I've gone through the process of getting bids, and am going to look at
some examples of
the installations, but I would like to get some of your opinions or
exerience with the different type of installation methods.

First off, I have Cedar lap siding, and am concerned about the outside
appearence of the windows.

I can get new construction windows put in. This will require them
cutting back the
siding, pulling out the old widow, and installing the new window with
flanges, then adding some molding around the window.

I can also go the retrofit route where they leave the original aluminum
frame in and slide the
new window into it. The outside of the window has a vinyl flanged that
goes over a little bit of the siding. This method is much cheaper and I
can save $3000 doing it this way.

What do people think of either of these installation meothods. I'm
worried that the retrofit widow will not look as good on the outside
and look too plastic. I've also been told that the retrofit window is
an inferior way of replacing the window and the new construction widow
is a better way to go.

Any opinions?

Tom

You get what you pay for. It'll be worth the extra 3k if you sell; If
you don't sell it will be worth it every time you have to look at it..
CP

Further I had all my doors and windows recently replaced in my home and
did so piece meal as I came up with the money (using Lowes and HD, I
wouldn't have saved much, if any, by doing it all at once anyway). Cost
a small fortune, but was well worth it..

CP

Visit www.Pella.com or the Andersen window site and review the installation
instructions and warranties. Pay attention to the proper need for flashing.
If the bids don't include flashing, save your money.


"TH" wrote in message
ups.com...
I've gone through the process of getting bids, and am going to look at
some examples of
the installations, but I would like to get some of your opinions or
exerience with the different type of installation methods.

First off, I have Cedar lap siding, and am concerned about the outside
appearence of the windows.

I can get new construction windows put in. This will require them
cutting back the
siding, pulling out the old widow, and installing the new window with
flanges, then adding some molding around the window.

I can also go the retrofit route where they leave the original aluminum
frame in and slide the
new window into it. The outside of the window has a vinyl flanged that
goes over a little bit of the siding. This method is much cheaper and I
can save $3000 doing it this way.

What do people think of either of these installation meothods. I'm
worried that the retrofit widow will not look as good on the outside
and look too plastic. I've also been told that the retrofit window is
an inferior way of replacing the window and the new construction widow
is a better way to go.

Any opinions?

Tom

On 15 Sep 2006 09:56:33 -0700, "TH" wrote:

I've gone through the process of getting bids, and am going to look at
some examples of
the installations, but I would like to get some of your opinions or
exerience with the different type of installation methods.

First off, I have Cedar lap siding, and am concerned about the outside
appearence of the windows.

As you should be...


I can get new construction windows put in. This will require them
cutting back the
siding, pulling out the old widow, and installing the new window with
flanges, then adding some molding around the window.

Use the "path of least damage" on the siding. Some retro windows have
molding already, certainteed is one example.

I can also go the retrofit route where they leave the original aluminum
frame in and slide the
new window into it. The outside of the window has a vinyl flanged that
goes over a little bit of the siding. This method is much cheaper and I
can save $3000 doing it this way.

The "nail fin" should be behind the siding, not over it. Moisture
wrap..think water..

Cheap ain't cheap is you get a bad install.


What do people think of either of these installation meothods. I'm
worried that the retrofit widow will not look as good on the outside
and look too plastic. I've also been told that the retrofit window is
an inferior way of replacing the window and the new construction widow
is a better way to go.

Any opinions?

Tom

Snoop around this link.

http://www.certainteed.com/CertainTe...ws/default.htm


--
Oren

"Well, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens, it happens constantly."

Oren wrote:
On 15 Sep 2006 09:56:33 -0700, "TH" wrote:

I've gone through the process of getting bids, and am going to look at
some examples of
the installations, but I would like to get some of your opinions or
exerience with the different type of installation methods.

First off, I have Cedar lap siding, and am concerned about the outside
appearence of the windows.

As you should be...


I can get new construction windows put in. This will require them
cutting back the
siding, pulling out the old widow, and installing the new window with
flanges, then adding some molding around the window.

Use the "path of least damage" on the siding. Some retro windows have
molding already, certainteed is one example.

I can also go the retrofit route where they leave the original aluminum
frame in and slide the
new window into it. The outside of the window has a vinyl flanged that
goes over a little bit of the siding. This method is much cheaper and I
can save $3000 doing it this way.

The "nail fin" should be behind the siding, not over it. Moisture
wrap..think water..

Cheap ain't cheap is you get a bad install.



It's not a nail fin. Retrofit windows have no nail fin. they have what
they call a Stucco fin,. The window slides into the existing aluminum
frame and the stucco fin covers up the outside aluminum frame. I was
wrong about it covering up the siding.

On 16 Sep 2006 10:23:25 -0700, "TH" wrote:

It's not a nail fin. Retrofit windows have no nail fin. they have what
they call a Stucco fin,. The window slides into the existing aluminum
frame and the stucco fin covers up the outside aluminum frame. I was
wrong about it covering up the siding.

I understand, but I just call 'em nail fins.

" Nailing Fin - An extrusion either integral or attached to the main
frame of a window used to install and secure the window into the rough
opening."

http://www.mercer-industries.com/Dra...NAIL%20FIN.pdf

"Stucco Fin (also referred to as a nail fin) - An integral or attached
extension to the frame of a new construction window."

http://www.mercer-industries.com/Dra...UCCO%20FIN.pdf
--
Oren

"Well, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens, it happens constantly."

On 15 Sep 2006 09:56:33 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, "TH"
quickly quoth:

I've gone through the process of getting bids, and am going to look at
some examples of
the installations, but I would like to get some of your opinions or
exerience with the different type of installation methods.

First off, I have Cedar lap siding, and am concerned about the outside
appearence of the windows.

I can get new construction windows put in. This will require them
cutting back the
siding, pulling out the old widow, and installing the new window with
flanges, then adding some molding around the window.

12x1 Cedar lap is precisely what I chose for them to do for
installation. They used 1x4 Trex which I painted.


I can also go the retrofit route where they leave the original aluminum
frame in and slide the
new window into it. The outside of the window has a vinyl flanged that
goes over a little bit of the siding. This method is much cheaper and I
can save $3000 doing it this way.

"Save $3k"? thud Get another bid or three, Tom.

The total, all my windows -installed-, was only $2,300 in Oregon. 1700
s/f single-story house: six 3x6', one 6' sliding glass door, a 5x10'
picture window with dual sliders, three 3x3', one 2x3', one 3x4', and
one 4x4' JeldWen white vinyl. I love 'em. They replaced single-glazed
aluminum monsters. g
i was going to do them myself but the guy wanted only $35 apiece to
put them in. It was a no-brainer to let them do it rather than killing
myself part-time for a month. I got a better INSTALLED price from the
window guys than I could have bought the raw windows for at the local
Home Improvement store!


What do people think of either of these installation meothods. I'm
worried that the retrofit widow will not look as good on the outside
and look too plastic. I've also been told that the retrofit window is
an inferior way of replacing the window and the new construction widow
is a better way to go.

Having looked at those options, I agree.

G'luck!


--
Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.
-- Charles Lindbergh

Oren wrote:
On 16 Sep 2006 10:23:25 -0700, "TH" wrote:

It's not a nail fin. Retrofit windows have no nail fin. they have what
they call a Stucco fin,. The window slides into the existing aluminum
frame and the stucco fin covers up the outside aluminum frame. I was
wrong about it covering up the siding.

I understand, but I just call 'em nail fins.

" Nailing Fin - An extrusion either integral or attached to the main
frame of a window used to install and secure the window into the rough
opening."

http://www.mercer-industries.com/Dra...NAIL%20FIN.pdf

"Stucco Fin (also referred to as a nail fin) - An integral or attached
extension to the frame of a new construction window."

http://www.mercer-industries.com/Dra...UCCO%20FIN.pdf
--

They're not the same at all. You do not nail a stucco fin. A stucco
fin, in a retrofit window, covers the outside of the aluminum frame.
You do not nail it. These are not new contruction windows.

They're used for retrofits were you keep the original aluminum frame
and slide the new window into it. New construction windows have a
nailing fin, and will require the outside
sinding to be cut back to expose the old nail fin for replacement of
the old window and intsallation of the new. With a retrofit window with
stucco fin, no cutting back of the
siding is needed as the new unit slides into the existing aluminum
frame.

Larry Jaques wrote:
On 15 Sep 2006 09:56:33 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, "TH"
quickly quoth:

I've gone through the process of getting bids, and am going to look at
some examples of
the installations, but I would like to get some of your opinions or
exerience with the different type of installation methods.

First off, I have Cedar lap siding, and am concerned about the outside
appearence of the windows.

I can get new construction windows put in. This will require them
cutting back the
siding, pulling out the old widow, and installing the new window with
flanges, then adding some molding around the window.

12x1 Cedar lap is precisely what I chose for them to do for
installation. They used 1x4 Trex which I painted.


I can also go the retrofit route where they leave the original aluminum
frame in and slide the
new window into it. The outside of the window has a vinyl flanged that
goes over a little bit of the siding. This method is much cheaper and I
can save $3000 doing it this way.

"Save $3k"? thud Get another bid or three, Tom.

The total, all my windows -installed-, was only $2,300 in Oregon. 1700
s/f single-story house: six 3x6', one 6' sliding glass door, a 5x10'
picture window with dual sliders, three 3x3', one 2x3', one 3x4', and
one 4x4' JeldWen white vinyl. I love 'em. They replaced single-glazed
aluminum monsters. g
i was going to do them myself but the guy wanted only $35 apiece to
put them in. It was a no-brainer to let them do it rather than killing
myself part-time for a month. I got a better INSTALLED price from the
window guys than I could have bought the raw windows for at the local
Home Improvement store!


What do people think of either of these installation meothods. I'm
worried that the retrofit widow will not look as good on the outside
and look too plastic. I've also been told that the retrofit window is
an inferior way of replacing the window and the new construction widow
is a better way to go.

Having looked at those options, I agree.

G'luck!


Were in Oregon are you? I live in the Portland area. I did have Window
World come out and they bid $4400 for the job. They seem like a good
company, but I didn't like their windows, thought they looked cheap and
screemed vinyl from the outside.
I have a guy bidding LBL which seem like a top of the line window and
his installations look great. That's were I'm leaning, and he's at
$7400 13 windows and a slider. He aslo said he could do it for the same
price as Window World if he used a lower grade window that was still
better than the Window World Alpine.

If you're around the Portland area, may I ask who you used?

Tom

On 17 Sep 2006 12:34:50 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, "TH"
quickly quoth:

Were in Oregon are you? I live in the Portland area. I did have Window

250 miles south in Grants Pass.


World come out and they bid $4400 for the job. They seem like a good
company, but I didn't like their windows, thought they looked cheap and
screemed vinyl from the outside.
I have a guy bidding LBL which seem like a top of the line window and
his installations look great. That's were I'm leaning, and he's at
$7400 13 windows and a slider. He aslo said he could do it for the same
price as Window World if he used a lower grade window that was still
better than the Window World Alpine.

I didn't mind the vinyl look because they'll save me a lot of
maintenance work in the future. Besides, they're much more attractive
than the old single-glazed aluminum crap which was in there. I had
wooden sash windows in the last home, an old 1939 farmhouse in San
Diego County. Half were painted shut before I was born ('53), etc. g


If you're around the Portland area, may I ask who you used?

A local firm, Authorized Vinyl Window and Siding, in GP. They don't do
Portland. g


--
Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.
-- Charles Lindbergh