Just reiterating this! As a real estate agent in the area, I often hear
inspectors say that original windows with storm windows added in winter are
far superior in terms of efficiency.
Our newer vinyl double-paned windows installed by the previous owner in
2006 are horribly drafty.
-Melissa (on Ray)
On Sat, Mar 4, 2023, 2:21 PM Milford Sprecher <milford.sprecher@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I am with Mark on this. You may have an excellent reason for wanting to
change your windows, but in most situations it isn't cost effective.
Milford
On Sat, Mar 4, 2023 at 2:18 PM Mark Verschell <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Emily,
Baltimore Ave from Takoma to Cleveland is in the historic district.
Except for some newer houses, ANY window replacement requires a HAWP
(Historic Area Work Permit). As Lorraine said, repair and restoration does
not. You should check before you allow any work.
Btw: I haven’t found many new windows worth the money. Our windows on the
first 2 floors are 100-125 years old. Other than repair work, and some
persuasion, they are in amazing shape. The replacements on the 3rd floor
look worn and they are no more than 20 years old. With the removable
interior storm windows we added over our beautiful historic windows with
period (wavy) glass (Storm Snaps, https://www.stormsnaps.com) they are
nearly as good as the best modern double pane windows, and better than
most). At a fraction of the cost of quality replacments (which can run
$500-$1,500 per window).
While I am standing on my soapbox, let me relate my experience from our
old Silver Spring house. 1946 house with worn out double pane windows
(broken sash cords, sash locks, etc.). We priced quality replacments and I
asked “how long before I recoup the cost of this replacement?” Oh, five to
ten years at worst.
That didn’t sound right, so I did the work myself. The equations to
calculate this are out there, so I programmed it myself, and then
afterwards found online tools I could have used. They weren’t as complete
as what I did, but we were in pretty close agreement.
The payback period for our window replacment? 75-90 years! It makes sense
when you realize windows generally don’t make up that much of a house’s
wall. Then take into account that the argon (or other gas) in double pane
windows SHOULD last 20 years (some say 30-40), and you might never recoup
the expense.
I got a quote to refurbish and repair and it was a fraction of the cost
of replacements (maybe 15%?). You could tell the difference afterwards as
it didn’t feel as cold near the windows after that.
My bottomline? Unless your windows are just beyond repair, window
replacements aren’t worth it.
B&T Mark
Email from the Id
On Mar 4, 2023, at 9:37 AM, Emily McCarthy <embiskey@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:wondering if you had a good experience. If you have any other window
Hey! Has anyone gotten windows replaced using Peak Remodeling? Just
replacement companies to recommend, please email me.
enter
Much appreciated!
Emily on Baltimore
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525 Albany Ave.
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