Replacement windows

[Phil Thien]

Any good online sources for replacement windows that I can price/order myself (with online pricing), have shipped directly to me, to install myself?

I'd like decent windows and quite honestly I'd like to do as much as possible online without having to involve other humans. So I'd like to select the window style, size, color, any options, etc., then add them to a cart, and then order them.

Is that possible?

Seems so many places want you to deal with a salesperson. But I cannot even understand all my options going that route.

[Jason White]

Most window companies/dealers won't sell directly to you unless you're a licensed contractor and have an account with them. That said, you can probably order custom tilt-in replacement windows from Home Depot. I think they still carry Andersen Windows. You'll have to go into the store to order them, though.

Any good online sources for replacement windows that I can price/order myself (with online pricing), have shipped directly to me, to install myself?

I'd like decent windows and quite honestly I'd like to do as much as possible online without having to involve other humans. So I'd like to select the window style, size, color, any options, etc., then add them to a cart, and then order them.

Is that possible?

Seems so many places want you to deal with a salesperson. But I cannot even understand all my options going that route.

[Andrew Kertesz]

Replacement windows are easy to understand. Some places call replacement windows "pocket" windows because you are putting them in an existing opening. You can go somewhere if you have your measurements; (take three for the width to make sure it is square: bottom, middle, top, go with the narrowest and round down to the 1/8"). You may want Low E depending on the application, UV protection. You can get but don't really need special gas in the windows. Like everything else the more you pay the better quality window you are goinig to get. You can get single hungs to save some money, how often do you open the top half of your windows? Then you only need a half screen. Unless you have an aluminum brake for bending trim you will either need to pay someone or rent a brake. This is for outside finish work. Get some fiberglass insulation to go around the windows before replacing the interior trim back on. If you have any questions send me a PM. I used to do windows and siding...

[Brian W Smith]

Just an opinion;Go find a "real" glass shop in your area.......don't call,go visit(middle of the week).Just ask them what they can do,or order.They should be able to steer you in a professional direction.

[Patrick Grady]

Don't underestimate the amount of work it takes to install windows especially on an older house. The outside sealing and caulking and trim are one thing but you may also have to prepare for interior molding and wall work. You will need ladders and jacks for second story work. I would go with a major brand -I went with Pella purchased at HD and they are not bad. I did one room at a time. I had all the equipment and it was still alot of work. To do over again I would get three estimates from trusted contractors (my father had his whole condo done in one day for a price I thought was very reasonable) because you'll get alot of information from the salesmen even if you still go the DIY route. And along with Andrew's thoughts, take special care with preparation and exterior sealing and caulking. Also try to have a way to cover the openings in case of rain/wind. I enjoy most all rebuild tasks and I used to put up siding when I was young (I ran a brake most of the time), but I must say that replacement windows are a tedious task.

[Bob Vavricka]

I just ordered some replacement windows from my local lumber yard. They are Anderson Windows. I'm not aware of any place to order them online.

[Patrick Grady]

This thread is about online window purchase. First, I would never trust myself to order windows online because there are too many deadly variables such as non-standard wall thickness. But as an aside, I wanted to expand on my experience working on a siding crew. Our crew did decent work when everyone was sober, but that was rare especially after 'lunch'. We did such shoddy crappy work that one time the home owner wanted to fistfight us. The company was crooked and had an insider bank loan approval route. The salesmen promised the moon (they actually said that our siding was made of the same stuff that coated the Apollo rockets) including guarantee that we could replace windows and doors. Our crew ( larger companies have individual crews) had no experience with window and doors and onetime we replaced a beautiful old downtown rowhouse picture window in Philly with a crappy vinyl window and the homeowner wouldn't sign the completion paper because he could see visible sunlight cracks. This company was so dirty and crooked and corrupt that stuff happened that can't be printed in a public forum. That company existed years ago. Obviously there are excellent honest experienced contractors (my father found one last year). I don't intend to degrade any section of construction trades. My opinion, the contractors that are in business today have to be good, partially because of the internet as word of mouth. I have done my own windows, but these days I might lean toward a quality window specialist company.

[Peter Quinn]

This is one time where ordering blind from a computer is maybe a bad plan. I like Anderson's, their whole catalogue is online, options are well explained, they give a guide for the DIY'r to measure, then you go to a professional seller to initiate the order. My best window purchase experience to date was actually at my local Home Depot! Very knowledgeable man at the contractor services desk with 25+ years experience in the fenistration industry walked me through every option, I had come prepared with grill patterns, rough openings, color, series etc. Personally when all that stands between my worldly possetions and Mother Nature is piece of glass, I'm not trusting some seat of the pants cheapo replacement sash company to do the job. My MIL went that route and you could fly a kite in front of one of those windows in a stiff breeze. So I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but you may find that no reputable vendor sells anything online because the liability is too great, and they have a reputation to maintain.

[Jim Andrew]

I have installed replacement windows, had my yard salesman measure them, and after I installed them, found a problem with some of the sashes. Was glad I went through the lumberyard, as they replaced all the bad sashes. Had I ordered them myself, chances are the company would not have replaced those sashes.

[Phil Thien]

So I know it's not what you wanted to hear...

I want to hear all of it, if this I a bad idea I want to know.

This is an online seller of replacement windows:

http://www.windowestore.com/

But I have no idea if they're junk or what.

[Mike Goetzke]

I too am replacing windows one at a time. I ended up going to Home Depot and buying Anderson - they have sales on the special order windows every now and then. After replacing two of them (one was about 7' x 3') it's not that big of a deal if you have all of the misc. material on hand.

Mike

[Stephen Tashiro]

If you order windows, it's best to order only a few if you haven't tried installing them. The terminology for dimensions can be confusing. There are the dimensions of the glassed area and the dimensions of the "rough opening". For putting windows in a masonry opening, I wanted a "single fin" window and I needed to know the dimensions that define the very edge of the fins since the fins would go over a wood frame, not overlap the exterior masonry. The only way I found to get this dimension was to have the hardware salesman do a mock oder of a similar window that was in stock and then measure that window to see how much to add to the "roiugh opening" dimensions to account for the edge of the fins.

[Phil Thien]

If you order windows, it's best to order only a few if you haven't tried installing them. The terminology for dimensions can be confusing. There are the dimensions of the glassed area and the dimensions of the "rough opening". For putting windows in a masonry opening, I wanted a "single fin" window and I needed to know the dimensions that define the very edge of the fins since the fins would go over a wood frame, not overlap the exterior masonry. The only way I found to get this dimension was to have the hardware salesman do a mock oder of a similar window that was in stock and then measure that window to see how much to add to the "roiugh opening" dimensions to account for the edge of the fins.

The building I'd be doing is a single-story (ranch) brick house, so this got my attention.

I'd sort of love to just yank one window and board it up, so I can see what exactly I have to work with. But I doubt my daughter would appreciate this.

I will say, though, that the way the front door was installed was a surprise to me. So I'm not sure I wouldn't be further surprised by the windows.

BTW, these window openings on the outside are approx. 55" wide and 65" high. Do I have many options for windows from Home Depot that won't break the bank?

[BOB OLINGER]

This is not totally applicable, but would like to share it. When we built our house in 1979, we installed Anderson permashield vinyl casement windows. In 2012 when we wanted to upgrade, I found out that I could buy replacement sashes with the latest technology ( like nonglare glass, etc.) directly from Anderson. So, over a period of 2 years, we replaced every window sash in our house. Changing them out was a piece of cake (really) - changing a sash took about 15-20 minutes per window. Little did I know that buying Anderson windows at the start would pay off this dividend.

[Andrew Kertesz]

That is a big window especially in a ranch home. If they are double hung I would be concerned with the width, many places will try and move you away from a double hung that wide. I'm guessing they are casement or sliders. One of the hardest things with windows in brick is the outside trim work. Not a lot of nailing surface for the aluminum trim. You could still do the install and pay for the outside trim. We used to call it; "Deluxing" the window, essentially totally covering any exposed wooden trim with aluminum to make it truly maintenance free.