Building a house - looking for tips

[deaner]

Deciding on windows and doors right now. Any advice on slider vs. single hung vs. casement? I know casement are supposed to be more efficient, but our climate is pretty mild here. Just wondering if there is a huge difference in their efficiency.

Any tips on brands of windows and doors to look at or stay away from? I have heard nothing but good about All Weather, and that is what my local builder supplies. Just wondering if there are any better alternatives. I cant believe the price difference between 6'8 and 8 foot doors! We have 2 big triple pane sliding glass doors in our plans. The one at 6'8 was pretty reasonable at 1500 a piece. The 8' was 3800! I cant believe it is 2300 more for an extra 1'4. Is this normal?

 

[bingo1010]

sliders although they dont look as fancy will always work, our house was 10 years old and most of the crank mech's needed to be replaced, and they are all weather. a nice plus is the slider allows a lot more air flow. bad points are you better close them before you go anywhere cause mother nature knows when you are gone and will rain in your new house:d, single hungs are nice for that

 

[doorfx]

There are 2 grades of doors and windows. Contractor grade and premium grade. Depends on what you want to spend. Whichever ones you get make sure the glass is dual low E argon. It's not that much more but makes a difference in R value. Helps with ultraviolet light damage as well. I prefer casements , but make sure they have dual cam locks.
As far as doors go , get a fiberglass slab , hands down the best choice. No dents, can be wood grain for staining, much stronger than steel. Because the door skins are around an 1/8" thick they provide a better thermal break. The bottom stiles are composite so the bottom of your slab will never rot.

 

[altaredneck]

With your windows pros and cons to either wood sills or the plastic. I have had both. More maintenance on wood and can rot over years. The plastic will warp a little bet don't rot. Also with the plastic sills I find my blinds mark the plastic when the wind blows through and they rub on the sides.

 

[sledneck_03]

Parents have triple argon metal clad and they leak. Water bubbles up in the lip. Yelled at my parents for never taking this up with all weather (built the house a few years ago) but they didnt want to have the siding re done and the gyprock returns redone. Yet they will deal with putting towels down during a hard rain? Crazy....

I have plygem. Look great, no leaks. No complaints.

 

[tater]

I've heard a lot of good things about cossins Windows.

 

[ferniesnow]

All my openers are casement. They catch much more breeze than awning and/or sliders (read below from the expert.....). I also have plastic frames and love them. No maintenance what so ever! Merv (doorfx) has a good point with the Low E argon. In 15 years I have replaced some of the cranks but that is not a big deal IMHO.

I love exterior doors with windows in them. Steel clad with foam core are warm but the newer doors are probably a better choice. Once again, doorfx, seems to know the ins and outs. Below is a Google search comparing awning and casement windows....

Awning Windows vs Casement Windows: A Comparison

 

[250mark1]

i replaced all of the windows in the upstairs of my house with all weather windows triple pain low e argon with the sun coatings
they are the aluminium clad wood frame have had my big living room window for 10 years and no issues all mine are casement style except for the kitchen window
which is awning style as we like to leave it open in the rain
be sure if you pick casement style to figure out where your wind usually comes from so the wind push the window closed vs pulling it open if they are left open

 

[rzrgade]

Go casement no question! All weather are good ( apex)...they make good window and stand behind them....
they usually have a winter sale with 15 to 20 % off this time of year...as well.

 

[deaner]

Hmmm......we had decided to go with all sliders but now you guys have me second guessing that. And thank you for the tip on the sale rzrgade. I will ask about it.

 

[rzrgade]

They will normally go 15% , get a cheaper quote and play hard ball... They will deal a little.... More.

 

[ferniesnow]

Hmmm......we had decided to go with all sliders but now you guys have me second guessing that. And thank you for the tip on the sale rzrgade. I will ask about it.

Yes, the only breeze sliders catch is the one that is blowing directing into the window. If the wind is blowing parallel to the window a casement will catch the breeze; sliders won't. IMHO, sliders are for trailers and cheaper modulars. But that is just me and 5 personal houses later!

 

[bingo1010]

so you have built 5 house and they only have windows on one side??? lol just kidding

Yes, the only breeze sliders catch is the one that is blowing directing into the window. If the wind is blowing parallel to the window a casement will catch the breeze; sliders won't. IMHO, sliders are for trailers and cheaper modulars. But that is just me and 5 personal houses later!

 

[Cat401]

I agree with Fernie...casements will grab a breeze, even just opened a little bit. Also casement windows, IMO, are better for security vs sliders.
However, sometimes Casements can look a bit lop-sided from the outside. On a typical bedroom window that has two sections, the fixed widow is usually a full picture window while the moveable casement side has a smaller glass surface showing. If this window is facing the back of your house, no big deal but if it faces the front, it can be noticeable. It can be ordered with equal trim on both sides.

 

[Snort]

Our house had the 1/2 picture 1/2 casement windows pretty well throughout. When we replaced we went with awnings. Doing this made them appear way bigger as there was no casings in the middle. Much nicer in my opinion. Also, where we live I would rather not catch the breeze because that likely means that it is trying to remove the window from the building.

 

[doorfx]

Don't waste your money on triples. They are too heavy for casement PVC Windows and will sag over time. The difference in R value just does not justify the initial price difference. It would take a really long time to pay off the difference in energy savings.
If you want your windows to look balanced , do a casement/ fixed combo in vinyl Windows. The profile of the picture window frames is too thin when paired with a casement , and makes them look lopsided.
Or better yet if it's in the budget, casement/casement then it doesn't matter which way the wind blows. On larger Windows go left casement/fixed/right casement.

 

[ferniesnow]

Don't waste your money on triples.............

Particularly in that warmer climate of Creston.

 

[rzrgade]

How you install your windows is almost as important as which windows you purchase....assuming you buy decent Low e argon windows... It's all about the details etc etc...