Been staring at my old drafty windows for way too long, and I'm thinking about biting the bullet and installing Simonton retrofit windows myself. I'm decent with tools but definitely no pro. Just wondering, hypothetically, if I dive into this project, am I gonna regret it halfway through, or is it pretty manageable for someone who's handy but not exactly Bob Vila? Curious if anyone here's tried it themselves and how it turned out.
Did my own retrofit windows a couple years back—here's my two cents:
- It's doable if you're patient and measure carefully (twice, seriously).
- Simonton makes decent windows, but honestly, the real challenge isn't the window itself—it's dealing with unexpected issues like rotted sills or uneven frames.
- If you're not comfortable troubleshooting those surprises, it might be worth hiring someone or at least having a pro on speed dial.
- Bottom line: manageable project, but expect a hiccup or two along the way.
Good points, measuring twice saved me more than once. Curious though, did you run into any issues with insulation or drafts afterward? Heard mixed things about retrofit windows and energy efficiency...
When I did mine last year, I was worried about drafts too—my house is older and insulation wasn't exactly top-notch to begin with. Honestly, the retrofit windows helped more than I expected. I did notice a tiny draft in one corner afterward, but turns out that was my fault (missed a spot with the caulking, rookie mistake...). Once I fixed that, it was pretty solid. Definitely worth double-checking your sealing job though, that's where the real difference seems to be.
Good points about sealing—it's crazy how much difference a small gap can make. I tackled retrofit windows myself a couple years ago (not Simonton, but similar style), and honestly, the hardest part for me was getting the measurements spot-on. Older houses rarely have perfectly square openings, so I ended up having to shim more than I expected. Once they're in though, it's pretty satisfying seeing the difference in comfort and noise reduction.
One thing I'm curious about: did you guys notice any improvement in your heating/cooling bills after installing the retrofit windows? For me, it was noticeable but not huge—maybe 10-15% lower. Always wondered if that's typical or if I could've done something better...