Why Buy Vinyl Replacement Windows?
The Aluminum Window Blues
The original aluminum windows in our home had become dirty and discolored. From the very first time my husband and I toured
our current home as prospective buyers, it was clear the windows needed
to be replaced. The house was built in the early sixties when aluminum
frame, single-pane windows were standard. After purchasing the house,
however, other (more inexpensive) home improvement projects took priority
over replacement windows.
We had
a ballpark idea of what it would cost to replace the seven aluminum
windows and three large sliding glass doors. At the time, it seemed
astronomical. After three years in the house, we finally decided
it was time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows despite the considerable
costs involved. We'd completed many other home improvements and
realized how much new windows would improve our home's livability.
This was due to several reasons.
Energy Efficiency
We live in a region with a mild climate, but
the house was still perpetually cold in the winter and warm in the
summer. We'd spent a good deal of money on a new heating and cooling
system and wanted to maximize its efficiency while taming our skyrocketing
utility bills. Single-pane windows are notoriously energy inefficient,
allowing air to circulate between the outside and the inside of the
house. This became evident on the windy day I glanced at our vertical
blinds and noticed them swaying in the (outside) breeze!
Vinyl dual-pane replacement windows also offer sun protection.
Many companies apply a "low-e" coating to the glass, which
blocks out a significant percentage of the sun's harmful UV rays.
This protects your carpets and your furniture and, most importantly,
your family from sun exposure.
Security
The locks on our aluminum windows were flimsy and would easy for a burglar to break. Safety was another reason we decided to take
the vinyl replacement window plunge. The old windows had flimsy or non-existent locks
and my husband had installed "turnscrew" locks on the window
track as an added precaution. We knew this system was far from failsafe
and that vinyl windows offered solid locking mechanisms and burglar-proof
features.
In addition, another safety
concern was for our rambunctious two-year-old who sometimes pushed/fell/banged
on the wobbly single-pane windows and doors. With non-shatterproof,
single pane glass, we were extremely concerned this could be very
dangerous should the glass break due to a toddler accident.
Noise Reduction
Another key reason we decided to replace the
aluminum frame windows was the noise factor. Our street is busy with
commuter traffic in the mornings and afternoons and the traffic noise
can be very loud. We also have noisy neighbors on both sides of us.
Dual-pane windows provide a significant noise barrier that practically
eliminate outside sound. Now we can actually sleep when the dog next
door barks all night! Aesthetics
Of course, aesthetics is a major reason to
consider vinyl replacement windows. They simply look better.
In our case, the window frames were a hodge-podge of silver and black
(someone had obviously gone wild with spray paint). Companies offer
a variety of styles and finishes, from frames that look like real
wood to flanges in a variety of sizes. You can often customize the
window finishes to match your home's paint color scheme.
Finally, vinyl windows can add to your home's
resale value. Unattractive windows can be a deal-killer for even
the most beautiful home. It almost stopped us from buying our current
house. Figures vary, but some studies show that new vinyl windows
can add $20,000 - $30,000 to a home's asking price.
NEXT: New
Construction vs. Retrofit Windows >
|
