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Replacing windows can be very expensive, especially if you have to replace all of the windows in your home.  Most homes will have ten to twenty windows including the bathrooms. Some windows are much more expensive than others. For example half moon windows on top of a large bay window will empty your pocket book quickly.  Some consumers just want to get it over with at one time and will replace all of the windows at once, while others will replace them only as they are needed. We fall into the latter group since we like to limit our capital expenditures as much as possible.

If you are purchasing a new home, you need to pay attention to the type of window that is being installed. Avoid wood framed windows. Even though they are a little less expensive, there is no need to paint PVC windows and no need to replace them. Most new homes come with low maintenance windows, however you do need to check in your agreement specifications to confirm.

Maintaining Your Windows

Our existing windows are good quality windows, however they are framed with wood and need to be scraped and painted every few years. No one really likes to do this, however if you check the windows each year you will find that some will lose their paint faster than others. These are the windows you need to pay attention to. Our windows on the south side of the house get a lot of heat as well as freezing in the winter time. As a result the paint on the window sills will crack and peel allowing water to get at the wood and start the rotting process.

I have been checking my windows every year and repainting those that need it every year. After twenty two years even with this kind of care, we are finding that several our windows have started to deteriorate and it is time to replace them before serious damage to the underlying wooden sills start. As I mentioned earlier in the post, we are only replacing the windows that are starting to deteriorate.

Selecting a Vendor

Selecting a vendor can be like playing Russian Roulette. We had several come over and take measurements and provide us with quotes.  I asked each vendor to provide me with a written quote, to be sent to me by email. This works really well for some and not so well for others.

One window vendor wanted to quote me on the spot and ask me to sign a contract right there and then. Talk about pressure sales tactics. No time to look at the quality of the window, no time to examine references and to time to comparison shop. I asked him to send me his quote and I would consider it. We never heard from him again.

We ultimately choose Fenex Windows and Doors who provide their own product called FenPlast windows. We were able to go into their shop, talk to one off the installers who explained exactly how they would replace the windows and what we would have to paint afterwords. Essentially these are low maintenance windows and require no painting at all except for the inside trim which is already primed. You just have to paint the trim inside to match your color scheme.

We also were able to speak to several references they gave us. They did a great job installing, cleaning up after them and most of they were on time! In other words they arrived when they said they would, which is a huge problem with many contractors in today’s market.

Selecting Windows

Selecting windows is a lot more difficult. However there are ways to simplify it . For example if you have an existing double slider for example, you can change the design if you want or just stay with a double slider. In other words just change like for like. However before you make that decision, you really need to decide how well insulated you want your windows to be.

For example single sliders have just slightly higher ratings than double sliders for their energy ratings. You also need to decide if you are going with clear windows or with Low E, or Super HP windows to maximize your energy rating and energy savings. ER ratings are important and they act as a guide to show how much energy a window will allow to pass through it.

Most people are more concerned about the aesthetics of the windows and less about energy ratings. Everyone wants their homes to look great however when it comes to saving energy costs and to also maximize resale value, it pays to pay attention to these other factors as well.

We chose the Low E, super HP with Argon in between the window pains to maximize the energy conservation of the windows.

Finally there are various handles and window cranks that come with windows that open out. Instead of sliding these windows will turn on a hinge with the operation of a crank. One of the advantages of these windows is that they open far enough that you can reach out side and wash the fixed window. Beats getting a ladder outside and climbing up to wash the windows.

Results

So far we have replaced eight windows, all on the south side or the west side of the house. These windows were the first to deteriorate due to the heating and cooling cycles through the winter time months. It is too early to say if these new windows will have much of an impact on our heating and cooling bill.

We were very happy with the installation. The crew showed up on time and they were courteous, were very careful of the inside of our home while they were doing the installation and clean up was excellent. There were no nails or bits and pieces left after they were finished. Excellent job over all.

Fenex may be a little more expensive than some other vendors, however we were very pleased with the service and the products.

Tags: Fenex, Fenex Windows, Fenex Windows and Doors, Fenplast Windows, Low E, super HP with Argon windows

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