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Published On: Tue, Sep 26th, 2017

5 Things to Know Before You Replace Your Windows

As a seasoned DIY enthusiast with every tool you have ever dreamed of in your tool shed or garage, you probably think that your love for home improvement shows on television has prepared you for replacing the windows at your home. While no one denies the education value of these shows, be honest with yourself: when last did you actually fix anything around the house? Maybe you are one of the few who has replaced a window just last weekend, in which case you can feel rightly smug while reading this guide. For the rest of you, you need to read this before you cut yourself on broken glass and take an unplanned trip to the emergency room.

photo courtesy of www.absrestoration.com

  1. Professionals do it better

We know you want to save some money by replacing your windows yourself, but suppose you break something or injure yourself in the process? You can save yourself a lot of frustration and agony by getting a reputable window glass company to do the job for you, and the extra cost will probably still be cheaper than the cost of your mistakes.

  1. Old wood is better

You may want to give your house a bit of a rustic look by installing wooden window frames. But have you considered the cost of maintenance? Wood can warp and crack over time, and needs to be resealed and repainted periodically. What’s more, modern wood isn’t nearly as durable as wood was a century ago, because back then the lumber came from old trees, whereas nowadays the trees are grown quicker, and as a result the wood is of a lower quality. You are better off with aluminum window frames if you want durability and low maintenance.

  1. Energy-efficiency

Double glazed windows are much more efficient at insulating your house than single glazed ones, but they are more expensive. Their seals will also start failing after 15 to 20 years, and they will become less efficient. You need to consider whether the energy savings offsets the cost of the windows.

  1. You can repair your old windows

Just because your old windows rattle in the wind and let in drafts, or don’t stay open, it doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to replace them. It can be cheaper to have them repaired or restored. There are window restoration specialists that can do this, but a carpenter or handyman can also take care of simpler repair jobs.

  1. It may be expensive

Replacing the windows on your entire home can be very expensive. If you multiply the cost of replacing one window by the amount of windows you need replace, the bill, including installation, can run up to thousands of dollars. This will depend on the materials of your windows, the type of glass, and the installation cost. Some things to consider will be whether the new windows will increase the value of your home. Energy efficiency is another consideration, and here vinyl frames will be much more efficient and cheaper than wood.

Author: Alex Omelchenko

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