Replacing your home’s windows is a substantial job that can be expensive if you don’t do your homework ahead of time. A recent estimate for replacing five double-hung wood windows with new wood windows, including labor, in a 90-year-old house was $2,500, or $500 per window. Of course, it is also a project that can improve your home aesthetically, economically, and environmentally.
Old or poorly installed windows can cost as much over the course of a few years as the cost of installing brand new windows. New windows can lower your monthly heating and cooling bills, increase your home’s resale value, and increase the security and safety of your home. Here are a few signs that your home is a good candidate for window replacement:
1. Peeling paint revealing warped or water-damaged wood
2. Faded nearby carpet and furniture
3. Drafts near closed windows
4. Outside noise strongly heard inside
5. High energy bills year-round
The type of material used in your existing window frames can also cause damage to your home. Because aluminum window frames are often colder than the ambient air around them, condensation could form around your windows. As this condensation builds up, it bleeds into the frame and damages the window sills. Eventually, the wood rots and more water leaks into the surrounding walls. This damage can be extremely expensive to repair since you’re not only replacing the windows and frames but also the surrounding walls.
When you replace your windows, there are also less-visible benefits than increasing the resale value of your home. For instance, new windows can block harmful UV rays, which damage carpet and furniture fabrics. New windows also improve security and safety since old, faulty windows can make entry easier for criminals.
Of course, the most obvious value is in improving energy use. With the right kind of windows you can save as much as 27 to 38 percent on heating bills in winter and 16 to 32 percent on cooling bills in summer. A look at the electricity and gas prices in the United States can quickly illustrate how important new windows can be to your bottom line.
Probably the most difficult decision to make when it comes to replacing your windows is choosing the right style and materials. The overall cost depends on what type of glass is used, energy efficiency, frame materials, warranties, and, finally, style.
There are four basic materials used by window manufacturers. (To make the right decision for your needs and budget, see “Windows: A Buying Guide.”)
A professional window contractor can also help you choose windows and materials that are right for you. -DV
