If your windows and doors are old or inefficient, your home could be losing a lot of energy. This harms the environment and costs you money on utilities every month. Replacing aging or poor-quality windows and doors with energy-efficient models can make a big difference in your home’s energy use, comfort, and budget. Read on to learn all the ways that investing in new windows and doors improves your home.
Assess Your Current Windows and Doors
Start by taking a critical look at the windows and exterior doors currently in your home. Check all the windows and doors for air leaks indicating poor seals. See if any window or door frames are rotten or damaged. Determine the R-values for each window and door (the higher the R-value, the better the efficiency). Identify what materials your current windows and doors are made from. Assess how much direct sunlight shines through your windows and whether your windows have low-emissivity coatings. Compile all this information to determine which windows and doors need replacing first.
Choose High-Performance Replacements
When selecting new windows and doors, look for high-energy-efficient performance ratings. For windows, opt for triple-pane glass over single or double, argon or krypton gas-filled, with insulating spacers. Seek out window frames made of vinyl, wood, fiberglass, or composite rather than aluminum. Check the Window Energy Rating (WER) and look for a U-factor under 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) above 0.30. For doors, choose insulated steel or fiberglass over wood. Get the highest R-value doors possible. Also, consider getting tinted windows and doors to reduce solar heat gain.
Caulk and Weatherstrip while Replacing
When replacing your windows and doors, ensure they are properly sealed and weatherproofed during installation. Check for any remaining gaps and cracks around the window and door frames. Fill these spaces by caulking and applying new weatherstripping. Caulking seals the frames to the exterior wall, while weatherstripping blocks air leaks around the openings. Proper caulking and weatherstripping ensure your new windows and doors operate efficiently.
Enhance Comfort and Reduce Noise
Well-insulated windows and doors with an airtight barrier make your home more comfortable. You’ll feel less chilly in the winter as new windows prevent cold outdoor air and drafts from seeping indoors. New doors stop air leaks that make rooms drafty. Triple-pane windows also reduce outside noise entering your home, creating a peaceful environment. And no more cranking the heat with new energy-efficient windows and doors properly regulating your home’s temperature!
Keep UV Rays Out
Replacing outdated windows with new models featuring UV-blocking window film filters out the sun’s intense rays. This protects your interior furnishings, like floors and furniture, from fading. It also reduces glare on screens and helps keep your home cooler. Getting windows and doors with Low-E coatings likewise blocks UV light from entering while decreasing heat gain. So, new windows and doors defend your home and possessions from the damaging effects of the sun.
Increase Your Home’s Value
Investing in new energy-efficient replacement windows and doors increases your property value. Homes with new windows and doors tend to sell faster and for more money compared to homes needing window and door replacements. New windows and doors also enhance curb appeal with sleek modern aesthetics buyers want. So recovering your costs when it comes time to sell is easy with updated windows and doors.
Lower Energy Costs
The biggest perk of installing energy-efficient windows and doors is lowering monthly heating and cooling bills. New windows and doors prevent conditioned indoor air from escaping outside. This allows your home’s HVAC system to run less often, saving energy and money. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates homeowners can save between 7% and 15% on energy bills from high-performance triple-pane windows alone.
Receive Tax Credits
You may also qualify for government tax rebates when you replace old windows and doors with new energy-efficient models. The 2021 federal tax credit covers 10% of the material cost, up to $500 total. Many utilities also offer rebates of $2 to $6 per square foot when installing approved energy-efficient windows. So, you recoup part of your upgrade costs through these credits and incentives.
Add Curb Appeal
Replacing outdated front windows and doors provides an exterior facelift. New appealing windows and doors modernize aged facades. Curb appeal additions like fresh exterior trim and paint, matching hardware, and updated house numbers complete the transformation. Boosting streetside attractiveness can bolster resale value, too. So, new windows and doors add beauty while allowing your home’s style to shine.
Let in Natural Light
Another benefit of new windows is enjoying more natural sunlight streaming into your home. New windows specifically designed to maximize light transmit up to 80% more sun rays indoors. This creates brighter, warmer spaces that lift your mood. It reduces reliance on artificial lighting, too, helping lower electricity usage. Just be sure to get windows with shields that let you control light levels as needed.
Ventilate Through Operable Windows
Consider getting operable windows and doors when upgrading. Operable models allow you to open them for fresh outdoor air instead of always relying on mechanical ventilation. This feature is especially beneficial if anyone in your home has allergies or asthma. Operable windows and doors bring in fresh air to clear out stale indoor air, harboring dust, odors, and fumes. Just be sure to close them at night for safety and efficiency.
Choose Skilled Installers
Having new energy-efficient windows and doors properly installed is vital to maximizing performance. Employ experienced contractors providing certified installation services for the brands you select. They follow precision processes to correctly measure, custom fit, adjust, seal, insulate, and test new windows and doors. Skilled installers ensure any roofing, siding, or trim disrupted during replacements are correctly remediated. Checking contractors’ certifications, training, experience, reviews, and referrals ensures your window and door projects go smoothly. Quality installation prevents future operational or weatherproofing problems.
Call Our Team Today
Replacing your aging and inefficient windows and doors has numerous practical benefits and adds value to your home. From reducing energy costs and enhancing comfort to improving aesthetics and increasing resale value, investing in new energy-efficient models is a wise decision for any homeowner. Don’t wait any longer to improve the efficiency and function of your home while adding beauty and light. Contact Martin & Sons LLC today at 314-839-0700 to schedule a free estimate on new windows and doors that will transform your St Charles, MO, St Peters, MO, or Maryland Heights, MO area home. Experience the difference in quality with our expert services.