where to buy large windows

[nereo]

I have a completely enclosed patio/sunroom that I will be renovating over the summer.  The biggest stumbling block I am having is how to replace the large plexiglass "windows" with actual windows, preferably something that is double glazed and has at least some insulating capacity (the space is a 3-season room).

The current openings are 45" x 66" (huge!).  I have four of them.  Went to the local big-box store for a 'free-consultation" and the guy told me they only carried one vendor that made windows that large and it would cost close to $10k with tax (windows were something like $1900 each x 4 + delivery & tax).

Any suggestions?  I'm not against sub-dividing those panels, but I need to be able to open a large section or it will become unbearably hot during the summer.  I also don't want to loose much of the window surface area because the interior rooms depend on these windows for light.

[James]

I would look to a local glass company in your area, they might be able to help with something more economical. Otherwise try to order the windows online or find a cheaper company online and then a local dealer for that company?

[nereo]

I would look to a local glass company in your area, they might be able to help with something more economical. Otherwise try to order the windows online or find a cheaper company online and then a local dealer for that company?

The glass company is a suggestion I hadn't thought of.
Any specific companies online that make decent windows?    Other than the physical measurements I've got nothing to go by besides what the website looks like...

[Spork]

Check to see if you have a local window store.  (Yes, these exist.)  They're usually small and in industrial areas of town. 

[Papa bear]

Go find a local window manufacturer. Split the windows into smaller units and have them mulled together from the manufacturer. 

I purchased and installed windows much larger than that for my recent remodel - double pain, low e, with grids, vinyl replacement windows, should come to around 200-250/window (if you break into 2 windows, say 2 45x33's, think 180/window + 15-20 to have mulled.)

some places won't sell retail - I have a contractors account with Alside.


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[paddedhat]

I have specified, and purchased, hundreds of 40"X 60" single and double hung, solid vinyl framed, new construction windows for new homes that my company built. The single hungs, with low-e glass, and divided light grids, typically run about $225/each. All are custom built by national manufacturers like Jen-Weld and Simonton. You need to be talking to a true window supplier, or independent lumber yard. The average guy holding the counter down at a big box store "contractor sales counter" doesn't know his ass from his elbow. A good sales person will understand the nuances of a individual manufacturer. For example, if I reduced my typical window width to 36", the price remained almost exactly the same as a 40". In one case the really sharp women at my local Simonton supplier suggested that I add an inch to the height of a custom unit I needed. This reduced the price by 40%. The reason was that the company considered the slightly bigger size to be "stock" and priced much lower, even though all the units are custom built at the plant, and there is no "stock" on the shelf product to ship out.  My guess is that, with enough due diligence on your part, you will find a product that suits you for under $300 a unit. Good luck.

[nereo]

I have specified, and purchased, hundreds of 40"X 60" single and double hung, solid vinyl framed, new construction windows for new homes that my company built. The single hungs, with low-e glass, and divided light grids, typically run about $225/each. All are custom built by national manufacturers like Jen-Weld and Simonton. You need to be talking to a true window supplier, or independent lumber yard. The average guy holding the counter down at a big box store "contractor sales counter" doesn't know his ass from his elbow. A good sales person will understand the nuances of a individual manufacturer. For example, if I reduced my typical window width to 36", the price remained almost exactly the same as a 40". In one case the really sharp women at my local Simonton supplier suggested that I add an inch to the height of a custom unit I needed. This reduced the price by 40%. The reason was that the company considered the slightly bigger size to be "stock" and priced much lower, even though all the units are custom built at the plant, and there is no "stock" on the shelf product to ship out.  My guess is that, with enough due diligence on your part, you will find a product that suits you for under $300 a unit. Good luck.

thanks.  I suspected that the guy in the big-box store didn't (as you say) "know his ass from his elbow" when the quote came to $1,900 per window, but I'm working in a foreign language and so sometimes I can't be certain if it's an issue of competence or just conversing.  I suspect he took my literal measurements and found there was only one in the catalog (it was an hour of looking through a catalog) and concluded this one fancy custom window was all that could possibly work.

to everyone - looks like i need to find a dedicated window company (actually a few) and get some quotes.  I'd be fine reducing the size an inch or two if it gives me 'stock' windows and a subsantial discount, and I've been looking at some examples of mulled windows and like some people have done.
Thanks

[Mrs. PoP]

I have specified, and purchased, hundreds of 40"X 60" single and double hung, solid vinyl framed, new construction windows for new homes that my company built. The single hungs, with low-e glass, and divided light grids, typically run about $225/each. All are custom built by national manufacturers like Jen-Weld and Simonton. You need to be talking to a true window supplier, or independent lumber yard. The average guy holding the counter down at a big box store "contractor sales counter" doesn't know his ass from his elbow. A good sales person will understand the nuances of a individual manufacturer. For example, if I reduced my typical window width to 36", the price remained almost exactly the same as a 40". In one case the really sharp women at my local Simonton supplier suggested that I add an inch to the height of a custom unit I needed. This reduced the price by 40%. The reason was that the company considered the slightly bigger size to be "stock" and priced much lower, even though all the units are custom built at the plant, and there is no "stock" on the shelf product to ship out.  My guess is that, with enough due diligence on your part, you will find a product that suits you for under $300 a unit. Good luck.

This.  We just ordered new windows and a difference of <2" on a 61" high window increased the price by nearly a factor of 2.  Find the nearest "stock" sizes to your needs and you'll get the best value.  FWIW, the window guy at our local HD was incredibly helpful with the order and we went through step by step with him in the different manufacturers' order settings on the computer.  We ended up getting single hung American Craftsman by Andersen.  The big window (~70" wide by 59" high) was ~$300 including the mid-tier low-E upgrade. 

[Rural]

While you're investigating stock sizes, look into the sizes of sliding glass door available to you - probably not French doors, which are trendy and thus pricey.