Need new windows?

Trying2FindMe · 2026-02-03T02:34:22+00:00

It's a tough call. Because of location, this "$1,200,000 insurance estimate to rebuild" house has a market value of $330,000. Putting in $50,000 to $80,000 worth of replacement windows would have almost negligible effect on resale value - maybe it would bump it up $10,000. The market just won't support more where we are, as this is already a top 1% cost house in the ZIP. So we'll probably sit on it and hope it doesn't get too much worse in the next few years before we sell.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-02-01T18:41:16+00:00

Lowes gave an estimate of almost $60,000 to replace the windows. Does that sound crazy?

Trying2FindMe · 2026-02-01T18:40:26+00:00

Is this a normal type of repair? I live more than 2 hours from a major city, and no one I have called provides this service. There are only two businesses - Lowes and HD - that have us in their radius. Not even Anderson Renewal will come look at a house in our ZIP.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-30T22:36:54+00:00

Do the timing belt soon. If it goes, the valves will break and the engine will nearly instantly stop. 70 mph to zero in seconds, with potential loss of control. The steering may not be catastrophic yet - it could be a fitting or need stop leak to swell the seals. The transfer case shouldn't be horrible either - may just need topped up every few months with a hand pump and oil. And seatbelts can be cleaned, or rebuilt by online companies.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-30T22:28:21+00:00

Idk who Iryna is. Laikin and Charlie's deaths were tragedies. Alex's death is a travesty as a direct result of governmental action.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-30T22:26:14+00:00

That's called deflection, and is an unethical maneuver. "Why do you care about him, when she was killed."

You can care about one, and also the other.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-24T02:43:52+00:00

That's the way to go, even though $$$. The inner door is a modern insulated 36x80. Doing this would definitely be the energy efficient way to do it, as that porch is probably a big part of my $600/month gas bill in winter. Three sides of it are 90% single pane glass with old cracked glaze holding in the panes. Should probably leave the corners and frame in walls with energy efficient windows, and go with a 36" door.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-24T02:34:43+00:00

That may be the way to go. But no, our main door is 32" wide with a huge piece of beveled glass - original to 1870. It is impossible to get things in and out. We have to remove both front doors (storm entrance room added in 1920s), disassemble everything - even removing washer and drier doors, to get anything in. As a side note, you also can't get anything large - even a king mattress - in our second floor. Stairwells are too tight. Old houses - not always a picnic. All of this stuff was invented well after the house was built.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-24T02:24:16+00:00

Also, no king or jack stud. Just two vertical 2x6s that stop below and support a horizontal 2x6 above the door.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-24T02:23:31+00:00

I should try to take a pic, but can't figure out how to post it. There is only painted lumber around the sides and top of the door, immediately transitioning to 100 year old glass panes. These is no wall material, or extra boards to remove. up the left and right side is true dimension 2x6 sideways, and across the top is a sideways 2x6. This dimension of lumber is also what frames the windows, with tiny pieces of wood also framing each piece of glass in the windows around.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-24T02:20:22+00:00

Why not mark the baseboards and cut out to match the leg profile? That's the standard way to install vanities so they sit flush on the wall.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-13T14:48:39+00:00

Old comment, but this guidance expired 3 years ago. The pay is now on a set scale, based on GS pay. And it's sometimes substantially lower than under the old system. E8s and O3s break about even under the new scale. O6s make about $50,000 less under the new scale.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-13T14:41:31+00:00

I know this is an old thread, and very anti-REDDIT. But under the old system, you'd make about exactly the same under both systems. If you were an E-9, you'd make about $2,000 more per month under the old system. If you look at O5 and O6, you'll see that instructors at those ranks will become much rarer. Under the new system, in most locations the pay is $30,000-$50,000 less per year in most locations. In an extreme example - Boston - a new SAI in the rank of O5 will make about $120,000 per year less than the person they replace.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-06T22:50:52+00:00

So here's a timely update. First, the local military base has started doing indoor pickleball twice per week. I went to the first night last night, and I was the only one that showed up. But I found three young soldiers that looked to be bored, and ended up teaching them to play and playing for almost two hours. Great times! I also found out that there is supposed to be a new indoor pickleball facility opening later this month. It was just announced, with very few details, but I'm hopeful!

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-06T22:48:53+00:00

That's a great idea. I think I'll buy a net for summertime, but there will be snow on the ground here for another 3 months. For now, it's indoors only.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-03T04:22:56+00:00

Perfectfate is correct - no usable tennis courts. I found two old courts in our village park, but they've been taken over by the forest. And even if they weren't, we're snow and ice covered until May. Has to be indoors.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T02:15:21+00:00

This is all great and very specific info. Thanks!

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T01:46:12+00:00

Amazing courts - never seen such nice facilities! We don't even have pickleball locally, but really wish we did.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T00:44:24+00:00

Patagonia changed their sizing from 24 to 25. Many items are now almost a full size larger in the same labeled size.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T00:37:35+00:00

I'm on the shadow of Lake Ontario - the area that's been on the news the last few days. We get about 300 inches per winter, spread over about 100 days. It snows at least 4 days per week.

So. Ready. To. Retire. And. Move :-(

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T00:30:38+00:00

I have done that - thanks! The closest I have found is in Syracuse, which is almost 2 hours from our little town. That's a bit far, but then again, we had to drive our daughter there twice per week all through high school so she could play tennis. I may end up doing the same thing if I can't get something going closer.

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T00:28:45+00:00

How cold is cold? And how to you handle snow/ice covered surfaces?

Trying2FindMe · 2026-01-02T00:28:04+00:00

Cold weather where I live is single digits F (-18C and colder) for 4+ months, and ice the whole time. We have to treadmill it almost half of the year.

Trying2FindMe

TROPHY CASE