Choosing the Best Replacement Windows for Your Home

Most homeowners usually opt for the new replacement windows for varying reasons including home beautification, easy cleaning (since the windows can easily tilt in), draft eradication, energy efficiency, and most importantly, enhanced window efficiency.

However, these windows come in different designs, styles, and sizes, and are also made from different materials hence the varying efficiency levels.

Quality energy efficient windows tend to exhibit the highest levels of performance—which of course, end up costing higher prices as well. A fact that has seen most homeowners settling for the simple and less costly replacement window options such as sash replacement and or the replacement of both the frame and sash.

Though investing in totally new replacement windows may seem costly, it pays off in the long run—but only if you choose to settle for quality windows and also ensure their proper installation.

Why You Should Get Quality Windows

It’s normal to have a budget for all your intended purchases. However, when it comes to windows, quality should be your guiding principle and not the cost. Why?

This is because the quality of your replacement windows has a direct impact on your overall energy consumption. The more energy efficient they’re, the less energy you’ll use and hence reduced utility bills.

Quality energy efficient windows also come with several other benefits including enhanced curb appeal, enhanced comfort, low maintenance costs, improved home value, and offer more protection against extreme weather elements.

Things to Consider When Choosing Replacement Windows

As mentioned earlier, various factors like the material used, style, and design, determine the efficiency of your chosen replacement window type. This, therefore, makes them crucial elements to consider in your window selection process.

Window Style and Design

Most of the replacement windows are customizable; this means that you can easily choose what works best with your home’s exterior architectural design and, of course, your interior decor needs.

Some of the most popular styles include double hung windows, slider windows, casement windows, picture windows, and bay windows.

Window Material

This basically refers to the window frame material—with the most common ones being aluminum, fibrex, fiberglass, vinyl, and wood.

• Aluminum window frames are strong and durable but are less energy efficient and can easily oxidize.
• Fiberglass frames are always considered the best alternatives for vinyl frames. They’re better off with larger windows as they can withstand the pressure that comes with such windows.

As opposed to vinyl, fiberglass allows for painting and hence giving you the opportunity to express yourself through your favorite colors.

Note: They’re more costly compared to the other window options.

• Vinyl frames are the most preferred owing to their affordable, durable, and excellent insulation properties. However, they come with limited color options considering that you can’t paint or stain them.
• Fibrex window material/frame almost resembles wood frames, but, it isn’t prone to rot or water damage hence a good choice if you’re looking for something durable and classier. You can also paint the frame with your preferred color choice to give your home a more appealing look.
• Wood frames are great when it comes to boosting home aesthetics, however, they come with high maintenance costs considering that they’re more prone to rot and also require regular painting to maintain their charm.

Maintenance Costs

Most energy efficient windows come with low maintenance costs hence guaranteeing more returns on your window replacement project.

Choosing replacement windows with assistive features like easy-to-operate handles and tilt-in sashes also play a great role in ensuring a simplified and easy cleaning process. This is in addition to boosting your windows’ efficiency with regard to ventilation.

The Quality of Installation

Getting the right window installer is just as important as getting the best energy efficient replacement windows. The quality of installation you choose for your windows greatly determines their efficiency levels.

Proper installation will always translate to higher efficiency levels and the vice versa is true.

But how do you ensure you work with a qualified and experienced installer? Simply research the company’s background by checking their website, online customer reviews, and backing it all up with local referrals—which could be your friends, family members, or even neighbors.

Also, remember to ask for certification documents to ensure that you’re engaging a legitimate contractor.

The Takeaway

A variety of factors play key roles when it comes to choosing the best replacement windows, but, getting the right window company or personnel to install your windows remains the ultimate determiner of how effective and efficient your chosen energy efficient windows will perform and stand the test of time.

Author Bio

Matt Rotondi owns and operates Zen Windows of Boston. He’s a lifelong native of the area with over 22 years of industry experience.