Why Replace Your Windows?

Replacement Windows: An Investment Worth Making

Replacing the windows in your house can be a substantial investment, but it is one that is well worth making. There are four basic benefits to replacing your windows: aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, comfort, and property value.

Aesthetic Appeal

Windows deteriorate over time. If you have an older house, the window frames are more likely to be made out of natural materials, and if this is the case, they are more likely to have become corroded, particularly if you live in a climate which exposes them to intense sunlight and/or moisture. Everyone has seen houses where the windows have seen better days, and while this can seem like a small detail, the cumulative effect can make a house look unattractive. Replacing the windows and frames is a good way to make your whole house seem fresher. Depending on the materials used for the replacement frames, the effect can be quite striking, particularly if you invest in high-quality wooden frames.

Energy Efficiency

Although some might replace their windows for aesthetic reasons only, most of us want to save money, too. Replacing the windows in your house can be a daunting prospect from a financial perspective, but because of the large amount of heat transmission that occurs though windows, relying on older windows to keep the chill out in the winter and the heat out in the summer can cause your energy bills to be a great deal higher than they would otherwise be. Modern windows offer significant advances in preventing heat transmission. Storm windows with double panes offer an extra buffer against the weather outside by including a layer of air or even argon gas (a good insulator) between the panes. Some windows have special coatings designed to lower the U-factor and the SHGC (measurements of heat transmission and loss) of the window materials. Naturally any large-scale window-replacement project will require a significant investment, but the project is likely to pay for itself with long-term savings. If your new windows meet government specifications for energy-efficiency, you may even be eligible for a tax credit to offset their cost.

Making a Comfortable Home

If you live in an extreme climate, winter and summer can be difficult times. If your windows are old, you may find that your air-conditioning becomes less effective in the summer, which means a significant amount of wasted energy, which is undesirable both from a financial and from an environmental perspective; and that your heating is less effective in the winter. Poorly-fitted frames can add to the problem, allowing both for direct heat loss through the cracks and for chilly drafts. It is surprising what a difference new windows can make to the overall pleasantness of your home life.

Increasing the Value of Your Home

Finally—and for the all of the reasons detailed above—replacing your windows is an excellent way to increase the overall value of your home. In an increasingly environmentally-aware culture, prospective home owners know to pay attention to window quality. An investment in windows now can mean a significantly higher resale price for your house later on.

As always, feel free to enter your information in the contact form above. As soon as we receive your information, a window-replacement expert will contact you, ready to answer your questions and to take your circumstances into consideration in order to help you make the most informed decision possible.