Well this year we decided to impersonate grown ups and take the plunge. We’re very glad we did and so far pleasantly surprised by some of the daily pleasures from what we always envisioned as more of a boring infrastructure kind of move.  Here are a few quick notes from our effort, and of course some local resource info, for those thinking about a similar tune-up to their ride.

Choosing the right window replacement type – There’s a blinding array of style/material options which is all very personal so you just have to wade through the learning process online and/or in a local showroom so you can see the products up close.  And serious consideration to the question of whether you really need to do it is a good idea, given the expense involved.  Great info on all of the above can be found on the ever growing number of good home improvement blogs, including a particularly good handful of ways to look at the window question at Charles & Hudson.  But once we decided to take the plunge, the big a-ha for us was that we had a handful of quite different replacement approaches to choose from under the general heading of getting new windows.  Again, lots of info on types on the web machine, including this in-depth overview of the three main options, but here’s a quick summary based on our experience:

• Full Replacement – The most invasive choice, means tearing out windows, trim (inside and out), sill, etc. down to the rough window opening/framing and replacing with a completely new, pre-hung unit.  Downside all that tearing, ripping, mess, associated cost, job scale, etc.  Upside, the snuggest, squarest, most energy-efficient net result and a wider choice of window options.

• Insert Window – These all-in-one units with their own frame pop right into your existing opening/trim after you take out current sashes and stops.  Upside, much of the energy efficiency and all the easy tilt-out benefits of a full replacement without the major disruption.  Downside, more limited (mostly vinyl) window choices and you do lose a little light/gain some visible frame material because even though it’s pretty narrow, you’re essentially installing a frame within a frame.

• Sash Packs – Another minimally invasive route where you’re replacing just the sashes, with tracks for the windows to slide up and down on that fit into your existing window jambs with very little trim disruption.  Upside, lots of style (including wood) options so easier to match older window styles, no light loss/visible frame gain since there’s no insert frame, least disruptive installation.  Downside, not as efficient as other two routes (though miles more so than older single pane windows you may have now), slightly fussy install depending on the shape of your current window jambs, some color matching issues (see below).

Cost Differences?  On cost, we found that material/brand of window drives the cost question as much as type.  So while sash packs may be cheaper generally given there’s the least material involved, any one of these can be more expensive than the other depending on what you choose.  The range from vinyl with snap in grills to all wood with divided lites is pretty darn big.  Beyond materials, biggest cost difference is labor since full replacement is a more involved job all around.

What we used - We went with sash packs from Jeld Wen.  Their site doesn’t have details on the packs themselves but here’s a link to the overall model line (Siteline EX, Wood, Simulated Divided Lite) we chose.  Pretty high quality at significantly less expense than other wood window brands like Kolbe and Kolbe.  Why the sash pack route?  Rip and replace was too invasive, costly and felt like overkill.  Probably a better option if you’re doing a larger remodel and the house is already opened up for surgery.  We wanted wood windows with divided lites so that we could get as close to the look of  original 1930’s windows we were replacing as possible.  That ruled out inserts both on material choices and the look question because we didn’t want to lose any light or gain more wood surface to look at.  Sash packs gave us good material/style choice, maximum light, minimum installation disruption and a big efficiency gain, even if not as much greener as the other replacement options.

Who we bought them from - I had one of the bigger window companies come by for a consult/bid and it was almost all that I hoped it wouldn’t be.  Formulaic hard sell with clear biases and limited customization options.  So I went straight to the supplier, in this case Paul Bauer at Smoot/Stock.  Paul came out to the house, explained all the potentially confusing options/tradeoffs and worked with me to arrive at the right choice given what was important to us.  Lots of knowledge/insight, no hard sell.

Who installed them for us - John Partlow (husband of St. Elmos owner Nora Partlow), who Paul recommended.  John has a ton of experience in this somewhat specialized window work, did a great job, was very straightforward in his dealings throughout the process and is local so we feel confident about follow on service and quality.  And we liked that he and the supplier had worked together before which meant close collaboration on measurements, installation questions, etc.

For painting, of course, we used the great Donald Membreno, simply put the most detail-oriented, thorough and careful painter we’ve worked with, by a wide margin.

Finally, a few tips/notes from the first-hand experience file….

Paint ‘em first if you can - Whichever type you go with.  We had our sash packs painted inside and out before they were installed.  Means a week or two in between delivery and install but painting on the ground is much easier/cheaper/faster than you or your painter scrabbling around on ladders.

Sweat the color details when you order -  You can’t paint or caulk the tracks (also called jamb liners) the windows slide on so note that you’re stuck with whatever color choices (typically white or tan) the manufacturer offers.  Depending on your interior/exterior colors, you’ll likely end up with some visible contrast with the sashes.  Same is true with most screen options.  So if you get screens, you’ll have a similar color contrast issue to consider depending on the color of exterior trim you have. Think carefully on both of these and see the options first hand before you make your order.

Expect the unexpected – If you’re house, like many around here, is older than you are, chances are your window jambs have, how shall we say, character.  Out of square, different sizes from one to the next, sills in various states of repair, etc.  In short, no two of your current little window darlings are alike.  So no matter how well your installer measures, expect some adjustments and workarounds (supplementing trim, building up sill, etc.) when installation day arrives.

But then expect some really nice usability treats from your new windows.  Some of these may be more noticeable for us because our old windows were so darn cranky, but the daily pleasures of new windows have already been many:

• So, SO nice to be able to easily open and close, even for our kids.  Can’t wait for spring and much more easily had fresh breezes through the house.
• Easy on the eyes from outside or in
• No more arctic chill from all the cold air pouring through the single pane glass and loose connections of our old ones
• Good security feeling from locks that actually work on every window
• Haven’t needed it yet since they’re new, but betting tilt-in cleaning will be much easier than death-defying ladder climb

With this one out of the way, who knows what wild and wacky upgrade will be on the radar for next year.  Maybe we finally get around to that glass elevator I’ve always wanted.