Thinking About Replacement Windows? 5 Questions to Ask First

If you’ve found yourself here, you may be thinking that it’s time to install replacement windows. There are many benefits to having new windows put in your home. While improving your curb appeal is definitely one of them, it’s not often the reason that causes people to make a change. It’s definitely one of the more costly home improvement projects and easily pushed down on the list of things to do.

We’ve got a set of questions that may help you make your final decision.

Are new windows necessary?

If you feel drafts coming in from outside when your windows are closed, you can be sure air is escaping from the inside out too. That’s reducing your home’s energy-efficiency factor more than you may realize. Other signs that your windows aren’t as energy-efficient as they once were are:

• Difficulty raising, lowering, or locking them
• Visible condensation between the panes of glass
• Loose pains, cracked glass

Signs of moisture damage can also be a sign that it’s time for window replacement. Peeling paint and damaged frames are the most obvious signs. The damage begins when moisture is able to find a way to penetrate the window frame or gets between the window unit and the outer wall of your home. If the problem has gone undetected for a long period of time, moisture can be wreaking havoc on the interior of your home.

Moisture coupled with humid conditions creates the perfect environment for mold and wood rot to form. Once they get started, they travel as they grow. It’s a known fact that left unchecked, wood rot can completely destroy the wood within a home. Mold is hazardous to our health causing allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and, in extreme cases, even death. It can adversely affect our pets too.

Will windows measurably increase my home’s energy-efficient value?

In short, the answer is yes. Replacement windows will make your home more energy-efficient. Energy Star ratings will be a valuable resource when you’re comparing windows before making your final choice. Make sure that you choose windows that carry the federal government’s seal of approval. They’ll be marked with an Energy Star rating. The actual amount of savings that you’ll see, though, depends on several factors that are unique to your home.

Which frames should I choose?

The three primary materials used for making window frames are:

• Vinyl
• Wood
• Aluminum

The popularity of vinyl windows continues to grow. In fact, HGTV states that homeowners purchase more vinyl windows than either wood or aluminum windows. They’re attractive, low maintenance, and energy-efficient. Companies that manufacture the frames using the heat weld technique are also virtually indestructible. The process melds all sides of the frame together creating one piece of vinyl.

Wood window frames have long been a standard in the industry. They’re beautiful, of course, but are also the hardest to maintain. They require periodic painting or staining to protect them against moisture. This fact alone can steer busy homeowners away from choosing to install windows framed with wood. They’re also susceptible to insects.

Aluminum windows are the least energy-efficient choice because the metal easily transfers heat and cold through it. They’re also a poor choice for those living in coastal climates because they’re susceptible to salt erosion. However, they’re an economical choice and come in a variety of factory-applied color finishes.

Are my windows outdated?

Is your home ten years old or older and never had the windows replaced? If so, it’s safe to say that you could probably use new windows sooner than later. Whether or not you neglected the old windows, it’s safe to say that their energy-efficiency value isn’t as great as it could be. Moreover, you might consider having impact windows installed.

Impact windows better protect your family during a severe storm. Strong winds and debris won’t make it past these windows into your home. Short of a tornado hitting your home directly or finding yourself in the path of a strong hurricane, odds are you’re going to weather the storm just fine.

We’ll also mention that if these windows stand up to severe storms, they’ll increase your protection against potential break-ins too! Odds are an intruder won’t hang around long if their attempt to enter your home by the easiest means possible is met with a sound thud rather than smashing glass.

Manufacturers invented impact windows with that goal in mind. Constructed using tempered glass that adheres to a sheet of high-tech polymer (or some other material) sandwiched between them, these windows are nothing short of amazing! Testing ensures that they sustain the impact of storm-tossed debris without coming apart. Then, they go on for wind and rain resistance testing. They don’t earn an impact resistant rating unless the entire unit survives the tests.

Do you currently have single-pane windows?

Whether your windows are extremely old or installing single-pane windows was a necessary decision to stay within a strict budget, these windows are undoubtedly the least energy efficient. There’s no way to insulate them. No insulation also makes them notorious for allowing outside noise to invade the inside of your home.

A whole new view

Hopefully, we’ve shed a little light on the subject of replacement windows for you. They certainly provide you with more than a clear view of your little piece of the planet. They’re energy-efficient, can measurably reduce outside noise, and protect your home from moisture damage.

If you take a little time to weigh you’re deciding factors, you’re sure to determine if now is the time to tackle the job. When you do, you’ll have every style imaginable to choose from so their will be no problem matching your current style or completely changing the look of your home.

The choice is completely yours.

If you’ve got any other questions, we’ll be happy to answer them for you.

Windows are our thing.