Swingman said:

"Greg G." wrote

Incidentally, what brand/type of windows do you use?
I wasn't really impressed with these special orders, but they weren't
the most expensive either.

I'm a fan of quality vinyl windows in this climate for the low maintenance.
The higher grade Jeld-Wens is not bad, but I've noticed their quality seems
to be slipping lately ... the same grade they sold as "builder grade" five
or six years ago was a very good window, that grade now sucks.

I used the Carradco's by JeldWen. Seemed the best bang for the buck
in wooden windows. The locally stocked standard sized units I bought
at the outset were OK, but the drooping, fake bow windows required
custom order units which were poorer quality. On a couple of the
units, the sashes barely seal against the top/bottom jambs. You have
to manually insure they seal when closing. It appears they use stock
sized, pre-assembled sashes and the frames are built per customer
order. Tolerance stack up leaves excessive top/bottom clearances on
some. Not exactly what I was looking for when replacing for "energy
conservation." On top of that, when I got around to painting/staining,
the preinstalled sash latch screw holes were stripped and fell out
when loosened 45 degrees. Nice...

The best part was removing the originals, which were rotten (no head
flashing) and held in by two to four concrete nails driven through the
brickmold. Single pane, no insulation or caulk, no shims, trapezoidal
openings, and not even leveled. A couple nearly fell out when the
siding and interior trim were removed. I would have used pocket
window replacements if not for these factors.

A prime example of modern slap 'er up, profit driven homebuilding.
These were built in 1987. And it's has gotten much worse around here
since. And I cannot fathom why we still employ code enforcement
people who inspect nothing but the contents of the pay-off envelopes
and their new boat.

I hope I have one more single story house left in me, 'cause I'm
building my next home myself - in the woods, far away from any city.
Unplugged, as it were. Cisterns, geothermal and solar, etc. Even a
huge surplus single cylinder (multi-fuel) diesel and alternator for
"emergency power" if I can't locate property with a dam-able creek for
hydro. Escalating energy costs have me leaning heavily towards a
woodburning stove for shop heat. I'm tired of giving money to these
oily *******s - I'll burn used cooking oil if I have to.

As in all things, you get what you pay for.

If you are REALLY lucky...
Thus I would add, "and what you are persistent enough to demand."

Oy Vey.


Greg G.