Windows discussions and local services.
scottinventor
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RE: Simonton, Jeld-Wen, or American Craftsman - best bang for the buck?
The brand names alone don’t tell you which is the better deal. Compare quotes for the exact window series and whether each is for an insert or full-frame replacement. Those aren’t necessarily equivalent jobs: the scope a...
RE: Impact glass vs. shutters for storm season - what’s your pick?
I get where you’re coming from - shutters are tried and true, especially for older places. But I’ve seen a few folks invest in impact glass over the years, and while the upfront hit stings, a couple of them said their in...
RE: What would you do if your double-pane windows started fogging up?
That’s the truth. I once thought I was just swapping an IGU, but when I started pulling off the stops, half the lower sash crumbled in my hand. Ended up rebuilding a section with epoxy and wood hardener before putting in...
RE: Simonton vs. Andersen windows - worth the extra cash?
Funny, I’ve seen the same thing over the years - sometimes folks get so hung up on the window brand, but the install is what bites them later. Had a client with top-dollar windows that leaked because the flashing was a m...
RE: Picking the right window color for curb appeal - regrets or wins?
You nailed it about white being easy - I've had clients go for dramatic black frames, and they looked sharp at first, but a couple years in, the sun really did a number on them. One guy ended up repainting after just thr...
RE: How do you guys compare local window contractors vs big national chains for quotes?
That’s spot on. I’ve worked jobs where a big chain swooped in, did the install, and then when a customer had a small issue (like a sticky lock or draft), it took weeks for anyone to show up. Meanwhile, I’ve seen local cr...
RE: Windows: From Boring Glass to DIY Masterpieces
Those old paint layers are a nightmare, right? I remember working on a 1920s bungalow where the windows had at least five different colors layered up - each one peeling in its own special way. Took ages with a heat gun a...
RE: CHOOSING BETWEEN MARVIN AND OLD INTEGRITY WINDOWS – ANY REGRETS?
That nostalgia for old glass is real - I’ve seen it a lot. But after swapping out dozens of drafty originals over the years, I can say the comfort gain is huge. It’s wild how much quieter and warmer a house feels after a...
RE: Keeping kids safe with upstairs windows - what actually works?
Window guards are actually pretty straightforward to install, at least the ones I’ve put in for folks. They’re not exactly pretty, but they do the job and you can find some that blend in a bit better with white trim. I t...
RE: Double vs triple pane windows - worth the extra cost or just hype?
That’s classic with older homes - nothing lines up with modern sizes. I’ve worked on a few 1920s bungalows where every window was its own adventure. We did a mix of double and triple pane inserts, depending on the room. ...