So I bought this old house. The Philistines went and pretty much mutilated all the windows to varying degrees, from painting most of the upstairs windows shut to cutting the ropes that held the counterweights in all the windows.
I’m going to have to replace them, probably one room at a time. Pella and Andersen seem to be the industry big dogs, but I’m open to all suggestions. I’m not an affluent guy, and there’re a LOT of windows (three or four per room in the house), so cost is a definite consideration.
They all seem to be double-hung, but I’ll gladly change to casements where it makes sense. I want to keep them wood interiors, and it’s pretty likely I can enlist some guys to help me install them myself.
With the above in mind, can anyone help to give me some idea of what I’m up against? Examples of cost ranges are my biggest want, but ease of installation and warranty are important as well.
What is the age of your house?
What style? (Victorian, Edwardian, Craftsman, etc.)
Are many or most of the existing windows functional?
Without knowing the answers to your questions, I’ll tell you that the value of your house will be reduced if you do not replace with double hung wood sash windows. I personally feel that people who replace wood frame windows with aluminum sash garbage should be fed (while living) to wolves.
Having done the full tear out of sash windows during the restoration of an Edwardian residence, I’ll say it’s not a lot of fun, but it is pretty routine after you learn from the first one. Many of the parts of a sash window are replaceable or can be fashioned. The biggest problems deal with shaped millwork and trim.
You may wish to find a contractor who specializes in window replacement and ask them to do a paid estimate for you. They’d be able to give you a lot of pointers. Depending on the style of your home, there may be restoration societies in your area whose members could also help you determine the best course.
Best wishes with your project. It sounds as if you hope to maintain the architectural integrity of your residence. For that I commend you.
Yeah, I’m trying to stay as true to the original windows as possible. For a time, I was considering trying to tear out the windows and then dismantle then so I could strip them, then reassembling them and reinstalling them.
Then I realized I was sick in the head.
I’m not much up on the style of the house. It’s two story, hardwood floors throughout (with the exception of the upstairs bath and one of the bedrooms). Nice big baseboards, pocket doors between the living and dining rooms, pantry with serve through. Most of the existing windows are NOT functional; they don’t have screens, and most won’t open. Those that do have to be propped open. It’s absolutely killing me that I can’t open the windows to get fresh air in there.
When you tore out the windows, Zenster, did you end up knocking any plaster out of the walls? That’s one of my biggest concerns. I should have access to enough carpentry knowledge and willing help that I won’t completely maul my walls, but plaster repair will be a new field for me and I’d like to stay out of it as much as possible.
I don’t think I really want to save much of the existing windows. The wood was not treated well, so most of it is splintering and has a lot of gouges in it. I would imagine I’ll probably end up with a full window replacement, and I’ll just have to suck it up when it comes to the trim.