Window quality is highly variable. Often, when homes are first built, they are fitted with contractor grade windows. While these windows serve the basic functions of keeping the cold air out and letting sunshine stream in, they are far from the best quality you can obtain. Here are five reasons to replace the contractor grade windows in your Cincinnati home with higher-quality replacement windows, such as Fibrex® windows from Renewal by Andersen.
Why pay more for energy than you have to? Contractor grade windows often feature standard, low-quality glass that lets a lot of heat pass through it. They may also not be sealed as tightly into the sash as higher-end windows, so they may leak air. On the contrary, you can choose replacement windows with highly efficient performance glass. Andersen’s SmartSun™ glass, for instance, is 45% more energy-efficient in the summer and 70% more energy-efficient in the winter. You’ll enjoy having lower energy bills, and your home will feel more comfortable with fewer drafts, too.
Most contractor-grade windows are made from plain, white vinyl. This does not have a lot of style or coordinate well with most architectural designs. When you replace your contractor-grade windows, you can choose a color of your liking. Pick a lovely dark blue interior sash to coordinate with your crown molding, or choose brick red exteriors that stand out against your tan siding. Your home will look so much more coordinated and beautiful.
If something goes wrong with your windows, you may have to pay for repairs out-of-pocket. These lower-quality windows usually only come with 1 or 2-year warranties, at most. Replacement windows from Renewal by Andersen, on the other hand, come with a 20-year warranty on glass, a 10-year warranty on installation, and a 10-year warranty on parts other than glass. We offer such a great warranty because our windows rarely develop problems. However, if something does go wrong, you have the assurance that it will be fixed at no expense to you. That’s a comfort you can’t enjoy with contractor-grade windows.
If you plan on selling your home any time soon, contractor windows may make it harder to sell. Buyers are always looking for high-end, energy-efficient improvements, such as new windows, and they will choose a home with replacement windows over your home with lower-end windows. Replace your windows with higher-end ones, and the value of your Cincinnati home will increase dramatically.
Windows that are cheaply made are more likely to develop problems with the locks, leaks, and other types of damage. Having to consistently repair windows is a burden, and window problems can even be a safety and security concern. Upgrade your windows, and you won’t have to worry so much about damage and repairs. Fibrex®, Renewal by Andersen’s proprietary composite material, is less prone to warping and rotting than wood. It won’t crack when exposed to temperature changes like vinyl, either.
If your Cincinnati home is still sporting contractor–grade windows, it’s time to make a change. Schedule a free, in–home consultation with Renewal by Andersen. We’ll help you choose more attractive, efficient, low-maintenance windows for your abode.
