Five Things to Consider Before

Replacing Your Home Windows

Our houses are a reflection of who we are. From

the exterior color we choose, to the interior layout,
and even the artwork we put up on the walls all
reflect our tastes and personalities.

When our hair gets a little shaggy, we pay a visit to

the barber or hairstylist, and just like we have to
maintain our appearance we also have to maintain
your houses.

One of the ongoing challenges of home

maintenance is the upkeep of our windows. As
windows age, they may develop leaks as a result of
decaying frames or house settlement.

Which is why homeowners should consider all of

the different factors involved in replacing windows
prior to talking with a contractor. Here are five
things you should consider.

Location

First and foremost, where is your house located?

Prices vary widely by market so if your house is in
an outlying area such as Lake Tahoe you’ll be
paying more due to delivery and travel costs for the
installer.

Window Count

How many windows are in your house, how many

different sizes of windows? Count ‘em up and note
each size. Are there patio/sliding glass doors?
Knowing how many windows need to be replaced
and having a rough idea of the window sizes will be
key to obtaining an accurate quote from the
contractor or installer.

Type of Home

Next, what type of house do you have? The installer

is going to want to know. How high of a ladder
should she or he bring? Do you live in a castle with
a 12 story tower that needs a window replaced?
What kind of siding is on your house? Installation
costs will vary based on the degree of difficulty for
the installer, so think about what the installation
might entail.
Current Window Conditions

How much deterioration have your existing window

frames undergone? How much leakage are you
experiencing? This will determine if you need full
frame window replacements or if you can retrofit
new windows over the existing frames. Full frame
window replacements, for which the frames must
be replaced, are much more invasive and involve
additional costs such as painting. The only way to
really resolve rot issues is to replace the frames as
well as the windows. Keep in mind, as well, that
with some additional construction costs you can
increase the size of windows when you do a full
window replacement.

Type of Windows

You’ll have to decide what kind of windows you

want. There are a few options, including vinyl,
fiberglass, aluminum, and wood clad. Your decision
might be based on the weather in your area or on
aesthetics and how the windows look on your
house. Curb-appeal might be your priority. You also
have some options for glass, either Low-E or clear.
Low-E will be a bit more expensive but the windows
keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in
summer so they may be worth the additional
investment.

Your big choice is going to be whether you need or

want new windows frames and all, which will also
offer more overall efficiency, or whether you want to
just replace old glass with new double pane units.
While just replacing with new double pane units will
offer better energy efficiency because they will
resolve leakage issues, replacing frames with more
efficient material might be the wiser approach in the
long run.

If you do a little research up-front on these items

you’ll have a much more productive conversation
with salespeople or contractors when you pick up
the phone to get a quote. If you’re just at the
beginning of the process and need a ballpark, $400
per window installed for standard-sized windows is
a soft benchmark.

To be sure, it’s a lot to think about. But just as we

look in the mirror and determine we need a haircut,
we need to look at our houses — and our windows
— and decide if they need a little beautification as
well.