Windows 2008

We're talking hardware, not software. We're talking vinyl, double-hung, dual-pane with argon, Lo-E, tilt-in-for-easy-cleaning windows. We're talking to one salesman after another, and they all have either the best window, the best installers, the best guarantee, or the best deal going.

Andy (good ole boy w/ shaved head, no hat) didn't have that much to say, asked a few questions, explained the process, gave me a single brochure describing the product, and quoted a price, which turned out to be the lowest bid.

Dan (tall, black suit, white shirt, gold star of David) gave an intelligent, slick presentation punctuated by a whole series of glossy brochures about his business, Zen Windows, and customer testimonials to read at our leisure. He told us about his family (need a good dentist? his wife is a dentist) and quoted a comparable price.

Tony (big, gregarious black guy) had a good eye and interesting ideas about color but read his presentation out of a binder: all about Sears being in business forever and having the best guarantee. The price was approximately double the others. This was during the Michigan game, and neither one of us wanted to be there.

Tom (older, buttoned-down, all business) methodically explained how the windows are constructed of extruded "virgin" vinyl (not recycled), was cautious about promising any modifications, and quoted a price slightly higher than the lowest but in the ballpark.

Chris (goatee, has three daughters who, he points out, are more important than windows) worked his way through school installing windows for another company, and now has the best installers because they're employees, not subconstractors. The windows are good, too, but it's all about having the best-trained people. Price was competitive.

I kept getting calls but figured five estimates was enough. Gven and I talked about our options and finally decided on - you guessed it - the first one. Andy can replace the four oldest windows in the front part of the house for a little less money. Therefore, we can rationalize over-extending ourselves to get a new kitchen casement window facing the back yard and a larger bedroom window, too.

Andy came back to review the whole deal and write up a simple contract. His company, through another mega-company, will finance it, so we can take a year to pay for six windows. Let's see, that's about one four-paned sash a month. We're not getting top-of-the-line windows, but they are expensive. And worth it in the long run. And needed in the short run.

Financing approved, we made an appointment with the installer to measure everything and firm up details such as color, materials, dimensions. They missed the appointment, not a good sign I'm thinking, and good ole boy is starting to seem more like doofus. They showed up on time for the second appointment, and Larry the installer-subcontractor, took over from there.

Larry (red baseball cap) was twice as cool, twice as wise, twice as old, and twice as good ole boy as bareheaded Andy. Larry measured all the windows and brought up some relevant factors in how to fill the space below the window that once was a door, then became an air conditioner below a stained glass window, and soon will have a limestone sill to (roughly) match the stone lintel above. I think it will look good, as well as bringing much-needed light into the dining room.

Because we took our time deciding, there will be no big ribbon on this project in time for Christmas, New Year's, or anniversary number 29 (our Vinyl Anniversary). Now we have three weeks to wait for the windows to be built and delivered, then we'll see if Larry and his crew can get a couple of nonfrigid days in January to do the installation.

New year, new windows, something to look out, in, and forward to. Now, about that old furnace.