How do you know if it’s the right time to replace your home’s windows? Because it’s a remodeling project that requires more of an investment, you want to make the best decision for your home. Here are some factors that will help you decide if it’s worth it to spend the time and money replacing your windows:
- Energy Efficiency. Let’s start with the most obvious reason first. If you currently have older, builder-grade windows that your house was built with, they are often single-pane, aluminum windows. Any replacement window on the market today will be an upgrade in energy efficiency. Newer windows are sealed more tightly so they don’t leak air to keep your home warm in the winter, and they let in less solar heat in the summer, cutting your energy bills.
- Soundproofing. Dogs barking, road noise, and being in an airline flight path become less of an issue when you have double pane windows with gas fill between the panes. Noise reduction is often the most drastic difference that homeowners notice when installing replacement windows.
- Aesthetics. Your windows are the eyes of your home, and after many years, windows can start looking shabby or out of style. Many window materials cannot be painted and are impossible to freshen up. Or, you may have tried solar screens to help with heat but they look like you are trying black out the world. There is nothing like new windows to give your home a facelift and make it look years younger. Or, you can choose new windows with obscured or patterned glass in bathroom for privacy. Replacement windows give you opportunities to let in even more light if your rooms seem gloomy. By getting rid of grids or switching to casement windows, you can have fewer dividers between panes and sashes so that not a single ray of sunshine will be wasted.
- Functionality. Newer windows can help with easy cleaning. New casements can open up fully, and new double hung windows are made to tilt inward, making washing them on a second story home much easier. They also allow you to have grilles or grids between the panes of glass for easy cleaning. You may also want to upgrade to different types of windows, like an awning window in tight spots that can be opened more easily. Casement windows are great for those of us who dislike seeing the bugs and dirt in the space between the screen and the window every time you open it, because the screens are on the inside to allow the window to crank outward.
- Safety. Keeping tiny tots safe on the top floor of a two-story home can be challenging with floor to ceiling windows that are single hung, where only the bottom pane opens and closes. In fact, it would be unsafe to ever open them. By installing double-hung windows where the top sash operates up and down as well as the bottom, you can let air in from the top without creating a fall hazard. Also, windows which are close to the floor are required to have tempered glass, and older windows may not be up to code. Replacement windows can also be a benefit if your current windows don’t lock or function properly, and your home has become vulnerable to break-ins.
Exploring the reasons you want to replace your current windows will help you while you shop around to find the perfect match to update your home. If you’d like to find out more about what new windows could do for your home, please contact us directly—we’d love to help!
