Why Upgrade or Replace Your Windows?

If you live in an older house, we’re sure you have thought about changing your windows. What discourages many homeowners from changing their windows is the overwhelming amount of information out there regarding windows and the fact that everybody has a different opinion. We’ve found that even people that have been in the industry for years are not completely sure of the details and options. The best reason to replace your windows is to make your home more energy efficient. First, you should contact a local energy auditing company. They will come to your residence and review numerous items in your home. The purpose of the audit is to access your home, this way they can see what kind of improvements you have planned. This will enable them to calculate the amount of energy you will save after the renovation is complete. The other benefit is that, depending on your location, you could qualify for additional Government rebates. Keep in mind, that if you do not get the Energy Audit prior to starting construction, you will not qualify. Do not miss this step.

What is an Energy Star Window?

“Energy Star” qualified windows are windows that meet or exceed the strict specifications that have been set by an independent third party certification agency. They review a number of very technical items like U-factors, solar heat coefficient, etc… All of which are technical and dry, so we will not bore you with those details. However, if they pass as an “Energy Star” certified window, they will reduce your monthly power bills as long as they have been installed correctly. Another option to consider is double or triple glazed sealed units. This means you will have 3 or 4 pieces of glass for each window. The trapped air space between the pieces of glass help to add an additional insulation factor. Low-E coatings and microscopic coatings help keep heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. Again, depending on your build location, these could be mandatory or they may not be.

The Costs of Replacing Your Windows

The general rule of thumb for the installation costs is that they are roughly the same as the cost of the windows (depending on your trim details). For example, if the replacement windows for a house are $3,500, then the cost for the labour to install the windows, the insulation, and paint the interior and exterior trim would be an additional $3,500+/-.

Now you might be thinking that $7,000 is a big investment and it is. However, if you had been spending $500 per month on heating costs, you could potentially save $300 after this improvement. In less than 2 years, you will have recovered the total costs. Most quality windows carry a 20-year warranty, so this could save you thousands and thousands of dollars during the life span of the windows, as well as save energy.

Interested in what it would cost for you to replace your windows, or do any other kind of renovation project? Head on over to the Contact Us page and within 24 hours of submitting our contact form we will be working on a free quote just for you! There’s nothing to lose except the bottom line on your energy bill!