Replacing the entire home’s windows is probably one of the biggest investments anyone could make. The question however is whether or not it is a good investment? There are many factors that play a vital role in answering this, the main ones being-
- The window styles upgrade you wish to go for.
- The condition of the frames of the windows.
- The thickness of the present windows.
- The climate of the locality.
These factors influence the energy savings as well as the replacement cost. If your windows are quite new they could benefit from some simple DIY repairs. If the problem lies with the drafts, simply sealing around the frame can solve most of the problems and increase the energy efficiency. Double-pane windows can similarly be resealed to their original insulating properties.
Are window replacements a saver?
Even after considering all the above factors, window replacements are a good idea as they are very energy efficient. This holds good specially if the single pane windows are replaced with Energy Star certified double-pane models. The Department of Energy states that the amount of money that an average homeowner can save with new windows varies from region to region.
The Southern California people can still enjoy savings because there isn’t frequent air conditioning required there. So, the houses having single-pane windows are most ideal for a whole house window replacement.
How much does the entire house window replacement cost?
The cost of-course depends on the number of windows a house has. More or less the per-cost window is same for any size of project. The cost varies from $450-$600 for any average sized double vinyl or double pane window. This is inclusive of the window and the installation for it. The cost of wood framed windows is more, somewhere around $800-$1000. Additionally, if you have to replace the entire frame be it for vinyl or wood models, it costs $50-$100 more. The Department of Energy also stated that the energy savings in a four season climate can cover the cost of approximately one vinyl window per year and two wood windows per two years. Isn’t this a great way for the project to pay for itself even though it takes around 10 years.
According to Remodeling Magazine, homeowners get back around 81 percent of the total cost of the project upon selling the home. For the homeowners looking to balance the equity gains with the energy savings, a whole house window replacement for the long run. Despite a huge price tag, customized windows are not worth the extra expense as it has almost no effect on the overall equity.
What are the alternatives to whole house window replacement?
The potential alternatives depend on the circumstances of your house and the goals you wish to achieve. For short term goals you can apply clear window insulation film for insulative benefits. The products look like thick plastic wrap and stretch over the window to stick to the frame. An extra layer of protection from the temperature outside is provided by this inexpensive film. These are an excellent choice for winters but not so much during summers.
Some older homes have windows that give the architectural appeal to their place and contemporary windows may destroy all of that by ruining the classic appearance of the home. This is where new storm windows might be a good option. There are a lot of companies that manufacture custom designed storm windows that fit the existing window frames. There aren’t as effective as the Energy Star certified double-pane windows but they can surely provide extra insulation which makes the house quieter inside.
In some older homes, the windows are an important part of the architectural appeal, and more modern-looking replacements would ruin the home’s classic appearance. In this case, new storm windows might be a good option. Some companies custom-design storm windows to fit the existing window frames. These products might be less effective than new Energy Star certified double-pane windows, but they can provide extra insulation while making it quieter inside.
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