Benefits of Window Replacement: Is it Worth it?

September 12, 2020

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While it’s worth it to replace windows, note that window replacement is sometimes a costly investment for homeowners, and of course the more windows you replace, the higher that cost! Because of their expected window replacement costs, many homeowners wonder if that expense is worth it and if they’ll see any real benefit to new residential windows.

Benefits of window replacement include:

  • Increased home value from 70% to 80%
  • Better interior insulation, lower utility costs
  • Enhanced view to the outside
  • Improved curb appeal
  • Increased sunlight in the home
  • Easier window operations and cleaning
  • Increased home security

Window replacement might offer a homeowner more benefits than they realize, and be worth their cost in more ways than one! Knowing those benefits as well as a few vital differences between window glass and frame style ensures you make the best decision for your home.

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If you’re in the market for a new residential window installation, note some added information about new windows and how they can benefit your home. You can then discuss this information with a window installation contractor near you and make the right decision when it comes to new windows, entryway doors, patio doors, and even skylights in your home!

Benefits of New Windows | Why It’s Worth It to Replace Windows

Before you decide that you can go yet another year without needed window replacement, note some important details about the benefits of new windows for your home.

  • Most homeowners see a 70% to 80% return on their investment in terms of increased home value; in other words, for every $100 you spend on new windows, your property values will typically increase by $70 to $80. This number will vary according to your area and type of windows chosen, so talk to a real estate agent or property appraiser near you if you’re curious about your property values in particular.
  • Today’s window designs are meant to keep out more heat, cold air, and humidity while also keeping in your heated and cooled air, increasing interior insulation while decreasing your energy costs.
  • Using less electricity to heat and cool your home throughout the year, or to run a dehumidifier in summer months, means fewer carbon emissions created by electrical power plants! New windows are then a very eco-friendly decision for any home.
  • Thicker windows with enhanced insulation also block sound waves and rattle less in high winds, for a quieter interior environment.
  • Larger windows, picture windows, or windows without a middle sash or grilles offer an enhanced view to the outside, allowing you to enjoy the skyline or cityscape much more readily!
  • New windows often improve your home’s curb appeal on the outside, giving your house an updated and even cleaner look!
  • Larger windows and new windows without etching and scratching allow more sunlight into interior spaces. In turn, your home will look brighter and more welcoming and even your houseplants will thrive more readily!
  • Older windows tend to sag or shift out of position, and wood window frames might expand and shrink as they absorb moisture and dry out. You might then struggle to open and close those windows, while new windows offer easier operation.
  • Tilt-in windows also offer easier cleaning options so you don’t need to hire an outside company to wash the home’s windows, while still enjoying clean glass year-round!
  • Thicker glass and new window frames offer enhanced security for your home; safety glass is difficult to break even with a tool or projectile, and upgraded locks on the windows also mean added security against thieves and intruders.
  • Older window frames tend to pull away from the home’s framework, leading to drafts and trapped humidity. New windows and frames can then mean fewer drafts and a more comfortable interior environment no matter the its energy rating or style!

One last note; new windows often enhance the appearance of inside rooms, offering an updated look you’re sure to love. This is especially true of a bow or bay window you can curl up under, or larger windows that offer more fresh air and sunlight to interior spaces. A space you love to come home to is worth it to replace windows in your home!

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How to Choose Energy-Efficient Windows

When shopping for the best energy-efficient windows for your home, you might get overwhelmed with all the technical jargon and wording, and wonder how all those ratings and details affect a window’s energy efficiency! To make the best choice for your home, note some vital information about how windows are rated when it comes to insulation properties, glass strength and durability, and so on. You can then decide if it’s worth it to replace windows and the best choice for your home.

  • Window glazing refers to how many panes make up the window; double-glazed windows have two separate panes, for example. Double-glazed and triple-glazed windows offer far more insulation than single-paned windows.
  • Between panes of glass is either air, krypton, or argon gas; argon and krypton gas are more expensive but provide added insulation against heat and cold.
  • Low-emissivity or low-E coatings help deflect solar heat; in other words, they allow in sunlight but not the rays that produce heat. If you love a bright, sunny home interior but need to keep the home’s interior cooler, choose low-E coatings.
  • A window’s U factor measures its overall insulation; the lower the U factor, the better the window’s insulation! If your home is always cold and drafty in wintertime and hot and stuffy in summer, choose the lowest U factor available.
  • Window’s R rating refers to how well it insulates against heat. The higher the R rating, the better the insulation. For homes in warm climates, choose windows with a high R rating.
  • Energy Star ratings measures a window’s R rating, U factor, and amount of air leakage through its frames. Windows must meet a certain criteria for those three factors to receive an Energy Star rating; if you’re unsure of the best energy-efficient windows for your home, choose a brand with an Energy Star rating.

Choosing the Best Window Replacement Style for Your Home

When choosing a window replacement style for your home, it’s vital that you balance its energy efficiency with its appearance and function. After all, you don’t want windows that do an excellent job of insulating your home if they don’t offer the sunlight you love or provide your interior spaces with adequate fresh air when opened!

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Picture windows are stationary meaning they don’t open or close. They make excellent choice for living rooms, where you might prefer a stunning view to the outdoors. A window installer can also typically cut picture windows to fit just about any space, so you might add them to an awkward, dark corner, or areas where you need light and a view to the outside, such as behind a stand-alone bathtub. As picture windows don’t open, they also provide lots of insulation with little risk of air leakage around the frame.

Casement windows open on the side, like a door. As the window itself is one solid pane, casement windows tend to keep out cold drafts and outside humidity better than single-hung or double-hung windows. They also let in lots of fresh air when open, improving air quality and helping to cool the home during summer months!

For purely aesthetic value, you might consider bay or bow windows. These windows have three to five panes that “jut out” from the home; since those panes don’t lie flat against the wall, they allow in much more sunlight! Bay and bow windows also allow for seating in that space, creating a cozy reading or breakfast nook.

Skylights and custom windows are also an excellent choice for adding light where it’s needed; many skylight styles even open from the inside, so you can increase air circulation and let out cooking smoke and airborne grease. Custom windows might be fitted in odd corners or over existing windows and doors, for added light and aesthetic appeal.

If you do open and close certain windows quite often throughout the day, consider their operation. Lifting and lowering single-hung windows can be tiring and especially if you need to reach over a sink or bathtub. Casement and sliding windows, which slide from side to side, are typically easier to open and close as these styles don’t need lifting.

For homes that need a bit more style and convenience, ask your window installation contractor if they might transform a window to a French door! Very often a window frame only needs a bit more cutting and fabrication to accommodate a French door, which allows for added light into the home as well as another entryway for even more convenience.

Related Questions

Should you replace all windows at once?

Replacing all windows in the home ensures maximum insulation and energy-efficiency. However, if you cannot afford to replace all windows at once, choose those in rooms you use most often or replace the most damaged windows first.

How many years do windows last?

High-quality windows often last ten to fifteen years before they need replacing. How well you maintain those windows, including keeping them clean, affects their lifespan. Ask your window installation contractor how to keep your windows in good condition and damage-free.

What is the best time of year to buy replacement windows?

Ask your contractor is it worth it to replace windows at a certain time; for example, many offer discounts in the fall, to get rid of excess inventory. During springtime, homeowners often want to make improvements to their home, so window installers might also offer a discount then, to impel homeowners to choose window replacement versus any other renovation project!

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