Windows discussions and local services.
barbarac32
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RE: What surprised you when taking out old vinyl windows?
I hear you on the spray foam - learned the hard way after one window frame got a little too “puffy” and wouldn’t sit right. Found an old matchbox in one of mine, which was weird (and kinda risky?). Ever come across anyth...
RE: IF YOU COULD UPGRADE YOUR WINDOWS TO A DIFFERENT GAS, WOULD YOU GO FANCY OR STICK WITH BASIC?
I hear you on the krypton vs argon debate. I did argon a couple years back because, honestly, my wallet started sweating just looking at the price for krypton. My place is old and drafty anyway, so I figured the extra sp...
RE: Trimming window openings without wrecking your walls
I hear you on the foam... first time I used it, I thought “more is better,” and ended up with a window that looked like it was trying to grow a beard. That stuff expands way more than you’d think, and then you’re stuck t...
RE: Mixing solar panels with upgraded windows - worth it?
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the windows. We swapped ours a while back - helped with the drafts and I don’t hear the neighbor’s dog as much, but the power bill barely budged. Solar, though, that’s a different ...
RE: Would you take out a loan just to get new windows?
You nailed it - sometimes those old windows are money pits in disguise. I tried the whole “just caulk it” routine for a couple years, but when I started seeing my breath in the living room, I knew it was time. Replacing ...
RE: How much do you actually notice energy savings from special window coatings?
Funny, I had a similar situation with my '60s split-level. Thought about going all-in on fancy window coatings, but after I went nuts with the foam and caulk gun, my drafts pretty much disappeared. The low-e film was mor...
RE: CHEAP WAYS TO KEEP THE COLD OUT OF OLD WINDOWS?
Yeah, I ran into that too. Those panels sound great until you actually live with them through a winter. Static-cling film is way less of a mess, but I agree, it doesn’t do much for real drafts. Honestly, I just shove an ...
RE: WHAT DID YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE REPLACING YOUR OWN WINDOWS?
That trim is always the sneaky part, isn’t it? I thought the hard work was done once the window was in, but nope - spent way too long trying to get those old, slightly warped pieces to line up again. Ended up with a bit ...
RE: Why does lining up aluminum window frames feel impossible sometimes?
Couldn’t agree more - sometimes you just have to call it a win if the window opens and closes without a fight. My house is old enough that I think the floors are doing their own thing, so getting anything square is basic...
RE: Tint-changing windows vs. smart blinds - which one's better?
I looked into this a bit last year when we were renovating, and from what I found, tint-changing windows are mostly about controlling glare and privacy rather than insulation. They do help a bit with heat gain since they...