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dobbyactivist
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RE: Living with Andersen windows after a decade: worth it or not?
That warped sill sounds like a headache. I’ve run into a similar issue with our kitchen window - ended up being a mix of old caulking and just years of condensation sneaking in. Did you ever try resealing around the outs...
RE: When the city soundtrack invades your living room
Couldn’t agree more about thermal curtains. I was skeptical at first, but after putting up some heavy-duty panels in the front room, the difference was pretty dramatic. Not just with drafts, but the street noise dropped ...
RE: Vinyl vs. fiberglass windows in the wild - what’s really easier?
Yeah, the prep is everything. I learned that the hard way on my first window swap - didn’t even think to check the framing until I found a soft spot under the sill months later. Honestly, I’d take a careful install with ...
RE: Feeling stuck between aluminum and vinyl windows - regrets, anyone?
Composite frames are kind of an interesting middle ground. I put in a set of Fibrex windows (Andersen’s composite) about four years ago when I redid my den. My kids were younger then - think sticky fingers and the occasi...
RE: How I spotted a shady window installer (and what tipped me off)
I wondered the same thing when I swapped out my old single panes last spring. Sometimes it’s just brand markup, but other times you’re paying for stuff like better hardware, thicker frames, or warranties that actually co...
RE: Wood vs. vinyl windows near the ocean - what’s holding up better for you?
I swapped my old wood frames for vinyl about five years ago - honestly, maintenance dropped to almost nothing, which I loved. But you’re right, on the hottest days, I’ve noticed a little flex in the vinyl. It’s not a dea...
RE: Keeping Rain Out: What Actually Works for Leaky Windows?
Low-expansion foam definitely helps with drafts, but I wouldn’t trust it as my only defense against water. I used it on my 70s ranch after re-caulking and adding new flashing, and it tightened things up for sure. But if ...
RE: Keeping wood windows healthy - any tricks to stop them rotting?
Couldn’t agree more with that. I used to think a thick coat of paint would do the trick, but after a couple seasons, the rot crept back in - usually at the joints or under the sill. These days, I run a flexible putty kni...
RE: Jeld-Wen doors: happy with mine, but curious about others’ experiences
That’s a solid point about condensation turning into a bigger issue than drafts. I used to think a little fog on the glass was just part of winter, but after dealing with black mold creeping along the bottom rail of a ba...
RE: What if your windows powered your fridge?
Totally agree on the clarity issue - I've tried a couple brands myself, and even the “high transparency” types still gave everything a weird bluish tint. I actually measured the output on one set last summer, and it bare...