Replacement Windows - When is the best time to replace the windows in your home?
If you are living in a home that is uncomfortable and has leaky, drafty windows, then the best time for replacement windows is now. This is a great time to take advantage of Tax Credits available in the 2009 and 2010 years.
Aluminum replacement windows
If you have aluminum frame windows, you know how cold the windows get in the winter because of the tremendous heat transfer that occurs through aluminum. Touch the aluminum frame on a cool day and you know what I mean. Wood and vinyl frames transmit approximately 1 BTU/hour, while aluminum is around 1416 BTU's/hour. That is about 1400 times more heat loss through an aluminum window frame than a modern wood or vinyl frame window. The most popular replacement windows are vinyl replacement windows followed by wood windows that are often clad with vinyl on the outside for added longevity.
Modern glass units make up another part of the comfort system. Today windows featuring Low E3 glass with super spacers and triple pane windows can provide great comfort by providing a warmer home with more even heat distribution (less hot and cold spots). Because the windows are more efficient you may choose to keep your home warmer without costing you more money on heating bills.
You may receive a 30% tax credit (up to $1,500) from the government on qualifying replacement windows and doors. Windows are rated by the NFRC and have numbers posted for "U" Value, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), etc. "U" values are a measure of how warm a window is in the winter. The SHGC is a measure of how well the window keeps your home cool in the summer. The lower the numbers, the better.
Visit the Energy Star website for full details. Not all Energy Star rated windows will qualify! Make sure the "U" Value and SHGC are equal to or less than .30. (Note: most of the Energy Star rated windows available will not meet this stringent requirement)
Replacement windows: A good home improvement
Windows are one of the best home improvements you can do because the improvement adds value to your home, saves you energy for heating and cooling, and makes your home more comfortable to live in. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value reports, window replacement to energy efficient windows is generally in the top five home improvements a homeowner can make. Every year, there is a new cost vs. value report made for the various regions of the United States.
These reports give homeowners an idea of what the average cost for replacing 10 windows in their area is and what the percentage of return on their investment should be. You can run a search for 'Cost vs. Value report 2009' to see the latest reports. For each project, the "resale value" data is aggregated from estimates provided by members of the National Association of Realtors' E-mail surveys containing project descriptions, construction costs, and median home price data for each city.
In the Pacific Region, the "resale value" of installing 10 medium quality vinyl windows was $11,641, or $1,164.00 per window. High quality vinyl windows cost more, but also return more value. That is a higher cost and return than in many other regions of the United States, so you do want to check your individual region on the map.
Vinyl replacement windows
Besides comfort, tax credits, and investment, there are other reasons to consider replacing your windows sooner rather than later. Modern vinyl windows are much more secure than windows of old. The rails, where the panes of glass slide past each other, often interlock on modern windows, making them much harder to break into and much better at reducing drafts. Security is becoming a bigger issue every day, and modern windows have made great advances in security. Some modern windows have screens that can only be removed from inside the home.
Another benefit not to be overlooked is beauty and curb appeal. New windows are attractive and can make your home look newer and more desirable. Some modern windows feature beautiful beveled frame designs, grid patterns, covered "weep holes" to keep wind and bugs out, and even things like "invisible screens", not to mention other features such as self cleaning glass and insulated foam frames.
Modern high performance vinyl windows will also be very quiet. Some of these high performance windows will have super spacers (multipart seal technology: foam/mylar/acrylic/barrier sealant seals) which are excellent for long lasting window seals unlike the old metal spacers between the glass that always tend to fog up and because they are metal: lose gas (argon or krypton fill) quickly, transfer heat, cold and sound.
Windows are a great investment that you can enjoy. They brighten your lives, provide added security and comfort, save energy (which is good for all of us and the planet), and are a great investment. For the consumer, there have never been more options to choose from.
By Tom Gion
