New windows and doors

[kimo wires]

Can anyone tell me the best place to shop for new windows and doors in Hilo?

I need 5' x 5' windows,

Mahalo in advance for help. Aloha

[Rob Tucker]

While there are a number of obvious sources when I was building my home I got the best prices and service from J&J Hardware in Hilo (across from Ken's Pancake House). I was not looking for stock, off the shelf windows though. I bought fiberglas windows and J&J gave me a better price then I could get in L.A.

[john the architect]

Kimo,

Rob is right about J&J and I got some windows there, too. Last I checked, unless they have some close-outs left they may be out of that business of selling new windows. The windows and doors are the most expensive part of the cost of a new home, and the decision as to what, where, how big, and all the features is quite a challenge in specifying. Is it a venting window or just a view window? Does it all have to vent 100% ( like a casement or jalousie) or can just an upper or lower section do that while a fixed (and cheaper) part handles the view? Is there an egress requirement for a sleeping room that has to meet code opening size and other details? First get a handle on what you actually need, plus some leeway in case you have an option on "boneyard" overstocked or Habitat resales, then give the local suppliers a chance at bidding it before you go to the big box stores. Might be something in stock that you can get cheaper than a custom order.

[Carey]

We have found out one thing... if you purchase wood framed door & windows, the frame wood is most likely NOT termite treated (even if you purchase fiberglas doors & windows, be sure that the FRAME is termite resistant, better yet termite PROOF ... nothing worse than seeing termite evidence around the frames of year old fiberglas doors!)

[Rob Tucker]

That is why I bought fiberglass windows and doors. My whole home is made of termite proof material and is now about three years old. However, almost every piece of furniture, cabinetry, etc is constantly being attacked by termites. You'd think that with a concrete building and no structural use of wood that I'd be free of termite problems. I'm regretting every single piece of wood I have in my home. My solid walnut desk is being chewed to pieces as I write. But all the non-wood stuff is very fine thank you very much.

[kimo wires]

Thanks Guys for the quick responses. I'll check them out.

[mdd7000]

Where we are (less than a month to go) in Illinois, there are termites that will eat through concrete. We had a 100 year old barn with a concrete foundation that had this particularly nasty type that was actually eating/tunneling into the concrete! We researched the issue and put out bait traps to kill them off. You can buy them on eBay for a lot less than having the local termite companies out.

[Carey]

We came from Illinois...one BIG difference here... the buggers don't die back/off for half a year or so here... they are ALWAYS chewing away, so the damage is much more noticeable and quicker.

Although subterranean termites tunnel through the concrete, it does not support their life, they gotta have wood & that is their goal. Bait traps can help, but it is best here to utilize all tools possible & realize every wood is chewable.... some will deter, but all woods can/WILL have damage here, so plan your wood purchases with that always in the back of your mind.

A very practical thing to realize is that this island has elements that can destroy just about any material (a look at the titanium siding of Imiloa Astronomy Center's "peaks" can give you a lot of respect for this island's destructive side!)

[mdd7000]

Carey - good points. Correct, they were not really eating the concrete for food, but they still tunnel through it.

[David M]

When we were in that process, HPM offered the best deal on windows (vinyl) and included delivery. As for doors, HD gave us a cheaper quote, but not 100% sure that the French doors were equal quality. HD also did best on garage doors.

David

Ninole Resident