As a homeowner, it may sometimes feel like your list of projects and home improvements is never-ending—and when tackling the list, you likely weigh a variety of factors to decide which projects are the highest priorities. For instance, a key consideration for most people is the cost and estimated return on investment of a home improvement project.
If you are thinking about replacing your home’s windows and doors, there are several compelling reasons to make it a priority, including the fact that new windows and doors generally deliver a strong return on investment and are considered among the most impactful projects when it comes time to sell your home. In addition to boosting your home’s resale value, new windows and doors can have a positive effect on your bottom line by significantly reducing your utility costs due to their energy-saving qualities.
At The Window & Door Store, we offer a vast selection of replacement windows, as well as interior and exterior doors, to suit any style or budget. Featuring industry-leading quality and the latest energy-saving technology, our windows and doors are sure to add value to your home while also improving curb appeal and contributing to a more comfortable indoor temperature.
Added Resale Value of New Windows and Doors
As with any other home improvement, the amount of value that new windows and doors add to your home will vary based on several different factors, including your home’s price range and the type and style of the windows and doors. However, several studies have indicated a strong ROI. For example:
- According to a 2020 survey from HomeLight, which compiled data from real estate agents across the country, the average cost to replace all the windows in a home is $12,000. This project adds an average of $9,672 at resale, for an estimated ROI of 81 percent.
- Different types of windows may be more appealing to home buyers than other types. For instance, when asked which home exterior projects are the most impactful at resale, realtors responding to the National Association of Realtors 2019 Remodeling Impact Report ranked new vinyl windows second in terms of both how much value they added to a home’s sale price and how much they appealed to buyers. New vinyl windows were also estimated to improve functionality and livability by 42 percent, while yielding an average ROI of 71 percent. This same survey ranked new wood windows fourth on the list of exterior home improvements that added the most value at resale, and sixth on the list in terms of greatest appeal to buyers.
- As far as new doors, the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report ranked fiberglass front doors and steel front doors seventh and eighth in terms of both added value and enhanced appeal to buyers. Both types of doors carried an estimated ROI of approximately 75 percent.
- As with windows, various specific attributes of a new door can affect how much value it adds to your home. For example, a 2018 analysis by Zillow found that homes with front doors that were painted black or charcoal gray sold for approximately $6,200 more than the listing price!
Cost Savings
Replacing your home’s windows and doors can offer other financial benefits aside from the added value at resale. Most notably, newer windows and doors are far more energy efficient than the options that were available in the past.
Considering that up to 30 percent of a home’s heating and cooling energy use can be attributed to heat gained and lost through the windows, installing the most energy-efficient models available can have a significant impact on your utility bills. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by replacing your old windows with new ones that carry an ENERGY STAR certification, you may be able to save between $125 and $465 per year in utility costs. While your specific savings may vary based on the types of windows you choose and your typical energy usage, homeowners who install ENERGY STAR-certified windows save, on average, 12 percent on utility costs over the course of a year. Furthermore, your new purchases may qualify for tax savings—the federal tax code offers a credit of 10 percent of the replacement cost, up to $200 for qualifying windows and skylights and up to $500 for doors.
In addition to the ENERGY STAR certification, here are a few qualities to look for in order to ensure that your new windows will help minimize your utility costs:
- Two or more panes. Double-pane windows consist of two sheets of glass separated by a small space, which is often filled with a gas such as argon or krypton. This design offers significantly better insulation than single-pane windows because the gas-filled space traps hot or cold air from the outside. While triple-pane windows are also available, they are typically not necessary in Arizona’s climate.
- Low-E coatings. A low-emissivity, or low-E, coating is a microscopically thin, colorless, nontoxic substance that reflects the sun’s heat and UV rays away from your home during the warmer months, while reflecting them back inside during the winter. As a result, low-E coatings reduce energy loss by an estimated 30-50 percent.
- Product ratings from the National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC). To help gauge energy efficiency when choosing new windows, look for the NFRC label and check the ratings found there. Specifically, look for a U-factor on the lower end of the 0.20-1.20 range, a solar heat gain coefficient on the lower end of the zero to one range, and an air leakage rating under 0.3.
Between the cost savings that can be achieved with newer, more energy-efficient windows and doors and the value that these products can add to your home’s potential resale price, replacing your windows and doors is a project that will likely pay for itself over time. However, there are many benefits in addition to the financial considerations. For instance, new windows and doors can enhance your home’s curb appeal, contribute to a more comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year, and improve safety and security.
Are you considering replacing your home’s windows and/or doors?
Contact The Window & Door Store today to request an estimate, or stop by our state-of-the-art showroom in Scottsdale to see our full range of products on display!