A Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing Replacement Windows
Windows are a focal point of your home. More than that, they serve an important role in keeping your home at the right temperature and saving you money.
When it’s time to replace your windows, you need to know how to choose the best window replacement that both complements the look of your home and functions properly. The last thing you want is to waste your money on beautiful windows that either don’t open or aren’t energy efficient!
Here are some pointers on how to choose replacement windows for your home.
Reasons to Get New Windows
Typically, windows last somewhere between 15 and 30 years, depending on a number of factors including material, installation, proper use, the status of your home’s foundation, and more. You should consider a window replacement for the following common reasons:
- Function — Do your windows open and close properly?
- Age — Are your windows outdated or damaged?
- Condition — Do your windows have cracks or other damage?
- Energy Efficiency — Are your windows allowing air in and out of your home while closed?
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Are you feeling a draft or extra chilly around your windows? Are you noticing a fog between your window’s glass panes? One of the most important factors for choosing lasting windows is energy efficiency. Your windows should help lower your energy costs—not increase them.
Replace Old and Damaged Windows
Your windows should keep out the weather. Leaks, damaged seals, and window cracks can all lead to rot and other issues including comfort and structural integrity. If your windows no longer provide a waterproof barrier between indoors and out, it’s time for replacement.
Quiet the Noise Outside
Road, city or neighborhood noise may be a concern. While new windows might not be able to silence the outside noise completely, they can quiet down the sound. You might be surprised at how much quieter your home will be as a result.
Boost Your Curb Appeal
The look of your home is important, and you should bear in mind how different windows might impact how the exterior of your home looks after they’re installed. With all the types of windows available, you’re sure to find something that makes your home even more attractive than it already is. It’s also possible to improve your view by increasing the size of your current windows, or changing where your windows are located.
Return on Investment
Windows are one of the best upgrades that homeowners can do to boost their resale value when selling a home. Not every home improvement project offers a favorable return on investment, but window replacement does. Upon resale, homeowners typically recoup more than half of what they invest in the project. Be sure to check out available financing options from your local contractor.
Consider Functionality
Don’t limit yourself to replacing one type of window with the exact same thing. For example, if you have a gliding window (the kind that opens by sliding to the side) that’s difficult to open because of its location, you might consider a different type that opens an easier way. It shouldn’t be a chore to open and close the windows on your home.
Choose a Durable Option
Window materials are like roofing materials: there’s a variety of options to choose from. When looking into window replacement in Denver, make sure you go with an option that’s built to last…especially throughout the hail storms and other inclement weather we get in Colorado.
Research Product Warranties
Your new windows should come with a manufacturer’s warranty that protects them from damage and malfunction within a given period of time. Your windows could be protected anywhere from three to 15 years, depending on the style, materials, and manufacturer.
Different Designs and Styles
The number one priority for windows is function. However, that doesn’t mean that style and aesthetics aren’t important. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular window style options.
Double-hung windows are used most often in homes with classic traditional styling, though they are also found in traditional-modern homes. The classic rambler, farmhouse, and bungalow styles, for example, make extensive use of double-hung windows.
Single-hung windows are similar to double-hung windows in that they both have two separate, upper and lower sashes. The difference between the two is that the upper sash of a single-hung window is fixed in place, allowing only the lower sash to be operable.
Casement windows are those that crank open horizontally on hinges mounted on one side at the top and bottom. One side remains stationary, while the other side of the window pivots open like a door. They are very common windows, second only to double-hung windows in their popularity.
Awning windows operate in exactly the same way as casement windows—with mechanical cranks that open and close them. Awning windows, though, open from the bottom when cranked, with the top edge fixed in place while the bottom pivots outward and up.
Slider windows are mechanically quite simple, consisting of side-by-side windows that slide horizontally along the top and bottom tracks. In some styles, both windows slide, while in other styles, one window is fixed while the other moves side to side.
A fixed window refers to any window that uses a glass pane fixed within a window frame that does not open or close. The classic picture window is the most familiar example of a fixed window, but there are other types.
The terms roof window and skylight are sometimes used interchangeably, but traditionally, a skylight is defined as a fixed window installed in a roofline, while a roof window refers to a similar window that can be opened and closed to provide ventilation.
A bay or bow window refers to a combination of windows that together form a unit that extends outward from the wall surface of the house. These windows are called bay windows when the shape of the extension is more-or-less square, and are known as a bow window when the shape is more curved.
Trust a Professional to Install Your Windows
If you’re ready to get started with your home window installation project, be sure to go with a trusted local contractor. J&K Roofing offers solutions for windows, roofing, siding and solar. We can help you make smart choices for your replacement windows. We also offer financing options.
Since 1984, we’ve been helping homeowners protect their homes from storm and hail damage in Colorado—throughout the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, and Northern Colorado areas. Call 303-425-7531 or click here to get in touch.