Do you suppose you could chip in for my sake? We've finally saved what I
hope is enough money to replace our windows, but I'm just at the
beginning stage of researching the project. I've got 11 windows to
replace (and maybe both doors), and I'm considering doing the labour
myself (to save money, no other reason). Please say what you have to
say. Thanks.




Owen, here's what I can remember of the whole project. It was a pro
installation, as I am NOT the guy you want on a ladder, and the job is a
lot easier with at least two experience guys doing it.

We had the whole house replaced, with the exception of a couple that were
too small to bother with. We went with lightly tinted, sealed,
argon-filled, double-glazed vinyl frames. No casement windows; the
supplier said that they'd never come up with a casement mechanism that
they were really happy with. The sliders are spring balanced, not
counterweighted. The sliders all unhook, to allow better access for
cleaning. They're from Alcan Canada. I don't know what the equivalent
supplier would be in your area.

I believe our house is actually an Alcan home, built in th '70s nearly 30
years before we bought it. Can't say I'm really impressed with the
construction, but you buy what you can afford. I kind of like the idea of
putting Alcan windows on an Alcan home.

Overall, we're happy.

When did you do this, and may I ask the cost? How happy we are has a lot to
do with how closely our expectations match our reality.

If I could do it again, I would want to make the sliders as big as
possible (i.e. exactly half the size of the windows). Those windows with
one tiny sliding pane that opens don't give enough ventilation for the
sultry tropical climate of southern Canada. I don't even want to imagine
what they'd be like in your neck of the woods.

My neck of the woods is Ottawa; we probably get one more month of winter
than you do.

(Tract home, built by high-speed idiots. Don't get me started.)

Knowing that I'm capable of rebuilding everything except the foundation, I'm
tempted to get started myself. I resist the urge, though. It would be
better to just move on. Unfortunately some things aren't going to wait for
us to do that, so here I am.

This is important: Go and look at previous production from your supplier.
If a supplier can't give you references ("I'm sorry, but our client list
is confidential" or whatever lame excuse they use.) then don't use that
supplier. You wouldn't buy a beater car without a test drive, and you're
planning to have these windows for a long time.

Yup. Do you ever watch "Holmes on Homes"? Many of his clients checked out
several references and STILL got seriously burned. I'll take the advice,
but I'm not expecting it to make my world problem free.

Thanks for all the other great suggestions. I'm saving a copy of your
response for future reference.

- Owen -