Replacing Windows on Craftsman House (vinyl, Home Depot, heat, color)
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Hi all, I bought a Craftsman house here in the San Francisco Bay Area late last year. There are 22 windows total, with 2 original wood single-panes, 2 really old single-panes (not from 1914 like the house but probably no newer than the '50s), and 18 '70s-ish aluminum single-panes. The previous owners must have liked variety, as there is a mix of grids and no-grids, and the aluminum windows are a mix of sliders and single-hungs (no grids).
Anyway, it's all quite a mess and every west-facing room gets warm in the afternoon, so I would like to replace 20 of the 22 for my own sanity and to get something more period appropriate (i.e., no sliders). I am a fan of keeping the original features where possible, but with only 2 original and 2 semi-original windows left intact, I think getting everything to match is the best way to go. Do you think I'm way off base?
Of these 4 options, I think the Anlin Catalina option looks best and also is a good fit for the Bay Area's mild climate. Secondarily, it is nice that they're the cheapest option.
Has anyone had experience picking between a similar selection of windows? Especially curious to hear from people who have considered putting vinyl windows in an old home. Vinyl now seems much better than the vinyl of 20 years ago, and from any sort of distance the Anlins seem to look more like the originals--possibly even more so than the Renewal by Andersen windows.
I've looked at replacing 35 original single pane wood windows of a 1940's house. They were top of the line in 1949, and I have decided to keep them, re-glaze and protect with new storms. Renewal by Anderson composite window is the top of the line,IMO. My price started at $90K, after much negotiating it ended up at $50K for a combination of 3'x5' (6 over 9) and 3'x6' (9 over 9) windows....2 years ago. Based on my quote, I think you can negotiate a better price if you are so inclined.
One of my children has an original Sears kit house (going to be 100 next year) - it's a Craftsman style - very cute - replaced all the windows with vinyl and you can't tell (doesn't stand out as looking plastic-y). I was opposed to vinyl but replaced all of my windows in my cottage with some really nice vinyl and I couldn't be happier - the new ones are very subtle - and since I like to hose them all down, good thing they aren't wood, they would be rotting by now. They have all kinds of shapes and sizes too.
What are you looking for???
Price? Style? Period correct?
Are these "insert units"? Or are they full replacements? Are the current aluminum windows full replacements; or are they inserts also?
You can get "sash kits" if the original jambs are there and in good condition- they go right in (assuming standard size window units). Remove the weight balances/cords/pullies/etc, pack the void with insulation, install the new spring balances, pop-in the sashes- DONE!
What are you looking for???
Price? Style? Period correct?
Are these "insert units"? Or are they full replacements? Are the current aluminum windows full replacements; or are they inserts also?
You can get "sash kits" if the original jambs are there and in good condition- they go right in (assuming standard size window units). Remove the weight balances/cords/pullies/etc, pack the void with insulation, install the new spring balances, pop-in the sashes- DONE!
Price, value, selection. Nobody even comes close. (Nobody!)
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
The existing windows are inserts. The replacement windows would be inserts as well. Jambs look okay but it's hard to say for sure because there are a gazillion layers of paint to contend with. I don't think the jambs are original because they appear to lack any grooves or channels that I can see like in the one original single-hung interior (formerly exterior) window that I would leave as is. Also, none of the window sizes match what I can find on the Home Depot website, which means I can't just go buy ready-made windows unless I'm misunderstanding how this works.
The only two original windows on my house are picture windows, and I would replace them with awning windows so I can get cross ventilation in my living room.
We have a craftsman home and we had to replace 60 windows because of fire. We chose the new vinyl windows (we could have chosen aluminum since thats what was there originally. Instead we chose the vinyl. We live in Texas and its hot and humid. This is why:
Energy Efficiency & Thermal Performance
Vinyl Window
Vinyl windows perform better when it comes to this important contemporary issue. They are designed to provide the industry’s best energy efficiency.
Aluminum Window
Aluminum windows are notorious for acting like radiators, bringing unwanted heat from the outside into the room. They also conduct cold in the same way as heat, so must be specially protected with “thermal breaks,” to compete with vinyl windows for energy efficiency. This adds to their cost. Condensation
Vinyl Window
Vinyl windows create less condensation than wood or aluminum windows.
Aluminum Window
The heat transfer action that is characteristic of aluminum (for which reason it’s used in cookware) creates condensation and related problems. This is especially true in the north part of the nation. When condensation seeps between the window and the wall, it causes rot, mildew and mold. Thermal Breaks
Vinyl Window
Vinyl is itself the best thermal break. It minimizes heat transfer from the outside of the room to the inside.
Aluminum Window
Thermal breaks are employed in many modern aluminum windows to combat the problem of condensation and increase the windows’ energy efficiency. These are made of vinyl. Noise Reduction
Vinyl Window
More effective.
Aluminum Window
Less effective. Recyclability
Vinyl Window
Less efficient to recycle.
Aluminum Window
Very efficient to recycle. Maintenance
Vinyl Window
Lower maintenance requirements than both wood and aluminum. No need to repaint or restain ever, since they are the same color throughout.
Aluminum Window
Aluminum windows must be lubricated regularly, since their moving parts consist of metal against metal. If painted, they will require regular maintenance. Cost
Vinyl Window
Typically less expensive with better value.
Aluminum Window
Typically more expensive if you get anything but a bottom-line product, which is highly energy-inefficient.
Please don't ruin the house with garbage vinyl windows. They are flipper widnows not keeper windows. Suggest you keep the original two and look to MArvin for matching windows elsewhere. Put invisible storms in the two you keep. If money is a problem, just put invisible storms everywhere
[quote=cp102;55478582]We have a craftsman home and we had to replace 60 windows because of fire. ...we could have chosen aluminum since thats what was there originally...[\quote]
I doubt your Craftsman house had aluminum windows originally.
Or you could consider buying windows that don't need to be recycled. The windows in my house are 80 years old this October and I'm certainly not concerned about recycling them, although I do need to replace a part of one due to rot and I'm not quite sure how to go about it.
Recyclabilty is a concern for consumable items. If you are thinking of your house's windows as consumable items I would respectfully suggest you need to overhaul your thinking.
I hope to install storm windows soon to eliminate the condensation issues, which are probably the cause of the rot. At some point I need to pry the facing boards off and retrieve the sash weights for the bathroom window as it's getting to be tiresome to put a prop stick in it when we open it.
We have a craftsman home and we had to replace 60 windows because of fire. ...we could have chosen aluminum since thats what was there originally...[\quote]
I doubt your Craftsman house had aluminum windows originally.
Well the insurance company told me thats what they were. I am going by what they said.
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