Any wisdom to share?
We are in a new to us house that I think had low quality windows. Several have condensation between the panes.
One leaked last night during the hurricane.
When you got replacement windows did you do all of them? or just the ones that seemed to need it?
Any other thoughts?
Thanks
We are replacing some of our windows. We’re only doing the ones that need it. A leaking window could just need caulking or adjustment and not replacement. We’re just doing the glass.
It also has condensation 
When we moved into our house we did all the windows except the ones in the attic that were a funny shape and were the original windows not the super nasty aluminum 1960s windows, or single pieces of inoperable picture windows the rest of the house had. I insist on simulated divided lights. If you have a 1920s traditional house that’s the minimum to make it look good from the exterior.
That said replacement windows that are made to be easy to install really are not as nice as a real window. You lose a good inch all around what came with the house.
I didn’t know that -thanks. It isn’t an old house -so there are lots of big windows everywhere. Evidently they just aren’t good ones.
If you’re going to the effort to replace windows and were affected by Irma this week, I would recommend that the new windows have hurricane impact glass.
I have been dealing with window replacement/repair in our “new” house for a while. If you have condensation inside panels, it does not mean the window frame is shot. It is possible that just a panel needs to be replaced. Depending on the size, such a replacement here in my neck of the woods will run $300-500. Beware of the so called skywall windows - the panels in those cannot be replaced, and if there is a failed panel, very likely the whole structure has to be rebuilt. $$$$$$$$$$. No kidding.
We spent over $30,000 to replace the many windows and doors in a 25 year plus year old New Tampa house. Worth it. The old aluminum windows were hot to the touch indoors and leaky. Front door off kilter. We checked with various local places. We did vinyl (not what would do up north) impact, low E windows. So much quieter, less dust and energy usage. Also- impact (did not do Miami Dade standards, btw) windows and doors means more burglar proof- can’t break a window for entry.
I would check with people around you for who they used. I would “bite the bullet” and replace all of them at once. Be sure to get quotes from three or more places/brands. Two parts- the brand and the installation to think about. Different details in construction. Little things like how they latch can be an everyday issue. For some doors we chose the brand we could do the same door handles and bolts as the others.
You can PM me for further info.
In our WI house we had to replace a big half circle window glass due to condensation issues. But, it may be time to go ahead with better windows. If you do impact on all windows/doors/garage you can save money on insurance. we skipped the garage and a couple of others (door to pool bath).
We replaced all our windows in a 50 yr old house with Vinyl windows from Window World on recommendations from several friends. Have been very happy with the results. Less noise, more energy, efficient easier to clean.
We foolishly installed replacement windows in the front of the house. We had no idea that we would lose an inch all the way around the window. That makes a huge difference! We hate them!!!
When it was time to replace the windows in the back of the house, we asked a construction company to do it. We wanted “real” windows. It wasn’t that difficult, and we were able to get high quality Anderson windows. The cost? About the same as the replacement windows that were installed 10 years ago!
Live and learn.
We lived in an early 1960’s house that had terribly inefficient aluminum frame sliders. We replaced them all and found that it was more cost effective to have less, larger windows than more and smaller windows. We also did it in winter which was a less desirable season and got a discount for that.
The replacements were vinyl and so very much better! The panels lifted out for cleaning too. We didn’t “lose an inch” on the framing at all but the integral frame on the window glass itself was larger than the original 1/2" of aluminum.
Now, I live in an old house with traditional wooden double hung windows. The windows are very drafty, have no screens, and are difficult to open and close. We have replaced 3 and I’m not happy with the replacements either. We went for the very well made and historical looking Architect series from Pella but the installers didn’t put them in right and I had a lot of trouble locking them. I had also chosen that the upper window be moveable which made things worse because it would slip down a tiny bit when I was trying to lock them. It took Pella 9 months to figure out the problem and fix it! They’re still tight but (barely) workable. I’m going to look at Marvin for any more replacements. In this case, I was glad I had only contracted to change 3 of them.
We’ve put Pella fiberglass windows and a large 10 ft view window wall with a slider. The installers were awesome and did a fabulous job fitting the slider into a slightly distorted opening (old house). Fiberglass cleans so well and can be wood-clad on the inside. We chose not to bother with wood cladding.
We replaced our windows in January and got a great price! They whizzed through the entire house (30 windows) in just two days. I barely noticed them. And while I don’t love that I lost an inch - they were infinitely better than what had been there and we’ve since put an addition on the rear of the house so those have all been replaced with new real windows.
I personally can’t stand the way vinyl windows look on the inside. (Partly I suspect because I go for minimal window treatments). Our windows are coated on the exterior, but real wood on the inside. I know a lot of people swear by Pella and Marvin, but I’ve always found the Andersen 400 series more than adequate.
Thanks everyone! Very helpful. OK silly question. How do I tell if I have vinyl windows?
Vinyl windows often have a slightly raised diagonal seam at the corners. You can sort of see it here: http://www.pella.com/windows/casement-windows/encompass/
Or even better here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-windows/buying-guide
Thanks!!!
They are very plastic-y! 
Some confuse fiberglass with vinyl… not the same.
Here is an article comparing the two:
https://www.thespruce.com/vinyl-vs-fiberglass-windows-1822916
Has anyone had experience with vinyl windows for over 15 years? Anything we’ve had made of white vinyl has never stayed ‘white’, but rather yellowed over time.
Interesting… our vinyl windows are still white after 18 years.
If you have a really old house, realize that the 100+ yr old windows in your house are made from much better wood than typical replacement windows, which are built for a life of maybe 15-20 years. There are ways to improve the energy performance of your windows without replacing them with modern junk and losing window area in the process.