Windows have an incredible impact on the atmosphere of your home. They can let in light and give you a view of the natural world. Their style can make or break the look of the outside of your home. The quality of the window can affect the comfort of your home since drafty or low energy efficiency windows will let you feel the cold. You have to make the right choice if you want the windows to yield a good ROI when you sell your home. Here are five things to consider when buying new windows for your home.
Consider All of the Features You Want the Windows to Have
Think about where the window is and the features it needs to have. If you have security concerns, you may want to buy windows with a secured by design label. These windows are difficult for would-be home intruders to break. They have reinforced materials, force resistant glass, and welded window joints to improve their security.
If road noise or neighborhood activity is bothering you, then windows designed to reduce the amount of noise they let through is a necessity. The newest models can keep out 90 to 95 percent of nuisance noise out. This can be achieved with double glazing and secondary glazing. Note that if road noise keeps you up at night, upgrading your windows is an investment in your quality of life. If neighborhood homes sell for less due to road noise, you’ve just made your home more attractive to potential buyers.
If you have to replace the windows because the current window frame is rotting, then choose PVCu windows to nip this problem in the bud. If your home is simply cold at winter and hot in the winter, then extra glazing will ensure that your new windows won’t be drafty.
Think about the External Appearance of Your Home
You want to pick a window style that fits with the rest of the exterior of your home. Fortunately, this means that new windows can be a great way to modernize your home’s look. Select glass and window frames that complement the current architecture of your home, as well as meet your functional needs. However, we listed the functional requirements first so that you can quickly determine which of the windows you like will actually suit your household’s needs.
Understand the Difference Between Replacing and Retrofitting Windows
The terms “retrofit” and “replacement” windows are often used as synonyms, even by some professionals, but they’re different in nature. And in most cases, one option will be better for you and differ in cost.
Replacement windows are better if you think you will completely replace the siding or redo the stucco at some point in time. With replacement windows, the siding or stucco around the window will have to be cut, flashing paper removed, and the old window will be removed afterward.
The contractor will then come in, install the new window, flashing paper, and replace the stucco. As a result, the new window will exactly be the same size as the older one. However, if you don’t redo the stucco around the window afterward, you’ll be able to see where the area was patched, which will not look good.
If you don’t think you’ll be redoing the stucco anytime soon, however, retrofitting the windows is a better idea and will be much less labor intensive and expensive. In the case of retrofit windows, the perimeter frame will remain untouched and there will be no damage to the stucco. The new windows will be made to fit in the perimeter frame. The contractor will adapt the installation using different methods, depending on whether your windows are made from wood or metal.
However, since the new window will need to be able to fit within the old one, it will be a little bit smaller in size. While the difference will seem negligible in most cases, if this is done on a window that was already smaller, like in a bathroom, for instance, then the difference might be more noticeable. Some retro-fit windows also come with a large exterior, flange which is not be something all homeowners will like.
Research Their Energy Efficiency
There are a variety of window designs available, and their energy efficiency varies. The new energy grading scheme rates windows from A++ to E. When you update your windows with functional, energy-efficient models, you could see an 85 percent return on the investment. You’ll be more comfortable in your home because you don’t have to choose between natural light and feeling how hot or cold it is outside. If you want to understand how window design translates into greater comfort and lower energy bills, you can read more here. The reduced energy and heating bills are a bonus.
Determine What You’re Willing to Pay Today and In the Future
If you have a limited budget, PVCu is the best choice. In fact, it is the most common material used in windows today. It is cheaper than timber and aluminum, yet it provides excellent insulation. It requires little to no maintenance. Timber and wooden windows are both classy and classic. They cost a little more than PVC, but they will blend in on an older home. They dampen external sound well. However, they bring with them ongoing maintenance costs. You have to paint them or treat them periodically to prevent rot. Aluminum windows are cheap and require little maintenance, but they will cost you in higher energy bills. Yet they may be the best choice for unusually shaped windows.
Double glazing costs more than single glazing, but in general, you should pay for the most energy efficient windows you can afford because you see a nearly 100 percent ROI when you sell the home.
Conclusion
Don’t choose windows based on the lowest price tag or what everyone else says to buy. The best windows for your home fit the architectural style, your budget, and your needs.
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