Home buying questions I should know, but I don't

RLD4ISU

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Sep 13, 2018
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Otsego, MN
Yeah, I don't get the hate on Pella. 20 years so far with not a trace of issues. Installation can make a lot of difference. Have the aluminum clad wood windows. I got a quote from Anderson on a rental I used to own and it was outrageous.
Lived in a house with 19 yr old Pella windows & slider. They needed replaced. Also called about getting a screen for the slider since it didn't have one. We could've put in a new slider with a screen for the price they quoted us.

Not at our current location, but when we lived in Pella...Neighbor next door worked for Pella and also had Pella windows installed when he built his home in the late 90s. According to him: he had some issues with one window, talked to the company and wanted it replaced. They basically told him he could get the window replaced or keep his job, his choice.
 

dmclone

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Oct 20, 2006
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It's interesting to me how so many of the windows in our house do not open. I think maybe 4 out 20+ actually open. Fine with me since it's so rare for us to open the windows. I think it's also made it a lot quieter and probably more efficient.
Last week I installed smart zebra shades on 5 of the windows, and it's turned out really good. Plan on installing these for most of the house now that it went well.

Another thing that was new to us was a box on the furnace, which i couldn't figure out what it did. It's a control box for fresh air ventilation. I had no clue this was a thing.
 
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1SEIACLONE

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Jun 2, 2024
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Ames Iowa
Lived in a house with 19 yr old Pella windows & slider. They needed replaced. Also called about getting a screen for the slider since it didn't have one. We could've put in a new slider with a screen for the price they quoted us.

Not at our current location, but when we lived in Pella...Neighbor next door worked for Pella and also had Pella windows installed when he built his home in the late 90s. According to him: he had some issues with one window, talked to the company and wanted it replaced. They basically told him he could get the window replaced or keep his job, his choice.
Pella makes great windows above a certain price point, much like Anderson. In both you get what you pay for. In our old home we had vinyl windows produced by the Amish, very good windows and a great price point. We had them installed about 15 years ago, had no problems, one popped after a storm and the guy was out within a week replacing it under warranty.
The problem with windows is that they do wear out over time, and need replaced. Their energy efficiency drops down from years of wear and tear, like any other project.
My thinking is if you need to replace windows, ask yourself one simple questions, "how long do I plan on staying here?" If it's for a decade or more, bit the bullet and get the better windows, if shorter than that, save some money, get something that looks good and let the next guy worry about them.
 

1SEIACLONE

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Jun 2, 2024
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Ames Iowa
It's interesting to me how so many of the windows in our house do not open. I think maybe 4 out 20+ actually open. Fine with me since it's so rare for us to open the windows. I think it's also made it a lot quieter and probably more efficient.
Last week I installed smart zebra shades on 5 of the windows, and it's turned out really good. Plan on installing these for most of the house now that it went well.

Another thing that was new to us was a box on the furnace, which i couldn't figure out what it did. It's a control box for fresh air ventilation. I had no clue this was a thing.
Windows that you cannot slide open are cheaper to install then windows that can be opened. When we replace our existing windows on the main floor this spring, we had a large three window set up that would all open. The guy said we could save a thousand or two by replacing it with one larger window in the middle that does not open, with windows on each side that slide open, so that is what we did. Actually like the larger window to see out off better, and like you, we rarely open the side windows much, maybe in the spring or fall.
 

Primetime26

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Sep 7, 2012
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photos would help us
Roughed in. Looks like shower drain in roughed in for 60"x30" shower RH drain, which IMO is dumb, being the water lines are on the LH side, and then wouldn't have to walk "around" the toilet to get into shower

1000001849.jpg 1000001848.jpg
 

dmclone

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Oct 20, 2006
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Thoughts on a radon test bringing back 2.7 on a passive system? Should I test it again in a few months. Research what it would take to add a fan? Be happy that it's not 20+ like our previous house?
 

clones_jer

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Apr 16, 2006
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Thoughts on a radon test bringing back 2.7 on a passive system? Should I test it again in a few months. Research what it would take to add a fan? Be happy that it's not 20+ like our previous house?
I mean, you're below EPA action levels I think. maybe open a window once in a while? If you have a sump pump pit be sure that thing is covered and sealed, any holes in the floor will bring up the levels
 

dmclone

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Oct 20, 2006
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I mean, you're below EPA action levels I think. maybe open a window once in a while? If you have a sump pump pit be sure that thing is covered and sealed, any holes in the floor will bring up the levels
Thanks. I do think I could do a better job of sealing the sump.
 

clones_jer

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Apr 16, 2006
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Thanks. I do think I could do a better job of sealing the sump.
I've seen people use plexiglass & silicone to make it fancy ... or just a shitload of duct tape around the cover edges and where the pipe exits the cover (assuming you have a cover). I don't really know the science behind either method. if you're really worried a radon fan install is one of the cheaper home improvements, but I don't think it's necessary in your case.
 
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