Replacing your home’s windows can increase the value of your home as well as improve energy efficiency. How do you tell if your home can benefit from window replacement?
According to a recent article published by US
News & World Report, the median US house price
is now 3.2 times the family income. Now more than
ever a home should be treated as an investment,
and knowing when to act is as important as knowing
what to do when it comes to home improvement.
Replacing your home’s windows is a substantial
job that can be expensive if you don’t do your
homework ahead of time. A recent estimate for replacing
five double-hung wood windows with new wood windows,
including labor, in a 90-year-old house was $2,500
or $500 per window. Of course, it is also a project
that can improve your home aesthetically, economically
and environmentally. |
Replacing your home’s windows can increase the value of your home as well as improve energy efficiency. How do you tell if your home can benefit from window replacement?
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Knowing When to Replace Your Windows
Old or poorly installed windows can cost as much over
the course of a few years as the cost of installing
brand new windows. New
windows can lower your monthly heating and cooling
bills, increase your home’s resale value and
increase the security and safety of your home. Here
are a few signs that your home is a good candidate
for window
replacement:
- Peeling paint revealing warped or water damaged
wood.
- Nearby carpet and furniture is faded.
- Drafts near closed windows.
- Outside noise can be heard strongly inside.
- Energy bills are high year-round.
The type of material used in your existing window
frames can also cause damage to your home. Because
aluminum window frames are often colder than the ambient
air around them, condensation could form around your
windows. As this condensation builds up, it bleeds
into the frame and damages the window sills. Eventually,
the wood rots and more water leaks into the surrounding
walls. This damage can be extremely expensive to repair
since you’re not only replacing the windows and
frame, but the surrounding structure as well.
Value Proposition: Where is the Love?
When you replace your windows, there are also less
visible benefits besides increasing the resale value.
For instance, new
windows can block harmful UV rays, which damage
carpet and furniture fabrics. New windows also improve
security and safety since old, faulty windows can
make entry easier for criminals. Of course, the most
obvious value is in improving energy use.
With the right kind of windows you can save as much
as 27-38 % on heating bills in winter and
16-32 % on cooling bills in summer. A look
at the electricity and gas prices in the US can quickly
illustrate how important new windows can be to your
bottom line.
Living in the Material World
Probably the most difficult decision to make when
it comes to replacing your windows is choosing the
right style and materials. The overall cost depends
on what type of glass is used, energy efficiency,
frame materials, warranties, and finally, style.
There are four basic materials used by window
manufacturers. To make the right decision for
your needs and budget, here is some information on
the various material options:
- Aluminum: Years ago aluminum frame windows
were among the most popular due to their cost and
easy installation. As stated earlier in this article,
aluminum has inherent flaws that can make aluminum
a poor choice for your home.
- Steel: Sometimes used for housing, steel
is most often used in commercial applications. Versatile,
practical, weather-resistant, durable and energy
efficient, steel is also expensive. The variety
of style is also a drawback.
- Vinyl: Moderately priced, vinyl windows
come in a variety of styles, are durable, are readily
available, and require no maintenance.
- Wood: Choice is the biggest benefit to
wood frame windows. Of course, you pay dearly for
the freedom of choice as these windows can be expensive
and require a high level of maintenance.
Working Relationships: Who Does It?
Doing-it-yourself can save you money, but it can also
cause you huge headaches. The easiest solution is
to have someone do it for you. A professional contractor can help you choose windows and materials that are
right for your needs and budget.
There are as many qualified window installation specialists as there are options. Check the credentials of any
window installers you are considering and ask for
local examples of their work or references from past
clients. The Internet is also a good place to begin
your window replacement project.
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