Windows discussions and local services.
dobbybaker908
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RE: Would you splurge or save on Jeld-Wen windows if you were building from scratch?
Honestly, I’m not convinced triple-pane is worth the price unless you’re in a super cold spot or have nonstop street noise. I did look at laminated glass for a couple windows facing traffic - helped a bit, but not night ...
RE: Stuck between two window installers - would you go with the cheaper or the more established one?
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen both sides. My last place, I went with a “deal” installer and yeah, I was chasing cold spots with caulk every winter. But on the flip side, sometimes the establishe...
RE: Quick fix for sagging window frames: shims to the rescue
That’s the truth right there. I’ve tried everything from cedar shims to heavy-duty composites and it’s always just a matter of time before something needs attention. Can’t say I’m convinced on silicone either - once it’s...
RE: Swapping single pane for double: worth the hype?
Exactly this. People always talk up new windows, but if the rest of the envelope’s leaky, you’re just throwing money at glass. I did all my caulking and weatherstripping before even thinking about new panes - honestly, t...
RE: Which is less of a headache: full-frame vs. insert fiberglass window installs?
I get why people swear by full-frame installs, but I'm not convinced they're always worth the hassle, especially if the old frame isn't totally rotted. I did inserts on my '60s ranch - original trim, old wood frames, the...
RE: Thinking about swapping out windows myself - is it worth the hassle?
That’s wild - makes you wonder what folks were thinking back then. When you ran into water stains under the sills, did you end up having to replace any of the framing, or was it just surface level? I’m always skeptical a...
RE: Swapping out old windows for double panes: worth it?
Yeah, I’ve seen that too - folks get a little too enthusiastic with the caulk gun and figure “tight is right.” But man, old frames just don’t play by the rules. I always wonder how well those heavy caulk jobs actually ho...
RE: Keeping window glass dry: what actually works?
Dehumidifier helped a bit for me, but honestly, not as much as I hoped. Maybe my old windows are just cursed? I still get some condensation on the coldest days. Those interior storms sound promising, though. Anyone else ...
RE: Saw a news piece on folks fixing up old aluminum windows themselves - worth the effort?
Yeah, I hear you on the energy loss. We did the weatherstripping/silicone route with our 70s-era aluminum sliders a few years back - helped with drafts, but the frames still felt ice-cold in winter. I was always wiping u...
RE: How do you guys compare local window contractors vs big national chains for quotes?
I get the appeal of the local guys for sure, but I’ve also seen small shops go out of business and then you’re stuck if something fails down the line. With the chains, at least you know they’ll probably be around in ten ...