New Winders

The big news here is that we have new windows mostly in. We have needed and wanted new ones for the longest time. They’ve just been too expensive. I have not made time to learn how to do home fix-ups and don’t want to do it. The labor costs are reasonable, the windows are the same good price they were 5 years ago, we now have the money, and the big reason was that the government is paying 30% in the form of a tax credit.

I checked out several contractors and settled on the guy who put in windows for a fellow carrier a couple years ago. Nice straightforward working guy who has done this for years. He had access to wholesale windows at just $144 each most any size. We had three windows that were technically too big to qualify for that price, but the factory gave them too us for that price anyway. We ordered new windows to replace all 22 old ones. I checked out a energy site that had a list of reasons to consider replacements.

Do the windows rattle on windy days? Check.
Are they chipped or the wood warped or rotting? Check.
Are any windows chipped or cracked? Check.
Can you feel wind blowing in or see it move the drapes? Check.
Are your windows hard to open and close? Check.
Are the sash weights and ropes broken? Check.

Well, there you have it. We had every windows problem they listed on most of our windows. We use our windows a lot. We don’t have air conditioning so as soon as it is cooler outside than inside we open all the windows and set up fans in second floor windows to pull air up and out from the downstairs windows. Once the house starts to warm in the morning we close them all tight to keep the cool in during the day and leave all doors and windows shut as much as possible in the heat of the day. This had provided a remarkably comfortable house the past few summers. This summer promises to be even nicer.

It’s quieter too. Kathy and I had our frequent screaming fight over her over-spending on the Chipendale Dancers she has over every weekend, and the neighbors didn’t call the police like they usually do.

This project is costing us $5500 or so and we will get back $1500 of that next Spring when we file taxes. It will make a big difference in our home.