Continuing to make improvements to my house (Las Vegas), here are the main areas I am looking at...

- ROOF -
We had a massive wind storm rip apart the roof, so we're getting that replaced. The guy did NOT recommend the extras 1600 bucks for the 'energy star shingles', he said the lightest tan (forget the name) will perform comparably well. From an aesthetic standpoint, the tan color will match better... Thoughts?

He also did NOT recommend the extra 1800 for a radiant barrier (he suggest the money would be better spent on a new HVAC and/or windows). Says we have sufficient insulation in the attic.

- HVAC -
found out my HVAC unit was replaced in 2002, he is putting together a quote (estimated around 5k). Will attach quote here when he sends it.

Maybe still has some life left in it?

- WINDOWS -
Current windows are GARBAGE (original aluminum 1985 windows with broken seals and massive air leaks).

Got a quote from Window World, they're a reputable brand right? Quoting me 9 "Series 3000 2-Lite single sliders" windows plus a giant 8x6 sliding door plus the Solarzone Sunshield glazing for 6500 (final installed).

He had a sample of the Solarzone Sunshield, it had a darker/blueish tint (which I actually prefer to the traditional yellow tint). I forget the exact numbers he cited, but he said it was signifigantly better than the 'old' yellow tint low e windows. Can anyone confirm?

I'm also super concerned about sound proofing, but the guy said these new double pane windows will completely eliminate the street noise (I live next to a highway). He said I wont even hear the obnoxiously loud pool filter RIGHT outside the window.

They will be retrofit (to avoid redoing the stucco), but he said they use a pretty good air tight seal/spray foam around the frame.

So... seems like a good deal? Should I pull the trigger on the windows?

PS - Any advantage to the swing out/awning style windows over the sliding double hung? In terms of air tightness/efficiency.

Thanks for any advice!

Ok think I fixed the formatting (was one giant blob of text when posting from Chrome)... Sorry about that

Casement/awning windows should seal better than the sliders...

3000 series seems to be the bottom of the barrel, I don't know your market but price seems high per unit for entry level. Sliders dont seal well, if you can change any of the 9 openings to fixed glass that would be good, change the rest to casement or awning for infiltration reduction and sound performance. Sliding patio would be better off as a french unit, again that seals better and blocks more sound.

If you have a double slider now going to a fixed slider (one side doesnt move) will help sound control, but still not your best choice. You should have NFRC details about what they are proposing. Cheap windows are just that.

Yeah the 3000 series is their 'lower end', but this price is a lot better than the other two quotes I got (7500+ no Solarzone Sunshield).

They told me the sliding door is too big for a french door (maybe if they partitioned it, but right now its two giant panes of glass, and I kinda don't want to lose the nice view). Currently one side slides, the other fixed, so that will stay the same.

I will ask if they can change any of the other windows to fixed or casement.

Anyone else have any opinions on the price/WindowWorld/Solarzone Sunshield (having trouble finding info online)? *and what kind of differences should I expect to see if I upgraded to a higher end model (4000's etc...). Are we talking massive differences in technology? Dunno if I would spend the money for a slight efficiency gain, but I WOULD for a sound proofing gain (at least on the bedroom windows).

Most all window companies or glazing companies have their own version of solarzone sunshield, you need to compare the SHGC value to compare similar products,pella sundefense,andersen smartsun, ect. They all get down in the .14-.16 range.

If you are having trouble finding info online about the windows proposed for your house, i would take that as a warning.

They do have info on the difference between the 3000/4000 series on their website...

http://www.windowworldlasvegas.com/replacement-windows/

They just didn't have any details on this new SolarZone shield because they apparently just started offering it. The guy sent me a pic of the new label...

http://imgur.com/a/oIHPs

Those numbers seem good right?

And I got another quote back from Lowes, they want 1k more than WindowWorld. The guy also said we could possibly do some fixed windows in the kitchen/living room, but the bedroom would have to be opperable. He says the single slider is very efficient, and would be nearly the same energy efficiency/sound proof as the casement. But when he comes back to do the final measure I will ask again what the cost difference will be.

As for the large sliding door, french door might provide a better seal, but would cost a LOT more and would need to be partitioned (right now its just two giant panes of glass). So I think we have to go with a slider there...

So again, the whole house, 9 windows + slider, installed for 6.5k (cheapest of the three quotes I got).

Unless you guys see something wrong here, I think I might pull the trigger...

Well after comparing with the other two quote, these WindowWorld windows are not only less expensive, but the SHGC and Air Leakage are better. I also talked to the guy about doing 4 of the windows fixed (will save a bit of money). Unfortunately, the bedrooms need to be operable (code?), but for 70 bucks I can upgrade to the 6000 series which is supposedly better insulated (may do that for the master bedroom at least).

Anyway, he's coming back to do the final measure, but it will take about a month before everything is installed. Once the new roof and windows are done, I may still have an energy efficiency audit (just to make sure the home inspector was correct when he said the attic insulation "looked good"). Will also re evaluate the HVAC at that point.