"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Hello:

In our 10-year old house with wooden windows, two windows have rotten wood
on the bottom part
(above the sil)
Window 1: central (fixed) part of a bay window - 3'x6'
Window 2: palladium window (only the rectangular part) - 6'x6'

I took four quotes and they all seem to agree on one thing: sashe needs to
be replaced on both of
them, not the complete window. They will remove the sashe and look at the
bottom frame and if there
is a problem replace it.

All of them are offering vinyl windows as replacements. Low E double glass
with grids.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote 1: local handy man
window 1: $400 + $250 (install)
window 2: $558 + $550 (install)
total $1758 (approx)
extra for fixing sil (up to $100)

Quote 2: Window World
window 1: $329 + 25 (grids)
window 2: $364 + 25 (grids) + $50 (wrapping exterior trim)
total $793 (approx) (including installation)

Quote 3: Atlanta Area Window and Door Company
window 1: $696
window 2: $853
total $1549 (approx) (including installation)

Quote 4: Duracraft (Gorell 5300 series windows)
window 1: $469 + $50 (install)
window 2: $521 + $50 (install) + $75 (wrapping exterior trim)
total $1195
will replace sil if required at no additional cost.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions:
1. would replacing wooden windows with vinyl window look bad? neither of
the windows
are such that there is an identical window next to it? people seem to
think that vinyl windows are cheap
and they look that way too... our windows are white...not stained
2. do you have experience with Window world windows or Gorell windows?
3. I am stymied by the vast difference in prices - are there specific
questions that
I need to ask?
4. the local handyman said that he will have to rent scaffolding, etc.
None of the window
companies seemed to think that it was necessary. thoughts?

Thanks for your time.

Personally, I think vinyl windows look ok. As long as it's not a fancy or
historic house or a rich neighborhood, I doubt you'd hurt resale by
installing vinyl windows. If looks were important, you could get vinyl
windows clad with a wood appearnce.

Most importantly though, have you actually seen or operated the windows that
they propose to install? And are they custom sizes, or standard? Custom
will fit the window opening better.