Planning to Upgrade Your Windows? What You Should Keep in Mind

It?s home revamping time, and one project you may have been putting off is your windows. Yet windows are a great thing to replace — not only can your home?s physical appearance be improved, but you can start saving more money on your energy bills as well. Did you know that Energy Star certified windows are capable of lowering your energy bills by up to 15%?

If you?re planning on upgrading your windows, there?s a few things you should keep in mind. Let?s review.

Hurricane Resistant Windows/High Impact Windows


Impact resistant windows, typically used in areas that experience hurricane wings, have impact resistant glass — two slabs of glass that contain a layer of PVB in between. Even though these windows may shatter in extreme conditions, the glass itself will still remain attached to the membrane. The three most common materials for these windows to be made from are vinyl, wood, and aluminum.

How Windows Can Save You Money

Yes, windows will cost you money to install — but if you plan on living in your home for several more years, you?re going to see consistent savings that help you make this money back — and you?ll still be able to list this as a selling point for the home. Windows are estimated to have a 78% return on investment for homeowners.

As noted before, energy-efficient windows can help reduce energy bills. This is because older windows are often inefficient, allowing heat and cooling to be lost through poor insulation. An average home can lose up to 30% of its HVAC energy the windows alone — which is quite a lot!

Getting a New Patio Door

Is your patio door dated — is it glass, or is it wood? When it comes time to sell your home, potential homeowners are going to want a way to see the view of your yard — not have it hidden, and the room dark. Sliding glass doors can be a great investment, especially in warm climates.

Whether you’re interested in getting heat efficient windows, high impact windows, or a new patio door, there are a lot of options out there. Make sure to pay attention to not only the cost of the window or door itself, but also the cost of installation so that you understand the overall cost.