4 Window Replacement Myths You Should Stop Believing
Published on Tuesday March 12, 2019
Window replacement tips have gone through a bad game of telephone over the years.
One person’s unique experience gains traction and turns into commonly shared bad advice. People who haven’t replaced their windows in years, or ever, spout incorrect or outdated window replacement tips that make your decision process even more confusing.
Meanwhile, good advice gets pushed into the realm of anecdote.
Nearly every homeowner will need to get their windows replaced at some point in their life. It’s important to know the difference between fact and fiction — which tips you can trust and what “advice” is just plain wrong.
Myth #1: Replacing windows in the winter is a bad idea.
If contractors stopped working for three months out of the year, they wouldn’t stay in business long enough to hit the next winter.
While it’s not ideal to conduct an installation during rain, snow or extreme temperatures, quality window replacement contractors know how to adapt to weather conditions to keep your replacement windows at their best during and after their install.
It’s also interesting to note that homes listed in the spring typically sell faster and for a better price than homes listed during other times of the year.
Getting your home prepped and primed for inspections and open houses, even if it’s chilly outside, can help you earn the big bucks once you put your home on the market.
Replacing your windows in the winter can also be better if you have to work within a strict time frame or on an atypical schedule. Not as many people opt to replace their windows in the winter which means you get more availability from your contractor for service appointment options.
Myth #2: All decent windows are pretty much the same.
No two homes are exactly alike, which means you’ll have to choose windows best suited for your unique residence rather than simply using the same brand or model as your neighbor.
Depending on your budget, style, the local climate and your priorities, the kind of replacement windows you decide on can vary dramatically.
Aluminum frames are great for climates prone to hurricanes, but are terrible for regions with cold, bitter winters. Single pane windows often look right at home on older houses, but double hung windows offer much more energy efficiency.
Vinyl can be a great option for those on a budget, but fiberglass can mimic the look of wood and provide more character.
If your home has particular issues, you need to take those into consideration as well when shopping for replacement windows.
For instance, if your home tends to get too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter, you should shy away from single pane windows and opt for specialized windows that reflect UV light and solar heat.
Myth #3: A new window won’t change your home’s energy bill.
Properly sealed windows won’t help you save on your energy bill if the issue is a drafty door, but if your home is well-insulated and otherwise up-to-date, getting energy-efficient replacement windows can save you up to 20% on your monthly energy bills.
EnergyStar.gov reports that the average homeowner who installed energy-efficient windows in Washington, D.C. saved nearly $500 annually on heating and cooling costs – and some homeowners saved even more.
Plus, going green and living a more sustainable lifestyle can feel like its own benefit, which makes getting energy-efficient replacement windows a win-win situation.
Myth #4: DIY window replacement is a good way to save money.
A lot of home improvement projects can be DIY. However, while changing out hardware and repainting your living room walls are great hands-on projects, window replacement is not.
DIYing windows can potentially cause a lot of harm — to your wallet, to the overall aesthetics and structure of your home and, most importantly, to yourself.
“If you watch a few window installation videos, a professional can make it look easy,” explains Matthew Mack, Window Manager at Long Windows®.
“But in reality, not every house is the same. Only a professional can navigate the ins and outs of the home’s structure and style.”
Each home will have its own unique challenges to tackle, and there are just some things you can’t learn from watching a few YouTube videos and calling it a day.
Plus, specialized tools that require prior know-how are necessary to install the aluminum siding component required by most window installs. Trying to swing that on your own can make the ordeal much more complicated than simply calling a professional to handle the job.
We set the record straight.
Take all the guesswork out of sorting through window replacement tips and talk to one of our window professionals today. Contact Long Windows online to request an estimate.
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