Does anyone sell windows online?

[JB740i]

Besides home depot and lowes? We getting started in the process of building the house and I've been reading up on window design.

I wanted to look up prices between the different effeciency windows but can't find anyplace online that is good. Lowes and Home depot try to break down their windows into efficient and nonefficent as well as wood/aluminum/vinyl frames. But all the info I seem to find comparing window design breaks it down by glazing, number of panes, u-ratings, etc...

Where is a good place to look?

 

[rwhite692]

You can get the various window specs at the window manufacturer's websites (Jeld-Wen, Milgard, Pella, etc...) You would want to buy the windows at your local dealer, though. There's a reason nobody "sells windows online", the shipping would be cost prohibitive. Some companies do provide quoting, etc online, but the actual order/job fulfilment is typically done at the local dealer level.

 

[D2002]

Hi, I went through comparing windows for my house refitting about 2 years ago now. It is a maze. I think rwhite692 is onto something for finding the correct info. There is also a professional rating organization that you can look up the windows on for a 1 to 1 comparison but I am sorry I don't recall the specifics. I know there are some good 'replacement' window forums out there to do research on (There is really no difference between a new install and replacement window if you only find replacement window forums).

You may already know this but if you go speak to actual people about the windows be ready for a lot of misinformation, lack of knowledge, and even straight up lies. The good, knowledgeable, people will stick out. I was very disheartened by what I experienced. I hope you find it better. What I finally did was settle on a style (vinyl) and went for the brand that at the time had the best reputation for that field. There were a few other brands that came close and I am sure would have been fine windows but for a complete package one stood out. I then found an installer/dealer.

 

[ni[x]it]

I would recommend Best Buy, Office Max, etc.
After all, Microsoft is the leader in Windows.

Lame Joke. Feel free to delete.

 

[JB740i]

I would recommend Best Buy, Office Max, etc.
After all, Microsoft is the leader in Windows.

Lame Joke. Feel free to delete.

Sorry, don't want windows that are broken right out of the box!

 

[bigdav160]

Talk to someone local.

What is used up north (think "this old house") is a complete waste of money in Florida.

Is this retrofit? or new construction? either way, because of your location, don't expect any energy savings.

 

[wrigh003]

Talk to someone local.

What is used up north (think "this old house") is a complete waste of money in Florida.

I wonder about "complete" waste of money, but where I am (central AL - likewise hot and humid in the summer) your best bet is in keeping the heat out (think tint on windows, blinds, shade on south/west-facing windows as much as possible, updating/upgrading your weatherstripping to hold the conditioned air in) instead of keeping it in during the winter. Weatherstripping is cheap, too.

Wife wants to replace the windows in our house, but I think that's more an aesthetic thing than functional. 70s builder-grade cheap aluminum single glazed windows keep the rain out, but don't look like much or insulate too well - fortunately it's not usually that cold in the winter.

 

[rwhite692]

Another thing to check out, contact your utility company to see if you qualify for rebates for installing new energy efficient windows. In some cases, the rebates are quite significant. -Rob

 

[JB740i]

http://www.efficientwindows.org/factsheets/florida.pdf

Here's where I was pulling my info from. The first page mentions the NFRC label that I was referring to earlier. Lowes/Home depot don't list those numbers for their products.

I'm closest to Tampa, FL on page 6. There you can see the difference in the performance of the windows. (In their study at least...)

 

[bigdav160]

A low U-factor is useful during cold days when heating is needed. A low U-factor is also helpful during hot days when it is important to keep the heat out, but it is less important than SHGC in warm climates.

You can't buy single pane windows anymore but I bet in that study they'd be right in the pack. Notice in their study it was only the low-E windows that performed better. And that coating needs to be on the right surface to work in you area. As mentioned above, blinds and tint can do the same thing. And it only needed where the sun light directly hits the window.

The U ratings and such should be on a sticker attached to the windows at the BORG.