Most people in New York and New Jersey have a lot of questions when they first start researching their options for replacement windows for their home. In our years of experience installing replacement windows in the area, we’ve heard thousands of really good questions from hundreds of concerned homeowners. There are questions about the products themselves — everything from the different types of windows, different options, available colors, hardware, etc. and then there are questions about the process itself — picking the windows, ordering, manufacturing, and finally, the most important part, installation.
These are all important questions and no matter how many times we’ve heard them, we always happy to help clear up some of the confusion. Purchasing and installing replacement windows in your home is an investment in that home. You made a big investment in your home and you probably did a lot of research on that before you made the investment, so it only makes sense that you do the same for any product that’s going to modify your original investment.
If you’ve come to this page, you’ve likely begun the research phase of the project. Oftentimes, when starting your research for a major project you find yourself with more questions than answers. Once you get into it, you find that there are more things to consider than you ever would have thought. You are not alone on this front, which is why, in today’s post, we’re going to address and answer some of the more frequently asked questions about the basics of window replacement. It is our hope that we can get you on the right track to getting the windows that will help make your house the home of your dreams. So without further ado, let’s start with the most basic of basics and talk about what a replacement window is.
What Is a Replacement Window?
What most people think of as a replacement window is actually known in the industry as an Insert Replacement Window, which is a little bit more descriptive than the more common “replacement window”. The formal, “Insert Replacement Window” is a more true and a better description of the replacement window installation.
An Insert Replacement Window is a new window that has been constructed specifically to replace a window in an already existing window opening. What this means in practice is that a replacement window can be installed directly into the space that was created for your current windows with a customized fit. The custom part is a very important. Rather than making a “stock” window fit an opening by customizing the window opening, an Insert Replacement Window is manufactured to the specific requirements and measurements of your existing windows. This means that if two windows openings in a room are roughly the same size, but maybe an inch or two taller or wider (or shorter or narrower), each window will be manufactured exactly to those dimensions. This ensures a better, more secure and more weather-tight installation.
Because Insert Replacement Windows are installed in an existing window opening, means that in most cases your existing window trim, both inside and out does not have to be ripped out and replaced. This reduces the amount of time it takes to install your new windows (we all know “time is money”) and dramatically reduces the disruption to your home and lives. The is much less mess to your home and your windows can be installed faster and more efficiently.
Another benefit of the custom nature of custom made Insert Replacement Windows is that you can order each window with the exact features and options you want for each individual window. Want different hardware in your kitchen windows than your dining room? You can do that. What a different interior or exterior color in the bathroom than the family room? You can do that too. Insert Replacement Windows are completely customized so you can have anything you want that the manufacturer offers.
The benefit of ordering Insert Replacement Windows from Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey, aside from the quality of the window, the strength of the brand name and the fact that one company will sell, manufacture, install and warranty your windows, is that Renewal by Andersen has one of the widest selections of replacement window style, color, hardware and feature options available anywhere. This enables you to have brand new windows that match your home and your personal style.
What Problems Can Replacement Windows Solve?
So now that you know what replacement windows are, you’re probably interested in finding out what problems in your home can be alleviated through their purchase and installation. Replacement windows are a durable long-lasting solution for many of the problems that are the result of older windows. These problems can include inefficiency, maintenance, drafts, operational difficulties, etc.
Inefficient windows and drafts around or through your windows can make your energy bills (heating and cooling) much higher than they need to be and drafts can make you uncomfortable in your home, no matter what the thermostat setting.
New Insert Replacement windows can also mitigate the some of the difficult maintenance issues that can come with the upkeep of older windows. New replacement windows often come with low maintenance frames and easy cleaning features that mean you spend more time enjoying your windows and less time scraping, painting and cleaning them.
Finally, if your current windows are having constant operability issues, like they won’t lock or are sticky and difficult to open and shut, new replacement windows will give your home a great new look while doing away with these issues for a lifetime.
Do Insert Replacement Windows Add Value To My Home?
The simple answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. When you’re looking to see how replacement windows can add value to your home, the answer is going to lie in a number of distinct places. The first way the value of your home is increased is through its curb appeal and resale value. Unattractive windows can be a visual blight on any otherwise lovely home, and replacement windows provide you with the opportunity to take the style of your home up a notch. The curb appeal of your home is the first impression potential buyers have of your home. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression so pristine new replacement windows immediately give your home a face lift that can add directly to its resale value. A more attractive appearance increases the value of your home.
Along the same lines, new replacement windows improve the interior appearance of your home as well. When potential buyers see new replacement windows, they immediately have two conscious or subconscious thoughts:
Another resale value new replacement windows add to your home is through its energy efficiency. Home buyers today are more and more conscious of their ongoing operating costs than buyers of just a few years ago. Home buyers have two main financial concerns when purchasing a new house:
New replacement windows tell them that they will have lower operating costs than if they had old inefficient windows.
Are there Benefits to “Replacement” Over “New Construction” Windows?
New Construction windows or more formally, Full Frame Replacement Windows, are designed to be installed in homes or walls that have yet to be constructed. This enables the wall to be built to the stock window size as opposed to the other way around with Insert Replacement Windows. If you’re having a new home or an addition built from the ground up and have the luxury of designing your home to fit the windows, New Construction Windows may be a realistic option. Not that you can’t put Full Frame Replacement Windows into an existing dwelling, it’s just more work, time, and often money, inside and out.
For most people in New York and New Jersey, replacement windows provide more benefits. They are custom-sized to fit the space of your old window so your wall and siding won’t be damaged during installation. And thanks to that ease of installation, replacement windows can be less expensive than their new construction counterparts.
Where To Start?
Of course, this article only covered some of the basic most frequently asked questions about Insert Replacement Windows in New Jersey. If these were the answers you were looking for and you now feel confident that you can begin your replacement window experience, look no further than Renewal by Andersen of Northern New Jersey! If however, you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.
Have any more questions about how Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey can help you get started on your replacement window experience? As a subsidiary of Andersen Windows, we have been providing people with quality windows in all shapes and styles for generations. Our experienced design consultants will ensure that your replacement windows are the perfect fit, whatever your needs. Call us today at (866) 609-5033 for a free design consultation.
Check out this post for answers to frequently asked questions about replacement windows:
