Replacement window sash recommendations

[getut]

Well.. we finally sold our old house this week, which means it is time to crank back up on the renovations to our new house, which just happens to be 20 years old.

The windows are in very bad shape. On about half of the sashes, the wood frame is actually seperating and will come completely apart if you try to raise the window.

I am a very competent rough and finish carpenter, although somewhat slower than I used to be because I no longer do it every day, so I had at first thought about replacing the entire window. I recently found out about replacement sashes, although every where I have found so far wants to do it themselves. I want to buy the sashes and spring loaded sides and do it myself. I also have the dilemma, that it seems no one does chocolate brown anything anymore, so I can't find either sashes or whole windows in chocolate brown. I absolutely must have that color because my house is cedar sided, with a very rustic translucent chocolate stain. Everyone says they stopped doing dark colors because they chalk. Chalking won't bother me in the slightest because I AM in a rustic house. Everything is chalked and weathered already and I think it enhances the look.

I want all the features... low noise, UV coating, energy efficient fill in between panes, and good seal to the existing frame.

Please help.

 

[MikePA]

Pella makes brown (one of the 3 standard colors) replacement windows.

 

[getut]

It seems they only do complete windows. I'll do that if I have to, but am really curious about the sash replacement packages I have seen. All of them basically seem to seal right up to the existing frame and use modern sashes for energy efficiency.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> All of them basically seem to seal right up to the existing frame and use modern sashes for energy efficiency. </font>
So do the Pellas, check out the installation instructions.

 

[PeterT]

Not sure about colors but Marvin windows make a very nice replacement sash.

Good luck PeterT

 

[rlk]

getut, I replaced all of the windows in my home with MW Sash Replacement systems. I ordered them through either Lowes or Home Depot. You can get all wood sashes; vinyl covered outside and wood inside; or all vinyl. I don't know about their colors though. If you get all wood then you can paint / stain them any color.

mwwindows.com should give you additional information.

Not sure where you are in NC, but I'm in Apex. If you are close and want to look at mine, just let me know.

Bob

 

[shvl73]

Most window companies will make a sash kit. In New England, we have Brosco for basic wood replacements or you can go up to Marvin, Kolbe & Kolbe or Loewen, as well as others. Most will do a aluminum cladding in a brown. Check out the websites of these companies. It's very important that the existing opening is square. If not, use a replacement window, such as Weathershields Customshield unit, which installs like a vinyl replacement unit but, in wood with clad exterior.

 

[frank_f15]

Find it hard to understand why you can't get dark brown? but if that is what you want, then get wood and paint it that color.but i will bet there is some manufacture that has them.

 

[getut]

I should have specified better. I have found wood windows with brown cladding outside... what I can't seem to find from any company is a complete brown vinyl window (both inside and out). I can find replacement sashes in all vinyl white or cream, but not brown. I can find wood with brown outside and wood inside.

I would rather not have to paint or stain anything, but it is looking like I might have to. Chocolate brown inside and out wood windows are what is in the house now.

 

[shvl73]

Dark colors in vinyl don't seem to work out well, especially in a warm southern climate. I've seen some siding manufacturers are coming out with some dark colors, but longevity remains to be seen. I remember some dark colors about 15 years ago that got pulled from the market. I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig with my $. Have you considered aluminum?