Windows discussions and local services.
surfer12
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RE: Letting more sun in without major renos - what’s worked for you?
I get the appeal of sheer panels, but doesn’t all that extra sunlight mess with your cooling bills in summer? I’m always torn - love the natural light, but my AC hates me for it. Anyone else feel like it’s a tradeoff bet...
RE: Trimming window openings without wrecking your walls
Multi-tool’s definitely less risky near old plaster, but I’m not totally sold on it for every situation. Does it ever feel like the vibration could crack brittle corners? I’ve always wondered if the tiny dust particles g...
RE: IF YOU COULD UPGRADE YOUR WINDOWS TO A DIFFERENT GAS, WOULD YOU GO FANCY OR STICK WITH BASIC?
Honestly, I get what you mean. I swapped to vinyl too, and while they’re definitely more efficient, there’s something about the way wood frames age that vinyl just can’t match. But then again, not having to repaint every...
RE: Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing Window Size and Home Efficiency
That’s been my experience too. I tried those shrink kits in my first place - looked fine for a couple weeks, then the tape started to give up (probably because my windows are old and the frames aren’t exactly smooth). En...
RE: Swapping single pane for double: worth the hype?
That’s been my experience too. I spent a bunch of time obsessing over the R-value of new windows vs. storms, but after sealing up all the weird little leaks (outlets, attic hatch, even the old mail slot), it honestly fel...
RE: Swapping out window hinges: do you go solo or call in the pros?
I get the appeal of just muscling through it solo, but is it really worth the hassle if you’re dealing with older windows? I tried swapping hinges on my 70s-era casements, and even after soaking everything in WD-40, I en...
RE: Quick tricks for holding a cracked window together?
I’ve wondered about those film patches too - seems like they’d be more or less the same as tape, just marketed fancier? I haven’t tried one, but I’m skeptical it would really seal out drafts any better, especially if the...
RE: What would you do if every window quote was wildly different?
Every single time I’ve gotten window quotes, the numbers have been all over the place - sometimes by thousands. Had one guy say, “Don’t worry, we’ll handle it all,” but then when I started asking about disposal fees or w...
RE: Unexpected challenges of putting in windows off the grid
This is exactly what’s been bugging me too. I tried going full “airtight” on our south window last winter - used a combo of Sashco and backer rod, thought I nailed it. But by January, I had water beading up inside the fr...
RE: Did new windows actually save you money (or just look nicer)?
That’s kind of where I landed too - my heating bill didn’t really plummet, but the old windows were so leaky, it always felt chilly near them. I do wonder sometimes if the payoff’s mostly comfort rather than hard cash, e...