When sealing the bottom of a window, particularly one that has a storm window installed. A small hole must remain on each side about four inches in from the edge to allow for moisture that may collect between it and the main window to escape.
Yes it is Beck, but many people plug them with caulk on the outside when painting and on the inside as well when painting them. It is very important to keep those holes open. Another little factoid about windows and energy savings. Installing new windows cost more then one thinks. The average new window that is installed takes upwards to 75 years to pay itself off in energy savings. That is something you will never hear from a window sales person. I cannot tell you how many times I have
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done energy inspections only to find more air leaks around the windows then from them directly.
Oh boy, do I know what Woodbridge is talking about when it comes to the cost of windows. We have a bunch of old Pella casement windows that are horrible and all of them need to be replaced and even by going with double hungs, it looks like it;s going to cost us at least 20 grand. How the hell do you pay for windows with that type of cost? Would have to refinance mortgage and add 20 grand to it just for windows. Our first estimate was from Anderson windows and the estimate reached 20 grand
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with about 3-4 windows not part of the estimate. I'm starting to think the cheapest energy efficient double hungs have to be better than what I have now. It's the installation that people really have to worry about.
P.S regarding the holes in the windows, are those what they call, Weeping Holes? or Weep holes.
Jeff, as far as payback. First off Pella offers all sorts of upgrades to older windows. you need to do some research on them. new gaskets, and control arms make a great difference in the product performance. The primary reason why it takes so long for payback, is not only the cost of the window and instal price, but that very little heat loss is going out of them in the first place. It is
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all about air movement, not R or in the case of windows U value. Of course it helps do not get me wrong on this, but the air infiltration is what makes them so inefficient in the first place. And in many cases the small amount of air that leaks around them is so small, it does really nothing to increase or decrease your operation costs. Combined perhaps, but even then with you figuring out the total cost of savings by stopping air leaks is so small as compared to cost of new, do not expect to save any real money.
The window guys know that you will Feel a difference and in the eye of the consumer that makes them think they are saving money. This is why no one has ever called them out on this. If you followed your energy bill based upon degree days carefully enough, you will find that you will see little to no change in your energy usage. In fact if you carefully caulk and replaced gaskets and control arms which translate to about 1-15th of the cost of the new window, you will get a bigger payback then just a new window alone.
So check with the Pella window company, if your frames are in good shape and not decayed with rot they can be improved without going through all the effort of installing new.
Thanks WET. I thought so. I was always Daddy's little helper and he told me things like that. I asked allot of questions and he just plain taught me a whole lot. It takes so little time to teach children things like this that will stick with them their whole lives.
Oh and if I knew your real name I wouldn't call you WET. :^D
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com I have Anderson & some lesser named windows throughout my home. The worst widows I have are 2 in my bedroom which are Pella. Knowing the company is good I can only assume the install was horrible. It takes a strong person to open or close those windows and there is a string on the left side of each of the windows that hangs in the way. I think installers are the biggest + or - to an installation so I won't badmouth Pella.
Good point on the installers, Sherrie. I had a problem in the past where the installers did the flashing around the windows incorrectly. It was bad enough to where the edges would leak when it was raining with high winds.
P.S regarding the holes in the windows, are those what they call, Weeping Holes? or Weep holes.
Jeff, as far as payback. First off Pella offers all sorts of upgrades to older windows. you need to do some research on them. new gaskets, and control arms make a great difference in the product performance. The primary reason why it takes so long for payback, is not only the cost of the window and instal price, but that very little heat loss is going out of them in the first place. It is ...»
The window guys know that you will Feel a difference and in the eye of the consumer that makes them think they are saving money. This is why no one has ever called them out on this. If you followed your energy bill based upon degree days carefully enough, you will find that you will see little to no change in your energy usage. In fact if you carefully caulk and replaced gaskets and control arms which translate to about 1-15th of the cost of the new window, you will get a bigger payback then just a new window alone.
So check with the Pella window company, if your frames are in good shape and not decayed with rot they can be improved without going through all the effort of installing new.
Oh and if I knew your real name I wouldn't call you WET. :^D