Replacing Windows

**chrisc** · 03-03-2008, 03:21 PM

We live in a old home and desperatly need new windows.The windows are big and we have a lot of them.We have 13 that needs to be replaced of the bigger ones and 3 smaller ones in our room.
We do have storm windows also which I dont like to much since I had 1 fall down on me while I was cleaning it,So they dont seem to sturdy to me.
My hubby can do the work putting in new windows or fixing the old ones but I am trying to find out what would be better to do.
Would it be worth tring to fix the ones we have?Most of them are rotted and need new wood and a couple need new glass.
Or getting a couple at a time to replace with new ones?The size we have will be almost $300 a piece from Home Depot.
I dont want to go through another winter like we did this year

.I put plastic on the windows and even flannel sheets and plastic on my bedroom windows it helped a little but not enough.We have oil heat and our last bill was almost $700 and it lasts about 4 to 6 weeks.
We can do the free thing from the electric company where they cover the water heater and other things which I hope to do this year but I dont think they replace windows.
Any suggestions where the best place to look for windows?
Sorry so long & Thank you
Chrisann

**M55FF** · 03-03-2008, 03:34 PM

depends on many things like if you plan on staying there, how skilled your husband is with carpenter work ( some window frames are rotted you say) and how good a window your going to replace them with ( double pane?)
13 windows seems like a lot for a house. I have one big window in most rooms.

Will replacing the windows really stop the cold or does house require more insulation in the walls and attic?

all things to consider.

**mombottoo** · 03-03-2008, 03:44 PM

We replaced our windows a couple of years ago, had a contractor do it. You can save a lot by doing it yourself, but you might want to consider having a window place come out and give you an estimate. A lot of those companies have specials where you get some of the windows for free if you replace so many.

Replacing your windows will definitely help on the heating/cooling, but good insulation in the walls & ceiling help the most.

**baronmom** · 03-03-2008, 04:02 PM

We had 13 windows to replace, and it was the best decision we ever made. Our windows were very drafty and it was horrible in the winter. With our new windows, it helps a lot with keeping the heat in and the cold out. If you have the money to put into new windows, I would say do it. Old windows are one of the biggest energy suckers out there.

**chrisc** · 03-03-2008, 04:11 PM

My husband is very skilled in carpenter work and has built an addition on a friends home etc.
Some of the windows are better then others but a couple have broken glass and some the wood is rotted and has to be replaced.
The ones we were looking at were double pane windows but at this point we need anything better then what we have lol.
I know 13 windows is alot lol and thats not all the windows we have in the house.I love all the light we get in the house but now seeing how much it costs to try to keep it warm and replace them it doesnt seem so good.We have 20 windows just on the 2 floors we live on thats not counting the windows on the 3 doors we have and the attic and basement windows lol.
We redid the attic and put carpet,insulation and drywall up there.
We are in the process of doing each room over little by little when income tax comes.We started doing the living room and have new drywall up.Its an old house so all the walls are plaster.And it seems to help when we added the drywall.
The past owner did nothing to the home and it is our first home after living in a apartment for 15 years.At the time we just had no room and needed another place and figured we could fix it up.Not realizing what we got our self into lol.
We are stuck here for now.There is nothing cheaper around us.We are hoping to fix it up to move in the future.
Thanks again
Chrisann

**mombottoo** · 03-03-2008, 04:15 PM

In our area we have a Habitat for Humanity Store, they sell a large array of remodeling stuff. If you have one of those types of stores near you, you may find windows you can use and really cheap. You could also try a window replacement company and see if they have any overstock or discontinued windows they would be willing to sell.