The New Homeowner’s Guide to Replacement Windows

Part 1: What Are Replacement Windows?

Buying a home is a serious step that involves personal decisions, financial commitment, and candid talks with your real estate agent. There are many milestones before you finally settle in and enjoy a quiet night in your new home. Even after you’ve officially moved in, the work may not stop there. Windows, for instance, can start to show signs of wear once they get past the 10-year mark. But because window problems aren’t always easy to spot, not all homebuyers notice their condition during their walk-throughs. After move-in, you may find that the windows in your new home aren’t in the condition you expected.

You can have your windows repaired if the damage is minimal and most of the parts are still in relatively good condition. But if the windows are old and the damage extensive, replacements are the better option.

Replacement Window vs. New Window

The term “replacement window” seems self-explanatory in that it refers to a window that’s installed to replace a damaged or worn-out unit. However, contractors make a distinction between a replacement window and a “new construction window”.

A replacement window is meant to fit in an existing window opening and doesn’t require the removal of exterior materials. A new construction window, on the other hand, must be nailed into the framing of the home. The latter is used in new house construction, home additions and when a window needs to be replaced completely, frame and all. A retrofit window is smaller and easier to install and, for these reasons, much cheaper.

Part 2: Do You Need Replacement Windows?

In the first part of this blog series, we discussed the basic difference between replacement and new construction windows. The question of replacement windows isn’t one that all homebuyers need to worry about. Barring extreme cases, it’s an automatic “no” if you bought new construction or if the previous homeowner had them replaced before the property went up for sale.

If the answer isn’t obvious, how do you know if you need new windows? If you’re new to the house, you won’t be able to tell if the electric bill is unusually high or if the windows are going to be a pain to maintain. For a new homeowner, these are some of the signs that say “yes”:

• There are water stains around the windows.
• Parts of the windows are rotting.
• The windows stick or won’t stay open.
• The old windows have single-pane glass.
• You can hear too much outside noise indoors.
• The existing wallpaper, interior paint or flooring looks prematurely faded.

Having windows replaced so soon after you’ve purchased a house isn’t easy on the pocketbook, but it will save you money in the long term and add to the property’s overall value.

The “Replacement Windows Pay for Themselves” Debate

This is a point of contention for many. Some contractors claim you can recoup the cost of replacement windows in as little as three to five years, which may sound too good to be true. ENERGY STAR® offers a more conservative estimate for energy-efficient windows: with annual savings of $126 to $465 for an area covering 2,000 square feet, the payback time is roughly a decade.

So going back to the question of whether or not you need replacement windows, we’ll add a third “no” scenario: if you don’t know for a fact that you’ll be living in the house for at least five years, it may be wise to pass on the project. Keep in mind, however, that the recoup dynamics can be quite different once you factor in potential resale value.

Part 3: Who Should Replace Your Windows?

So it’s time to retire your old windows and get replacements, but you’re not sure how to go about it. You’re not alone. Many homeowners have no idea where to start or who to consult once they realize their windows are nearing the end of their service life.

Call a Professional

When you start searching for contractors offering window replacement services, you’re bound to encounter two types of companies. First is the small to mid-size local business certified to install a specific brand of windows. Second is the large manufacturer operating multiple locations nationwide. Below is a list of things you’ll want to do before making a hiring decision.

• Do some research to get an idea of the average cost of replacement windows where you live.
• Don’t commit to a price just yet. Sit on it and see if you can negotiate a lower price with the candidate contractor.
• Ask to see proof of manufacturer certifications, state licenses, trade association memberships and other credentials mentioned on their website.
• Check to see if the contractor is fully insured and bonded.
• Ask for references and make an effort to check up on them.
• Ask if they conduct regular trainings.

This list is nowhere near all-inclusive. You’ll also want to ask questions about materials, warranties, scheduling, and payment and financing, to name a few. But the care you put into hiring will pay off in the form of value and quality.

If you do the initial legwork, you’ll be able to find and hire an excellent window replacement company. Then you can just sit back and let them do the job for you while you enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re in good hands.