Looking for energy efficient vinyl windows

[virgoan]

I want to replace some of the "standard size" windows in my house but I have no idea where to look...could somebody point me to a place that sells good-energy-efficient windows?? I want to replace the standard windows myself because I can't really afford $12,000+ (according to the 2 quotes that we got) for replacing 12 windows...I will leave the bow window to the professional...

The windows we currently have are over 30 years old...and I think we lost a lot of heat because of it...a typical winter month would cost us $450 for the gas bill...and we set the temperature at 19C (~1500 sq ft home)!!

Long story short...I am looking for a store that sells good-standard-size windows for decent price...thanks! Or if somebody could recommend a company that install 10 standard sized windows & 1 patio door & 1 bow window for a decent price...i would love to hear about it...thanks!

[audit13]

The frames are important but the window panes are also critical to reducing heat loss as well. My contractor got my double-hung windows from Gator Custom Windows on Danforth Road. I am very happy with the final product and pricing. Will you need brick moulds for your windows? If you do, this, along with the window style and frame colour, can really increase the final cost.

[Pete_Coach]

Standard size windows...ha ha ha., wait till I pick myself off the floor from laughing so hard.....I am afraid there is no standard size. Sorry, I didn't really mean it that way, it struck me as funny because the only thing standard in windows is...well there is nothing standard.
We also got sticker shock when we got estimates for our windows. In the end, we had it done over several years, beginning with the coldest side of the house. As audit13 said, it is not just the frame that makes the window, the glass and,in my opinion, the installation and the finishing is as important as the window itself. All this works to help keep the cold out. The openings in the house (windows and doors) make up only a portion of the heat loss from your house and you may be disappointed to find you spent that money and your bill only goes down a few dollars.
Do an energy audit, I think the provinces are paying for parts of it. I also heard that there is a program where they give a grant if there is significant enough improvement.

[virgoan]

Standard size windows...ha ha ha., wait till I pick myself off the floor from laughing so hard.....I am afraid there is no standard size. Sorry, I didn't really mean it that way, it struck me as funny because the only thing standard in windows is...well there is nothing standard.
We also got sticker shock when we got estimates for our windows. In the end, we had it done over several years, beginning with the coldest side of the house. As audit13 said, it is not just the frame that makes the window, the glass and,in my opinion, the installation and the finishing is as important as the window itself. All this works to help keep the cold out. The openings in the house (windows and doors) make up only a portion of the heat loss from your house and you may be disappointed to find you spent that money and your bill only goes down a few dollars.
Do an energy audit, I think the provinces are paying for parts of it. I also heard that there is a program where they give a grant if there is significant enough improvement.

I am glad you had a good laugh...for all I know...you might be right because I know nothing about these stuff...but when I got an estimate from one of the company...he actually told me that most of my windows are "standard size"...and sure enough...HD has most of my windows for about $150 to $250 depending on sizes...but I am not sure about the quality...and I hope to get a better quality/price else where...that's why I came here to ask

anyway...thanks for your input...I will find out more about the energy audit...but for now...the windows and the roof are my top priority...

[rivermist]

I had all the windows in my house replaced last year (including bow window).
I had several estimates (about 6).

Being a research freak (as most RFDers), I wanted the best window and then looked for installers.

The window I chose was Vinyl Window Design.
http://www.vinylwindowdesigns.com

I've had one winter with them and I've been very happy.

Features:
- I had a free upgrade to triple pane (i.e. 3 panes of glass). And yes it was free. It was a manufacturer to installer promotion.
- TempSmart spacer.
- Some windows have low E sqare, some of regulare low E. Depends on the direction of the window. i.e. You don't want low E sqare in a window which faces the sun during the heating months...you lose of the sun warming up the house.

Because I had them installed by a authorized installer:
- Lifetime warranty for me (if I sell the home, then there is a prorated 10 year with admin fee)
- The reputable installer has a 15 year labour warranty. No one even came close to that, the most was 2 years.

Of course the price was high (i.e. 11k range).

The lowest quote was from a friend who installs windows. It was about 8K. They used ORAN windows. Which are also good windows.

[don242]

I can't help you with choosing the windows as I haven't actually had to do that yet. But as for installing them yourself, it is a great way to go. My brother just finished doing all the windows at his house (except the bow window which he also had done by someone) and it was a lot easier than we expected. Not only is it easy, but because you are doing it yourself, you will take the time to do it right. Our neighbours awhile back had theirs done by a professional and the person did not insulate the space around the windows at all and they had to repeatedly call for them to come back and do the job correctly.

In my experience, doing a job yourself if you are comfortable with it and do your research first, is almost always as good (or even better) than a professional job. The times when do-it-yourselfers do a worse job is when they don't research first and try to cut corners or scimp out on proper tools for the job.

[virgoan]

I can't help you with choosing the windows as I haven't actually had to do that yet. But as for installing them yourself, it is a great way to go. My brother just finished doing all the windows at his house (except the bow window which he also had done by someone) and it was a lot easier than we expected. Not only is it easy, but because you are doing it yourself, you will take the time to do it right. Our neighbours awhile back had theirs done by a professional and the person did not insulate the space around the windows at all and they had to repeatedly call for them to come back and do the job correctly.

In my experience, doing a job yourself if you are comfortable with it and do your research first, is almost always as good (or even better) than a professional job. The times when do-it-yourselfers do a worse job is when they don't research first and try to cut corners or scimp out on proper tools for the job.

Exactly! I had "professional" came in to do several jobs at my house...so far...i am very disappointed with all of them and they charge wayyy more than it is really worth! I may not be a handy DIYer...but at least I will do it with care and I will take my time to make sure I spent the money in the right places (ie insulation & sealing the gaps with proper products)

In the end...not only will I save money but also gain valuable experiences...the best part is...I will get to see if the "professional" install my bow window right

rivermist, thanks for the link! I will look it up...one of the guy that came in and gave us an estimate ($18,000 & they will only "retrofit" the windows and not replacing my frames!!) also mentioned ORAN windows...do you think we can order from them directly and install it ourself? I really don't think that I want to pay $12,000+ for 12 windows that I know perfectly well that it only cost ~$6,000 at HD...

[Pete_Coach]

I am glad you had a good laugh...for all I know...you might be right because I know nothing about these stuff...but when I got an estimate from one of the company...he actually told me that most of my windows are "standard size"...and sure enough...HD has most of my windows for about $150 to $250 depending on sizes...but I am not sure about the quality...and I hope to get a better quality/price else where...that's why I came here to ask

anyway...thanks for your input...I will find out more about the energy audit...but for now...the windows and the roof are my top priority...

Forgive me I did not mean to make fun of you. I know exactly how intimidating it is getting windows for the whole house.
As I mentioned, I did mine over a span of a couple of years because of the cost and they were Oran as well. I love them and the warranty is very good. If you do decide to do this yourself, a few things to keep in mind.
There are no standard sizes, almost every opening is different and it is extremely important to get exact measurements because when you order the windows, they are yours, even if they are one or two inches too big or small.
The opening needs to be very square and/or made square so that the windows will operate properly, shimming will in itself not be sufficient. Take off all the interior trim and see if there will be any repairs needed and then you will have to account for that in your measurements.
The outside brick molding needs to be the proper size, it often does not come with the window and has to either be ordered installed on the window (for extra money) or installed separately to match the exterior of the house.
The thickness of the window frame needs to be determined as well or else your window sills and jambs will not be right.
There are lots of things dYI'ers don't think about and the seller does not sometimes mention and then you are stuck with something that will not work or works with a lot of alterations.
Get lots of estimates before you make this decision. There was another thread with this very topic and some good information in it from folks that have just gone through this. Search this forum.
Again, I apologize for making fun, it was not meant in any way to belittle you or your efforts.

[ken_ll]

I want to replace some of the "standard size" windows in my house but I have no idea where to look...could somebody point me to a place that sells good-energy-efficient windows?? I want to replace the standard windows myself because I can't really afford $12,000+ (according to the 2 quotes that we got) for replacing 12 windows...I will leave the bow window to the professional...

http://www.discountdoor.com , 65 Alness St., Toronto, (Dufferin & Finch)

I bought from them (I'm in Ottawa), they sell only, no install/no delivery. Fax them your measurements and you will have a quote within the half hour if you know what you want. They are easy to deal with, half down on order, balance on pickup. Any home handyman can install windows if you take the time and plan it out first.

My windows were retrofits, custom size and I placed them into the existing wood frames. $1,400 for six windows, 5 sliders, 1 casement. Took less than 30 days for the windows from the order date. These were finished off with aluminum flashing. Here I was able to rent a brake from HD to bend the aluminum. It took a day to bend the flashing and another day to install.

[virgoan]

Forgive me I did not mean to make fun of you. I know exactly how intimidating it is getting windows for the whole house.
As I mentioned, I did mine over a span of a couple of years because of the cost and they were Oran as well. I love them and the warranty is very good. If you do decide to do this yourself, a few things to keep in mind.
There are no standard sizes, almost every opening is different and it is extremely important to get exact measurements because when you order the windows, they are yours, even if they are one or two inches too big or small.
The opening needs to be very square and/or made square so that the windows will operate properly, shimming will in itself not be sufficient. Take off all the interior trim and see if there will be any repairs needed and then you will have to account for that in your measurements.
The outside brick molding needs to be the proper size, it often does not come with the window and has to either be ordered installed on the window (for extra money) or installed separately to match the exterior of the house.
The thickness of the window frame needs to be determined as well or else your window sills and jambs will not be right.
There are lots of things dYI'ers don't think about and the seller does not sometimes mention and then you are stuck with something that will not work or works with a lot of alterations.
Get lots of estimates before you make this decision. There was another thread with this very topic and some good information in it from folks that have just gone through this. Search this forum.
Again, I apologize for making fun, it was not meant in any way to belittle you or your efforts.

Thanks for the tips...you didn't have to apologize...you pointed out some very important things that I have to keep in mind...I think I will do a few windows at the time too...Maybe I will start with basement windows and I will decide if I want to do the rest of the house

I already read the other thread...but it is more about looking for a company that actually install it...I want to try to install some small windows myself first...


http://www.discountdoor.com , 65 Alness St., Toronto, (Dufferin & Finch)

I bought from them (I'm in Ottawa), they sell only, no install/no delivery. Fax them your measurements and you will have a quote within the half hour if you know what you want. They are easy to deal with, half down on order, balance on pickup. Any home handyman can install windows if you take the time and plan it out first.

My windows were retrofits, custom size and I placed them into the existing wood frames. $1,400 for six windows, 5 sliders, 1 casement. Took less than 30 days for the windows from the order date. These were finished off with aluminum flashing. Here I was able to rent a brake from HD to bend the aluminum. It took a day to bend the flashing and another day to install.

Wow! this is exactly what I was looking for...maybe i can find some basement windows for cheap there :) $1,400 for 6 windows?! wow! If this works out...maybe I can afford to replace all of my windows this summer :) Thanks Ken!

[IoannI]

AWA Quality Vynel Windows - good prices and they make em fast the way you want them

[raptorfan]

in my search for windows, I came across this sale..may be of use to you.

http://www.brockwindows.com/specials.html

[Neb]

We got windows from them. If you get the NOrthstar windows, you will be very happy. Go to energuide's website and look for window rating... You want something that tested well, and not some no name brand.


in my search for windows, I came across this sale..may be of use to you.

http://www.brockwindows.com/specials.html

[pluto]

We got windows from them. If you get the NOrthstar windows, you will be very happy. Go to energuide's website and look for window rating... You want something that tested well, and not some no name brand.

That's what we got, North Star windows from Brock Home Improvements. I'm happy with them. Also they are one of the few with 'single slider' option which looks much nicer on the front of the house (one side of window has no screen) also have lift out instead of tilt out available which is actually more efficient.

They were rated very highly by Energuide when I looked, the only one higher being Centennial Windows which were 2x the price...

[audit13]

Bump for Northstar. I replaced every window on the first and second floor of my house with the double-hung units.

[southnam]

Are the NorthStars much more expensive than others?

[audit13]

Are the NorthStars much more expensive than others?

I'm not sure if they were cheaper than other brands but I chose these windows because they had the colour and style I wanted. Their also made in Canada.

[Neb]

Northstar was about 10% more than Gentek, but well worth it.