To the Window, to the Door: Everything You Need to Know About Replacing a Home’s Windows and Doors

There are dozens and dozens of ways to improve the curb appeal of your home.

From slapping a fresh coat of paint on it to rethinking your landscape design, you can send your curb appeal soaring by taking just a few simple steps.

But one of the easiest ways to improve your curb appeal and bring the value of your home way up at the same time is by replacing windows and doors. When you replace the windows and doors on your home, it’ll liven up the look of it and make it more appealing to buyers when you go to sell it one day.

Before you replace windows and doors, though, take some time to learn everything you can about doing it.

Here is everything you’ll need to know about replacing a home’s windows and doors.

Know When to Replace Windows and Doors

If you absolutely despise the way that the windows and doors in your home look right now, that’s one easy way to know that it’s time to schedule window and door replacement. But that’s far from the only reason to go about replacing windows and doors.

Here are some other reasons why you might want to strongly consider window and door replacement:

• They don’t open and close properly anymore
• They allow too much air to leak in and out of your home, which can affect your energy efficiency and drive your energy costs up
• They’re visibly damaged
• They don’t provide your home with the safety and security you need
• They’re in need of repair and don’t have parts that are easily accessible
• They allow too much sound to come in from outside
• They’re hard to clean and maintain without putting in a lot of extra effort

As you can see, you’ll need to think about more than just the appearance of your windows and doors when you’re considering window and door replacement. There are so many other reasons to replace windows and doors that are on the older side.

Discover the Benefits of New Windows and Doors

Studies have shown that replacing windows and doors can be one of the best investments you make into your home. On average, homeowners recoup about 70 to 80 percent of the cost of window and door replacement when they do it.

There are other benefits that you’ll enjoy once your new windows and doors are in place, too. Check out a few of the biggest benefits below:

• They’ll make your home significantly more energy efficient
• They cut down on the drafts you feel in your home and keep it more comfortable overall
• They’ll reduce the chances of someone breaking into your home through a window or door
• They’ll block noise better than your old windows and doors and make it quieter in your home
• They’ll eliminate dust and allergens by stopping them from sneaking into your home
• They’ll reduce the amount of time you have to spend cleaning and maintaining them
• They’ll enhance the interior design of your home

You and your family will get to experience each and every one of these benefits first-hand with new windows and doors. You’ll love the way they make your home look and feel from the very start.

Learn About Window and Door Options

When you make the decision to replace windows and doors in your home, it’ll be the first decision in a long line of decisions that you have to make. You’ll also need to pick out the right windows and doors for your home.

It’s a good idea to start with front door options since your front door will set the tone for your entire house in a lot of ways. You’ll be able to pick from:

• Fiberglass doors
• Steel doors
• Wood doors

Additionally, you’ll be able to look at doors that blend different materials and designs together, including many that have glass in them. It’s your job to figure out what will look best on the front of your home.

At the same time, it’s also your job to shop for windows. And just like with doors, you’ll quickly see that there are so many options to choose from. They include:

• Awning windows
• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Casement windows
• Gliding windows
• Picture windows
• And even specialty windows

Windows also come in many different materials like wood, vinyl, aluminum, and more. Again, it’ll be up to you to select the windows you want based on their style and the specific benefits that come along with each one.

Buy Windows and Doors From the Right Company

After you decide it’s time to replace windows and doors, your first instinct might be to run down to the closest home improvement store to see what they have in stock. It’s not the worst idea in the world, but you can do better!

Shop for windows and doors through a company that specializes in selling nothing but windows and doors. They’ll have a much larger selection than any home improvement store will.

They’ll also have experience and expertise in the window and door industry that will be very beneficial to you as you move forward.

Hire Experienced Window and Door Installers

In a perfect world, you’ll find a window and door specialty store that can both sell you windows and doors and install them for you.

It’ll make life a lot easier on you when you only have to worry about communicating with your window and door store as opposed to both your window and door store and your window and door installers.

But if, for whatever reason, your window and door specialists don’t do installations, look for reliable installers in your area who can get the job done.

They should have plenty of experience performing installations and should be able to show you some of the work they’ve done in the past on homes in your city or town.

Pick the Right Time to Install Windows and Doors

If you want to save yourself some money on your window and door installation, think about replacing windows and doors in the wintertime.

Most homeowners shy away from putting in new windows and doors when it’s freezing cold outside, so you might be able to get a great deal on windows and doors during the colder months.

Otherwise, install them when it’s mild in either the spring or the fall.

Since it won’t be too hot or too cold outside, you won’t have to stress out about the effect that window and door installation will have on your home and, more specifically, your HVAC system as it works to heat or cool your home.

Always Replace Windows and Doors Together

Replacing windows and doors in your home is going to require an investment on your part. A good investment, seeing as how you’re going to recoup a lot of money with your new windows and doors later, but an investment nonetheless.

On average, Americans are currently spending about $650 per window during window replacement. They’re also currently spending about $950 per door during door replacement.

But one way you can get a slightly better deal on windows and doors is by replacing them together. When you do a new window and door installation at the same time, most companies will give you a better deal on both the products you purchase and the installation costs.

Maintain Windows and Doors After Installation

Since you’re going to be making such a big investment when you go about replacing windows and doors, it’s imperative that you prepare to maintain your windows and doors moving forward.

Your window frames will need to be dusted and wiped down with a microfiber cloth about once a week. Your window glass, meanwhile, will need to be cleaned with a glass cleaner on cloudy days to make sure it sparkles.

Your doors will also need to be wiped down to prevent dirt, mud, and other debris from building up on them. Depending on what kind of door you go with, you might also be able to wipe it down with a wet cloth from time to time to get rid of any buildup from the door.

Whatever you do, don’t neglect your windows and doors once you get them into place. They’ll last you a long time when you do the right maintenance on them, so make maintaining windows and doors a part of your regular cleaning schedule.

Replacing Windows and Doors Is a Smart Idea

There are hundreds of home improvement projects that you could take on at the moment to spice up your home’s appearance. But none of them will get the job done quite like replacing windows and doors.

If it’s been years now since the windows and doors on your home have been replaced, stop living with them and get some new ones installed. You’ll enjoy all the benefits we listed earlier and get an amazing return on your investment when you put your home up on the real estate market in the future.

Check out our blog for some tips on picking out the right window treatments for your home once you have your new windows and doors all set up.