Before & After
Replacement Windows - 1970s Ranch
New windows on a 1970s ranch house. It's one way these Georgia homeowners plan to beat back the beast of rising fuel costs. View gallery
Before:
If they were super energy-efficient, that would be one thing, but they weren't
even that. The aluminum storm windows were probably state-of-the-art when
installed in the 1970s, but had become a cumbersome aluminum eyesore that
obstructed the view and made window cleaning a groan-producing proposition.
The wooden sashes were in tough shape, too -- hard to open and impossible
to clean.
After:
Addressing the issues of improved energy efficiency and ease-of-use, these
homeowners chose a made-to-measure double-hung vinyl replacement unit from
ReliaBuilt with a solid warranty. The units are double-paned, gas filled,
and feature a low-e coating, as well as contoured grids (between the glass
layers) that create an appearance consistent with the original windows.
The upper and lower sashes both tilt in for cleaning so the full screen
never has to be removed. No more ladders! And no more noise. The owners
say they've discovered an unexpected bonus feature of these new windows
since their installation: it's much quieter in the house, now.
Lessons Learned: 
Veterans
of previous home remodels, these owners advise, "Don't bite off more
than you can chew. Know your limits." Knowing theirs, they chose to
let the pros do this one, but they said, "Not doing it yourself doesn't
mean you walk away." Because they educated themselves, asked a lot
of questions, and were present for both the measure and the install, they
feel they helped to guarantee a headache-free installation. View
gallery
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