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Helping You Make Your Home Your Castle |
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What You Need to Know About Replacement Windows
Overview: If your windows
are out of date and no longer enhance the facade of
your home or offer protection from the elements and
noise then it is time to update them. Finding out
what you need to know about replacement windows can
save you a lot of time and money. The window
retailers whose business is in a slump because
homeowners stopped spending on large home
improvement projects are ready to offer better
deals than the past.
Keep
in mind that energy efficient window replacement up
to $1,500 qualifies for a tax deduction that will
help defray some of the cost. Replacing windows is
an expensive proposition and if you don’t do it as
a DIY project the installation cost by a window
installer will even cost more. The questions you
have to resolve will be; are you going to repair or
you going to replace your windows.
That
is easy to answer. If the original framing is not
rotted and is reasonably square, you can get by
repairing them or inserting a replacement window
that set inside the old frame. If the frame is
rotted or significantly out of square, you will
have to install a complete new window rather than a
drop in replacement window. A new replacement
window can cost 50% to 100% more than an
replacement window insert. Keep in mind that
replacing all or several of your windows will cost
you less per window than installing just one or
two.
If
you have old windows and the frames are sound and
square, you may be able to get away with repairing
them by stripping off the old paint and repainting
or staining them. If they are low-E windows you can
add storm windows to save on your heating bill.
This will help preserve the original appearance of
your home.
Although performing major repairs on windows or
installing storm windows can be a major investment,
you will recoup much of your investment when you
sell your home or on energy savings.
The payback
on upscale wood windows has dropped is about 70% in
the today’s market.
If
you plan on replacing your windows be sure to match
the style and quality of the new windows to your
house. There is no need to lower the value of a
high end home to a midrange home by installing
inexpensive low quality windows.
However, the value of installing high end
windows in a tract house won’t necessarily make any
difference in its resale value. Buyers of track
housing are not willing to pay more for the house
because it has high end windows installed.
Your
monthly energy bill will show immediate
savings
after replacing worn out inefficient windows.
Be sure that you well insulate and seal up any
voids in the window area to get the maximum benefit
of the new window. It is not unusual that
replacement windows cut down on energy cost by
several hundred dollars a year.
When
shopping for replacement windows I recommend that
you stay with the name brand manufacturers such as
Andersen, Marvin, and Pella. Don’t compromise by
purchasing a low quality window. It will not be
worth your investment in terms of time, quality,
durability, and energy efficiency. Keep in mind
that many manufacturers produce lines of windows
that sell in different price ranges. If you are on
a restricted budget then stay with the middle B+
quality window, but if you can afford it go with
the A quality line.
Visit
the window supply showrooms to review the models
that interest you.
Raise the window or if it tilts out, open
it and inspect the frame work. When you make up
your mind select the window that suits your needs
and budget. If you are not a DIY handyman most
window supply dealers have contractors that will
install your windows at a fixed price per unit.
This is a good way to go as the supplier will stand
behind the installation rather than you finding and
dealing with one yourself. Most dealers will send
out a representative, free of charge, to your home
to assess your requirements and take precise
measurements. What you need to know about replacement windows is that prices for windows and the installation costs are at an all time low. Along with the $1500 tax credit it may be the right time to replace your old and energy inefficient windows. It will cost money but you will save a few hundred dollars a year of heating and cooling cost.
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