There are a few different reasons home owners choose to replace their existing windows: convenience, safety, and improved energy efficiency. With varying climates in FL and the unpredictability of hurricane season, you’ll want to invest wisely and make a decision that will work for you and your family for many years to come.
With that said, there are certain things to consider when moving forward with a window replacement:
- You may need to replace more than just the glass and moving parts of the window. In traditional window replacements, the framed part of the window stays in place. But, in some cases, that may be the part of your window that suffered the most damage. If that’s the case for the windows in your house, you should consider a new construction window. In addition to the new window, your installation team would completely replace the entire window casing.
- If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, look into single hung windows, instead of double hung. Both styles have a lower sash that slides upward, air wafts through the screen, etc. But, single hung windows don’t have an upper sash that is movable as well. With double hung windows, both sashes are mobile. This can be especially useful if you have a second story and smaller children, since you can choose to open the upper sash only. But, if neither of these cases apply to you, a single hung window should work just fine. Furthermore, single hung windows come with fewer parts and have less of a chance of failure. They’re suitable for smaller budgets and can work in a pinch when you need to replace your windows on short notice.
- Make sure you exhaust all options for repair before choosing to replace the windows in your home. In most cases, when home owners are faced with increased energy bills, they make the premature decision to pull out all of their windows and replace them. For instance, it may be that the seals on your double-glazed windows may have failed, allowing cold or heat to more easily enter your home. In this case, a simple repair would be required to restore the integrity of the window. In turn, the home owner saves thousands of dollars.
- Don’t try to replace your windows by yourself. This is a home project that is far too complicated for a DIY solution to truly work. Pro window installers do this job every single day, and have the experience that comes with it. They can get the job done much faster than you can, and each window will be installed with the same level of expertise and attention to detail. Whereas, as an inexperienced home owner tackling the job, you’ll be close to finished with the entire project before you get the ins and outs of replacement window installation under wraps.
- Choose the right materials. This might be one of the most important decisions you make throughout the window replacement process. Homeowners who want to maintain the original look and feel of their home will obviously reject vinyl in favor of wood. But, the benefits of vinyl windows should not be overlooked. The framing materials used on vinyl windows inhibit energy loss, don’t need sealing or painting, and are cheaper than wood. Adversely, metal windows are often necessary to a home’s architecture, but are worse for saving on energy costs.
- Double pane windows are becoming the new standard in window replacement. Energy experts have touted the benefits, even for home owners in extreme climates. A double pane window with either air or inert gas layered between the panes can increase the energy efficiency of your windows by 100%.
While this painstaking process is not one any homeowners care to repeat, it will make your home look and feel better – in addition to adding to the value of your home. And, when you receive a power bill that is at least 10% lower than what you’re used to paying, it will all be worth it.