Had a window company out to quote new windows on all openings (30), quote was about 23k. House is about 30yrs old and the windows are original, single pane.

Of course newer windows, more energy efficient, but anyway to objectively determine electricity savings? Hard to imagine making up 23k in less than 20 years (could be completely wrong though....).

Any other benefits to upgrading?

that will depend a lot on your current energy usage. We were in the same situation a few years ago and replaced all 27 windows with new double pane energy efficient windows. It cost us $12k. Our home though is in nearly full shade all day long from the massive trees over it, so even in august our electric bill barely ever topped $200. So from a cost perspective, I think we maybe see $100 per year savings at most. However, the rooms that have a lot of windows are noticeably more comfortable in the winter. previously, when it got cold, the air near the windows inside was noticeable colder, and that is no more. So power bills could be a tough justification but comfort factor may play a part.

BlackGoldAg2011 said:

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So power bills could be a tough justification but comfort factor may play a part.

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That's a good point. But for 20k that needs to be A LOT of comfort.

J.D. c/o 05 said:

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BlackGoldAg2011 said:

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So power bills could be a tough justification but comfort factor may play a part.

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That's a good point. But for 20k that needs to be A LOT of comfort.

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true, but if you are married you also need to consider the "comfort" of not having a wife angry with you every time she is hot or cold near a window.

I am.

Touche.

We just pulled the trigger on windows for our house. We have a single story home that is 50 years old but overall pretty well insulated. We will probably save some money on the electric/gas bill due to the change but I am looking forward to not looking at the old aluminum frames. IMO they are ugly and look like crap. New glass and frames will be a much cleaner look compared to what we have now.

In theory, the house should command a higher sales price down the road as well so even if I don't break even on the utility front, I should come out ahead (even at worst) with the sales price.

ETA - We are using Window World and they came in at $5,900 for 12 windows. They may not be the Cadillac of windows but they will be a big upgrade compared to what we have currently. I got another quote that was north of $15,000 for super premium windows that opened very fancily and had features that the WW ones won't, but frankly I couldn't justify the huge price difference for windows that I likely won't open more than once or twice per year.

You will almost certainly not make to for it on energy saving but would get it back in in selling. Curb appeal will be much nicer if you have old aluminum.

The house will be more comfortable in general. Less hot and cold spots.

The biggest for me is sound reduction. I don't hear everything outside anyone.

You can't put direct value on those but those are both big to be.

J.D. c/o 05 said:

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Had a window company out to quote new windows on all openings (30), quote was about 23k. House is about 30yrs old and the windows are original, single pane.

Of course newer windows, more energy efficient, but anyway to objectively determine electricity savings? Hard to imagine making up 23k in less than 20 years (could be completely wrong though....).

Any other benefits to upgrading?

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We got some over the summer. First thing we noticed which we didn't think would be that big of a deal is how much quieter it is inside the house when they are closed. Second thing is that even on really hot days our old AC system that used to struggle to keep up didn't have to run all day. Third thing is the new ones look really good and make the house look much more updated.

They were installed right as summer was ending so don't have great data on cost savings. Once next summer comes around I'll be able to pull up the electricity bills and ecobee reports and get a good idea.

Get at least 3 quotes. Call Mike at Woody's Windows for one of them. He is an Aggie and was good to work with.

Thanks for the referral. Looks like woodys windows is in my neck of the woods too. I'll call tomorrow.

We bought a 1970 build in '94 and replaced original windows with Pella wood clad casements. It was worth every penny.

We got some installed last Friday. 1950s house with original single pane aluminum windows. Draftyness is gone and seems quieter. Loving them so far.

Used Houston Window experts and went with Amsco windows. A bit smaller frames than other vinyl options so more glass.

For those of you that have done this...don't you lose about an inch all the way around when they do the replacement? Because the windows are actually behind brick which they can't get to, they cut them out then set the whole thing in the existing opening.

They obviously do this all over the place, but replacing windows with a brick exterior just seems like a recipe for leaks since you can't seal to the framing.

aTm_bomb said:

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We got some installed last Friday. 1950s house with original single pane aluminum windows. Draftyness is gone and seems quieter. Loving them so far.

Used Houston Window experts and went with Amsco windows. A bit smaller frames than other vinyl options so more glass.

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Very encouraged to hear this as we just pulled the trigger on Amsco windows from Houston Window Experts today!

Fwiw I don't think you can quite justify it on the energy savings alone, unless you pay absolute bottom dollar. However the curb appeal, sound-"proofing" and overall comfort are well worth it.

Oh, and the wife wants them so that settles it!

no sir, not if removed/installed correctly by a reputable contractor and measured accurately before being manufactured.

we replaced ~30 windows in a late 80's build that had single pane metal windows throughout. brick exterior. new windows are jeldwen purchased through Grogan. fantastic fit (fit to exterior brick, I had to replace some sheetrock on the interior), much lower noise, and definitely more climate control. Look is significantly better.

Brad06ag said:

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You will almost certainly not make to for it on energy saving but would get it back in in selling. Curb appeal will be much nicer if you have old aluminum.

The house will be more comfortable in general. Less hot and cold spots.

The biggest for me is sound reduction. I don't hear everything outside anyone.

You can't put direct value on those but those are both big to be.

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Everything this guy said... almost.

Just got another quote this morning. I forgot to ask, based on personal experiences from y'all (not what the sales guys say), vinyl or aluminum?

Both companies I've talked to so far say the cost will be comparable for either in bronze to match the house, in lieu of standard (vinyl) tan or white.

I'm doing a remodel and went with Lincoln windows. They were pricey, but I think if you are going mostly for lower energy consumption and comfort, Window World will take care of what you want to do.

just got 33 new windows installed a few months ago, replacing old single pane aluminums. It's certainly an aesthetic upgrade, and in combination with new attic insulation, has resolved a few drafty spots in the house. We know we won't recoup energy savings, but its hard to say our electric bill dramatically dropped since in Nov/Dec our bill was low but I think due to the fact we stayed in that temp range where the heat doesn't kick on very much at all.

We did it more to just upgrade the house, clean up the look (they were grid windows prior). The energy and noise factors are just bonuses.

It takes a long time to pay back windows in energy savings but for $6,000 that's a win in comfort and maintenance. Also, aluminum windows create a lot of condensation which leads to mold and that is bad.

Any issues with Vinyl windows?

Certainly getting rid of the old grid windows will give the house a significant upgrade in look.

Vinyl is a great choice. Low thermal conductivity. Down side is that cheap ones can discolor although that has mostly been addressed in newer windows. They also expand and contract significantly when exposed to direct sunlight but still the best value option .

J.D. c/o 05 said:

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Just got another quote this morning. I forgot to ask, based on personal experiences from y'all (not what the sales guys say), vinyl or aluminum?

Both companies I've talked to so far say the cost will be comparable for either in bronze to match the house, in lieu of standard (vinyl) tan or white.

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Vinyl is generally less expensive on cost, but will have higher energy efficiency over aluminum. I personally think aluminum look a little nicer and they are often thinner on the frame, but its really just what you prefer.

any recs for the B/CS area? I know Enercon is around, looking for more than one option

Woodson Lumber Co. and Weatherford

Recs for DFW based window installers?

Go onto NT Window's website and fill out their contact form. They will get you in touch with which ever contractor they know will do the best job in your location. They make a great window.

Not champion. They did our windows and they look great, but that company is run by flat out botards.

Edit :Replying to southlake

Houston Window Experts came to my home in College Station . Replaced all windows . No regrets ! They did it all in one day . I was concerned about the window surface being reduced , but they have a narrower frame . Looks good ! I can now open/ close all windows and can't hear the train inside the house .

As with most products install matters more than anything. We had Pella casements installed in our last house and it was worth every penny. We miss them in our current home with original 80's windows.

I think ultimately you would hopefully make it back on the value and sale of your home and as others have said "comfort" we were in the market and honestly it was a big factor we considered on whether the windows were upgraded or not since we were looking at older homes so could be worth it in the long run.

Southlake Ag said:

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Recs for DFW based window installers?

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These guys are great. Fair price.

For those that have done this, what impact does it have on your HVAC system?

I feel like my AC is already oversized and doesn't run long enough to adequately pull out humidity. I assume this will just exacerbate the problem as the house is better sealed.

Might need a separate thread for this, but maybe you could look into a new control unit? We bought a new Trane system in 2019 that ran at 50% capacity until the humidity level dropped, then kicked on full blast to actually cool the home. Apparently it's much more efficient and my electricity bills would agree. Not sure if it's a technology that could be retrofitted to an existing system but it's worth asking around about.

Aggie71013 said:

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For those that have done this, what impact does it have on your HVAC system?

I feel like my AC is already oversized and doesn't run long enough to adequately pull out humidity. I assume this will just exacerbate the problem as the house is better sealed.

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That is a problem with a single stage unit. Especially in the Spring/Fall When they aren't doing much.

I didn't notice that much difference on humidity, shouldn't really be a huge difference in seal actually. The biggest difference is in heat gain, single pain vs double. I only had new windows for just over a year before I had to replace my A/C.

When you eventually replace the A/C, make sure you get at least a 2 stage unit. Variable speed is really nice (I have one), but another jump upwards. Both types will give you better humidity control.