Top 13 Benefits of Replacement Windows

Windows tend to be an overlooked part of the house, but when it’s time for renovation, they should be one of the first areas considered for an upgrade. Why? Because there are so many benefits to replacing the old builder-grade windows with new, updated, and modern replacement windows.

13 Benefits of Replacement Windows

1. Energy Savings
2. Home Value Increases
3. Safety and Security
4. Noise Reduction
5. Less Allergens and Pollutants
6. Less Maintenance
7. Better Curb Appeal
8. Comfort
9. Increased Natural Light
10. Better Aesthetics
11. Clear Views
12. Warranty Benefits
13. Protection of Valuables

Given all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why homeowners are starting to place more emphasis on this update and allocate more of their budget to window replacement before they tackle other areas of the home.

What are Replacement Windows?

Replacement windows are new window units that you can install into existing window openings anywhere in your home. Replacement window installation differs from new construction window installation because replacement windows are ordered to fit the size and dimensions of your current openings, and you’re not creating new openings in your walls or scaffolding.

When it comes to determining what the best replacement windows are for your home, it’s a good idea to do a bit of research. Do you want a window with improved energy efficiency? What about an upgrade in look and design? Perhaps you want a new style, better view, or increased safety. Many windows can provide all of these things, whether you plan on replacing a patio door that’s made of glass, a hung window, a double hung window, or need vinyl window replacement.

As long as you have the exact measurements of your current window opening and an idea of which type of windows you want, window installation should be a breeze.

How Often Should You Replace Your Windows?

Depending on the company that built your home, the new construction windows they installed might not last as long as you think. If you’re purchasing a home that’s been around for a while and the previous owners didn’t install new windows, you’ll want to think about replacing them.

While it would be great to have a formula to know when it’s time to replace windows, there’s no specific amount of time. Instead, it’s best to look at the windows already installed and check for tell-tale signs of wear and tear. Look for things like glass that fogs, higher energy bills in summer and winter, sagging and soft window frames, and cracks in the window or the frame.

When you see these signs, it’s best to replace your windows as soon as possible. The longer old, ready-to-replace windows are allowed to remain in place, the more damage and expense you could potentially incur. The replacement cost of windows may seem high at first, but the long-term value they provide will benefit you and your home’s value in the end.

How to Measure for Replacement Windows

No matter the window type you want to replace, measuring for replacement windows is a simple process. The process is the same whether you want to switch out vinyl windows, a single casement window, a sliding glass window, or any other type of window already installed.

To measure for a replacement window, you’ll need the dimensions of the window you’re replacing. This includes the current window’s height and width. Whether you plan on DIYing your replacement window installation or hire a professional to do it for you, these are the measurements you’ll need.

It’s a good idea to have someone with you while measuring, as a second pair of hands and eyes can help ensure accurate measurements. If you don’t have anyone to help, be sure to measure twice and double-check your numbers. If measurements are incorrect, you could find yourself ordering a window that’s too small or too large for the opening. If this happens, there are not many ways around it other than reordering another replacement window, costing you time and money.

Top 13 Benefits of Replacement Windows

When you’re ready to replace the windows in your current home, you’ll be sure to enjoy benefits such as:

1. Energy Savings

The energy savings potential is one of the most popular reasons why homeowners look into replacing a home window or two. Summer and winter are two key seasons when energy use can skyrocket for a typical homeowner. The effort of keeping the home comfortable while allowing natural light inside is a combination that can cost more than it’s worth with old windows. Whether you have a single hung window, awning windows, or traditional vinyl, chances are, your window surround could be leaking cold air out during summer and letting it in during the winter.

Installation of replacement glass windows will improve energy use by preventing cold air from leaking in or out, depending on the season. Energy efficient glass is key to increasing energy savings, keeping your interior comfortable, and maintaining a stable utility budget.

2. Home Value Increases

Older windows age rapidly, and with natural aging comes an old, worn, and tired appearance. The window frame starts looking old, paint chips, and windows that used to be shiny quickly lose their luster. When you replace an existing window with a replacement window, however, you’ll benefit from new materials that lasts longer, withstand the elements better, and provide an up-to-date appearance for years to come.

In addition to a refreshed outward appearance, they add real value to your home, making this one renovation project that will produce a solid return on your investment. Potential homeowners look for several things when considering the purchase of a home: a roof, the kitchen, bathrooms, and windows. The newer these things are, the more likely people consider making an offer.

When your bow windows are replaced with energy efficient glass, when your old sliding windows are swapped out for composite windows, or when each existing window is upgraded with custom replacement windows, you’ll be able to increase the price tag of your home’s value when it comes time to sell.

3. Safety and Security

Another benefit of replacement windows is increased safety and security. Older windows and standard windows on new construction homes are single-pane clear glass with little shatter resistance. New replacement windows, however, are constructed with double panes, and many have improved resistance to chipping, shattering, and breaking.

Another benefit is better closing mechanisms. This means updated windows can help prevent break-ins without the need to place sticks in the gutters of windows or other contrivances to keep them closed when you’re away or asleep. Safety is a key feature of any home, and new windows will add to the overall peace of mind you’ll feel while inside, away on vacation, or asleep at night.

4. Noise Reduction

Noisy neighbors, nearby construction, airplanes overhead, city traffic, and a dozen other exterior noises are prime complaints for many homeowners. Standard installed windows are made for one thing: for you to see out of. They aren’t formatted to prevent disturbing noise pollution.  

Replace your existing window with custom replacement windows, however, and you’ll find your home to be a sanctuary from the noise and din outside. New sliding doors and sliding windows are made to be a barrier between the interior of your home and the outside noise. As a result, you’ll find a decrease in noise and an increase in your personal peace and satisfaction.

The amount of noise reduction generally depends on the window type, but you’ll still experience less noise bleed from a new sliding window or sliding glass door versus your old standard window.

5. Less Allergens and Pollutants

Older windows aren’t exactly known for preventing drifting pollen, allergens, and pollutants from getting into your home. In fact, the window surround on older homes is a prime location for these irritants to enter. This can be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of those inside, especially if family members suffer from allergies, asthma, or other bronchial conditions.

The best way to shore up this weak defense is to replace your windows altogether. It’s not enough to replace the surround or the framework. Instead, you need an entirely new system that prevents particles from getting inside without you knowing. New replacement windows feature air-tight seals that prevent allergens, like pollen, from getting in when the windows are closed. Swapping out your old windows for new ones is just one way you can help make the inside of your home a happier, healthier place for all who live within.

6. Less Maintenance

All windows require some level of maintenance. This is true of your entire house, whether you’re talking about windows, the roof, or wood flooring. The benefit of window replacements, however, is that you can drastically cut down on how much maintenance your windows require.

Windows with a wood surround need to be regularly cleaned, repainted, spot-checked, treated for wood-boring insects, and eventually replaced when needed. Composite windows, on the other hand, require far less energy and labor to maintain beautiful windows year-round. These windows are strong, durable, resistant to rot and decay, and stable for any climate or weather you might face. If you want an upgrade that cuts down on the amount of TLC you need to give your windows, then composite windows might just be the answer you’re looking for.

7. Better Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is incredibly important. Not only do you want your home to look respectable and beautiful for your personal benefit and that of your friends and neighbors, but if you ever decide to sell, looks are incredibly important.

Many home buyers decide with little more than a glance whether they’re interested. If a home looks old, worn down, tired, and aging, you’ll turn away buyers who aren’t looking for a fixer-upper. Instead, you might find that the offers coming in are lower than you expect, and are made by people who understand how much work updating the look of your home will be.

Rather than leave it to chance, upgrade your windows by installing composite windows, new vinyl windows, or double hung fiberglass windows, depending on your preferences, style, budget, and need. You’ll enjoy the refreshed, updated look, and when you’re ready to sell, you’ll be glad the home needs minimal exterior work to get it ready to show.

8. Comfort

Replacement windows can significantly increase the comfort level in your home by cutting down on heat and UV infiltration during the summer. It can also keep your home warmer during the winter by providing increased insulation from the cold weather outside.

Older windows are a prime source of cool air leakage from the inside during summer and warm air leakage during winter. Many older windows are not well insulated, leading to increased energy consumption and less comfortable interiors. By installing replacement windows, you can effectively shore up these weak spots and keep the inside of your home warm or cool, depending on your needs for the season.

If you’ve experienced drafty conditions, feeling cold (or hot) while sitting next to a window, or a significant temperature difference from one room to the next, the windows could be to blame. Replacing them is a simple solution that can solve these issues.

9. Increased Natural Light

Windows are the key to allowing as much natural light into your home as possible. Older windows with UV protective film coating, transom windows that were styled with a dark shade of glass, and windows that are severely dated with bubbling, tinting, or warping will all severely limit the amount of natural light that reaches the interior.

Get rid of old, tired, and worn-out windows with replacement windows that provide you with clear views and allow as much natural light to enter the inside of your home as possible. If security is still a concern, you can choose replacement windows that are textured to provide increased privacy as well as style, keeping your home up-to-date, giving you peace of mind, and making the inside of your home as beautiful as possible.

10. Better Aesthetics

One reason you might consider installing replacement windows is for improved aesthetics for both the inside and outside of your home. The outside of a home is like a calling card, telling everyone on your street a little something about the people inside. It also sends a direct signal to potential buyers regarding the way you’ve taken care of your house.

Windows that look beautiful and make your house appear well-kept are beneficial for your own satisfaction, as well as the interest of those in the market for a home when that time comes. This is also true of windows on the inside of your home, such as a glass barn door, a window wall, sliding glass doors, or other interior windows that provide a view from one room to the next.

If your home features plenty of natural light, then keeping windows and interior glass up-to-date is a key component of the aesthetic and style of your home. Thankfully, there are replacement windows for just about every size and shape of window you currently have installed, and Rustica.com can help you choose the best options for your space.

11. Clear Views

Replacement windows are beneficial for a wide variety of reasons, including clearing up your view and providing you with a new look into the world outside. Old windows can become discolored, warped, and damaged over time, distorting your view. The older the window, the more likely this will occur. This is especially true if the former homeowners placed UV protective coatings on windows.

Replacing old windows can dramatically improve your viewing experience. This is true whether you’re replacing bay windows that face a stunning vista or a window wall on the inside of your home or office. New windows come with updated technology that provides increased insulation, better UV protection, and energy efficiency without the threat of yellowing, dimming, warping, or degrading your view.

We find that many homeowners appreciate the upgraded views when replacing sliding doors made of glass, a large sliding window, or a window that faces a front or backyard. And along with your upgraded view, you’ll also enjoy a greater amount of natural light while still protecting your possessions inside, thanks to the improved UV filtering technology that comes standard with many windows available on the market today.

12. Warranty Benefits

Most older windows, and even windows that were installed on new construction homes, have little to no warranty benefits for the homeowners. When you purchase new windows, however, part of the window replacement cost will include warranty benefits. This is true regardless of the type of window you install, from a single large bay window or an awning window to multiple vinyl windows throughout your house of different shapes and sizes.

While warranties vary depending on the type of window and where you purchase it, you should expect a typical warranty to cover things like the UV rating, noise reduction, and other featured benefits unique to the window you purchase. If you want to learn more about window warranty options through Rustica.com, give us a call, and we’ll provide all the info you’re looking for. We can also help you figure out which types of  windows will look best on your home, provide the best benefits, and give you the most for your investment.

13. Protection of Valuables

Many homeowners are unaware of how damaging sunlight can be to the precious items inside their homes. When furniture, paintings, photographs, antiques, and treasured possessions are placed in a room where sunlight streams in, there will be a slow change over time. The change is subtle at first, and almost unnoticeable, but then you’ll take a look one day and see all the damage done.

We’re talking about the power of sunlight to fade furniture, photographs, and paintings, and damage delicate items like antiques and heirlooms. While many new construction windows have some type of UV coating, it’s often not enough to prevent damage. Many old windows have no coating at all, and are simply made of clear glass and framing.

If you enjoy displaying family heirlooms, pictures from vacation, or simply don’t want your high-end furniture to fade where sunlight hits it, then window replacement is what you need. Any amount of sunlight, given long enough exposure, will fade, discolor, and otherwise damage articles it touches. Replacement window installation will help prevent this from occurring, thanks to the improved UV resistance.

You’ll find increased UV defense and protection available for just about any window type you’re interested in replacing, such as a bow window, vinyl windows, a casement window, or composite windows.

Replacement Windows Transform Your Home

If you find your views becoming distorted, precious items inside your home getting damaged from the sun’s rays, your energy bills increasing, or the overall look of your home starting to sag, it might be time to think about replacement window choices.

Whether you have a door that’s primarily glass, double hung fiberglass windows, or know that you want a vinyl replacement window or two, Rustica.com has a design team on hand to help you choose the perfect windows for your home. We not only ensure you get the window features you need, like energy efficiency, but we’ll help you match replacement windows with the overall look, feel, design, and style of your home.

By combining essential features with design concepts, we’ll help you get the most out of your purchase, ensuring that your investment return is the best it can be. Your house will look stunning, the new windows will make you smile, and if it ever the time comes to sell, we know you’ll be glad you decided to let us help you with your replacement window installation.