Buying a new replacement window for your home might not seem like a life-altering decision. If a window in your house is broken or isn’t working up to standard, buying a new one can feel like a chore at worst and a necessary step toward protecting your home at best. But think about it: Your new windows actually have a lot of power in your home. When you’re shopping for new windows, you’re actually taking steps toward protecting your home for the next 25-50 years. The windows you choose from Renewal by Andersen of Central NC could help you strengthen and protect your home from the ground up, dial down your energy bills, and increase resale value on your property. On the other hand, if you make a hasty choice, it could end up hurting you in a few years’ time. That’s why it’s essential to really know what you’re buying when you go to pick a set of new replacement windows. From reading up on safety and insulation features to picking the best fit for your home, here are some steps to take to get the perfect replacement windows for your property.
Ask Yourself: What Problems Am I Trying to Fix?
Before making a new window purchase, think about what you’re actually buying and why. Sometimes the answer is obvious: Your old window is cracked or simply isn’t working to keep out drafts any longer. Sometimes, however, the answer isn’t quite as simple as that. It also helps to think of your purchase as an opportunity to kill a few birds with one stone. Maybe you need new windows to keep out drafts, but you’re also noticing that the noise in your neighborhood is really starting to get to you. Perhaps you want to update your windows to boost your home’s resale value, but you also wouldn’t mind knocking a few dollars off the heating bill for a few months in the winter. Don’t think of your old windows as a single problem to be fixed. Think about your window upgrade as just that: A way to bring your home into the 21st century and increase your property’s value for years to come. You don’t have to invest in a state-of-the-art window model to get your home feeling and looking way better than it was.
Consider Energy-Efficiency and Long-Term Savings
Once you start thinking of your replacement windows as a long-term investment, you’ll be able to start asking the right questions. If you look at each potential model as a way to protect and strengthen your home, you’ll be much more motivated to ask about a window’s Energy Star rating or its yearly savings on energy bills. Energy-efficiency isn’t just a nice perk to have: It’s the way of the future. Outfitting your home with windows that have a high-R value and a Low-E coating will help your home stay protected from the outdoors no matter what. You’ll see yearly savings as well as a lot fewer issues from moisture leaks and mold growth. If you live in a damp climate and leaking is a concern, it’s even more crucial to choose windows that aren’t going to trap condensation and filter cold, damp water into your home. When comparing and contrasting windows, always put the insulation value high on the list of benefits.
Choose the Right Material
Choosing the best window material for your needs will have a lot to do with your home’s climate. Do you live in a dry, dusty area that heats up quickly? Your home may be more forgiving of less expensive material like vinyl. For wetter regions that have to deal with a long rainy season, seeking a moisture-proof frame material like fiberglass is always a good option. Homes that are constantly exposed to sunlight will always benefit from windows with great UV protection and a Low-E coating. If you live in a climate that goes back and forth in terms of weather, stick with something versatile like composite or finished wood.
Compare and Contrast
Once you’ve made a list of all your concerns, it’s time to start shopping for real. Choose a few highly-rated options from some of the most reliable brands and start comparing features. You can make a list of pros and cons or simply choose the most cost-effective choice from a list of highly-rated, similar-quality options. However you narrow it down, make sure you’ve armed yourself with as much information as possible before settling on the perfect match for your home.
