No homeowner likes repair and renovation work. But with a proactive approach, you can end up saving money over the long haul.
If you or your windows are in any of the following situations, you need to consider whether vinyl replacement windows may be right for you.
1. You’re considering selling your home.
Whether we’re inside or outside a home, our eyes are naturally drawn to its windows. This means that we’re quick to notice elegant, clean windows, and just as quick to catch aesthetic flaws. If you’re considering selling your home, and your windows are fading or askew, you may want to purchase vinyl replacement windows.
This will not only improve your home’s value, but you’ll also get significant return for your investment. Nationwide, vinyl replacement windows have a 77.8% ROI, a figure that outperforms wood replacement windows.
2. You’re noticing fog or condensation between windowpanes.
Double-pane or triple-pane windows that lose their seal or have a leak frequently exhibit fog or condensation between the panes. This poses a twofold problem. First, fog or condensation can significantly reduce your ability to see through a window. Second, a leak can invite a whole host of other problems such as energy loss or water intrusion.
Unfortunately, while it may be possible to repair the window, it’s often much more expensive than simply replacing the window itself.
3. Your windows have impaired function.
If it’s hard to open or close your windows—maybe a window sticks when you try to open it, or a latch doesn’t work properly, or a wood window is painted shut—you may want to replace your windows simply for ease of operation. After all, you probably want to get as much fresh air into your house as you can, and you don’t want to fight with your window every time you open it.
But if you have particular difficulties opening windows in bedrooms, your windows may be violating building codes. Most cities require every bedroom to have an egress window through which an occupant can easily and safely exit the building. You don’t want to put yourself at risk with windows that don’t function properly.
4. You have wood windows that date from before 1978.
Lead poisoning poses a significant health risk for children, but unfortunately, lead-based paint wasn’t banned until 1978, and it was widely implemented in home construction prior to 1960. Ifyour windows date to before 1978, you might have lead paint on your windows.
The danger is multiplied if your wood windows are single-pane, since the action of opening the sash can discharge lead-carrying dust into the air, making it even easier for children to ingest this poison.
5. You’ve got a high energy bill.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that around 25–30% of a home’s annual energy consumption is related to energy loss through windows. Simply by refitting your home with weather-strip double-hung windows, you can save 5–10% every year on heating and coolingcosts.
Vinyl sashes and frames can improve on these savings, as vinyl has lower levels of conductivity than wood or metal. Low emissivity glass and inert gases between the panes can also reduce energy transfer. With the right windows, you can significantly reduce your future energy bills.
6. You’re disturbed by noise pollution.
Are you having trouble sleeping at night because a neighbor’s dog is barking? Is your time at home frequently disrupted by noisy traffic or other environmental sounds?
If so, you may want to get vinyl replacement windows. Double-pane or triple-pane windows with inert gases between the panes can absorb noise, and double weather-stripping can also prevent the vibrations of sound from passing through leaks in your windows on into your home.
7. You live in hurricane country.
If your home is in a coastal region (for example, within two to five miles of the coast), building codes may require your windows to be able to resist airborne impacts. You certainly don’t want the next strong storm to destroy your windows and expose your home’s interior to extensive damage.
Laminated glass replacement windows can offer a DP rating of 50—which is much higher than the standard DP rating of 30. With a DP rating of 50, a window should be able to resist wind speeds up to 200 mph.
Summing Up
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, contact a replacement window professional. Vinyl replacement windows could be a simple and effective solution for your home’s needs.
