Before you start your window replacement adventure, it’s good to know everything there is. Careful planning beats impulsive decision making, every time! This is why we made a short helpful guide considering the price for a big project like window replacement. From material to hours spent in installation, here are the 5 factors that will affect the full cost of upgrading your windows:
- Material
Besides determining the quality of your windows, framing material will also influence the price. There are 4 main materials out there, from cheapest to most expensive: aluminum, vinyl, wood and fiberglass.
If you are going for extremely cheap, aluminum is the best option. However, this framing material shouldn’t be put in homes near oceans and seas. The salt in the air can corrode the material and cut its lifespan in half.
Vinyl is the most cost effective. It has high energy efficiency and a low price. It also lasts significantly more than aluminum and wood and requires little to none maintenance. One of its main disadvantages is that it isn’t so aesthetically pleasing and style flexible.
Wood and fiberglass are the most expensive options on the market. Wood will give an amazing touch to your home, but it is extremely prone to rot and pesticide. This is why you will have to spend a couple of extra bucks on maintenance too. Fiberglass is extremely expensive, but it offers maximum quality and efficiency.
- Size
Another thing that will influence the cost is obviously the size. The larger your windows are, the more money you will spend. Additionally, big windows usually require customization. In such cases, ordering a previously manufactured window and making it fit inside the opening isn’t recommended. This will negatively influence efficiency and quality in the future.
Discuss the entire process in detail with your contractor. Apart from adding to the cost, bigger windows need more work and precaution. Ask for advice on how to minimize spending without compromising quality. Your contractors will be happy to help.
- Style
Window style, also called type also determines the cost. A very important thing to remember is not to comprise the overall design plan of your home just for spending a few bucks less.
The style of your windows should be chosen according to your home’s look, ventilation, access to natural light and emergency exit plan. If you choose the wrong type, you can severely reduce comfort on the inside, resulting in condensation, mold and improper lighting.
Usually casement windows are put in kitchens, awnings in bathrooms and bay or bow in living rooms. If your home has a more traditional look, consider installing double- hung. They are extremely kid friendly and provide sufficient ventilation.
- Installation
It’s evident that the installation process will add more to your bill. A full replacement cost much more than a partial one. In a partial replacement, also known as retrofit and pocket, you get to replace only a part of your window such as the glass.
When it comes to cost, manual work also has big influence. Usually contractors charge by the hour. So if your window is much damaged and requires more work, the price will be higher. The number of replacement windows also matter because the more windows you need to replace, the longer hours your contractor will spend on completing the job.
- Energy Efficiency
These days everybody is obsessed with energy efficiency. And how can we avoid this? Since buyers have learned that an Energy Star rated window can cut 15% of bills, everybody wants them. The price is also influenced by the overall quality and performance of a window. Quality windows protect us from harmful UV rays, keep soundproofing to a maximum, offer more safety and lower our energy spending.
Of course they will cost more. The higher rating your new window has, the bigger the price. It’s up to you and your preferences. Are you willing to spend less and do another replacement job after 20 years or stretch your budget a little bit and go on 50 years without a single care in the world?
