Yeah, I second the hardware thing. I put ReliaBilts in our mudroom about two years ago, and while the windows themselves have been fine (no leaks or drafts yet), the latches feel kinda cheap. One already snapped off when my kid got a little too enthusiastic opening it... easy fix, but still annoying. Overall though, for the price, they're decent enough—just don't expect premium quality hardware.
I've had ReliaBilts for about three years now, and yeah, hardware is definitely their weak spot. The windows themselves hold up fine—no drafts or leaks—but I ended up swapping out a couple latches with sturdier aftermarket ones. Not expensive or difficult, just something to keep in mind.
Totally agree about the hardware—it's a small price to pay for windows that actually seal well. I upgraded mine too, and it made a noticeable difference. Honestly, decent aftermarket latches aren't hard to find, and it's worth the minor hassle for better energy efficiency long-term.
"Honestly, decent aftermarket latches aren't hard to find, and it's worth the minor hassle for better energy efficiency long-term."
Couldn't agree more. When we replaced ours a few years back, I initially hesitated about the hardware swap, but after one winter with noticeably lower heating bills... yeah, zero regrets. Sometimes the little inconveniences pay off big-time down the road.
We swapped ours out last fall and honestly, the latch replacement was way simpler than I expected. If anyone's feeling hesitant about tackling it themselves, here's roughly how ours went down:
First, we measured the existing hardware carefully—seriously, measure twice to avoid extra trips to the store (learned that one the hard way...). Once we had the right size aftermarket latches, removing the old ones was straightforward—a screwdriver and five minutes per window tops. Installing the new ones was just as easy, maybe another five or ten minutes each.
The payoff? It wasn't just a tighter seal—though that alone made the room feel instantly cozier. We actually noticed fewer drafts almost immediately. By mid-winter, our heating bills were noticeably lower compared to previous years, which honestly surprised me a little. Didn't expect such a small tweak to make a noticeable dent.
Anyway, definitely worth the minor inconvenience in my book. And hey, if you're already thinking about ReliaBilt windows from Lowe's, might as well go the extra mile and upgrade those latches too while you're at it...
Interesting to hear your experience with the latch upgrade. I'm curious though—did you notice if the ReliaBilt windows themselves made a big difference, or was it mostly just the latch swap that improved things? We're considering new windows too, but I'm wondering if simply upgrading hardware on our existing ones might be enough.
"Didn't expect such a small tweak to make a noticeable dent."
Makes me wonder if sometimes smaller fixes can actually be more cost-effective than full replacements...
I've been wondering the same thing... are new windows really worth it, or is it mostly just marketing hype? Seems like sometimes a simple hardware upgrade can do the trick without emptying your wallet. Curious if anyone else has tried smaller fixes first.
When I moved into my first house, the windows were pretty drafty and I immediately thought about replacing them. But then, after a bit of research and budget panic (lol), I decided to try some smaller fixes first. Here's what worked for me:
1. Weatherstripping: Super affordable and easy to install around the window frames—made a noticeable difference in drafts.
2. Window film insulation kits: They look a bit odd at first, but honestly, they really helped keep the warmth in during winter.
3. Adjusting hardware: Tightening up loose latches and hinges was surprisingly effective. Windows closed tighter and sealed better.
I won't lie, eventually I'll probably upgrade to new windows down the line, but these little fixes bought me some time and saved a good chunk of cash in the short term. Has anyone tried similar DIY fixes before jumping into the bigger investment? Curious how long you felt they lasted...
I did something similar when we first bought our place—those window film kits were a lifesaver during our first winter. I remember thinking they'd look tacky, but honestly, after a few days, we barely noticed them. They held up surprisingly well too, lasted the entire season without peeling or anything.
One thing I also tried was using heavier curtains. It sounds super basic, but swapping out thin curtains for thicker, insulated ones made a noticeable difference in keeping drafts at bay. Plus, they added a cozy feel to the rooms.
I'm curious though, has anyone tried caulking around the window frames themselves? I've heard mixed things about how effective that is long-term...
Caulking definitely helps, but it's not magic—especially if your frames are older or warped. Did mine a couple years back; noticed fewer drafts right away, but eventually had to bite the bullet and replace the windows anyway. Still worth doing as a short-term fix though...