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Message |
    
Dhearon
Citizen
Username: Dhearon
Post Number: 52
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 7:41 pm: | 
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MOL was very helpful when I replaced all my windows last year, however, in spite of everyones advice, nobody reminded me about the Basement Windows!!!! They are crummy old wooden 3' X 18" tilt-in 2 panel windows, and I don't think I need to make them match the All-wood New Construction windows I had put in throughout the house, and I think Vinyl replacements will do fine.
I recieved one bid for United Window and Door vinyl replacement 3131 Series, for $220 each installed.....anybody have suggestions on how you've handled your basement windows? I want ease of use, strength of locks/glass, and durability.
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LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1941
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 8:54 am: |
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We used American Home Energy Windows 973-992-6543. I think it was something like $175 per basement window. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 509
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 9:42 am: |
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The number seems right - that's just for installation, no window included, right? I was told that, in my case, I have to have the frames rebuilt.
Wow, all wood new construction --- ka-ching!!!
Good for you! |
Dhearon
Citizen
Username: Dhearon
Post Number: 53
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 11:11 am: |
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We actually found it was cheaper to get New Construction wood windows than it was to get Wood Replacement windows, however, the $$ for intallation was much more, because the entire frame needed to be removed/rebuilt. We're very happy with the way the work, and they seem much larger than what we had before....I think we may have picked up some square inchage of window face.
What i'm baffled by, is that when we got window bids, we were given a number of bids for "$150 installed, including windows"...I assumed theres a real cheap contractor grade vinyll window that everyone was using, which is why they could do it so cheap, so $220 price to me seemed high....(That's installation and window cost)? Any reason why a Cellar window would be MORE than a normal window replacement? |
Fotboat
Citizen
Username: Fotboat
Post Number: 62
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 1:07 pm: |
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Dhearon,
I just replaced my basement windows on Saturday. Corner Siding out of South Orange (973-313-1903) did them. Even though I hate vinyl, I figure that was the best for the basement windows. The vinyl windows replaced old metal windows that were imbedded in concrete that probably replaced the original wood ones 50 years ago (I guess metal was the vinyl replacement back then).
The metal windows did not work anymore and leaked like a sieve. Corner had to chip out the concrete and build new frames for all the windows, an all day task. They stated and I agree (based on what they had to do with mine) that normally basement windows will take twice as long to replace as a standard double hung window, and there is no such thing as a standard basement window in most cases. My basement windows were also very short (13”) so they had to special order them, (not many manufacturers would even considered building that size, 15” and above seem to be the norm). Corner was great; they called back, provided a reasonable quote and showed up to install when they said they would. I mentioned to them that this seemed unique for a contractor, and they responded that they lived in South Orange and they had a reputation to keep/protect. PL me if you need any additional info. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 873
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:13 pm: |
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Fotboat, does my quote seem consistant with what you saw? |
Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 407
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:16 am: |
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Dhearon - would you mind sharing who you used for your window job? My basement windows are a mess, and I really want to replace them with wood. Thanks. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 875
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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Will do, when it's done. However, I am not thinking of replacing them with wood, like my house windows....I'm going to put Vinyl in the cellar. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2482
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
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We had our basement windows (hoppers) done about two years ago. We took out the old wood frame windows and replaced them with vinyl, insulated windows. Made a huge difference in the amount of heat loss in our basement. They were replaced by Essex Door & Window and if my memory serves me right they were about $220 a piece - installed. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 771
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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It just seems that anything close to, or below grade, shouldn't have wood frames where it would be easier for termites to find. Then again, I have heard that the foam that they sometimes put in the vinyl windows can attract termites as well.
Also, wouldn't having wood frames close to or below grade allow the moisture to deteriorate the wood quicker?
I have vinyl replacements in the finished part of my cellar - they came with the house. The rest of my house has wood windows. Part of my cellar is above grade, so I will probably put full sized windows in two walls at some point.
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 878
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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kevin, i think those are valid points, particularly since water often puddles up along the base of two of the windows. Does it look awkward having the vinyl basements, and wood throughout the house? Or is it virtually unnoticable?
S-nut: were you happy with Essex work and have the windows performed as expected?
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sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2484
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
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Smarty - Essex has done a lot of work for us. We had them remove a set of windows, move a radiator and install a Marvin french slider leading to our deck. That was the first job they did for us and the guys they had did a fantastic job. Next they replaced our old round top wooden front door with a round top steel door. Again, the guy who did it was excellent. Next up was a replacement window in our living room at the bottom of the stairs. They replaced a jalousie window and did a very good job. They replaced our old wooden side door with another steel door and did a very good job. They re-framed windows in one of our bedrooms when we did a full gut and re-model. Looking back on that particular job I think I could have done it myself and done it as good if not better. The final job was the basement windows. The guy who replaced the jalousie and reframed the bedroom windows did that job and he did an ok job. Left a lot of mess in the basement. We complained to the owner, Dennis Panza, and he apologized profusely and promised that if we ever hired them to do more work he'd never send the same guy to our house. Dennis seems like a good guy and he cares about your satisfaction. They aren't the cheapest and with the exception of the mess they left the do a very good job.
All of the windows/doors that they've installed have performed as expected. When we bought our house the previous owners had installed replacement windows throughout the house and Essex did a good job of matching the few that weren't replaced. I'd recommend them. |
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