass, which was paintable. I SO wanted those windows, but they were WAAAY more expensive, and I have one income and live in Silicon Valley.
I HAD to go with white vinyl. Didn't really WANT to be married to that white exterior and STILL hate it!
All my neighbors chose Millgard , but the glass space was SO small, and one side was smaller than the other. I had about 4 bids.
The oldest, well known reputable family owned business gave the worst bid: extremely high for the product I DIDNT want, Milgard, gave misinformation on installation ( good thing I had done my research), and apparently thought I wouldn't talk to my neighbors who paid them less!
The last bid was from "Brothers Home Improvement". Brought samples of all their products, and took their time to explain each. I chose Simonton windows, because I liked the look, and the warranty. There was absolutely no sales pressure. They gave me a few addresses in my area of homes they had done so I could go take a look at their finished product. I chose low E , double paned sliders. The bid was right on target. Didn't even charge me for "extras". I said "yes" so fast that the salesman asked me why! Took his time taking the order, to get the openings exactly how I wanted them. Made an install appt. The day came , I WENT TO WORK, left them to do the job, came home 12 hrs later to new windows,
AND IT LOOKED LIKE NOBODY HAD EVEN BEEN THERE. No mess anywhere. Perfect installation. Inside and out. Those windows changed my life! ( kidding..sorta). Love em. 15 yrs later. Have never had one problem either with the product, or installation.
Still think white vinyl looks cheap. Cuz it is!! Of course, now they do have better looking products available. Which is why I can never figure out why people around here build expensive homes and STILL PUT IN TACKY WHITE VINYL WINDOWS?!
I'm still drivin a Pontiac, til I can afford a Corvette.
But I know the difference.

PS: forgot.. I also had a very awkward 1950s door/window combo in my tiny kitchen switched out to a sliding patio door. You would never know it's not original design, and I love the light and view.

Checking the insulation and general condition of the home first, then replace windows with good windows that are Low E insulating, or don't replace them at all. Cheap windows won't help.

Here's a picture of our new (vinyl) windows.
Bottom right was before I finished painting the edges (did the edges and sill cover myself, they only installed the windows). Top right you see the existing wall with framework and drywall, because we insulated all exterior walls. A major plus is we hardly hear outside noises (a playground and a bar nearby).

This may seem silly, but consider if you need every window to open. Windows that open are more expensive.

That's not silly at all :) Just make sure the frames look the same, when the windows are in the same side/room.
For example, only one of the windows from my picture can be opened, because they're in the same bedroom.

I had no choice but to replace our windows .... if we put a candle by the old windows in winter, the candle blew out - when it snowed outside, the snow melted a meter around the house as the heat was just leaking out...We are by a railway lineSo I added acoustic windows to the windows facing the line and slight polarized glass for the windows facing the afternoon side of the house...

Loved lisadolls post. It reflects my experience and feelings very closely. The only thing that was different for me was that I had seamless steel siding installed as well as new WHITE vinyl windows. Agh, they are soooo ugly. The installation took weeks and even though it was a national company was full of errors. The nice thing is the job came with a lifetime guarantee and they have returned every time I have called with a new issue. It took us three years to pay off the loan we got to do the job, but it was worth every penny.

First decide which windows to replace. Then get 3 bids on the whole package. Each company has their own list of standard windows..... Almost all the windows were available from all 3 bids, but one large kitchen window varied immensely! The bids will surprise you btw replacement, just glass, vinyl,etc.... So don't pre judge. Then talked with almost 10 residents nearby who used the companies. So called replacement only may be the most expensive on bid.
We chose total new b/c one bay window was rotted outside. 2500 sq ft 25 yr old house. It was fast, clean effortless - just messy in some areas.

I realize this discussion has pretty much been put to bed, but I had to add my two cents ;-)

I live in a 119 year old Queen Anne Victorian, and I wouldn't DREAM of replacing my windows. First of all, they are virgin redwood (on the inside) that's never been painted (extremely rare). Yes, they rattle a bit when my washer is on the spin cycle, but that's part of the charm of living in an old house! When I paint the outside (which I will soon), I will reglaze any windows that need it. If you properly maintain your windows, they should be energy efficient. If you have original windows, and they can be salvaged, they should, because replacing windows often messes with the architectural integrity of the home.

We did aluminum clad casement style with Sierra pacific. We are happy. Check and double check the order- oftentimes, with any company you go with, there will be errors.

So happy to hear from someone who really cares about heritage, Jennifer A. Emmer. Your house certainly looks beautiful from the outside!

Thank you, @lepstein. It's actually even more beautiful on the inside! ;-) I need to paint the exterior. But, lucky for me, it has such nice gingerbread that even with a lousy paint job, it shines.

Would love to see pix of the inside at some time, Jennifer.

When we built out home 20 years ago we bought the top-of-the-line true divided light all wood windows with an historical perspective in mind. We opted for the argon gas and low E glass upgrades. What they didn't tell me was that low E glass is merely a film applied to the glass, and now my low E film is failing and even after vigorous window washing my windows still look dirty. It is the film inside the double pane and I can do nothing about it. I would never buy a window with low E ever again, as I didn't invest in a very costly product with 20 year replacement in mind.

Our neighbors installed new energy efficient windows last year. The sun reflects off from these windows onto our house and is slowly warping our siding in a diagonal pattern. Sucks to be us.

price to charge window replacement

We replaced windows last year, not sliding doors, in our Florida home. Went from single pane windows to double, low-E, impact resistant, hurricane rated. Interviewed 3 companies. Ended up going with the most expensive, because their windows were modular, it something like a lock broke, it could be replaced without replacing the entire window section. They are well made. And we have noticed a difference in the heat coming through the windows.

If you have a house built 1960 or before, think carefully before you replace any original windows. Original windows were crafted specifically for your house. They are the right size and shape. Replacement windows never look right because they have to fit into the existing frame and therefore, not only do they let in about 15% LESS light, but the size of the panes are distorted on the replacements.

But what about energy savings, you ask? All the studies prove that when a single pane window is paired with a well fitting storm window, the R-factor is equal to that of a high end replacement window.

So, unless you prefer the look of vinyl windows over real, crafted, original windows, don't replace. Homeowners will never recoup the cost of replacement window over their short life. And they will have created a steady stream of trashed windows into the land fill.

If you tune up, or even restore, your original windows, they could last almost indefinitely. Certainly if you have a vintage house, the windows have already lasted 60, 80 or 100 or more years. They can last at least that long with a bit of love every once in a while. Doesn't that make more sense than replacing the replacements every 20 years or so?

i have gone through a nightmare of window replacement in my 1920 tudor home. sorry i spent $100,000 for energy efficient windows that are not appropriate to my house.

I had Hurd Windows and three panel low E doors installed 18 years ago. I'm in the Phoenix area. The windows are still fantastic. My sunny side windows feel room temperature in the middle of the summer. The door lock on the 3 panel has had issues since it was a year old and we are just hoping that it keeps working. Otherwise I think we will have to replace the doors and they are still beautiful.

My question: we are doing a remodel and I have the opportunity to go to a bigger window. Was thinking about getting a 8 ft wide by 6fy tall picture window. Is there an issue with such a large single piece of glass in a window?

Like everything else here in Florida, I think the window replacement companies are corrupt! None ( at least around here ) carry any of the national brands mentioned on Houzz. Likewise they only offer vinyl windows. Perhaps due to the climate. Most homes around here originally had aluminum awning type windows. They are no longer up to Florida building code. In our area, all windows must be impact rated as well. Some companies advertise that they have their own factories. I have yet to see reviews for any of them. It seem hit or miss around here. I went with a company that had high ratings from the BBB. They only use ViWintech, which I have read bad comments about on here and other sites. Unfortunately for better or worse, these are the ones I picked. The other companies give you the " this sale is only for today" or " These windows will pay for themselves" and charge $$$. Either way I would get vinyl windows made by companies I never heard of.

Has anyone had experience with Sierra Pacific Windows?

Windows are a big part of the home, it's what allows for light to come naturally into the home. However, you have to be careful because it is a form of security and privacy. In fact, I need to get some new windows installed. Right now there are two windows in my home that have cracks in them. http://www.fischerwindow.com/page/windows/ 

The energy efficiency of the windows need to be selected as part of a complete building envelope system. If you have a very leaky house that is poorly insulated going for super expensive, l u-value windows is not going to be of benefit and will be a huge waste of money as 1citykitty alluded. You should also consider the type of environmental exposure each window will be subjected to in order to select the best material and installation method for each window. For instance, a window beneath a covered porch is going to have much different requirements than a window without an overhang directly exposed to high afternoon sun and rain.

pvdreamhome....I'm in the process of having Sierra Pacific replace windows in my home. Family members are contractors in Phoenix and have done a lot of work in PV. They've been using Sierra Pacific on all their projects and have been very happy with the quality, pricing and customer service.

rinked do you still like your windows and do you mind sharing the manufacturer and line you went with? Thanks

The windows are great! Used Sierra Pacific!

@Janet B I'm in the Netherlands, guess my manufacturer isn't of much use for you.

And yes I still love'm, the only downside is the hollow open spaces in the frame, can't clean them.. But overall they were absolutely worth the investment (and extra cost for wood grain and different interior color).

When going through a full house window replacement, it's crucial to choose a reputable company that offers quality products and excellent service. I highly recommend Weather Strong Windows based on my recent experience with them. They replaced all the windows in my home, and the entire process was smooth and professional. Their team provided a wide range of high-quality options and guided me through the selection process. The installation was seamless, and the new windows have significantly improved my home's energy efficiency and appearance. Weather Strong Windows is a fantastic choice for anyone considering window replacement.