When homeowners are ready for an upgrade, replacing windows and glass doors can offer long lasting value.
When homeowners dream of making a home improvement, they often start with a splashy kitchen or bathroom upgrade that will make their home more functional or modern. But the main motivator for retrofits for the majority of homeowners (72%) is long-term cost savings, according to Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data survey. Other top motivators include improved health and wellbeing (67%), tax incentives and rebates (63%), and increased home value and resale potential (56%).
Source: COGNITION Smart Data
Those motivations are a good match for homeowners considering replacing their windows and doors. Not only does this provide immediate comfort in the form of more stable indoor temperatures, new windows and doors offer both an interior and exterior uplift in appearance. More importantly, high performance windows and doors can increase a home’s value and boost its curb appeal, says Julie Monroy, product manager for windows and vinyl patio doors for ProVia.
“Whether a homeowner plans to sell soon or not, new windows can improve the overall aesthetic of a house while increasing the home’s value,” Monroy says. “In addition, newer windows can also reduce outside noise and lower utility bills.”
According to the Cost vs. Value Report from Zonda Media, homeowners can recoup 67% of the cost of windows when they sell their house with upgraded vinyl windows.
Lower energy bills are a prime incentive for homeowners to upgrade their windows. Replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR®–certified models can reduce energy bills by an estimated 12%–15% annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and even more in cold climates.
Setting Priorities for Window Replacements
Still, window replacements can require significant investment from homeowners. One way to offset that is to stagger replacements and prioritize single-pane windows, visibly damaged windows, and windows on sides of the home receiving the most exposure to the elements, Monroy says.
Homeowners can also investigate the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit that allows homeowners to claim tax credits for up to 30% of the cost of products.
There are multiple signs that indicate it could be time to replace your windows, such as:
Air leaks that drive up your energy bills and cause condensation or moisture on your windows.
Difficulty opening and closing windows.
Damage such as warped, sagging or deteriorating frames.
But even if none of those issues are present, windows and doors generally should be replaced about every 20 years depending on the quality, usage and maintenance of the original windows, Monroy says.
Factors to Consider When Replacing Windows
When selecting new windows, one place to start is to check out the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label on the windows you’re considering to compare features such as the U factor, which measures insulation; visible transmission, which shows how much light comes into the home; air infiltration, which shows how much air may seep in and out through the window, and the solar heat gain coefficient, and match them with the climate zone where the windows will be installed.
The NFRC label is typically adjacent to the ENERGY STAR label on windows.
Other features to check when comparing window options include:
Low-E glass coatings that reflect infrared light, keeping warmth in during winter and out during summer, while also blocking damaging UV rays that can fade interior furnishings.
Double or triple-pane glass and energy-efficient gases like Krypton or Argon, which enhance insulation and boost thermal efficiency.
A sturdy frame, strong thermal reinforcements, good insulation and weatherstripping.
ProVia’s “Super Spacer” is a non-metallic, warm-edge spacer that delivers superior thermal performance and durability. This innovative technology helps the company achieve NFRC Energy Star Certification with the lowest U-Factor among dual-seal systems.
ProVia also uses “INNERGY” thermal reinforcement on two of their window brands, which has 700 times the insulating value of aluminum, protects against condensation and offers better impact resistance compared to other thermal reinforcements. Graphite Polystyrene Rigid Foam Insulation is used on some ProVia brands within the cavities of the window frames to reflect radiant heat, increase resistance to the flow of heat and increase the R-Value as the temperature outside drops.
Window Replacements: A Retrofit with Good ROI
When homeowners are ready for an upgrade, replacing windows and glass doors can offer long lasting value.
When homeowners dream of making a home improvement, they often start with a splashy kitchen or bathroom upgrade that will make their home more functional or modern. But the main motivator for retrofits for the majority of homeowners (72%) is long-term cost savings, according to Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data survey. Other top motivators include improved health and wellbeing (67%), tax incentives and rebates (63%), and increased home value and resale potential (56%).
Source: COGNITION Smart Data
Those motivations are a good match for homeowners considering replacing their windows and doors. Not only does this provide immediate comfort in the form of more stable indoor temperatures, new windows and doors offer both an interior and exterior uplift in appearance. More importantly, high performance windows and doors can increase a home’s value and boost its curb appeal, says Julie Monroy, product manager for windows and vinyl patio doors for ProVia.
“Whether a homeowner plans to sell soon or not, new windows can improve the overall aesthetic of a house while increasing the home’s value,” Monroy says. “In addition, newer windows can also reduce outside noise and lower utility bills.”
According to the Cost vs. Value Report from Zonda Media, homeowners can recoup 67% of the cost of windows when they sell their house with upgraded vinyl windows.
Lower energy bills are a prime incentive for homeowners to upgrade their windows. Replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR®–certified models can reduce energy bills by an estimated 12%–15% annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and even more in cold climates.
Setting Priorities for Window Replacements
Still, window replacements can require significant investment from homeowners. One way to offset that is to stagger replacements and prioritize single-pane windows, visibly damaged windows, and windows on sides of the home receiving the most exposure to the elements, Monroy says.
Homeowners can also investigate the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit that allows homeowners to claim tax credits for up to 30% of the cost of products.
There are multiple signs that indicate it could be time to replace your windows, such as:
But even if none of those issues are present, windows and doors generally should be replaced about every 20 years depending on the quality, usage and maintenance of the original windows, Monroy says.
Factors to Consider When Replacing Windows
When selecting new windows, one place to start is to check out the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label on the windows you’re considering to compare features such as the U factor, which measures insulation; visible transmission, which shows how much light comes into the home; air infiltration, which shows how much air may seep in and out through the window, and the solar heat gain coefficient, and match them with the climate zone where the windows will be installed.
The NFRC label is typically adjacent to the ENERGY STAR label on windows.
Other features to check when comparing window options include:
ProVia also uses “INNERGY” thermal reinforcement on two of their window brands, which has 700 times the insulating value of aluminum, protects against condensation and offers better impact resistance compared to other thermal reinforcements. Graphite Polystyrene Rigid Foam Insulation is used on some ProVia brands within the cavities of the window frames to reflect radiant heat, increase resistance to the flow of heat and increase the R-Value as the temperature outside drops.
Download the “Home Retrofits that Pay Their Way” eBook for more insights for your home or to help your customers make smart upgrades.
By Michele Lerner, Associate Editor
Michele Lerner is an award-winning freelance writer, editor, and author who writes about real estate, personal finance, and business.Also Read