Just finished installing some Reliabilt windows at my place—wasn't too tricky, honestly. Basically, measured twice (okay, maybe three times, lol), prepped the opening, shimmed carefully, sealed it up tight with caulk, and done. Anyone got a simpler method or handy tips?
Sounds like you nailed the basics pretty well. Did you use spray foam insulation around the gaps before caulking? I find it helps a ton with drafts, especially if your opening wasn't perfectly square (mine never are, lol). Also curious if you checked the window operation before sealing everything up—I learned that one the hard way after installing a window that looked perfect until I realized it wouldn't open smoothly... had to redo half my work.
One other thing—did you use flashing tape on the sill before setting the window in place? It's an extra step, but honestly worth it to avoid moisture issues down the road. Reliabilt windows themselves seem pretty solid for DIY installs, but I've found these little prep steps make a huge difference over time.
"Also curious if you checked the window operation before sealing everything up—I learned that one the hard way..."
Haha, glad I'm not the only one who's done that. Installed a Reliabilt slider last summer and thought I was golden until I realized it stuck halfway open. Cue me spending another hour adjusting shims and cursing quietly under my breath. Totally agree about the flashing tape too—skipped it once thinking "eh, it'll be fine," and ended up with a soggy sill after one rainy season. Lesson learned...
I've had decent luck with Reliabilt sliders, but honestly, sometimes the sticking issue isn't just shims. Found that a little silicone spray on the tracks can save you a ton of hassle—worth trying before you redo everything...
Installed Reliabilt double-hungs last summer. Quick thoughts:
- Installation straightforward, but alignment was finicky.
- Agree silicone spray helps sliders—worked wonders on my patio door.
- Noticed drafts reduced noticeably compared to old windows.
- Hardware feels a bit flimsy, curious how it'll hold up long-term.
Overall decent for the price, but wouldn't call it hype-worthy yet...
Installed quite a few Reliabilts over the years, and your experience sounds pretty typical. They're definitely solid for the price point, especially if you're upgrading from older, drafty windows. The alignment issue you mentioned is common—I've found that taking extra time to shim carefully during installation helps a ton with that finicky alignment.
As for the hardware feeling flimsy...yeah, that's one area where they cut costs a bit. But honestly, I've seen them hold up surprisingly well over time, especially if you're gentle with them and keep up basic maintenance (like your silicone spray trick). If something does break down the line, replacement parts are usually easy enough to find and swap out yourself.
Overall, I'd say they're a good value choice—not exactly premium or hype-worthy, but reliable enough to get the job done without breaking the bank.