"Speaking of measurements...has anyone here tried DIY measuring and regretted it later?"
Haha, guilty as charged. Thought I'd save a few bucks measuring myself—ended up with windows that were juuust slightly off. Lesson learned: sometimes it's worth getting a pro involved from the start.
Yeah, measuring windows yourself can be trickier than it looks. Even a small miscalculation can throw things off, especially if your frames aren't perfectly square (and trust me, most aren't). If you're set on DIY, measure width and height at three different points—top, middle, bottom—and always use the smallest measurement. But honestly, having a pro double-check your numbers can save headaches down the line...and probably money too.
"Even a small miscalculation can throw things off, especially if your frames aren't perfectly square (and trust me, most aren't)."
Haha, ain't that the truth. I've seen some window frames so wonky you'd swear the house was built by Dr. Seuss. Measuring at three points is solid advice, but also don't forget to factor in things like insulation and trim—those little extras add up quick. And honestly, budgeting-wise, it's usually safer to pad your numbers slightly...because surprises happen more often than you'd think.
Good call on padding the budget a bit. One thing I'd add—don't overlook hardware and fasteners. Seems minor, but hinges, screws, shims...they sneak up on you. Learned that the hard way when my "quick weekend project" turned into multiple trips to the hardware store.
Definitely agree about the hardware—those little things add up fast. Another sneaky cost I've noticed is the trim and finishing materials. When I replaced a couple of windows last year, I thought the big expense was just the windows themselves. But then I realized I needed new trim boards, caulk, paint, and even insulation foam. Each item wasn't expensive on its own, but together they really bumped up the total.
Also, what about disposal fees? I didn't even think about that until I had old windows stacked in my garage and realized my garbage service wouldn't take them. Ended up having to rent a truck and pay a fee at the dump. Just something else to keep in mind...
"Also, what about disposal fees? I didn't even think about that until I had old windows stacked in my garage..."
Good point about disposal fees—those can sneak up on you. But honestly, renting a truck and paying dump fees might be overkill. Last time I replaced windows, I just listed the old ones for free online. Someone picked them up within a day for a greenhouse project. Saved me hassle and money... might be worth trying next time before heading to the dump.
Totally agree, giving them away is usually the easiest route. I've also seen people repurpose old windows for cold frames or decorative wall hangings. If they're in decent shape, someone out there probably wants them... beats paying to toss perfectly usable stuff.
Have you tried listing them on local buy-nothing groups or marketplace apps? I've had luck with that before—someone always seems to need exactly what you're getting rid of. Better than paying disposal fees, right?
- Totally agree, marketplace apps are solid—sold mine in a day.
- Also, check local salvage yards; some pay for decent-condition windows.
- If they're older wood frames, DIYers often repurpose them into decor or garden projects.
- Saved me disposal fees and hassle more than once...
Marketplace worked great for me too, but honestly, I had even better luck just putting mine out by the curb with a "free" sign. They disappeared within hours...guess neighbors love a good DIY project! Saved me the hassle of coordinating pickups.