window world?
 

Anyone ever deal with Window World. Looking for feed back on product and service. I know its a franchise, but overall experience in general.
Thanks Steve

Last spring I replaced all the aluminum framed 1960 era windows with vinyl sliders. The very large one in our bedroom I had special made with both sides that both sides would slide or come out easily. Since we get a Pacific ocean breeze most all the time that is great.

I picked a local San Diego area company that supplied the windows for the next door neighbor's house over haul. My regular ones were $200 each and the custom one was $400. The neighbor's house cost $800 per window to have two guys do them! I watched and thought......hey I can do that with some help from the wife and it took me about 1 1/2 hours to replace each one. They slid in over top the aluminum frame so you do have to measure carefully and use a special sealer that is made for windows, not some cheap stuff from Home Depot.

So to answer your original question, the house next door used that company and the window glass had the exact same sticker as the ones I bought locally. I would suggest doing them your self.

I paid Window World $1000 to replace two windows this spring. Half of that cost was the two windows, the other half was the installation. They had to cut away part of the aluminum frame from the old windows. The contractor that built my house used one type of window on the second floor and another type on the first floor. I'm told the installation of the first floor windows will be much cheaper as they can just remove those frames with a screwdriver.

I would suggest to check local codes to see what they say about window replacement. I live in CA which is as weird as it gets but they do say in our city code if the original size of the window is not changed then no permits or inspections. This has been taken to mean leaving the original frame in means no changes. I doubt that on the east coast that many houses are made of stucco so frame removal is much easier. With stucco (mud) the stuff gets flaked off and ends up a mess and then has to be patched and so on. This happened last winter with my next door neighbor as he had an addition put on 15 years or so ago and used aluminum framed windows which was not smart. When we had our worst storm this past winter his glass blew out (movable and fixed) and his interior wall got soaked, carpet ruined, ETC. Our vinyl windows never budged or even let any noise in. Anyways it took a contractor 3 days to fix every thing.

I had them come and quote replacing 15 windows in my house. They were original (70+ years old), single pane wood windows.

They were professional and had the best price, but I ended up not using them since they would only install them from the inside. The molding and trim around my windows is original to the house and is no longer available. They would have had to damage it to change the windows from the inside.

We used Window World and have been pleased with the product and service (replaced most of the original builder installed aluminum frame windows, circa 1994). About 10 years ago we had a room added on and went with Anderson windows....wood frame, vinyl clad. The Anderson windows appear to be better quality, but the WW windows are way easier to tilt in to clean (not that we've cleaned them all that regularly).

Mike

@ John, as much fun as it is to replace doors and windows, if the wife and I did it, it would take forever considering our work schedules. Would love to save the money on install though.
My wife works for our local county in codes enforcement, so we are good to go on permit and local codes.

@msk1986911, ours are original to the house that was built in 84. single pane metal frame. I personally like that the windows are vinyl and the doors are fiberglass. Here in the southeast it's extremely wet most the year.
If I can ask, was there any change in price from WW quote to what they did the final job for. Hate to get started and have a bunch of additional changes that cost.

I have never used Window World, but in your situation, I always push my clients to use Milgard Windows (life time warranty). Their Tuscany series retrofit windows. Be sure to get Low-E coating on your windows. My other suggestion would be to have your contractor or whoever is installing measure and have them order it. If they screw up the dimensions, they owe you a new window.

@look 171, WW also come with lifetime warranty. The windows will be basic double-hung.They also did measurements during the in home estimate. I believe by local code we re required have to low e windows. Not sure what brand (4000 series) the windows are but the doors will be American Craft series.
Thanks to everyone for the input.
Steve

Do they launch untested glass panes and then try to sell you new locks and stuff later?

Sorry Steve, I wish I can be more helpful on answering your question, but I have no experience with Window World.

Now I am curious, why did you decided to use their service instead of buying windows from a large national chain?

Make sure you are clear on what wood they replace and what it costs. I've seen contractors leave rotten framing with just a line if caulk to 'seal' it. I've seen other contractors almost double their install price because they have to piece in ~3' of 2x4. Just know what you are getting into.

good luck