Replacing or Installing Windows, By Stu Silverman

By replacing your windows, you can update the look of your house, improve the amount of light and air flow in your home, increase your home's energy efficiency, and provide easier window operation, cleaning and maintenance. But if you're still uncertain about replacing your windows, here are some ways to tell if your current windows are past their useful life:

• On a windy day, hold a lit candle near the window's edge inside your home. If the flame flickers or goes out, your weather stripping could be damaged.
• If you live in a colder climate, have you noticed an ice buildup or a frosty glaze on the interior of the window panes in the winter? If so, you may have inadequate ventilation in your home, or your windows may not be providing enough insulation, and lots of heat will be lost.
• Do you feel cold air coming in during the winter or warm air during the summer? If you do, your windows are not providing enough insulation. As a result, you will be paying more to heat and cool your house.
• If your windows get fogged with condensation, you may have a seal failure and need to replace the glazing or the entire window.
• If you need to prop your window open with a book or a stick, the window may have lost its functionality.

If you have noticed any of these signs, it is time to replace your windows. In some cases you may be able to delay the inevitable by replacing broken panes and tending to loose or missing weather stripping. But if your windows are old and don't fit properly, you should seriously consider new windows. Keep in mind that even in older homes, faulty windows can account for 1/3 of the total heat loss in winter and as much as 3/4 of heat gain in summer.

When purchasing windows, consider factors other than the up-front purchase price. Windows with higher energy efficiency ratings will save you money on your heating and cooling costs for years to come.

So now that you've decided it's time to purchase new windows, what should you get?

Many homeowners choose wood for its visual appeal and good insulation value. Wood windows perform well in extreme temperatures, and condensation is not usually a factor. Wood is versatile - it can be painted, stained or finished in a variety of ways, although the exterior also requires periodic painting or staining. If not properly protected from moisture, wood frames can warp, stick, crack and rot. Wood windows are generally more expensive than other types of replacement windows, and they will degrade over time. Also, wood windows are susceptible to shrinking and swelling, which could affect performance.

Maintenance-free vinyl is the most popular choice

Vinyl is the most popular type of replacement window, and is an excellent alternative to wood. Like wood windows, vinyl windows offer good insulation value and strength, and they don't require any maintenance (i.e. no painting or staining). With vinyl windows you have the greatest variety to choose from. There are many shapes, styles and colors, and they are available in a wide range of prices to suit virtually any budget. You will be able to find vinyl windows in all the standard sizes, which makes installation easier and less costly. And vinyl windows can be easily customized for unique needs and preferences.

Clad windows are the best of both worlds

Combination windows (or "clad" windows) are a best-of-both-worlds solution, with wood on the interior and vinyl or aluminum on the exterior. That way you get the look and versatility of wood indoors with a low-maintenance exterior - but for a price.

Aluminum windows are best in more moderate climates due to their poor insulation value compared to wood or vinyl, and their tendency to produce condensation around the window frames. However, placing insulating strips between the window frame and the sash can improve their thermal resistance. Aluminum frames are three times as strong as vinyl and forty-three times stronger than wood, and unlike vinyl, they can be painted - although it won't look as good as a paint job on wood. Also, aluminum windows resist deterioration and won't shrink, swell, split, crack or rust.

Fiberglass offers strength and excellent insulation

Fiberglass windows are still fairly new, and are not as widely available as the other types of windows. And when you do find them, there will be fewer options available for sizes and styles. But fiberglass combines the higher strength and stability of aluminum with even better insulating properties than wood and vinyl. They won't warp, shrink, swell, rot or corrode, and their excellent strength allows them to hold large panes of glass. Fiberglass window frames can be made in a variety of colors, and can be painted if you want to change the color, which is not an option with vinyl windows. Fiberglass windows are extremely durable, and combine many of the best qualities of other types of windows, however, you will pay more for fiberglass - up to double the cost of vinyl.

How much will you pay?

Aluminum is the least expensive replacement window. Vinyl is next, followed by wood, and then clad and fiberglass windows are the most expensive. The price for an average sized window (30" x 48") is around $100 to $200, or more depending upon geographic location within the U.S. The price will vary depending on the material of the frame, the quality of the window, the type of glass, features such as tilting or type of hardware, and style or the window (e.g. single-hung or double-hung, casement, double-sliding, etc.). Differences will also vary according to the window's R-rating or U-rating, which are measures of the window's energy efficiency. (For more on energy efficiency and types of glass, click here).

When purchasing windows, consider factors other than the up-front purchase price. Windows with higher energy efficiency ratings will save you money on your heating and cooling costs for years to come. Also, windows with a no-maintenance exterior won’t incur costs for painting, both now and in the future. And cheaper windows may need to be replaced sooner than more durable windows.

Read about Read about Energy Efficient Windows

Use the Cost Estimator Tool to help estimate the cost of your window project.