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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Deal on some windows...
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WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:07
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While i'm far from finalizing a cabin plan, i've got a lead on some brand new windows for cheap. They are Pella Proline 450 series windows. They are all brand new, tilt double hung windows with jamb extensions, mullion kits, etc. My price would be about $70 a window and they are large windows. Several 3'x6', 4'x5', etc.

They've been sitting for 8 years, alot of them still wrapped in their shrink wrap and packaging.

Any risk for this particular window or the fact that they've been sitting that long indoors unused?

I'm happy to design the cabin around the windows, so that's not an issue if it's a good deal.

Thoughts?

paulz
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:12
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I used out of production windows. One of them is fogged between the panes and no replacement available. I know I can cut it apart, clean and reseal, and will sooner or later. So far later. Also I only have a couple of screens, wouldn't mind more but again have to wing it.

But in the long run I saved a lot of money so not that big a deal.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:17
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Unwrap and check for seal leakage and if all the parts, screens latches, etc are there; if good go for it!

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:22
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I have a 8yr old window in my house that has a fog between the two pieces of glass. So who knows on how long they will last.

I wouldnt be worrying about useing those windows Will. For $70 each use them, if they go bad in 8yrs change then out at that time.

The first thing I would do is remove the jam extensions. They will never fit as well as a custom piece.

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:25
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Jamb extension depth would be the only concern I would have, and framing to match that.

But otherwise, I'd do it since you're willing to design around them and the none of the IGUs have failed.

You don't even want to know what I paid per window. Marvin all fiberglass units, in black, with black jamb extensions. (All fiberglass is Marvin's "cheaper" line.) Over 10x the cost of what you're looking at!

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:29
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Thanks fellas!

Only thing i'm not fond of is the exterior color as it wasn't something i originally had envisioned for cabin color scheme but it's still a doable color.

I can barely buy utility windows for that price, let alone big a$$ double hungs like those for that price.

Now the problem is where do i store them?!

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:54
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Rent a storage unit to put your scavenged, salvaged and sale items for the build?
It is cost effective to get stuff 'at discount' whenever possible but it all must be stored well! Compared to buying at retail the storage rental may be a good deal.

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 10:58
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Quoting: WILL1E
Now the problem is where do i store them?!

Heh, yep. I didn't go with used or 2nd hand windows for many reasons, that being one of them.

They're in storage now, in the cabin shell itself.

rpe
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 11:16
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I don't see any issue with those windows given the way they've been stored. Typical risks would be physical damage due to handling. Assuming they of a configuration that you can make use of, I'd say go for it!
We used lots of used windows in our cottage reno. It took some time searching out suitably sized replacements, but the savings over new is huge.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 12:16
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Will I should note that I do alreaty have all but 2 or 3 of the windows needed for our future 20x32 cabin. Our plans arnt really built around the windows but I put them in everywhere they will fit. We got used vinyl windows, 34"x64" and paid $50 each. We also got a huge 4.5x5' picture window for free. Storage can be an issue. At the monthly price of a storage unit here I would loose all value saved in half a year of paying storage fees.

We alreaty have windows, shower pan, metal roof, 80% of the lumber and the ash flooring...we dont have finished plans yet. I buy stuff when I find a good deal.

Peewee86
Member
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 14:50
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Quoting: Brettny
...we dont have finished plans yet. I buy stuff when I find a good deal.


I had done the same thing. I believe 12 of the 15 windows in my cabin were purchased ahead of time. My general rule of thumb was $.20 on the dollar from retail. Some Craigslist sellers were very unrealistic in the value of their windows. Fortunately, I had a relative that had extra garage space for storage before my place was framed.

One concern with windows that have been in long-term storage is the potential for them to warp. I didn’t have any issues but I have read it can be a problem. Check them with a straight edge.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 15 Jan 2021 15:37
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Thanks for everyones input.

Should windows be transported upright? Trying to figure out how to pick all of them up as they won't all fit in my pickup bed. I don't think i want to transport them flat, expecially on a small open trailer.

They're about an hour away, but if i have to make 2 trips to get them home safely i will. Uhaul would be $20 for the day plus 0.69 a mile plus fuel. 1 trip with the uhaul would be about $200.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 16 Jan 2021 11:11 - Edited by: gcrank1
Reply 


Maybe you have seen trucks hauling windows down the road, they are pretty much upright and strapped down well but not to making stress points creating breakage.
Ive nervously hauled some laying flat short distance and slowish, avoiding potholes and railroad tracks.
Think about building a 2x4 rack that sits firmly in the truck bed that you can set the windows upright each side of center and strap in.

fiftyfifty
Member
# Posted: 16 Jan 2021 11:49
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Proline 450 series are aluminum clad I believe. So they take paint well if you don't like the color.

BobW
Member
# Posted: 16 Jan 2021 14:04
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U Haul rents enclosed trailers-no mileage charge.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 18 Jan 2021 07:53
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Quoting: fiftyfifty
Proline 450 series are aluminum clad I believe. So they take paint well if you don't like the color.
Good to know, i'm not real fond of the tan color.

Quoting: BobW
U Haul rents enclosed trailers-no mileage charge.
Your a genius!! Totally forgot they had trailers and somehow missed that on their site when i was pricing out their trucks. Might as well make use of my diesel beast!

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 19 Jan 2021 18:16
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My dad is a contractor and had an entire load of windows rejected by the customer for being the wrong type. The manufactor didn't want them back so he took them for the eventual cabin build. They were in storage for 6 years, wrapped and put away.

We framed the cabin to utilize these windows. Brought them up and unwrapped them. In the 6 years, they all had some warpage and shrinking of the seal around the window. They were all garbage. We had to buy all new windows.

I learned a valuable lesson...

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 22 Jan 2021 10:05
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Well, picked up all 15 of my windows last night. What a chore it was jamming all of them into a 6x12 uhaul with only a 5' ceiling.

The windows all looked straight with the level, measured square and had no water damage or anything. All the screens were in still wrapped and in perfect shape as well.

For $60 a window, not sure i could've beat that deal.

fiftyfifty
Member
# Posted: 22 Jan 2021 18:03
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that's quite a deal!

willywilly2020
Member
# Posted: 23 Jan 2021 21:39
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WHAT A STEAL! New wood windows for $60/pop? I sourced all my vinyl windows new from random contractors who had leftovers from jobs, and I spent on average 70/80 a window. Wish I had the cash for wood windows!

Note, sounds like you already transported (and maybe you already know this), but you generally want to transport at an upright angle. Similarly, when you store then, store them standing at a slight angle.

Can't wait to see your build!

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 25 Jan 2021 09:09
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Yup, all stacked as you described and elevated off the floor!

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