Windows serve as a key portal between the indoors and outdoors of your home, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature inside, enhancing curb appeal, and keeping your family and possessions secure. However, despite the many important roles they fulfill, upgrading windows often falls to the bottom of the list when homeowners are considering which projects to tackle.
Wondering why you should think about replacing your home’s windows?
Here are seven of the main benefits to consider:
- Cost savings. Often containing only one pane of glass to separate the inside of your home from the outdoors, older windows tend to be far less energy efficient than newer models. For instance, the best windows on the market today are equipped with two or more panes, low-E coatings (or low-emissivity coatings, which reflect the sun’s heat and UV rays away from your home during the warmer months, while reflecting them back inside during the winter), and gas fills between the window panes, which help trap hot or cold air from the outside. These features contribute to excellent energy efficiency, which translates to significant savings on your utility bills. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by replacing your old windows with new ones that are ENERGY STAR certified, you may be able to save between $125 and $465 per year in utility costs. This means that the new windows should pay for themselves over time.
- Better interior comfort. Cost savings are not the only benefit of energy-efficient windows—the energy-saving features will also make it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home year-round, with a reduced need to use your HVAC unit.
- More environmentally friendly. Many people today are constantly looking for ways to conserve resources and reduce their environmental footprint. Since new, energy-efficient windows will decrease your reliance on your home’s heating and cooling systems, they provide an easy way to help ensure that you’re doing your part to create a cleaner, healthier environment.
- Improved resale value. Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, it’s always helpful to consider how a project may affect your home’s resale value when deciding whether the investment is worthwhile. Fortunately, replacing windows tends to yield a strong return on investment: according to a 2020 survey from HomeLight, the average cost to replace all the windows in a home is $12,000, with the project adding an average of $9,672 at resale. This translates to an estimatedROI of 81 percent. The National Association of Realtors 2019 Remodeling Impact Report also ranked new vinyl windows in particular as second on a list of which exterior projects were most impactful at resale.
- Better curb appeal. When looking at your home from the outside, the windows are among the most prominent features. Therefore, upgrading your existing windows to newer, more stylish models can have a major impact on the overall curb appeal—from both the indoors and out. Choose from beautiful vinyl, aluminum, composite, or wood-clad frames paired with a variety of colors and finishes to create a look that complements your unique style, whether your home is contemporary, traditional, Southwestern or anything in between.
- Improved functionality. One of the main signs that it’s time to replace your windows is if you notice that they’ve become difficult to open and close. Operating your windows should be effortless—if they are sticking, it could mean that the windows are rusting, the frames are beginning to rot and warp, or the windows were not installed properly in the first place. In addition to causing a hassle any time you want to open or close the windows, these defects could allow drafts to enter the home, thereby driving up your utility costs. If you’ve found yourself wrestling with your windows, the best solution is to replace them with newer models that will be seamless to operate and will effectively keep out drafts.
- Enhanced safety and security. If your windows are showing signs of warping and deterioration, it can be more than just a nuisance—it can also pose a safety hazard. For example, in the event of a house fire, it’s crucial to be able to easily open the windows and escape. Another consideration is that new windows can be equipped with enhanced security features, such as state-of-the-art sensors and locking mechanisms, to help ensure that your family and assets are protected from potential break-ins.
Offering these benefits and many others, replacing your windows is a relatively easy home improvement project that can enhance both your bottom line and your family’s overall comfort and enjoyment of your home. Whether you opt to replace all your windows or just a few, the key to maximizing the benefits of the project is to work with an experienced window replacement company, such as the Window & Door Store. From our professional design consultants to our expert installers, our team will guide you through each step in the process, ensuring that your new windows suit your needs, style, and budget. We are proud to partner with industry-leading brands, such as Anlin, Pella, and ProVia, to provide high-quality windows that feature the latest energy-saving technology.
