I need to replace 9 old windows on a 167 year-old house. I need something reasonably priced, and I want very much something that doesn’t look like the Home Depot special-of-the-week vinyl pocket-window. We like 4-over-4, wood grilles with spacers between the glass for a more realistic look. I want painted wood interior and was leaning toward aluminum-clad wood exterior, although I have heard many opinions (care to offer any more??). Any idea on product lines that might fit the bill?
Thanks, Brian
Replies
brian... on an old house like that .. you can usually get a good sized window intot the old rough opening
the window weight pockets give you extra room.. so you can reduce the opening and still get a nice size
you have to patch the siding... add new trim in and out
i like Andersen .. their TiltWash is a nice one .. and you can get the specs you want..
find an Andersen Quaility Assured Dealer.. they have the knowledgeable staff you won't find at Home Depot
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Brian, look into the Marvin Tilt pack. They make a window that retro fits into the existing frames. I haven't been involved with them for more than ten years, but they might be just what you're looking for.
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Brian, I just spec'd windows for my old house (also 167 years old... and I'm also called Brian... weird). Anyway, you have basically three options as I see it.
Marvin: Top of the line... I couldn't find one better. You might as well fill your openings in gold leaf for what the buggers cost, though. They have the "historical thickness" sill, which is something you will want if you are replacing old original windows (assuming you're in the Northeast somewhere by age of structure). They also offer authentic divided lights and single or double thickness glass. Just an out-and-out gorgeous window in every respect, and a marvel of engineering.
Jeld Wen (Norco), which is what I got. Mid priced, well constructed window. Not quite as nice as Marvin but has historic sill option and divided lights. I went with an all wood window. They don't offer single thickness glass, but in the end I decided I wanted a simulated divided light with double thick glass.
Brosco (Brockaway Smith): By far the most "cost effective" window and I almost ordered them. Didn't love how they were constructed, but if I had to do a lot of them (wait a minute... I have 43!!) I'd probably consider them again. They offer historical sill and true divided light for a very authentic look. They also offer a cedar sill option and a pediment detail for the top casing that's very interesting.
If you come up with another option, let me know. I researched this to death, and that's the profoundly abbreviated version.
Good luck and let us know what you go with!
Brian
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Brian,
Thanks for the info, very good to learn from others' research.
Marvin would be too pricey for me, although they sound great. I had looked at Jeld-Wen, although the only place to get them here is Home Depot, and they don't carry the Norco line, they carry the one beneath it. The other that you mentioned, Brosco, is not available here (Minnesota).
Did you look at the Jeld-Wen Caradco line? Also, did you check out the Andersen 400 series? They look OK, and have lots of dealers here (that don't wear orange aprons).
Thanks again, Brian
You mentioned "aluminum clad" and Minnesota.Aren't aluminum clad windows really bad in cold climates?I'm certainly not a window expert, but that's the impression I'm under...
The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee. [Regis Philbin]
aluminum clad is basically a 1/2 wood, 1/2 aluminum.The advatages are superior weatherability on the outside, real wood and some wood insulation on the inside.In my opinion, aluminum clad are the only choice for any quality job (unless real wood is being used, but wood available today is much lower grade than what was used 50, 80 or more years ago)..The aluminum of a good window will look so much like painted wood from about 5 or 10 feet away that it is acceptable for all but the most historic of buildings, in my opinion. Vinyl is too short lived and plasticky looking and feeling for most older homes, but probably perfectly fine for any modern house (tract home).Norm