We just got a quote to put new windows on our house. Our current windows are 'construction grade' single pane windows (the house is 25 years old). The new windows will be double pane, low-e, argon filled window units. Doing the whole house will cost almost $9000.
Will be see enough difference in the utility bills to recoup the cost? They promise a %35 decrease, but that would take 8-10 years. Will we feel a difference in the comfort level in the house? Will it increase the value of our house?
2007-01-27 07:57:29 · 9 answers · asked by Wundt 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
We had a similar quote for our home then 15 year old home.
My husband replaced 2 of the windows in the living room - he's fairly handy. We bought them at Home Depot, brought them home and he installed them. He said it was alot of work, and said it was so worth it to pay to have them rest of them done.
We live on a fairly busy street, and it made our house much quieter and we do notice it that it's also less drafty and a little less on our heat-a/c bills. But what we do appreciate (because we plan on staying in our home) is the appearance. We, too, had builders grade and it makes the home look so much prettier inside and out. We got HURD windows that crank, and we also got the wooden grilles. I just love them, cleaning is easy, and I don't have to get on a chair to open/close some of them (I am short). Just make sure if you have it done that you talk about how you will finish the exterior of the windows with your siding or brick. We didn't spend alot of time on that detail, but if we could redo that decision, we wish we had our siding replaced at the same time.
2007-01-27 15:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by what's up? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had all my windows replaced this past year. The cost was ~ 6K.
I did the smart thing (for once), set up a question sheet (so I asked the same questions of each company), invited 5 different manufacturers over one at a time over two weeks-- looked at all the different products, picked their brains and got their quotes. I also looked at each company products, and what they thought was important.
I opted for a "welded" seam, drop in for cleaning, titanium coating (sun block), double lock, double pane, NO ARGON (lasts about 5 years), triple vane sides and a lip with seal where the two windows come together. I also watched them put in. I, too have noticed much better comfort-- lower heating and cooling costs this past year. My electric company has a bar graph showing usage for current year and past year-- nifty.
I decided because my comfort is the key-- I decided that if I live here for 10 years, that's $600.00 a year divided by 12 months-- so $50.00 a month-- yes, it was worth it.
The second key-- the company you use. DON'T TAKE THE FIRST ONE-- MAKE THEM WORK.... Oh, I did mine in the "off" season, too--
good luck
2007-01-27 09:18:07 · answer #2 · answered by omajust 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say go without the argon filled windows. I have heard it puts more expense into the window and it isn't worth the price. It will eventually leak out and then it isn't there to help, besides how do you know you paid for it when you can't see that it is in there??? You may be getting ripped off into paying that extra money for nothing. But definitely go with the double pane windows as this will be a big advantage.
2007-01-27 08:09:50 · answer #3 · answered by chazzer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just my opinion, but living in our 30 year old home with construction grade windows, we've opted NOT to spend the $9000 for the simple reason that it would take so long to recoup that money. We'd have to take out a loan for it and I can't imagine that the savings would be anywhere close to the payment.
I'm sure you'd have fewer drafts and it certainly will not hurt the value of your home, and probably increase it........as well as your taxes!!
Good Luck.
2007-01-28 01:43:54 · answer #4 · answered by pleasantvalleycabins 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
since tyour house is 25 ears old the best thing would be to change the windows its a cost that youll get back over the years by saving on the bills and when time commes and you want to sale the houseit will increase its value. other things that can increase the value of your house is th heating system. Central heat and air conditioning ! the best plus have the litle box to change heat in each level of the room and in the master bed room!! big plus other things are the bathrooms and kitchens such as stainless steal appliyences recent cabinetry not thos old styled ones and granite countertops. i hope this helped u let me know
take care and good luck
2007-01-27 14:31:54 · answer #5 · answered by kouklos_yiorgos 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. it will be worth it. 2 years ago i replaced almost all of my windows, doors too, (the house is 30 + years ), and my natural gas usage for the winter has gone down at least 20 percent. also my electrical costs have gone down as the air conditioning in the summer doesn't run as much. besides, there is a tax break for replacing your windows so next year at tax time you will get a little money back.
2007-01-27 08:07:07 · answer #6 · answered by george 2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Windows will most likely help your house and it will help cut down on the utility bills (did in our house) also Window World is a great place for windows
2007-01-28 06:16:42 · answer #7 · answered by Cyber_Romeo2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
new windows make ur house look good
2007-01-27 08:05:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah do one at a time tho.
2007-01-27 08:00:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋