Adding new windows to your home can make a major impact in terms of both the look and the energy efficiency of your home. New windows can also make your resale value higher and make your home more appealing to buyers. Find out if new windows are a sensible choice for your home.
Replacing Windows
To figure out whether you need all new windows, bring in a professional to assess what you have and determine the best course of action. You might find yourself leaning towards new windows if:
- You want to update the appearance of the home.
- You want to improve the energy efficiency in your home and reduce monthly heating and cooling costs.
- Your home has received some kind of damage after a storm or accident, or the windows have gone through years of normal wear and tear.
How to Choose Your New Windows
Style- Look for styles that offer a modern take on what you previously had so they fit the exterior of your home. Choose a style that you love, but make sure that your investment will complement your home.
Materials- When choosing your window, the material it’s made out of can play a big part in the cost of the renovation. Aluminum windows are the least expensive to purchase followed by vinyl, composite, wood, and fiberglass. Make sure your new windows are made of the same or better quality materials as the windows you are replacing. Choosing a less valuable material could have the opposite effect on resale meaning that you’ll lose value while still spending a lot of money to make the upgrade to new windows.
Efficiency- Better energy efficiency is usually the way to go with new windows. When making your choice, compare different manufacturers’ options to ensure that the features are both energy efficient and in line with your budget and climate.
Single Pane vs. Double Pane
Single pane windows are just one pane of glass between the interior and exterior of your home while double pane windows are two separate panes. Single pane windows are cheaper than double pane windows. However, be sure to research as much as you can about their performance. While you may save on the initial costs, you might end up paying more in energy bills in the long run. Today, most windows are double pane, as the two separate panes help block extreme temperatures from entering your home.
How Much Do New Windows Cost?
The cost of windows varies depending on the type and size of the windows you purchase. Other cost factors to keep in mind include energy efficient upgrades and custom features. When crunching the numbers, don’t forget to add in the cost of professional installation fees. You can factor that the average cost for window replacement is about $650 per window, with a standard range from about $300 to $1,000. For the labor, you can expect to spend an additional $100 to $300 per window. Using these averages, to replace all of the windows in a standard three bedroom home is going to cost about $4,000 to $13,000 including installation fees.
Added Value of New Windows
The good news is that the return on new windows is actually quite a bit higher than the return for other high-cost renovations. An upscale vinyl window replacement has a return of 73.4% (i.e. $16,802 spent on the job brings in a return of $12,332) and an upscale wood window replacement has a return of 70.8% (i.e. $20,526 spent returns $14,530). So, when you make the plunge to replace your windows, rest assured that you will see a return that will help your resale value and help with your monthly energy bills.
Conclusion
Numbers don’t lie, and it’s clear that adding new windows to your home will be worth the investment in the long run. These tips and tricks will help you choose the best windows for your home, but if you’re still unsure about taking the plunge, talk to a professional who can assess your situation and lead you in the right direction. 
Samantha Cavasin
Home & Yard Magazine
