What is the best option for replacement windows & doors? I've been researching for over a year and cannot get clear/honest information. Hello - I hope my answer will help point you in the right direction. The reason you're having a hard time getting clear information is because there are hundreds of companies saying their window is the best. There are probably millions of different features you can choose to have for your windows and in price ranges from $169-$1200 (per double-hung window). I've been in the business for 15 years and have seen many different window products from many different dealers and manufacturers. This all comes down to: "what's important for you and your home?" If you want a strong warranty from a company who has a full-time service department to give you piece of mind and service your windows should needs be, or are you looking at only those companies who offer true wood interior windows that you can paint or stain to match the home decor? Whatever is your hot-button, then that's where you want to start.
I would recommend you first choose how you want your new windows to look. Wood-interior with vinyl clad is only offered by certain companies, while there is a vinyl woodgrain finish to give you similar results without the maintenance. If you're only looking for a white interior and don't want the maintenance, a fiberglass or vinyl window would be the best choice from what is offered in the market today (vinyl will be less expensive - not necessarily cheaper quality). If you are going to change out a window to a french door and a door to a window, then you WILL NEED to find a contractor with some carpentry experience. Some companies will tell you upfront that they do not handle those sorts of remodeling projects due to the complexity and time it would take to get it complete. Unfortunately, we won't be able to personally help you with your project as we work in the New England Area. and I'll be happy to let you know our prices for what we offer so you can compare and hopefully find a similar company to do the work for you near the Austin area.
Water coming in around windows & from above? What roofing or other issue is this? Get your roofer back out there. Course of shingles above the window need to be pulled, self sealing flashing, drip caps, and counter and step flashing are going to be required here. This is a flashing issue as the window connects to the mansard roof surface. Condensation and a leak are two different and very noticeably different (i.e. volume) things. Flashing and roofing on Mansards can be tricky but is sounds very much like a roofing issue.How much does it cost to replace an average bedroom window For a broken window (or leaking seal in multi-pane unit), for a standard roughly 2x3 foot window, can run from low of about $75-125 for single pane to more like $200-300 range for triple pane, depending on construction and any special ultraviolet or heat reflective coatings. If a removeable window unit, of course cheaper to remove it and take to replacement glass place then have them come out, measure glass size, order glass unit, then come back to install.
If taking in yourself, commonly they can do single-pane in an hour or two, but count on a week or so typically for sealed double or triple pane unit to come in, so you will have to seal the opening in the interim. That is an advantage of having them come out - they measure and determine type of unit on first visit and can seal with tape and plastic sheeting (if you have not already done that), then come back with new unit and install a week or two down the road - but you are not stuck with an opening in the wall for a long time.Does anyone install acrylic windows ? Much easier to scratch and typically not as good a finished quality as compared to glass. Benefits are the resistance to breakage as mentioned by LCD. Any glazing shop should be able to re-create that panel.At your local home improvement store shopping for doors, you are confronted with two entirely different types: slab and pre-hung.Which one should you buy and install? Begin with an understanding of these two very different doors.
Definitions Pre-Hung Door: This door comes already hanging in its own frame. It is a fully self-contained unit, complete with a door slab, hinges, and outer frame that fits into a prepared doorway. Not included are the casing and the door knob or knob/deadbolt combination. Slab Door: This is a door and nothing else: no hinges, knobs, or frame. It is up to the buyer to attach to an existing door frame or to create a door frame Pre-Hung Door: Pre-Attached, But Still No Easy InstallationYou May Want One If: New-Construction: No door has been installed in this location before. If the door frame is open and exposed, you may find it easier to install a pre-hung door than a slab door. Damage: The existing door frame is so damaged or warped as to make it impossible to hang a slab door. Installing an Exterior Door. Pre-hung doors come weather-tight off the shelf: you do not need to do anything to make them tight-fitting. Unless you are a real pro, it can be difficult to install a tight-fitting exterior slab door.
Pre-hung makes this an easier--but not easy--process.You May NOT Want One: Heavy and Bulky: Pre-hung doors are very heavy and hard to manage. At around 56 pounds, a prehung interior door with a hollow core slab is the lightest pre-hung door you can buy. Even so, it is a bulky product to move around. Prehung exterior doors weigh at least 90 pounds and need two strong people to manage. Not as Easy as You Might Expect: Installation may seem like a "slam-dunk," but it is not. You do not have to worry about exacting task of hanging the slab to the frame, but you still have the exacting task of fitting the pre-hung unit into the door opening. Pre-hung units, like all doors, require shimming. Even a pre-hung unit can be installed improperly so that swing and closing are impaired. Also, keep in mind that you still need to finish all of the work around it: drywall, painting, and installation of trim (plus trim staining or painting). Slab Door: Door Only (You Deal With the Framing)You May Want One If: Cost: Slab doors cost about 1/3rd of the cost of pre-hung units.
Style: Slabs provide you with much more design flexibility. For example, if you find an antique or unique door that you want to re-purpose, you can do so. One-Off Item: It may be beneficial to use pre-hung doors if you intend to install many doors. But if this is just one or two doors, you can afford to devote extra time to getting the installation perfect. Exterior: The interior is a more forgiving environment for less-than-perfect installations, as you do not have to worry about weather-tightness.You May NOT Want One: You Are Uncomfortable With Hanging Doors: Slab door installation is an art, requiring a steady hand, a good eye, and lots of practice. You will likely be fine if you are doing a one-for-one installation. That is if the door you are installing is exactly the same size and has the same configurations (screw holes for the hinges, door knob sizing, and positioning, etc.) as the door you are removing. But if there is any variation in door size and configurations, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to make it hang right.