Replacement Windows Cited as A Smart Home Maintenance Move to Make Now
The economy is tight, meaning that every home improvement dollar spent has to yield maximum return on investment. It’s hard to imagine a home upgrade that does more to improve a home’s energy efficiency, comfort, appearance, and security than replacement windows. Additionally, replacement windows are consistently cited among the upgrades homeowners report being the most satisfied with.
The news has made it out to the media. We’re pleased to report that a large number of media outlets have picked up on the fact that vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, and wood replacement windows offer many benefits to homeowners. Selecting the best home replacement windows can be difficult. You want to work with a qualified replacement window specialist, one who is well versed in the environmental conditions your home experiences and what type of windows perform well in that environment.
Additionally, you want to work with a replacement window installation team that is well trained, professional and proficient, the authorized representative of a reputable replacement window company, such as Harvey, Pella, Alside, or Champion.
With all that in mind, you need look no closer than your nearest newspaper or online media to find the news: replacement windows make good sense.
To wit, we’d like to quote the Homer Horizon:
“First and foremost, replacing old, inefficient windows can reap major dividends,” said Molidor, who recommends casement or double-hung, wood-clad windows with double-pane low-E glass and Argon or Krypton gas insulation. “New windows immediately improve the esthetic appeal of your property. Also, they can decrease fading of interior colors and fabrics caused by ultraviolet light intrusion. You won’t have to worry about putting up and taking down storm windows. And, most importantly, quality new windows that are properly installed will reduce air intrusion and extrusion, thus shrinking your energy bills.”
In fact, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders, efficient replacement windows can reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 30 percent.
Molidor’s mom Mary Lou, owner of a two-story Prairie-style home in La Grange built in the 1920s, can testify to the benefits of replacement windows. Her son installed new Pella Architectural Series windows in her older abode a few years back, and Mrs. Molidor can’t say enough about the perks.
“I used to have to call up Tom to come over and help me crank open my older, slatted jalousie windows, which seemed to constantly need maintenance,” she said. “Not only were they a headache to operate, but they were making my house too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter. But my new windows are simple to open and have greatly increased the climate comfort in my home.”
Focus on Weatherization Makes NOW the Right Time for Replacement Windows
In a speech to the NAACP yesterday, President Barack Obama called for, among many other things, an increased emphasis on weatherization programs. Weatherization helps homeowners on many levels: increased energy efficiency helps reduce home heating and cooling costs, which puts more money into the family’s budget. These funds can be used for better nutrition, education, clothing or entertainment –all of which contribute to a homeowner’s quality of life.
Weatherization programs also create jobs; jobs that are vitally needed in this dour economy. Weatherization work, by its very nature, is performed on-scene — these are jobs that can not be outsourced overseas.
What does all of this have to do with your replacement window quest? There are a number of things to consider.
First and foremost, the administration’s focus on weatherization brings the replacement window industry front and center. Now, more than ever, there is a need to be discerning when selecting your replacement windows. It is critical to select replacement windows from a high-quality, established, reputable manufacturer, such as Alside, Pella, Harvey, or Champion. Be wary of no-name, increadibly cheap replacement windows that will flood the market: they’re taking advantage of the weatherization hype and have little to no interest in providing a quality product that will serve you well over the years. This will be true no matter if you select vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass replacement windows, or wood replacement windows. Go with the industry leaders: you want to buy windows from a manufacturer that stands behind its products.
Secondly, you will want to be careful when selecting your replacement window specialist. Experience counts! While we all celebrate the creation of new jobs, the truth is that replacement window installation takes skill and training. You don’t want your home to be someone’s training ground — not when so much of the enhanced energy efficiency, noise dampening, and security home replacement windows offer is contingent upon those windows being installed correctly.
Finally, it is time to pay attention to some of the more boring sections of the newspaper. Look for stories on government incentives, tax savings, and special programs encouraging weatherization. Many of these programs are not income based– you don’t need to apply to get the benefit — but they are time sensitive. Be aware of deadlines and critieria you must meet to get the incentive/reward. While few incentives will eliminate the cost of your replacement windows, they can be a meaningful and substantial savings!
Selecting Replacement Windows for Your Kitchen
For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. The kitchen is where meals are cooked, of course — but it’s more than that. The kitchen is where we gather over the morning cup of coffee; where we go to unload the groceries, where the children’s artwork goes up on the refrigerator, where we sneak to for a midnight snack.
Windows play a huge role in creating the feel and ambiance of a room. This is particularly true in the kitchen: an open, airy kitchen full of natural light is the number one dream of many potential home owners. Home buyers look at the kitchen with a critical eye: do they see themselves enjoying the room?
What type of windows work well in a kitchen? This is a critical question: you can find replacement windows to create any look you’d like. The traditional homeowner with a classic home may want double-hung replacement windows, with classic styling and traditional color and finish choices. Replacement windows, particularly vinyl replacement windows, are available in such a wide range of colors and finishes that you can complement any existing color scheme. The selection is widest, of course, for the traditional or country style home: rich wood finishes, classic sleek white, brown, tan, or neutral colors, guaranteed to enhance any home’s appearance.
What if you’re not a traditionalist? Vinyl home replacement windows can be your best option when upgrading or replacing your kitchen windows. The easy availability of custom sizes and shapes makes it possible to realize a unique vision; a wider range of colors, finishes, and hardware make the ultimate customization possible — while still enjoying the affordability and quality construction of replacement vinyl windows.
No matter what your windows look like, if you opt for a top quality vinyl replacement window, such as the Alside Excalibur windows, you’ll enjoy enhanced energy efficiency, increased home security, and lower energy bills. Double and triple pane glass windows, replete with insulating gas pockets, help the home retain critical warm air during the cold months, and chilled air during summer’s hottest days. This is good for the environment and your budget!
Home Replacement Windows Help Older Homeowners Stay In Their Home
“I still can’t believe it,” Marlene DuBois said. “Normally, I have to have my fuel tank refilled three times during the winter. Last year — the truck only had to come twice. We saved almost $1,000 — and the only thing we changed was replacing the windows in the house.
DuBois’ daughter, Sophia, is an ardent environmentalist. “It just made me nuts to see how much energy was being wasted in Mom’s house. Did you know how much heat just escapes through older windows? Practically half! And that means she’s got to run the furnace more…and what kind of impact does all that lost heat have on the environment? When you’re talking about global warming and losing ozone, we just can’t afford to ignore that!”
Together, Sophia and Marlene selected 12 replacement windows. “We went with Alside Excalibur Vinyl replacement windows,” Marlene said, “because they offered the highest quality for the price, and they require very little maintenance.”
“Mom’s getting too old to be climbing a ladder and washing windows,” Sophia added. “These windows tilt in, so she can clean them from inside the house. And the vinyl frames don’t fade, so we don’t have to worry about painting them ever.”
Marlene, like many homeowners, is growing older every year. Aging homeowners share a number of concerns which make the savings and energy efficiency offered by replacement windows increasingly attractive.
First, many older homeowners are extremely concerned about their financial situation. The recent economic meltdown has played havoc in retirement funds: there are fewer dollars available for retirement, and they have to go further than ever before. Spending money on home heating is a necessity — but spending money on home heating to have that warmed air escape through leaky, inefficient windows is foolishness at best. Consider the $1,000 Marlene saved. What would an extra $1,000 buy? Those funds could be used for any number of things: food, medicine, traveling to see grandchildren, and more…
Second, there’s the safety issue. There comes a certain point where climbing up rickety ladders to scrub windows isn’t a viable decision. Tilt-in cleaning is safer. Additionally, fully functional windows — such as those offered by Alside — allow the homeowner rapid, easy egress from the home in case of fire or other emergency.