What You Should Know Before Restoring Windows
Money Matters:
- Replacement windows may reduce your energy bills, but their upfront costs may not fit into your budget – and the return on your investment may take years.
- New windows can add value to your home, so make sure you choose them carefully, taking into account the style of your home.
- Consider whether you can repair your existing windows or simply replace parts.
- Be sure to follow local building codes and permits.
Before installing windows in your home, you should consider several important factors. First, think about why you want to change them. Are they framed, damaged, malfunctioning, or out of date?
That might lead you to your second thought: window styles. Maximizing your curb appeal while increasing your energy efficiency and breathing capacity is important, but be aware that local permits and ordinances may limit your options.
Finally, be realistic about your budget, looking at all your upfront expenses.
To give you a ballpark idea, according to Angi’s (an online directory of home service providers), by 2026 homeowners in the US can expect to pay between $3,445 and $11,834 per project, or average $300 to $2,500 per new window, including labor and materials. The difference in cost depends on the size of the windows, material, price, number of panels, type, and labor costs. While some windows may result in long-term savings because they are more energy efficient, it’s important to do the math to make sure this home improvement project is a smart investment.
Do you need to replace your current windows?
There is no way out of it; replacing your windows will not be easy or inexpensive. But there are certain signs that you should look for when deciding whether it is necessary or not.
Common problems with older windows
There are several things that may make you want to replace your windows. Some of the more common ones are listed below.
Leakage
Windows are designed to protect your home from the outside, but damage can reduce their ability to block the elements. Excess moisture can peel paint, cause warped frames, or introduce rot and mold – all of which are expensive to deal with. Drafts can let hot air in in the summer and warm air out in the cold, leading to higher energy costs.
Thickening
When the seals between the panes in your glazed units become ineffective, inert gas leaks and moisture can enter, infecting your window. You can use a de-mist sprayer, ventilate your home regularly, check for moisture barrier in the crawl space under your home, and use a dehumidifier to try to help. If the problem is severe, however, you may need to replace the problematic upper or lower sash or the entire window.
Damage
A sticky window that is difficult to open may be due to dirt or grime on the window track, but it may also be due to a warped frame. If the latter is the case, you may need to get new windows, although filler can help seal small cracks. Another problem is broken hardware, which might not be too much of a problem unless you’re out of warranty or your windows are so old that you can’t find replacement parts.
What is the average lifespan of a window?
Windows typically last anywhere between 15 and 50 years. Weather, material, installation and maintenance will all affect their condition.
Window seals usually consist of two parts: the glass panels themselves, and the hardware and frame. A warranty on panes of glass (or rather, on a window that stores energy-efficient gas between the panes) will usually cover you for about 20 years. Warranties on non-glass components range from 20 to 50 years.
Consider your window materials
The non-glass window parts are usually made of wood, vinyl or fiberglass, and sometimes aluminum, although this is very rare.
- Wood. Wood is very energy efficient and can provide a classic look that can be easily customized. Its durability, however, can vary, and may require more care than synthetic materials. In context, old window frames are made from old wood, which makes them more resistant to the elements than new wood. If you have old wooden frames, consider restoring or repairing them rather than replacing them wholesale. Another option is wood framed frames, which have a wood interior and a vinyl or aluminum exterior.
- Vinyl. Vinyl frames are generally less expensive than wood, although they are the same frame size and strength. They are durable and require little maintenance, but your design options are limited.
- Fiberglass. Fiberglass does not need to be repainted, has very high strength, and will not warp or crack with seasonal expansion or contraction. The color selection is usually greater than vinyl, and these usually have a limited lifetime warranty. However, it is often the most expensive option.
- Glass package and glazing. The glass itself is a big part of the decision-making process for buying new windows. For more energy efficient windows, consider whether the glass has a low emissivity coating (Low-E), an energy star rating, double or triple panes, and argon gas or krypton gas between the window panes. This will help retain heat in your home in the cooler months and reflect the sun’s heat during the warmer months.
Budget for new windows
Replacing old windows or installing new ones in a new building can involve more components than the windows themselves, such as shutters. This makes it doubly important to get a handle on how much you’re willing to spend. In general, storm windows are the least expensive, with bow and bay windows being the most expensive types of windows.
Today’s best double-pane windows are twice as efficient at keeping in heat and air as single-pane units installed a few decades ago, but maybe 15% more efficient if those older units had storm windows in them.
A window fitter will not only know local laws and window installation costs, but can also help you take advantage of any discounts available at the local, state or federal level.
Reimbursement of your expenses
Since windows make up a small part of your property’s exterior, new windows will only produce about 5 to 15 percent of energy savings. The average homeowner in America pays about $1,000 a year to heat and cool their home, which means it would take you more than 100 years to recoup your investment.
Homeowners get about 61% to 68% of their window investment back when they resell the house, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2023 Cost Versus Value study. Choose the wrong windows, however, and replacements can affect a home’s value.
Consider whether you really need a full replacement
There are two ways to change windows. The contractor can remove the interior and exterior to install a whole new window unit — and seal all the gaps — before reinstalling the trim, the same process used during a full renovation project. Or they can install a window insert, which is a small unit that fits inside the existing opening, without the need to remove the existing trim.
The latter saves $150 to $300 per window in labor costs, but it doesn’t allow for closing the common air gaps around the window opening, so the installation may yield very little energy savings, and the overall size of the installation window may end up being two to four inches smaller.
A professional window restorer – or a handyman or a good carpenter – can loosen the top band that is painted closed; replace broken panes, sash cords, hardware, and glazing (the putty that holds the glass in place); then add weather-stripping. That type of repair typically runs $100 to $350 per window, and when you’re done, the old windows can almost look like new. Besides, some old houses have beautiful windows that should be preserved.
