Replacing your windows may not be at the top of your home improvement list, but perhaps it should be. A window replacement may not be as large a project as building a swimming pool or a patio or completely remodeling your kitchen, but such a small project can have a huge impact on your life, and over 100% return on investment.
You Recover Nearly $100 of Your Investment
According to REMODELING magazine, selling your home with newly replaced windows can yield up to 74% return on investment. Then, when you figure in tax deductions you can receive for energy savings, replacing your windows can actually end up costing you $0.
Links to tax credits and deductions available for window upgrades in the State of Idaho:
$500 Federal Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit
Idaho Income Tax Deduction for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Idaho Power Energy Efficiciency Rebate
Improved Curb Appeal
If you’re planning to sell the house in the future, keep in mind that first impressions are everything. Buyers will develop an opinion within the first few minutes of pulling up to your home. Sure, updating the interiors is always important, but buyers will never even see the inside if the exterior scares them away.
Windows may not seem like much to you, but they are one of the exterior elements that have a major impact on your property’s first impression. A new, modern window coupled with small upgrades will have buyers rushing to offer you a price.
Lower Energy Costs
Your windows are a double-edged sword. We need them for natural light to come in—but in doing so we inevitably let the heat out during the colder months and the cold during the hotter months, which means pumping up the air conditioning unit or heater. This means the wrong windows can increase your utility bills. The Department of Energy even estimates that the amount of energy lost each year due to windows is $35 million.
Years ago, the only options we had were single-pane glass in a timber frame, which do a great job of letting light in, but not so great at stopping heat and cold from transferring in and out. Fortunately, homeowners like you can reduce your energy costs by replacing outdated windows into newer, more energy efficient ones.
Reduced Maintenance Needs
Older window models require a lot of maintenance. With timber windows, for instance, the paint will easily peel, fade, and rot, especially if you live in Idaho where rains and storms are a common occurrence. Each year, you would probably need to spend time re-painting the frames.
Replacing your windows with newer ones, especially those that feature advanced designs and technology, is the way to go. Go for easy-clean features, durability, and quality craftsmanship. Opt for steel frames, too, as these are much less susceptible to rot and deterioration than their wood counterparts.
Decreased Noise
Sound is wonderful—but the sound we don’t want to hear is simply noise, an annoyance that can make study, work, or sleep impossible, and life in general, stressful. Fortunately, there’s good news for you: installing modern windows can put a damper on the issue, especially if you live near a major road, a construction site, a nightclub, a school, or in a neighborhood filled with barking dogs and lawnmowers.
The weather stripping is usually the weak link in older systems, because according to the rule of acoustics, just a 1% gap in the sound barrier can already transmit 50% of sound. So, go for windows that feature high quality, triple-barrier weather stripping between the frame and the sash. But of course, this wouldn’t help much if the frame is made of wood, so opt for steel framing, too.
Not only do quality windows with quality weather stripping protect the home from air and water infiltration, but it can also reduce the outside noise transition into the home.
Increased Safety and Security
Old windows often stick easily or no longer lock properly. More than just a frustration, this poses a security risk to your home, as thieves see easy-to-open, unlocked, and broken windows as easy access points. In fact, according to data from the US Department of Justice, offenders are likely to gain unlawful entry through:
- Open windows doors or windows (27%)
- Unlocked doors or windows (28%)
- Picked locks or windows (2.2%)
Fortunately, having new replacement windows installed will deter intruders. Thanks to the newest window technology that paved way for highly advanced, secure windows with heavy frames, windows are much more difficult to penetrate.
Protection from Fading
It’s nice to let the natural light in, but excessive exposure to the sun can lead to the fading of interiors, including the furniture, carpet, window treatments, and even artwork. While artificial light, visible light, humidity, heat, the age of the fabrics, fabric dyes, and materials all play a part in fading, ultraviolet radiation is responsible for most of the damage.
Protect your home by upgrading your windows to more energy efficient products. Some models can even block most of the radiation.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Although it may not seem obvious, there’s actually a link between your energy use and the environment. When your household consumes less power, you reduce the amount of fumes released by power plants. Therefore, upgrading to new, energy efficient windows will not only help you save on utility costs, but will also help you save the earth by reducing your home’s carbon footprint.
The Key: Proper Installation by Experienced Professionals
A window replacement is one of the smallest home improvement projects, but it can sure deliver significant results. However, even the best windows won’t deliver the savings, aesthetics, comfort, and all the other advantages listed above if they’re installed poorly.
That is why it’s important to call Rocky Mountain Exteriors’ certified window installers, who have the experience and a history of doing business in Idaho.
We have made countless homeowners across Boise and Twin Falls extremely happy with our windows and window replacement services.
Our high quality replacement windows feature the following:
- A multi-chamber design, which produces an effective insulating barrier
- A fusion-welded frame, providing superior structural strength
- A constant force balance system and heavy-duty operating hardware for efficient operation
- Heavy-duty SteelForce™ reinforcement, which ensure extra protection
- Intercept Spacer System that reduces conducted heat loss
- Triple-barrier weather stripping for superior protection from water and air
- Slope sill, which allows water to drain to the exterior
We are currently offering our lowest prices of the year on new windows and installation.
Receive a free in home window assessment and quote!
Call Today – and experience the Rocky Mountain Exteriors difference.
The post Window Replacement: A Mini But Mighty Remodel appeared first on Rocky Mountain Exteriors.
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