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Don't forget to check for a federal tax rebate for upgrading the windows.
Is there a tax credit for windows, doors, and skylights? (http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5760 - broken link)
You may also be able to get a low-interest loan for the project, particularly if you're replacing older single pane windows. New Jersey : Welcome to Energy Finance Solutions
You have to use a certified contractor. I used a similar program here in Tennessee and really liked it. The loaning agency comes out and inspects the work before releasing the money to the contractor. Unless that inspection says everything is perfect, they don't get paid.
Thanks for those links. The tax credit is a huge incentive. We know that we'll have to replace them at some point so it makes sense to do it while this credit is in effect. I think we're going to be able to cover it with our return from this year, but I will check out this info.
I did a lot of research and found that there is plenty to learn when looking for replacement windows. We moved into a home 7 years ago and replaced all the windows with a typical vinyl brand that was priced about 375 per window. Well, i can tell you we were'nt very happy. The windows do leak air and the windows are starting to warp. Our contractor did a great job with the install, he just chose a cheap window. Although, we did tell him we were on a budget so its really our fault. So, after 7 years we are now doing the project again even though we should of done it 5 years ago. Its now basically costing us double.
We are looking at high end vinyl, they seem to be the most energy efficient, air tight, and have the best structural integrity. From doing research and looking at brands. We found Okna Windows, Soft Lite, sunrise, and another brand called quantum by kensington. You need to contact a dealer, these windows are not sold in stores. They were all solid and we are now deciding which to go with. From getting quotes, it seems a good quality window will cost at least $500 installed. Thats actually cheap based on what we did, we paid 375 seven years ago and are now doing it again..Ouch !!!!
My suggestion, stay far away from those companies that advertise 189 per window and claim they buy in bulk: thats nonsense. Also stay away from silverline, pella vinyl, and MI windows. Total junk from what i saw and they also look very cheap. The other brands i mentioned actually look very nice even though they are vinyl.
Usually a company that installs higher end products care about their customers so you are likely to get a good installation. New Jersey is cold so a good window is much more important that i thought. Im originally from a warmer area but now Jersey is my home.
Good luck. .
a good vinyl window will cost more than $400 installed. anything lower than that and you are wasting your money on cheap looking garbage.
i did quite a bit of research and saw a bunch of different window samples. the garbage they sell at home depot and lowes are cheap looking and flimsy. same thing with the company that claims they install windows for 189.
the good quality vinyl windows i saw were Okna windows, soft lite, sunrise, and vytex .
all of these brands look nice and have great energy efficience numbers.
they also feel like quality when you operate them.
i also learned that the higher end vinyl windows perform much better and last longer than wood windows.
As others have suggested, you need to attack this in two ways- Type/Cost of the Window and Labor Cost. Not all windows are created equal and because Window installation is expensive, you want to get good windows, which will last you 15 to 20 yrs, maybe even longer. I have used Royal Aluminum of Newak, NJ for my rentals. They had decent windows at a very reasonable price. I have had them for over 5 yrs now and they have been flawless. I have also heard good things about Okna Windows.
Bumping this thread. I am getting a bunch of quotes. Right now it seems to be down to Okna 800 series double hung and MI Windows 1650 Extreme. Price is about the same in both cases. And the specs seem to be about the same maybe slightly better from what i can tell for the MI Windows. However, from reading comments in this forum and elsewhere, people dont seem to be too fond of the MI windows. Any additional feedback on this?
Bumping this thread. I am getting a bunch of quotes. Right now it seems to be down to Okna 800 series double hung and MI Windows 1650 Extreme. Price is about the same in both cases. And the specs seem to be about the same maybe slightly better from what i can tell for the MI Windows. However, from reading comments in this forum and elsewhere, people dont seem to be too fond of the MI windows. Any additional feedback on this?
We went with Okna 500 series and couldn't have been happier. Oknas are only sold through private dealers and Paul (who serves Northern and Western NJ) runs a very customer centric shop. 3 or 4 of my windows had to be adjusted a few months after install due to air gap (shrinkage due to cold winter weather?) and they came out within a few days of my calling and made the 10 minute adjustments. I didn't realize window installation could need some adjustments, so that was a really nice to be covered.
Be careful chasing down the lowest cost of labor. Cheap installation could lead to improper flashing and sheathing and you could get water intrusion and wood rot beneath the windows. It would really bubble up to a HUGE expense in 5 plus years to spot replace exterior walls and siding. Thus offsetting the benefit of new windows with a much much larger expense in the future.
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Anderson Windows?
