Energy Efficient Windows: Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Replacing Windows | Flower Mound, TX
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There are a plethora of reasons why you may consider getting window replacements for your Flower Mound, TX, home. For starters, you may have learned that replacing your old windows with energy efficient windows could potentially reduce your home’s energy consumption by 25 to 30 percent.
Besides that, you may have noticed the typical signs that indicate your home needs window replacements, which include high energy utility bills, broken glass, damaged weather seals, cracked or warped frames, aged windows, and excessively noisy windows.
No matter the case, you should keep in mind that window replacement projects are quite a significant undertaking for any homeowner. Given that the typical life expectancy of replacement windows may range between 35 to 50 years, making the wrong decision could have detrimental financial consequences. In this regard, you can keep yourself informed on some of the common mistakes that homeowners make when changing from traditional windows models to newer energy efficient windows.
Failure to consult with a professional contractor when installing energy efficient windows
The failure to seek an expert opinion when making window replacements is often one of the common mistakes homeowners make, which mostly yields less-than-acceptable results. By choosing the wrong contractor, homeowners risk having their replacement windows improperly installed, paying more than typically expected for installation jobs, or waiting for long before installation is complete.
However, conducting thorough screenings before choosing a contractor can make all the difference. During the vetting process, ensure that the technicians who’ll be installing your home’s new energy efficient windows specialize in window installation, have an impressive track record with former clients, have licenses, and carry the relevant liability and property insurance. Additionally, you can solicit quotes from two or three contractors before making a final decision to guarantee that you’ll get your money’s worth.
Going for cheap window models
Although energy efficient windows cannot be described as affordable, their price tag should not be the only consideration when choosing window replacements for your home. As aforementioned, window replacements should potentially last for a significant amount of time before you’ve decided to change them. While the initial cost must be kept into account, other factors are just as important.
You need to take into account the repair, repainting, cleaning, and maintenance costs. In most cases, cheaper windows fail to promise a longer life expectancy leaving you vulnerable to recurrent maintenance costs that eventually become more than what could’ve been paid for a pricier model in the first place.
Conversely, it would help if you also realized that the most expensive model might not offer the best quality. Therefore, when getting new windows for your home, ensure that you consult with an experienced contractor near you as they can recommend the appropriate windows based on your budget.
Making replacements in kind
Sometimes, as a way of saving time, a homeowner may decide to make window replacements with the same model they had before. Experts in the installation and servicing of energy efficient windows strongly warn homeowners against this practice. This is because by doing this, you may fail to benefit from the change in manufacturing and technological processes that guarantees advanced features, which can be vital in energy conservation.
Also, you may miss out on unique replacement options that not only complement the decor of your home but also enhance its comfort. For instance, if you’re looking to improve your home’s ventilation, it would be advisable to replace your current double-hung windows with casement energy efficient windows.
Overlooking security concerns
Every homeowner should know that approximately 23 percent of all burglaries happen through the first-floor window. In this context, it’s evident that your windows play a significant role in keeping you and your loved ones safe, making it important to consider the security concerns when undertaking a window replacement project.
Windows are often considered as one of the notably fragile parts of the entire household since, for starters, the sound of breaking glass might not be a bother, and that depends on if the homeowner even gets to hear it in the first place. Furthermore, if not fitted with the appropriate type of glazing, they may allow intruders to have a glimpse of what’s on the inside.
As such, you should be keen on choosing replacement windows that can guarantee maximum security based on features such as the tint or reflectivity of the glazing, the presence of fixed or operable sashes, and the type of hardware installed.
Apart from the tint and reflectivity of the glass panes, you can also pay attention to the type of glazing material used to choose safe and secure window replacement options. Some window glass types have been designed to resist shattering, which reduces the chances of break-ins through the window, while others have been known even to resist explosions.
Replacing windows by yourself
Suppose you believe that it would be cost-effective and time-conscious to install the new energy efficient windows you’ve just purchased by yourself. In that case, you may need to reconsider lest you may be setting yourself up for a huge disappointment.
A window replacement project done right requires the expertise, experience, and tools of a well-trained technician, and even then, it’s still quite a demanding job. While you could indeed save some cash by going for the DIY installation option, you may end up digging deeper in your pocket as time passes.
The window installation process requires accurate measurement to ensure that the window fits in its allocated position. Even the smallest of mistakes or slip-ups could have detrimental consequences on your pocket, sometimes even rubbishing the point of getting replacement windows.
For instance, you could end up buying the wrong size for your windows, and in some cases, you may end up damaging the siding of your home during the installation process. That aside, proficient installers of energy efficient windows shun DIY installation work because you risk voiding the product’s warranty specifications.
Energy Window Solutions: A window installation company you can trust
Energy Window Solutions has been a trendsetter in the fenestration industry in the area surrounding Flower Mound, TX, for more than 30 years. We’ve been manufacturing a full line of window systems since 2001, including energy-efficient single- or double-hung windows. We’re also staffed with experienced and well-trained technicians who can effectively handle any window installation or replacement project. Additionally, our company supplies Rehau and Slimline windows, which complement our catalog of energy-efficient window options. We are a phone call away.