Replacing your home’s windows is a great way to enhance the appearance of your house and block out the weather as well as unwanted noise. New windows are great ways to reduce your energy bills and increase your comfort.
However, window replacement is an expensive undertaking that requires a bit of thought, some planning, and research on the front end to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck. Not only do you need to consider what type and brand of windows to purchase, you also need to be sure you hire a top-quality, experienced installation expert to make sure you get full value for your investment.
These are some of the most important things to consider when planning to buy replacement windows for your Nashville home:
Choosing the Right Product
There is a lot of technical terminology that comes with researching replacement windows, so it’s important to get yourself up to speed on what everything means. This will help you select the right product for your home and family.
- Double-hung windows. These consist of two sashes that slide up and down. They stay inside the frame, and you can open them from the top or the bottom. This distinguishes them from single hung windows, which open only from the bottom; the top stash is stationary.
- Casement windows. These windows are hinged and open outward with the turn of a crank or lever. Casement windows can hinge on either the left or the right side.
- Awning windows. These hinged windows open at the top rather than on the side. You can have them installed above or below a stationary window to allow fresh air inside.
- Picture windows. As the name suggests, these large windows are stationary within a frame. They are great for maximizing light and outdoor views in living spaces.
- Slider windows. These glide along a track and open horizontally. They are similar to double-hung windows, except they are horizontal rather than vertical.
- These windows do not open, but are customizable; they can fit just about any space or style. People often install stationary windows alongside casement or awning windows.
- Bay and bow windows. These windows offer a way to maximize space in your home’s interior because they protrude outward from the home’s siding. They are generally composed of a stationary window in the center flanked by casement or double-hung windows.
Research Your Savings Potential
Advertisers are fond of touting the “massive” energy savings to be obtained from replacing your windows, and it’s true that window replacement can save you money on your monthly energy bill. However, since you’ll also be making a big investment by purchasing new windows, it is worth doing some research so you know how much you can expect in terms of energy savings, avoiding future disappointment.
How much you’ll end up saving by installing new windows depends on a variety of factors, namely the area in which you live. Depending on the area of the country where your home is located, you can save roughly $200 to $400 per year by having energy-efficient windows installed. Obviously the amount you’ll save per year is less than the cost of replacing the windows, but when you stop to consider how long you’ll be in your home and the life of the new windows, the year-over-year savings can add up to help you make back your investment over time.
Replacement windows can also offer savings in terms of increasing your home’s overall value. This is especially important if you think you might sell your home somewhere down the road. While you may not recoup the entire cost of new windows in the increase in resale value, you should expect to make back around 60% to 70% back on your investment. And of course, you’ll have had all the years you were in the home enjoying your new windows, which has no price tag!
Don’t Forget Comfort
Replacing your windows not only saves money on energy expenditures, it can vastly increase the comfort inside your home – insulated windows help keep your home warm in winter and cool in the summer. They can reduce the sounds of the great outdoors you don’t always want to hear, and they can even ease the burden on your HVAC system so it can last longer.
Work With Professionals
Many considerations go into a homeowner’s decision to invest in new windows. You want to make sure no matter what type and style of windows you choose, you work with a professional who offers expertise of the same caliber you expect in the physical product. Palm Beach Enclosures and Sunrise Windows want to help you take advantage of the beauty, light, and peace that replacement windows can offer. Contact us today to get started on your window replacement project!