New windows in a home can be a very good investment for any homeowner, no matter the installation costs and expense. Note when it's best to consider replacing windows versus trying to repair the ones already installed.

Insulating factors

Older windows may have begun to pull away from the home's framework and may sag and droop and come out of alignment; this can cause leaks and gaps that allow in cold or hot air, making your home feel draughty in wintertime and stuffy in the summertime. This can easily cause your furnace and air conditioner to work overtime in order to maintain the temperature inside your home! Newer windows will be level and even so they're more likely to stay sealed inside the home's framework, blocking out those drafts and keeping the home better insulated. This can also reduce the risk of water damage, as draughty windows can be letting in rain as well as wind and cold.

Materials like vinyl and PVC may also work as better insulators than wood or aluminium, especially older wood that may have chips and cracks inside and which can then let in all that outside air. These materials are also more lightweight, so they can be good choices for older homes where the frame may have weakened somewhat and which might start to get damaged by heavy wood windows.

Consistent repairs

Wood windows needs consistent repairs over the years; even when sealed and coated, wood will absorb moisture and begin to crack and split, and paint on wood will eventually fade and need touching up. Aluminium windows can dent and ding when exposed to hail, a child's errant toy, or even very strong winds. If you're having to constantly repair your home's windows, it can be good to simply replace them with a stronger vinyl or PVC. These materials won't dent or ding and they can be stamped with an attractive wood-like grain.

Value of your home

If you're worried about your home's resale value, the windows can affect this in more ways than one. Older windows that are draughty and in poor repair, as mentioned above, can easily reduce your home's value.

Even if windows are in relatively good repair but look worn and dated, they can detract from the home's appearance inside and out, also reducing its resale value! Newer windows that are more energy efficient and which look more attractive can increase a home's curb appeal, and also make interior rooms look updated and more attractive; this can then increase the home's overall resale value.

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