Anyone install windows or have "a guy"?

[nogaroheli]

I have some super sweet aluminum single pane windows from the 70s in my house that I'd like to have replaced, specifically 10 windows and two sliding glass doors. I've called the one stop shop places and gotten their prices, and I've noticed their price is about double what the windows themselves cost. I'd love to find someone who can install windows but all the guys I've called have flaked and not shown up for the estimate. Does anyone here have a recommendation for a good installer?

[sellersm]

Dutch's isn't too bad. (719) 392-1369

[BigBear]

I see you're in the Springs so I don't know if they will do it, but I have a ton of folks up North who have used "Champion" with great positive stories.... Couldn't hurt to call 'em and ask if they come down here or even have a recommendation to use someone down here..

Champion Windows: (720) 206-0874

[vossman]

I'll second Dutch's

[SideShow Bob]

Give SuperiorDG a PM.
He did a couple of window repairs forme and did a great job.
And may be able to help you out.

[nogaroheli]

I did have Dutch's out to give me an estimate and with Christmas and storms I think I may have fallen through the cracks. I'll follow up with him again. Thanks!

I'll also shoot SuperiorDG a message.

Thanks for the recommendations guys!

[Aloha_Shooter]

I had a great experience with Window World on Garden of the Gods Road. Great product and their team got in and out fast. Not only that, they have a superb warranty on their windows -- I had a bird or something smash into one of my new windows just a few months after installation and they replaced it free with no questions other than making sure which window was being replaced.

[Sixgun]

I had a great experience with Window World on Garden of the Gods Road. Great product and their team got in and out fast. Not only that, they have a superb warranty on their windows -- I had a bird or something smash into one of my new windows just a few months after installation and they replaced it free with no questions other than making sure which window was being replaced.
I'll 2nd window world. They took good care of me a few years ago. Best prices in town and great quality.

[LX470]

I replaced all of the windows in my home with low-E windows except for one.

When deconstructing the first I found out the builder did not wrap the window frame at all and merely butted the siding up to the frame. A line of caulk was all of the protection the window received. Needless to say I had to replace some OSB, siding and window framing in spots. Once I observed how screwed up a job the builder did, I was determined to do it correctly.

The only window I did not do was a second-story one that was 5'x5'. A little heavy and cumbersome to do by yourself while standing on a ladder.

If you have time, try doing one yourself. Their are plenty of on-line video's to guide you through the process. It will save you plenty of cash.

At the time I was doing it the installation price per window was almost a match for the cost of the window itself.

[Gman]

Don't install Windows. Get a Mac! [Coffee]

[colorider]

Don't even consider Anderson unless you are prepared to spend 4x what anyone else will quota ya.

[nogaroheli]

Don't install Windows. Get a Mac! [Coffee]

Already there buddy :)

-I had Window World come out but their online reviews made me a bit skeptical of the window quality. Have you guys who went with them noticed any quality issues?

-LX I'm all about doing stuff myself, but I'm gone so much these days that I have less time for projects when I get home. I may tackle a few of them on the lower parts myself though. That option is still on the table.

[Aloha_Shooter]

My windows from Window World are top-notch. I don't know what the online reviews are saying but I upgraded from the old contractor grade to energy efficient ones when I replaced my windows this past year. The new windows look good, slide better, and are easier to clean than the old windows. The estimator came out at a time that met my schedule and was meticulous in his measurements and documentation. I'd be happy to let you look at the new windows if you have any questions about quality but you'd be better off visiting their show room as they have different grades available and what works for me might be too much or not enough for you.

[brutal]

My windows from Window World are top-notch. I don't know what the online reviews are saying but I upgraded from the old contractor grade to energy efficient ones when I replaced my windows this past year. The new windows look good, slide better, and are easier to clean than the old windows. The estimator came out at a time that met my schedule and was meticulous in his measurements and documentation. I'd be happy to let you look at the new windows if you have any questions about quality but you'd be better off visiting their show room as they have different grades available and what works for me might be too much or not enough for you.

Approximate cost/window - assuming average sized double hung?

We have a mix of tall, medium double hung and a few short/wide sliders. One ginormous slider/casement in the sub master BR that I would change to a twin double hung.

I like the additional color options WW offers, but would probably just stick with white anyway.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Checking my receipt, they quoted $237 for a white double hung plus $66 each for the Solarzone Elite (EnergyStar) glass. Bear in mind they knew I was doing it as an insurance claim so not sure if you might be able to negotiate a discount. Double slider was $263 each. Labor costs were $83 per window for extraction and wrap, $28 each when making a multi-unit (e.g., your twin double-hung). I didn't bother with any colors or finishes either.

[brutal]

$400/ window on average for vinyl is kind of what I was thinking.

When I priced out Anderson 10 years ago at HD - all but one or two of my 16 windows were builder size - just the windows (although interior wood finished) were $8,500 plus tax not incl installation as I planned on doing it myself. Life happened, it got postponed indefinitely, but I really really need to do something about them.

We have to cut away the siding to expose the nailer fin (I did on my patio door) and trim the outside so there may possibly be a bit more labor. My other issue is the current drywall wrap. I wanted to trim them, but I guess interior wrap is the thing once again since this shack was built in the 80's.

I just wish my bright brass hardware would come back in vogue...

[Gman]

Already there buddy :)
I had to throw that out there since there's always one in a Windows discussion. :D

I had all of my contractor grade windows replaced with Champion. It's been about 3 years since we had them installed, and they're still doing a great job. The house is much quieter and a lot more comfortable when it's hot or cold out.

For what Renewal by Anderson wanted, we could have replaced our flooring, redone the master bath and the kitchen, and had a nice deck built in the back yard. They make a nice product, but it's not that nice.

[brutal]

I had to throw that out there since there's always one in a Windows discussion. :D

I had all of my contractor grade windows replaced with Champion. It's been about 3 years since we had them installed, and they're still doing a great job. The house is much quieter and a lot more comfortable when it's hot or cold out.

For what Renewal by Anderson wanted, we could have replaced our flooring, redone the master bath and the kitchen, and had a nice deck built in the back yard. They make a nice product, but it's not that nice.

I decided my house isn't "Anderson" nice...

[Ramsker]

We're in this boat, too. We have one window with a blown seal that we have to replace . . . but several more that we want to replace to get rid of some bad drafts and improve some cold rooms. We've done a handful of replacements here and there (all vinyl). But going through the process again. We've been pretty happy with the vinyl in the ones we have done, but those were smaller windows. We have some much bigger ones we want to get done as long as we're going through the trouble.

Anyone here who was done vinyl on large windows have any issues with them failing/warping over many years?

We had the guys who did a few replacements come out and quote vinyl again. Then a competitor come out and quote fiberglass . . . the fiberglass was pretty outrageous. Basically 2x. I like the pros on the fiberglass, but holy crap . . . the cost was pretty crazy. Thinking it's probably better to stick ti vinyl and take my chances. No issues with the smaller ones we've done and it's been about 10 years.

[colorider]

Window World is sounding pretty good for a master bedroom window I need to replace. Thanks for the review Aloha.

[Wulf202]

Anyone here who was done vinyl on large windows have any issues with them failing/warping over many years? .

Yeah I have had to replace dozens of sliding glass doors made by gerkin for the frames failing after 14-18 years

[Ramsker]

Yeah I have had to replace dozens of sliding glass doors made by gerkin for the frames failing after 14-18 years

Gawd . . . I might be better off just having the one window with the blown seal that is exposed to the sun replaced with a nice fiberglass window and live with the crappy, draft-inducing builder-grade aluminum windows we already have. Based on the bid I got for fiberglass, I'd probably never live to see the payoff for the energy savings. Lots of info to gather, bids to get, and decisions to be made, I guess.

[Wulf202]

Personally I'd just buy vinyl knowing that you need to replace the big ones again at 10 years.

Cost for a sliding glass door replacement is about $650 with labor.

Alside is terrible to deal with. Just fyi

[nogaroheli]

We had a bunch of people out to measure and give us estimates but most of them were too busy to finish out the process and give us an actual estimate. We had great responses from Window World, people here had great things to say about them, they had the best price, and their 4000 series windows are the Alside Mezzo windows that we were liking a lot from another window store so we went with them. It worked out to about $450 a window and $1100 per sliding door installed. They charge the same price for all sizes of windows so big or little you pay the same per window. The only downside is the wait- they're like 6 months out which actually works great for us.

[Ramsker]

Personally I'd just buy vinyl knowing that you need to replace the big ones again at 10 years.

Cost for a sliding glass door replacement is about $650 with labor.

Alside is terrible to deal with. Just fyi

That's another option . . . go with the vinyl and deal with replacing down the road if needed. Could almost do the whole replacement over again for the same cost as the fiberglass.

[colorider]

We had a bunch of people out to measure and give us estimates but most of them were too busy to finish out the process and give us an actual estimate. We had great responses from Window World, people here had great things to say about them, they had the best price, and their 4000 series windows are the Alside Mezzo windows that we were liking a lot from another window store so we went with them. It worked out to about $450 a window and $1100 per sliding door installed. They charge the same price for all sizes of windows so big or little you pay the same per window. The only downside is the wait- they're like 6 months out which actually works great for us.

6 months ?!?!? Do your windows need a tax stamp from the ATF? 6mo is a deal breaker for me at the moment.

[Wulf202]

6 months ?!?!? Do your windows need a tax stamp from the ATF? 6mo is a deal breaker for me at the moment.

Anyone in the construction trades who doesn't have 6 months worth of work either isn't trying or isn't worth it.

[nogaroheli]

6 months ?!?!? Do your windows need a tax stamp from the ATF? 6mo is a deal breaker for me at the moment.

Between the hail storms and wind storms down in the Springs most construction places seem to have all the work they want.

[DenverGP]

Anyone who went with Champion mind sharing their approx cost, or maybe a per-window cost?

We just had champion take a look at mine. I liked their construction, and the low-e glass and warranty. Grand total of 6 slider windows, 4 of them are a 46"x46", one large slider around 70"x46", and one small one in the kitchen, 34"x34".

The quote came in around $5500. I had heard a common price around $500 per window, and figured on some "premium" pricing for the champion windows but this seemed extra high to me.

I plan on making some more calls tomorrow, to Window World and a couple others.

[Aloha_Shooter]

We had a bunch of people out to measure and give us estimates but most of them were too busy to finish out the process and give us an actual estimate. We had great responses from Window World, people here had great things to say about them, they had the best price, and their 4000 series windows are the Alside Mezzo windows that we were liking a lot from another window store so we went with them. It worked out to about $450 a window and $1100 per sliding door installed. They charge the same price for all sizes of windows so big or little you pay the same per window. The only downside is the wait- they're like 6 months out which actually works great for us.

Glad they worked for you. I was very impressed.


6 months ?!?!? Do your windows need a tax stamp from the ATF? 6mo is a deal breaker for me at the moment.

I had a long wait too -- in part because they make the windows to spec and order, in part because they were inundated with orders after hail storms. I will say I felt it was well worth the wait but your mileage may vary.

[DenverGP]

Ok, another request for info...

Any of you guys who went with the WW Alside mezzo window, any issues you've had with them? Anything you'd have done different?

How were the installers that WW used?

Down to two quotes I'm considering, one from WW for the Alside Mezzo, and a little more from Zen Windows with a Soft-lite window. Supposedly the soft-lite window is a little better/stronger than the Mezzo.

[Irving]

Stronger in what way?

[Wulf202]

While I don't have any experience with that model from alside I'll tell you how the last 3 orders have been screwed up. 1 was shorted twice. 1 showed up in the wrong color. The previous order the installers no showed 3 times but I'm pretty sure there was never an installer assigned by the dispatcher.

Now I'm stuck installing whenever the windows actually show up and we shop stock them well ahead of time if possible.

[DenverGP]

Stronger in what way?

Haven't seen it first hand, but what I've been told (by installers on some home improvement websites, not the ones bidding my project) the frames of the soft-lite are more rigid, less flex, more reinforced, etc. Also tighter tolerances / tighter seals on the soft-lite compared to the mezzo.

[DenverGP]

Ended up with the Zen Windows quote for the Soft-Lite Classic window. Ended up around $3500 for 6 windows. Window World was $2800 for the Alside Mezzo window. Pretty much the same glass options on both, same lifetime warranty, glass breakage warranty, etc. But after comparing the soft-life window to the mezzo, it was a little more solid.

Champion windows quote ended up at $5500 for the 6 windows.. nothing in their package was any better than the other two. And their sales person was the most pushy / insistent on trying to get us to sign the deal right away. When we started, their price was over $6000, and after telling the sales person it was too high, suddenly came up with a "5% off for veterans", and "5% off if you put up our sign in your yard", and some other random 5% discount if we signed right away. I think they knew once we compared several others, they'd be too high. I have no doubt they had more room built into their quote but I didn't feel like playing their game any more.

Zen Windows of Denver gets awesome ratings on angies list as well as on all the standard google/yelp/etc reviews. And I like the way they do business, they can give you a quote without needing the in-home process. I gave them the window measurements and the type of window, and they sent me a quote by email. Obviously if the measurements were way off, they'd have to adjust, but otherwise, the quote is their number, no games, etc. All the others claimed they needed to do the in-home thing, but in the end, the only thing that could affected the bid price is the number/size/type of windows.

Window world was good, very straight forward sales pitch, very good price on the quote, no pressure. Just thought in the end that the soft-lite windows were worth the extra $700.

Final measurements next week, and supposedly we're looking at about 6 weeks until install.

[callerys]

I know this is an older thread but wanted to know.

We are now looking at window replacements in our 17 year old house (makes me sick). Are you still happy with the Zen Windows? We were going to talk to Champion but I noticed on their website that they need
to have all "decision makers" present and that sounds like sales hell.

[Ramsker]

We replaced 9 windows last summer through Vivax (Milgard Tuscany windows) and have been happy with them so far. We also had them paint. But the windows performed well over the winter. The rooms we got them for because the old ones were pure crap were noticeably warmer.

We had gotten bids from Gravina's (on Evans--who we have used previously for a few replacements based on necessity at the time) and Gravina's on Littleton. The guys on Evans are good and they could have gotten us what we wanted for a decent price. The Littleton guys are different and they were pushing Marvin fiberglass, which was ridiculously expensive by comparison.

Ended up going with Vivax because they had a good price for what seemed like good windows and we were working with them on painting at the same time. So it was something they could coordinate/project-manage together and we had one neck to choke if there were issues. We had a few things they had to address but they were VERY good about handling them and we didn't have to pay a thing til they were done and we were satisfied.

[DenverGP]

We are now looking at window replacements in our 17 year old house (makes me sick). Are you still happy with the Zen Windows? We were going to talk to Champion but I noticed on their website that they need
to have all "decision makers" present and that sounds like sales hell.

Still very happy with my purchase from Zen. They did a nice job, very quick, windows have been great.

Champion is definitely a hard-sell sales hell. Super pushy, and very "used car salesman" like.

[callerys]

Thanks, doing the Zen window thing now.