In what I expect will be an ongoing series of cost-related posts, today we’re going to a closer look at the windows we selected and their associated costs.
We have a total of 35 windows in the house, plus one sidelight next to the front door and two french doors in the kitchen. All of the windows (including the french doors) are Marvin Integrity, with the exception of the clerestory windows, which are higher quality Marvin windows.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how the Marvin windows differ (other than price), but as I mentioned previously, the Integrity windows have pultruded fiberglass exterior frames, wood interiors, dual sealed insulating glass with an Argon gas fill, and a Low E II coating (which means they’re all Energy Star rated). From an energy-saving standpoint, I would have preferred something like the triple glazed Thermotech fiberglass windows, however we simply couldn’t afford the added costs. We evaluated a number of products, but from cost to performance standpoint, the Integrity windows are hard to beat.
Given the amount of sun exposure and potential heat gain, we felt it was important to have 2 operable windows in the clerestory. The windows sit on opposite sides of the clerestory, which will allow for thermal-venting and cross-ventilation. However, this proved easier said than done, as the standard Integrity windows require a pole-crank to open and close them… which isn’t exactly practical, what with them being 23’ off the ground. If we wanted power-operated windows, we had to upgrade to the pricier Marvin models.
For the price difference, I’m a little disappointed in the controller unit. I was under the impression it was going to be some sort of proprietary Marvin-specific device, but it’s actually something that can apparently be retrofitted to any number of awning windows. I have to wonder if it would worked with the Integrity windows as well?
The Sentry II, consists of 2 components: A wall mounted control panel and a motor unit that simply connects to the existing crank mechanism on the window. The motor unit is a little clunky, but it doesn’t even remotely compare to the horrifically-ugly control panel. I’m at a loss for where to put it in the house… I certainly don’t want to put to in plain view where I’ll have to look at it everyday. You’ll have to take my word, ‘cause I just did a quick Google search and I can’t seem to find a photo of it (which doesn’t surprise me… I wouldn’t exactly show it off either).
All in all, we definitely spent more on the windows than we had originally anticipated, but I’m quite happy with the final result.
Hello,
Did that include the cost of labor to install them or is that just the price of the windows themselves from the supplier?
Great post as always!
Danny
excellent question – No, it does not include the cost of installation… that was covered by the framers (which, coincidentally enough, will be the topic of my next “cost of” post).
Since you’re already well into construction—and you started right as the economy started to drop off a cliff—I’m curious as to what, if anything, you’re noticing about the price of not only windows but other building materials as well. In other words, the original budget was probably based on 2006-2007 prices for parts and labor. Are you noticing any positive or negative variances with how much stuff is actually costing?
Jeremy,
Mike’s question is a good one! My wife and I are starting our own project:
http://www.modernhillhouse.com
We’re just about to start bidding it out….have you seen any price drops? Also – did you price your windows to different manufactures? What was the price for the Thermotech?
Thanks!
Jeremy,
Sometime for kicks we should compare quotes – I know we got a pretty good designer discount, but for Loewen (as good as Marvin’s top of the line)for the entire house (including two 36” sliders, one double slider – four panels, & front & back doors) we came in before taxes at 29.5k. That even included triple pane for all the big openings!
Wait a minute – is that in Canadian Dollars? Maybe that explains it…
Yes sir – that’s most definitely Canadian dollars. Give the current exchange rate, the Loewen’s would have cost $36K in Canadian dollars (assuming, of course, there weren’t further cost markups… as there usually are up here.)
This is especially great in the winter; and you will achieve a substantial reduction in heating costs. Thermal Solar Window
Pingback: A Wire Runs Through It | 360 Winnett Ave
In regards to Mike’s question…. no, not really. We haven’t seen much reduction in costs (although my wife continues to speculate on when we might see it). For the most part, everything has been falling inline with our budget (for better or worse).
As for a cost comparison, we did price out the windows with a few other companies… but I’d have to dig out their estimates. If I recall correctly, I believe the competitors were about 25% more.
Good information. I feel like the cost of labor has come down because there are so many subs looking for work, but the cost of things like windows, appliances, and roofing material really haven’t been affected yet. It’s these sorts of things that make me think delaying my project by 6 months isn’t a bad idea.
My thought is that the good sub trades will never slow down (or at least not dramatically), unless there is an apocalypse of some sort. They’re always in demand and probably wouldn’t have a problem finding work… it’s the poor subs that’ll start to free up. And that scares me a little
”...unless there is an apocalypse of some sort.”
Hello apocalypse.
I agree that there is a curve in which the people at the very top probably will never have a problem finding work, but there is a pretty fat middle as will, and if you just need someone to do some excavating or carpeting or other non-precision labor, there should be quite a labor pool out there this spring and summer. And of course, the worst of the subs will probably leave the industry altogether.
I just can’t imagine there are going to be too many new houses built over the next year or so. Remodels maybe, but new construction is going to slow to a crawl.
I don’t know if we’re feeling the same pain up here in Canada. Don’t get me wrong, the economy is definitely in the shitter, but I don’t know if I’d call it apocalyptic. However, there are quite a lot of homes for sale that are sitting on the market for weeks… which simply didn’t happen before. Either way, things are definitely slowing and it certainly doesn’t appear they’ll be picking up anytime soon.
Saw some other photos of window installation…I did not see much in the way of flashing or taping or building paper for that matter; in particular in upper storey windows…how are they going to be incorporated into strapping, insulation and siding? Water can and will penetrate most surfaces, it must be redirected and permitted to dry out when it gets there.
Hi Andrew – all of the windows were taped before the exterior insulation was installed. The final installation will be more of a rain screen as strapping will also going to allow for ventilation once the cladding is installed. The only thing I’m unsure of is the cantilevered overhangs… I’m not sure how they’re going to deal with that detail.