If you’re planning to sell your home in the future, it makes sense to tackle exterior home improvements. This way, you can make your property look more visually appealing and presentable to potential buyers. One feature of your home that’s worth upgrading before putting your home on the market is your windows.
You might be asking yourself, “Why windows?” As it turns out, there are some window features that are highly attractive to home buyers. Renewal by Andersen® of Nashville, your trusted source of high-quality replacement windows and doors, discusses some of the features you’ll need to consider when planning to replace your windows prior to selling your home.
When buyers check windows inside a home, they will want to know what type of material they’re made of and if they were installed by trusted professionals. Wooden frames can still be a good feature in windows, but they’re not always reliable as they have the propensity to rot and expand under constant exposure to moisture and temperature changes. They’ll also require constant maintenance to keep them looking their best.
Other materials, such as vinyl, are available in different styles and colors that won’t easily fade even after several years. They’re also durable enough to withstand most dents and scratches. Then again, vinyl has its downsides; it can become brittle under extremely low temperatures, which can affect the window’s insulating properties.
If you want a good and reliable material that’s twice as strong as wood and won’t easily peel, blister, flake or break under extreme temperatures, consider our Fibrex® windows. This composite material is made by combining 40% wood fiber with 60% thermoplastic polymer by weight. The extrusion process allows it to have superior resistance against natural elements, so it won’t become damaged easily. Fibrex windows stay rigid under any kind of weather and are guaranteed not to chip, fade, peel, or warp.
Another way to make your new windows as reliable as they can be is by taking ease of operation into account. When shopping for replacement units, take the time to test them out, and check if they open and close smoothly and latch firmly. They should be a breeze to operate. Inspect the locking devices and the cranks and runners to see if they are solid and made of durable materials. High-quality windows can withstand heavy use as well.
Home buyers will always want a home that has the important features that help improve energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR®-rated products are made with quality materials and are designed to lower heating and cooling costs. You can find the recognizable blue label affixed in nearly all appliances, HVAC systems and replacement windows, doors and skylights.
When buyers comes to check out your home, they’ll also want to know if the windows have one or more panes. Single-pane windows are more common in older homes, but they have almost no thermal insulation whatsoever. It means that they don’t contribute to energy efficiency, which may lead to some buyers thinking twice about homes with such windows installed.
If you want your home to have the energy-efficient features that buyers are looking for, we recommend getting windows with at least two glass panes. They’re more effective in retaining your home’s heat during the winter season and keeping your indoors cool during summer. What makes these windows energy-efficient are the insulating inert gas between the two panes of glass, which helps increase their thermal efficiency.
When you choose replacement windows, you shouldn’t just look at their visual appeal. They must also be capable of keeping your home comfortable year-round. This doesn’t just apply to windows but also to entry and patio doors, which also have a sizable glass area.
To know whether a window product can increase your home’s comfort, you should look at the manufacturer information. Good windows are also more attractive to home buyers if they can effectively minimize solar heat gain. This is thanks to the glass panes with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings, which is applied on the surface to keep the sun’s heat out. Energy-efficient windows should also have good solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-factor ratings that are suited to the climate in your local area. This way, the new homeowners can enjoy consistent comfort no matter the season.
Potential home buyers want a home that’s easy to maintain. As such, you’ll want to invest in windows that don’t require as much maintenance as low-quality ones. Well-designed ones that are made of durable materials and components remain beautiful and appealing after many years, with no signs of cracking, warping and rotting on the frames. Because they are virtually maintenance-free, the new owners of your home won’t have to waste time, money and effort from the type of upkeep that comes with old, inefficient windows.
When choosing replacement windows, find out if they have the mechanisms to make cleaning a breeze. Can you easily reach the interior and exterior glass to wipe away dust and dirt? If the windows are designed to tilt in for cleaning, you must test it out yourself. Ask your contractor about how easy or hard it is to maintain the windows. Are the parts available when they become worn out and damaged? Moreover, ask your contractor about the possible steps to do in case the glass breaks or accumulates condensation.
These features and qualities are present in replacement windows offered by Renewal by Andersen of Nashville. From traditional double-hung windows to casement windows, our team of experienced design consultants can help you choose the ones that are perfect for your home and conform to your homeowner’s association’s (HOA) regulations. Not only that, but they can also increase your property’s overall value.
Count on our certified installation team to ensure a flawless, hassle-free window replacement. From the initial consultation to post-installation clean-up, we’re with you every step of the way. If you have any questions regarding our process or our window offerings, give us a call at (866) 609-5033. You may also fill out our convenient online form to schedule a consultation. We serve homeowners in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding areas.
