Condensation covering your windows is more than just an inconvenience; you could be risking serious damage to your Kansas City home. With the weather being so unpredictable, you could be facing rot, mold, and mildew at any time of the year. So what to do? Knowing how to get rid of condensation inside windows is as important as burnt ends on ribs.
While condensation on the window pane can be wiped away, you might be wondering how to absorb condensation from windows when it happens between panes of glass. Check out our recommendations on tackling condensation inside windows to clear up your view and safeguard your K.C. home.
Causes of Window Condensation
Excess humidity is the main cause of condensation on windows. So as a simple solution, dehumidifiers take the moist Kansas City air out of the environment, keeping as much water off of your windows as possible. Alternatively, you may try a moisture eliminator, which draws excess moisture out of the air. Some moisture-eliminating products contain scents, so you might want to put them away if you’re planning a classic Cowtown BBQ—they might just overpower the food.
If you’re looking for solutions for how to deal with window condensation in the bathroom, you may need a stronger bathroom fan. If you tend to take hot showers, you could be clogging up your bathroom with as much moisture as the Arabia steamboat in its heyday. By running the bathroom fan when you’re taking a shower or bath, you can draw moisture out of the bathroom and vent it away from your windows before the moisture can do damage.
If you take these steps to deal with window condensation and you still notice your windows have condensation between the panes, it could be a different issue.
Why Windows Get Condensation Inside
Condensation happens when water vapor hits a cool surface and condenses, due to the natural temperature difference. For water vapor to condense in between window panes, either the seal on double-hung windows has broken, or the desiccant, which absorbs moisture in between the panes of a double-hung window, can no longer keep up with the excess moisture. Another downside is that there’s less of a sound barrier between you and the aggravating K.C. traffic that might go on outside your window.
While you can troubleshoot the causes of window condensation and fix the problem when the panes have moisture, there’s no simple solution for how to get rid of condensation inside windows.
If the windows in your home are older, their seals are likely held in place with caulk. Due to the daily shifts in the K.C. weather, the caulk can weaken over time, which may lead the seals to fail.
Newer windows most frequently use a glazing bead spacer to hold the glass in place, and seals on these windows can fail due to age.
How to Stop Window Condensation on the Inside
If you have older windows, where the seals are held in place with caulk, you may be able to replace the caulk and bolster the seal. This is usually a short-term fix because the window technician who repairs the seal can’t refill the gas that escaped from the window. Your windows will be drafty without the gas fill since the gas blocks air transfer, and your utility bills may increase as well.
Caulking seals won’t stop window condensation long term either. Most of the time, your best bet is to replace your old windows with efficient replacement windows with a seal tighter than the Chiefs’ defensive line. But when you replace the windows, you remove the problem entirely, which means the condensation should stop.
If you’ve been wondering how to get rid of condensation inside windows, take action to replace failed seals before the excess moisture damages your home. Reach out today to get a quote for replacement windows, or to learn more about options for financing window replacement so you can safeguard your Kansas City home without going over budget.
Do you know those soda commercials that make you thirsty? It’s a hot day on some tropical island, and an ice-cold can is cracked open. It’s covered with droplets of condensation, and nothing is going to refresh you more.
Back here in reality, if you take those same droplets and discover them on your windows, it’s not at all relaxing. Discovering expensive water damage anywhere in your home can feel like a crisis. But before you panic, let’s look at what condensation is, why it shows up, and where it should and shouldn’t be.
Condensation: a brief science lesson
Condensation occurs when water vapor becomes water droplets. There are two reasons this happens, and you probably experience them on the regular.
The first is when the air becomes so saturated with water and it can’t hold anymore. Little droplets start to gather. This is the foggy-mirror-after-you-shower version of condensation. If you flip the switch on your bathroom fan, in a few minutes you’re back to normal.
The second version of condensation happens the moment water vapor encounters a big difference in temperature and is cooled to its dew point. This is our cold soda example. Moist air gathers and clings to a cold soda can. Or think about getting into your car on a cold morning: you crank the heat and the windshield fogs up.
Windows are prime targets for condensation because they’re usually the coldest surface nearby. That moist air gathers into droplets, and suddenly the view is foggy.
If you’re experiencing condensation on the outside of your windows, don’t sweat it. Exterior condensation is the sign of a good airtight window. A little sunlight and fogginess will disappear like morning dew.
Interior condensation is different and deserves a closer look.
Is there condensation on every single window?
Having condensation all over the place tells you something about the air in your home. Your windows are working like a little army, guarding the border between cold and hot. With widespread interior condensation, you’ve got humidity issues in the home.
This isn’t hard to remedy, but you’ll want to address it quickly. High humidity can lead to mold, which can seriously affect your family’s health. If that moisture hangs around long enough, the mold can lead to rotting and rusting.
To address interior humidity, ensure you’re running your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans when appropriate. When you’re cooking, cover your pans with a lid. If you have a working fireplace (lucky you!) store your wood outdoors. You may also consider thinning out your collection of beloved houseplants.
Lastly, you can always run a dehumidifier, which should lower the humidity in the home. Your foggy windows will clear up in no time!
Do just a few windows have condensation?
The plot thickens! If just a few windows are fogging up, then you have a draft. Moist air is rushing in near some part of the window, and collecting on the inside. The window’s seal is shot and it’s time to call in a pro. Have them evaluate the draft. Sometimes it’s possible to have the window resealed, but if not, then you’ll need to replace it.
What should I do if there’s condensation inside the windows themselves?
This scenario is super frustrating for the average homeowner. If you have double or triple-paned glass, that moisture just sits there, completely inaccessible, thumbing its nose at you.
If moisture is between the panes, then the seals of the windows are no longer doing their job. Originally, there was probably argon gas in there, giving you a sweet layer of money-saving insulation. If you’re seeing moisture inside the window, that argon is long gone and the window is leaking.
Results? If the moisture hangs out too long, then the frame and sash of the window will start to break down and decay. Next, the moisture will get into the walls. How do you prevent this nasty chain of events?
You’re smart to investigate the source of your foggy windows. Water in any form is no joke inside your home—over time interior condensation can affect the integrity of the home and the health of your family.
If you’ve noticed excess condensation inside your windows, it’s time to consult the experts. Don’t ignore insidious water damage in your home. Schedule a free estimate from Window Nation today, and they’ll evaluate the state of your windows and help you with the next steps.
One of the most cost-effective ways to increase the value of a home is to add a new
entry door. This value can be figured out on a calculator, almost to the dollar. It takes into account the materials used, the cost of labor, the savings on energy bills, and other quantifiable factors.
But installing new
French doors on your Maryland home will increase its value in a way that is much more subtle. There are some things, like the first snow of a Maryland winter, or a freshly fried crab cake, you just can’t put a price on.
Light.
Do you have a living room that could use some light? How about a bedroom with a tiny window that looks out onto your porch? How about that perfect view of the Baltimore skyline? Most homes have a room that could use more light, and adding light to a room is one of the ways French doors really shine.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that isn’t entirely true. Dim light can make any room look dreary. Light makes colors pop. It adds as much vibrancy and life as a can of Old Bay. When you have new French doors installed, you’re going to notice all that extra light almost immediately. And anyone looking to buy your home in the future will notice it too.
Access.
French doors excel at providing access. Not only are they the perfect enhancement to a bedroom you’d like to have opened up to your outside deck or balcony, but they’re also the right choice when you need to add a ground floor entry that allows you to easily bring large items into your home. If you’ve ever tried to stuff a big couch through a standard-sized front door, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Having French doors is like having an Ocean City Boardwalk going into your home. This is a great selling feature.
Style.
Every home is more beautiful with French doors. This entry choice adds almost as much style and elegance as our state flag, and you just can’t put a price on that.
There are so many subtle ways new French doors can add to the value of your home. Whether it is the way they create warm shadows on the ceramic tiles in your kitchen when you’re making homemade snowballs. Or how they open your living room up to give access to the outside pool area during family gatherings. French doors are an investment you’ll be glad you made, especially when it comes time to sell your home.
Make new French doors for your next project, and get the team here at Window Nation to take care of all the details for you. We have over 150 styles to choose from, and we’re the best installers in the business. Give us a call and set up a
free in-home estimate for your Maryland home today.
Do you remember how we all used to draw houses back in grade school? You’d get out the crayons and draw one big rectangle, with another rectangle for the door, and a few rectangle windows. Add a triangle-shaped roof and your picture is ready to be hung on the refrigerator.
An iconic house drawing.
How would you draw that same house today? You’d probably still want that spacious rectangle of living space and the tree out front, but perhaps you can jazz this house up and get creative with the shape of the windows. With a bit of advanced geometry? You could create something very impressive indeed.
Windows no longer come in just squares and rectangles. Specialty replacement windows are available in all kinds of shapes. With customization, the possibilities are endless. From full circle and half circle windows to bold shapes like triangles and hexagons, specialty windows can take your home beyond the rectangle.
Add instant character to your home
Many homes are built as part of a larger planned community. A developer buys a tract of land, offers a handful of floor plans, and repeats them about a hundred times. Voilà— you have a neighborhood. Sure, there may be some small variations in the color of the home, or how the front walk is situated, but overall, it’s variations on a theme.
If you’d like to take your home beyond the cookie-cutter, examining your window shape is a great way to start.
Look at the homes you love — there’s often one detail that draws the eye in. There’s something a little unexpected, and/or some amount of visual excitement. When you see one of those homes, you know that the details were well thought out, and there’s just something special there.
An unanticipated window shape transforms your curb appeal. Maybe you add a gently curved window over your first-floor windows, maybe there’s a triangle window tucked into a corner of the roof. Think of a beautiful oval attic window shining down from up on the third floor.
A small hexagon window in a forgotten corner of a dark room not only transforms the visual appeal of a room but also welcomes invaluable light. Smaller specialty windows make a big impact in problem areas. You can refresh the space and create a customized nook.
It’s the details that make a house sing.
Combine shapes to make a focal point
A statement window doesn’t have to be a small one-off. Imagine how these different shapes can play together, and you could create a whole statement wall of windows.
Imagine taking a picture window, and adding two transom windows on either side. Now that picture window can open and let in a breeze on a summer day. Place some arched windows up above the portrait window, and you increase the drama. A real focal point.
Suddenly your sitting room has the feel of a sunroom. You can open the home to take in the backyard or let your statement wall of windows transform the home’s front elevation.
None of this style comes at the cost of substance. Specialty windows offer the same energy efficiency as traditional windows. When you install quality specialty windows, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort. You can curl up with a book beside your wall of windows all throughout the year.
Ways to play
Not sure where to start? Window Nation has a wealth of inspiration and information about window styles and products to peruse.
If your dream is still coming into focus, you can start with the gallery of inspirational photos. Check out our Pinterest page for some great ideas.
Window Nation is a third-generation window company with an eye for the details. They can work with you to craft a customized window shape or help you to imagine how to use their windows to maximum effect. Give Window Nation a call today, and we’ll help you make your home as unique as you are.
Winter is that time of year: the season that homeowners with older windows dread. The chilly and
unpredictable weather can have a huge impact on your
electric bill, and with older windows, keeping the cold out is usually a tough challenge. One popular DIY solution that homeowners use is to shrink-wrap these windows with plastic.
You can purchase kits for window plastic coverings at your local hardware stores, and there are plenty of ‘how-to’ videos online to show you where to begin. But unless you like the look of cheap plastic obscuring your view all winter, there’s a much easier option.
What’s the point of using plastic wrap?
Plastic wrap is one solution to save money when you have
drafty windows. Plastic does a decent job of keeping heat from escaping if it stays intact. But the problem is, it doesn’t always remain intact.
So, either you’re losing money out your windows without realizing it, or you need to rip all that plastic wrap down and put up another sheet.
While covering your windows in plastic can be done in a single afternoon and is an inexpensive solution, the best option for dealing with your drafty windows? Replacing them entirely.
When you replace your windows, you’ll save on heating costs.
If you’re paying that heating bill that is a symptom of drafty windows, odds are, you can afford to replace them.
Energy loss from older windows can be responsible for 40% of your annual heating and cooling costs.
To put that into context,
according to ENERGY STAR, if you replace your older single-pane windows with more energy-efficient models in an average home, you could
save between $101 and $583 per year on your energy bill.
Depending on which older windows you replace in your home, and which type you upgrade to, you could easily end up breaking even within a few years on the energy savings alone! But there are plenty of other great reasons to replace your drafty windows as well.
You’ll drastically increase your home’s curb appeal.
If you’re a homeowner, it’s important to consider your home’s resale value when updating or remodeling your home. So if you’re thinking of replacing your old, drafty windows, know that new windows will
add plenty of curb appeal to your home.
For example, if you own an older house, you might have old-fashioned wood windows that have accumulated some wear and tear over the years. If you’re looking to stick with your home’s aesthetic while maxing out your home’s resale value, try
energy-efficient wood windows from Window Nation. We have a variety of colors and styles that will compliment your home and save you significant money in the long run.
You can lower your repair and maintenance costs.
Speaking of wear and tear, if you have older windows, they probably don’t have the structural integrity that they used to have. This means that you’ll need to shell out for repairs and maintenance just to keep them in working order.
Window manufacturers today put much more emphasis on sustainable design than they used to. So, when you replace your windows, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t need to get out the caulk gun or the WD-40 for a long time.
Window technology has come a long way since the construction of your home.
Not only do modern windows do a better job of
preventing heat loss, but they are also built to last, especially when you get them from
Window Nation.
The windows we install are manufactured in the United States. And, when we build windows, we guarantee them to last longer than a lifetime against harsh weather.
Quality replacement window solutions from Window Nation
Say goodbye to viewing the world through shrink wrap. Replacing your old windows with
double-hung or
casement windows is an
investment that will pay off in a variety of ways.
Reach out to Window Nation today and start this year with a new outlook. Enjoy a plastic-less view year-round with high-quality replacement windows.
Choosing replacement windows for your Virginia home can be daunting. With so many options to choose from, how do you know which is best? It’s important to know your home’s needs before starting your project. Consider what you’re looking to get out of your window replacement project, then choose the windows to help you achieve your goal. While you might want a bay window, is it really the best fit for your home?
If you want to lower your energy bills, you have two options. You can open the windows up and bask in the Virginian outdoors, or just consider replacing your windows with vinyl windows equipped with energy-efficient double pane and triple pane glass. If a curb appeal boost is what you need, consider adding a statement window with a unique color.
It’s also important to take note of your home’s layout and the size of the window openings you’re looking to fill. If you’re looking to replace a window that’s wider than it is tall, it might be best to go with a slider window or a casement window. If you’re looking to add a rustic Virginian character and charm, consider a bay or a bow window.
No matter what you’re looking for, our team of replacement window experts at Window Nation will be here to guide you through the process and help you choose the best options for your home. We offer a variety of window styles to meet your home improvement needs. Our replacement window guide will help guide your decision-making process.
Double-hung windows are our most popular window style for a reason. They’re low maintenance, easy-to-use, and stylish – the perfect fit for your home. These windows open by sliding up and down in their frame, easily fitting in most window openings. Double-hung windows from Window Nation can be customized in a wide range of colors only matched by the Shenandoah in the fall. Our double-hung windows are equipped with premium energy efficiency features, like double pane and triple pane glass, to keep your home feeling comfortable year-round.
Casement windows from Window Nation are best in openings that are wider than they’re tall. These windows crack open like a fresh oyster when you turn the crank, adding a unique touch to any room. Because they don’t have a center post, casement windows offer an unobstructed view, perfect if you’re looking to replace the windows facing a backyard, garden, or just watching the deer frolic in the vast Virginian woods.
These windows are also some of the most energy-efficient windows available thanks to their airtight seal. Like double-hung windows, casement windows from Window Nation are equipped with premium energy efficiency features to help keep your energy costs low.
Similar to casement windows, slider windows are open left-to-right; however, instead of using a crank, these windows slide across a track. Slider windows from Window Nation come equipped with a state-of-the-art track that’s easy to use. Because of their unique sliding capabilities, slider windows are best if you’re looking for maximum ventilation.
These windows are best suited for rooms with only one window, as they certainly make a statement! Consider these windows when replacing the windows facing a backyard or a garden – not only will you receive more fresh air, but you’ll enjoy an unobstructed view thanks to its sleek, low-profile frame. Well, unless you live in D.C., where your view choices are buildings or the crawl of traffic outside.
Bay and bow windows are best when you’re looking to make a statement in your home. Almost like you’re trying to distinguish an Arlington home from the tourist trap of D.C. These windows are formed with three windows, a large picture window in the center surrounded by two double-hung or casement windows on either side.
Bow windows have a rounded, curve-like appearance, while bay windows are more square. These windows can add character to your home; however, it’s important to know that these windows will dramatically alter the layout of your room so be sure you have the proper space needed. We’re not saying you need a living room with the expansiveness of Luray Caverns, just enough to keep your windows from impinging on your personal space.
Garden windows project outwards and are best for replacing windows with plenty of outdoor space. These windows are commonly used to replace windows over a sink and can serve as a unique display area for plants. They’re also perfect for showing off photos from your hiking and hunting trips in the Virginian outdoors. Garden windows can function as greenhouses for plants and are best in areas with direct sunlight.
Specialty windows are the most unique replacement windows we offer because they can be in any shape! If you need a window for a unique opening, like a round window or a triangular window, our team at Window Nation can create it. With our variety of window shapes, you can give the poor suckers stuck in the NoVA traffic something to look at.
Our specialty windows are available in a number of shapes, including full circles, half-circles, hexagons, and more. Our specialty windows are available in wood and vinyl styles with the same energy-efficient features as standard windows.
Want to Learn More About our Windows?
When you’re ready to start your window replacement project, schedule an estimate with one of our exterior design consultants. Our team will discuss your project with you and go over your options so you can find the best windows, doors, and siding for your beautiful NoVA home. You’ll then receive a quote that’s good for up to six months. Schedule your in-home estimate today at WindowNation.com.
Summer always flies by, doesn’t it? Hopefully you made your way through most of your bucket list—a trip to the beach, a night camping under the stars, maybe even planting a garden?
It’s great to start off the season with an ambitious list, but always a little sad to see the things you didn’t get around to doing.
Don’t worry—you didn’t miss your window. Fall is an excellent time to change out your old windows and give your home an upgrade.
It’s the season for projects
When the dog days of summer are past, it’s a real joy to spend the afternoon outside working on the house. There’s the last of the garden’s bounty to gather up, and you’ll want to turn over the soil and put the garden to rest for the winter. Once the leaves start their changes, it’s time to rake and clean out the gutters. Working outside is part of the natural rhythm of fall.
Our window installation teams love this time of year, too.
When the crews come out to remove your old windows, there’s less work involved with keeping your interiors a comfortable temperature. They don’t have to close off parts of the house to either the winter winds or blistering heat. There are even some caulks that are used in the installation process that set up better in fall temperatures.
If you want ease in scheduling your home improvement take a look at the fall months. Coming into the spring months, there’s a mad dash to take on home improvement. On that first lovely spring weekend, you’d be hard pressed to get a parking spot at the home improvement store.
Come September though, this starts to slow down and it’s much easier to get crews scheduled to come out to do work on the house. It’s a smart move.
It’s almost time to hibernate
Winter is the time when windows do a lot of their heavy lifting. If you spent last winter moving your furniture away from drafty windows, if you noticed your windows frosting up when it snows, or even if you’re tired of paying more for your heat, then you know it’s time to invest in energy efficient windows.
Before the temperatures dip, upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. Vinyl is a natural thermal insulator, and transfers much less heat than materials like aluminum. Heat transfer is measured by something called U-value.
If you look at the U-value and energy star ratings of different types of windows, you’ll see that vinyl replacement windows are a surefire way to lower your heating costs. This affordable, low-maintenance material will be a real blessing in just a few short months.
Take on that vinyl replacement window project now and you’ll have a very cozy, comfy winter.
Company is coming.
The fall is just one long ramp of holidays— from back-to-school it’s just a short time until Halloween. Next thing you know, you’re taking the Thanksgiving turkey out of the oven, and suddenly it’s the Christmas season.
You’re going to need to get the house ready for guests. This fall, go beyond buying a new welcome mat and setting out a pumpkin. Getting new windows installed can give a whole new feeling to your home. New windows will boost your curb appeal—to say nothing of how much it can alter the feeling of the inside of your home.
Rethinking the layout and size of your windows changes the light inside your home. A new window can make a small, dark room suddenly feel cheerful and spacious.
Imagine curling up right next to an energy efficient vinyl window this fall, watching the leaves change in your backyard. When the winter days are shortest, the additional light new windows bring will be most welcome.
Window Nation is ready to get you on the schedule. We can walk you through this whole process, help you choose just the right energy efficient vinyl windows for your home, and get them installed just in time for a very cozy winter.
First, it was nitrogen in the tires, and now it’s argon in the windows. It all sounds a little space-age, and more than a little confusing. Even if you were stuck memorizing it as one of the elements on the periodic table in high school, it’s more than likely you haven’t run across argon since. So what is argon? What does it do...and
why is it in your windows?
You might hear folks call these kinds of windows “gas fills” or “thermal windows.” It's better living through science—and we’re here to break down why.
What is argon gas?
Before you welcome any kind of chemical into your home, you’re probably going to want to know exactly what it is. Who could blame you?
No worries here—argon is a naturally occurring gaseous element. In fact, it’s one of the “noble gases” on the periodic table, over there in group 18. Two chaps named Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay discovered it in 1894.
The name argon derives from the Greek word for “idle.” Argon is non-toxic, non-reactive, and non-flammable. That’s a lot of things this gas
isn’t. So why is it found in all kinds of industrial applications, such as lightbulbs, luxury car tires, and scuba diving suits?
The short answer? Argon is dense. It’s much denser than air, and therefore a great insulator. And it’s inexpensive. Score—an inexpensive, natural, dense insulator.
By the way, you may also hear about people using krypton gas to fill their windows. That’s a great option too—albeit a little more expensive. Nice to know that for a bit more extra coin you could have something in common with Superman.
Is this an environmentally friendly idea?
Mother Earth loves insulation. The more insulation we all use in our homes, the less money and resources we need to stay at comfy temperatures all year round.
When you retire your old single-paned windows, it’s smart to invest in
double (or even triple) paned windows. If you upgrade your windows with low-emissivity coated glass and pump the space between the panes with Argon, you’ll have the
most insulated and earth-friendly window out there.
Energy-star, the government organization that helps consumers navigate
energy consumption, independently tests and certifies windows. Their lab experiments have shown that filling your windows with argon improves their u-value (or ability to insulate).
Argon gas-filled windows put the earth’s natural resources to work, utilizing the properties of this element to minimize your carbon footprint and keep your monthly bills low.
How does argon compare with plain old air?
So what’s so bad about our trusty friend's nitrogen and oxygen who constitute most of the air on earth? Take a deep breath. Nice.
Normal air is great, but it’s also filled with moisture. If you trap that moisture-laden air between two panes of glass for a long time, eventually it’s going to start doing some damage to your windows. Over time, your internal window materials break down faster when exposed to oxygen. Those windows will get foggy and leaky.
Argon looks just like normal air to the naked eye, but you are gazing through a much denser gas than oxygen and nitrogen. That density is serving to keep your home insulated.
What else is great about argon?
As a huge bonus, argon gas insulation will actually
block the sun’s UV rays. That means you don’t have to worry about slathering on sunscreen when you want to spend the afternoon sitting by the window reading a book. And your furniture, rugs, and artwork won’t fade sitting in direct sunlight.
If you live on a noisy block, the argon gas-filled windows will also help reduce interior sound. It’s an additional layer of soundproofing between those panes of glass, and an additional layer of comfort the next time the neighbors decide to throw a lively party.
If you went in for those nitrogen-filled tires, you know it can be a pain in the neck to find a place to inflate them. Good news for homeowners: you won’t need to worry about your argon windows needing periodic pumping up. Argon windows lose only about 1% of their gas a year, but the argon will continue doing its job for the full life of the window—well over twenty years.
Window Nation is your solution
Any home, in
any climate, can benefit from the added insulation of argon windows. When you're ready to replace your worn-out windows, argon-filled windows should be at the top of your list. They’re a long-term smart move to keep your family comfortable and your ho
me energy consumption low. Call Window Nation today for an expert consultation.
Summer always flies by, doesn’t it? Hopefully you made your way through most of your bucket list—a trip to the beach, a night camping under the stars, maybe even planting a garden?
It’s great to start off the season with an ambitious list, but always a little sad to see the things you didn’t get around to doing.
Don’t worry—you didn’t miss your window. Fall is an excellent time to change out your old windows and give your home an upgrade.
It’s the season for projects
When the dog days of summer are past, it’s a real joy to spend the afternoon outside working on the house. There’s the last of the garden’s bounty to gather up, and you’ll want to turn over the soil and put the garden to rest for the winter. Once the leaves start their changes, it’s time to rake and clean out the gutters. Working outside is part of the natural rhythm of fall.
Our window installation teams love this time of year, too.
When the crews come out to remove your old windows, there’s less work involved with keeping your interiors a comfortable temperature. They don’t have to close off parts of the house to either the winter winds or blistering heat. There are even some caulks that are used in the installation process that set up better in fall temperatures.
If you want ease in scheduling your home improvement take a look at the fall months. Coming into the spring months, there’s a mad dash to take on home improvement. On that first lovely spring weekend, you’d be hard pressed to get a parking spot at the home improvement store.
Come September though, this starts to slow down and it’s much easier to get crews scheduled to come out to do work on the house. It’s a smart move.
It’s almost time to hibernate
Winter is the time when windows do a lot of their heavy lifting. If you spent last winter moving your furniture away from drafty windows, if you noticed your windows frosting up when it snows, or even if you’re tired of paying more for your heat, then you know it’s time to invest in energy efficient windows.
Before the temperatures dip, upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. Vinyl is a natural thermal insulator, and transfers much less heat than materials like aluminum. Heat transfer is measured by something called U-value.
If you look at the U-value and energy star ratings of different types of windows, you’ll see that vinyl replacement windows are a surefire way to lower your heating costs. This affordable, low-maintenance material will be a real blessing in just a few short months.
Take on that vinyl replacement window project now and you’ll have a very cozy, comfy winter.
Company is coming.
The fall is just one long ramp of holidays— from back-to-school it’s just a short time until Halloween. Next thing you know, you’re taking the Thanksgiving turkey out of the oven, and suddenly it’s the Christmas season.
You’re going to need to get the house ready for guests. This fall, go beyond buying a new welcome mat and setting out a pumpkin. Getting new windows installed can give a whole new feeling to your home. New windows will boost your curb appeal—to say nothing of how much it can alter the feeling of the inside of your home.
Rethinking the layout and size of your windows changes the light inside your home. A new window can make a small, dark room suddenly feel cheerful and spacious.
Imagine curling up right next to an energy efficient vinyl window this fall, watching the leaves change in your backyard. When the winter days are shortest, the additional light new windows bring will be most welcome.
Window Nation is ready to get you on the schedule. We can walk you through this whole process, help you choose just the right energy efficient vinyl windows for your home, and get them installed just in time for a very cozy winter.
Most big home improvement projects start with a whim—a little moment of, “Wouldn’t it be nice if…”.
Sometimes they start with a tiny twinge of envy when you see a breathtaking home in a magazine, or when your neighbors invite you over to see their improvements.
Many home improvement projects never get past the initial fantasy stage. After all, the next step is a tricky one: how are you going to pay for it? It’s a challenge to get out the pencil and calculator and figure out if this dream makes financial sense.
A project that satisfies the wallet and the heart is a rare find. One of the smartest, and most satisfying projects is investing in modern replacement windows.
Here’s the math to back it up.
Someday in the future, you may need to put your house on the market. When that day comes, you’ll be forced to do all of those little nagging projects on the list. You’ll be shelling out money to make your house fancy for someone else.
Why not do the improvements now, and enjoy your own dream house? The crazy thing is, if you are smart about where you spend your improvement dollars, you’ll get much of that money back when your house sells.
This handy little piece of accounting is called, Return on Investment (or “ROI” for those in-the-know). You aren’t going to get a high ROI if you build a greenhouse for your rare orchid collection, or a music studio for your burgeoning singing career—but everyone loves windows.
Window upgrade projects have one of the highest ROI of any home improvement project. Every year, Remodeling Magazine rates home improvement projects for ROI, and window upgrades consistently make the top of their list.
It seems we all want high-quality, energy-efficient windows.
Save a little every month on comfort.
The US Department of Energy calculated that a window’s heat loss or gain is responsible for 25%-30% of residential energy use. The more worn-out your windows are, the higher the percentage.
What if this window upgrade project came with a coupon? That coupon saved you money on your air conditioning bills every summer, and on your heating every winter. The coupon never expires, and over time saves you more and more. You’d be clipping that coupon out of the Sunday paper for sure, right?
Energy Star, the government program designed to help us all cut down our energy usage, reports that upgrading to energy efficient windows will save the average homeowner $125- $340 per year. Definitely worth factoring that into your math.
Let someone else pick up part of the tab.
Energy efficiency isn’t just a smart move for your comfort, it’s a smart move for our world. It’s in everyone’s best interest to lower energy consumption— so much so, that there are government programs designed to incentivize your window upgrade.
While Uncle Sam has no interest in your wallpaper choices, he'd really like to lessen the load on the power grid. The Energy Star website has a friendly interface that will walk you through the whole process.
You might be surprised to learn that your local energy company is also interested in window upgrades. It just takes a quick glance at their website (or actually reading all those flyers that come with the monthly bill….) to learn if your power company wants to help foot the bill. Many energy companies offer rebates or credits on window replacement.
A wise investment.
If you add up the ROI, factor in the monthly energy savings, minus-out local and national rebates and credits, that fun little fantasy of home window replacement starts to come into focus. This is a very smart way to spend your money, make day-to-day life more comfortable, and give your home a real glow-up.
Window Nation is ready to walk you through the process. Our website has a feature that’ll show you what those new windows will look like in your home, and we can talk about which windows make the most sense for your climate and budget.
Window Replacement is a project for the head and heart. Let’s take it on.
