Many people on Long Island go straight to the bottom line – looking at the price of replacement windows and patio doors– to decide if they can afford to upgrade their windows and patio doors. But, have you considered what it will cost you to keep the existing windows in your home?
Some research shows that 40 percent of what you spend on heating and cooling is lost through windows and doors. Aging, damaged windows and sagging patio doors could be preventing you from substantially lowering your monthly heating bills.
Better climate control isn’t the only benefit. Think about how much time you spend every year repairing, scraping and painting old window frames. Costs associated with mildew, rot, rust and peeling paint can add up over time – not to mention replacing weather stripping and sealants to keep water and moisture outside.
How Much Money Are You Throwing Out The Window?
Every home has a unique set of characteristics that contribute to energy consumption management – or mismanagement. The age of your heating and cooling systems, structural integrity and the style and condition of your current windows all have an impact on how much it costs you to heat and cool your home.
Window construction, style and function dictate how well you manage your indoor climate – and how much you gain or lose in the process. If your home is furnished with older, single-pane windows, or aging aluminum gliding windows, you’re probably losing more conditioned air than the average Long Island homeowner. Why?
Older sliding doors and windows (particularly those with aluminum frames) don’t perform as well as modern designs. They typically have more joints, so there are more opportunities for degradation with daily use.
We’re not suggesting you avoid sliding doors and gliding windows. Newer, energy-efficient replacement windows are custom crafted with the most energy-efficient construction materials and technology available to prevent degradation and failure.
Renewal by Andersen of Long Island replacement sliding windows and doors are designed to last as long as you live in your home without expensive routine maintenance and upkeep. Our patented Fibrex frames don’t require annual scraping or painting to maintain a beautiful appearance and superior performance. With Low E glass options and multiple glazing designs, you can enjoy the space-saving, easy-opening style without worrying about compromising on performance and durability.
Take a tour of your home and look at each window, checking for drafts and damage.
Are Your Window Styles Costing You Money?
It’s important to have plenty of operable windows in your home. The best way to keep your home “healthy” is to open the sash and let the fresh air flow through your home during moderate weather conditions. It isn’t necessary for every window to open or for every window to be the same style throughout your home.
Replacing some operable windows with fixed windows in rooms with otherwise adequate ventilation will improve energy efficiency. When you don’t have windows that open and close, you eliminate wear and tear on weather-stripping, latches and hardware. If you design your windows with the most advanced construction materials, you’ll avoid sagging, drafts and gaps that suck conditioned air out of your home and allow unconditioned (cold or hot) air and moisture in.
Styles with compressible weather-stripping – like casements, awnings and hoppers – seal so tightly it is almost impossible for leaks to prematurely develop with routine use.
While you’re checking for damage, consider whether changing window styles could save your money in the long run.
Are Replacement Windows a Good Investment?
Windows directly and indirectly impact the value of your home. Appearance and performance are both high on the list when it comes to resale value. If you’re thinking of selling your home within a few years, upgrading your existing windows will be a bonus. If you’re planning to stay in place, keep in mind that Renewal by Andersen replacement windows are crafted to last for decades – without expensive maintenance and repair.
Rather than just looking at the price of installing replacement windows in your Long Island home, consider how much the windows in your home will cost you if you decide to wait.
The initial price tag really doesn’t reflect the true value of replacement windows built with exceptional materials by expert craftsmen. We’d love the opportunity to tell you more about our line of home improvement products designed to save you money and increase your Long Island home’s property value. Give us a call at (866) 609-5033 or fill in the short form on this page for more information.
