If you’re not fully satisfied with the windows of your home, you’ll likely think about replacing them. Then again, replacing windows can be expensive, and you don’t want to do it prematurely or unnecessarily. When is the “right” time to upgrade your windows? And how should you select your replacement options?
Evaluating Costs
Yes, replacing your windows can be expensive, ranging from a few thousand dollars for full-home window replacement to tens of thousands of dollars for more intensive jobs and the best possible materials. But it’s important to maintain the perspective that your windows are an investment.
For starters, you should understand that your windows play an important role in how your home functions. Windows are some of the most common culprits of air leaks, which can compromise your ability to heat or cool your home efficiently. If your windows are old or especially leaky, it could easily double your utility bills and make your home less comfortable at the same time.
Also, installing new windows will increase the value of your home. This usually isn’t an amount large enough to completely cover the costs of materials and installation, but you’ll recoup many of those costs. Replacement windows have a high ROI, especially when compared to other home improvement projects.
Finally, understand that price often correlates with quality in the window industry. If you’re too cheap with your budget planning, you could end up with inferior materials that compromise the operation and structural integrity of your windows.
The Potential Problems With Old Windows
Old windows come with a number of problems, including:
· Opening and operation
Windows should be easy to open and close. You shouldn’t have to exert yourself or risk breaking something just to accomplish this basic function. Over time, old windows can stick and become creaky, and in some cases, they can become almost impossible to move. This defeats the purpose of having windows and needs to be remedied.
· Security
If a window is stuck shut, it’s a kind of unintended security feature. But you should be more concerned if your windows don’t lock properly, while still being capable of being opened and shut easily.
· Insulation
Windows are a major source of air leaks in the home, especially when they’ve reached a certain age. This makes your home hotter in summer, cooler in winter, and far less efficient overall. There are some ways you can temporarily fix this, but the only permanent and truly effective fix is replacement. Modern windows are double-paned, often with charged gas between those panes, offering far superior insulation.
· Sound absorption
Better insulating windows are also better at absorbing sound. If you notice that your windows let excessive volumes of noise in and out of your house, it may be a sign that they need to be replaced.
· Appearance
Though it’s more superficial than some of the other items on this list, you should also consider the appearance and aesthetics of your windows. Newer, more modern windows tend to look cleaner and lend themselves to much greater curb appeal.
The more of these problems you notice with your windows, the more motivated you should be to replace them. If all of the above issues are present in your house, you can consider your windows to be in dire need of replacement.
Factors to Consider
When deciding whether it’s truly time to upgrade your old windows, keep these factors in mind:
· Your personal goals and priorities
First, you’ll need to think about your personal goals and priorities. What are you trying to accomplish by replacing the windows in your house? Are you primarily interested in better insulation? Or do you only care about having functional windows? Are you only interested in replacing the worst windows in your house? Or are you trying to set up your house for decades of functional window life?
· Your utility bills
Most Americans spend around $429.33 per month for all their utilities, but these costs vary dramatically from place to place. The higher your utility bills are, the more you can potentially benefit from replacing your windows (assuming all other factors are equal).
· Your home intentions
When do you plan on selling this house? The longer you plan on keeping your house, the more a window replacement makes sense. If you’re going to sell your house in the next year, for example, replacing your windows may be too expensive to justify.
· Your approach to window replacement
Do you want to replace all the windows of your house at once or replace them one at a time? There’s no such thing as a single “right” approach here; it all depends on your goals and window replacement philosophy.
Window replacement is going to look a little different for everyone, but there are many signs that your windows are beginning to reach the end of their functional lifespan. If and when you’re tired of dealing with the issues of your old windows, talk to a professional window installer about the replacement options available to you.
