Windows Help Your Home
Windows are an integral part of any home, serving multiple functions. At the very basic level they let in light. Moving up the chain a bit they help regulate your temperature. And when you get to the higher levels, windows add value and character that can’t be achieved through any other way. And all of these things are done in different ways: they can let in a little bit of light or a lot of light, and that can be changed based on the tint, the blinds, the awnings, or Smart Home technology. They can help regulate your temperature just by being a greenhouse, or they can use Energy Star technology, hollow cores, UV-reflectors, and other elements to regulate temperature. And of course you can tell a lot about a home by the style of windows that it has--and the style makes a statement about your home’s value. There’s a lot more to a window than just a pane of glass.
Does Replacing Windows Add Value to Your Home?
Windows can add great value to your home. First, let’s start with the energy saving benefits: a good energy saving window can save you not only the electricity costs that would have been spent to cool down the home with an air conditioner, but they can save the electricity or natural gas that would have been used to heat up the home. Getting good, efficient windows is a must if you’re trying to increase the value of your home.
But there are more benefits: are the windows functional? Do they open the way they’re supposed to? Do they stay open without having to prop them up? Are they painted shut? Can you open your back dining area onto your back patio at the turn of a crank or the push of a Smart Home button? Do blinds come down inside the window cavity, or are they a separate accessory? Do your windows cause a draft, or do they seal up tight? All of these things add to the value of your home, because people want windows that do their job. They want to be able to open a window to keep an eye on the kids in the backyard, or to air out the house, or to let in a cool summer breeze, or any number of other reasons. People want windows that work.
And as for home value, studies show that there’s nothing that will create a better return on investment than curb appeal. Replace the shower or replace the front windows? Replace the front windows. When you’re selling your house, people make judgments before they even get out of their car, and if they roll up to see your house looking good with the latest and greatest window designs, they know this house will be a serious contender on their to-buy list. And if you’re not looking to sell? Well don’t you want your house to look good anyway?
Do Energy-Efficient Windows Have Other Benefits?
Energy efficient windows clearly have the benefit of keeping a cool house cool and a warm house warm. But they also reflect UV rays that damage furniture, flooring, and decor in the home--as well as give sunburns to anyone lounging in the sun. And energy efficient windows save you on your bills, which not only saves you on your monthly utilities, but it’s also a great selling point when you’re selling your home; people want to know how much they’re going to be paying, and the more window they can get for the least amount of money is a big plus.
What Are the Best Energy-Efficient Windows to Buy?
Ply Gem
A high R value means that something has good insulative properties. Insulation has an R value, as does wood. An R-value of 5 mean that utility bills will be down by as much as 30% These windows are best in cool to moderate climates, so perfect for the coast.
Integrity Windows Ultrex Fiberglass Sliders
These windows are energy efficient and outperform vinyl and aluminum in strength, making them great casement windows that swing open. Using the latest in fiberglass technology these windows a durable, scratch-resistant, and virtually indestructible. They also make a tempered glass variety for extra durability and shatter resistance.
Andersen Windows with the EcoExcel
Depending on the area where you live, these windows will help you qualify for an energy-savings tax credit. They are 70% more energy-efficient in the summer and 45% more in the winter compared to standard dual-pane glass.
Milgard Windows
Not only are these Energy Star compliant, but they have 3D Energy and 3D Energy MAX packages. They work in all areas of efficiency: framework, product design, and glazing. They also are made to match the climate of the area you’re installing them.
JELD-WEN Windows
These have high-performance LoE3-366 glass with insulating argon which keeps homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. They also deflect direct sunlight.
Want to Learn More About the Value of Replacing Your Windows? Contact us at Brothers Windows. We serve areas such as
Los Angeles,
Sacramento,
The Bay Area,
San Diego and
Reno.
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