What Goes Into the Cost of Replacement Windows?

Anytime something needs fixing around the house, do you close your eyes, cross your fingers and wait for the quotes to come in? Quotes can differ wildly from one another, and even if they’re the same, this is a big investment! Let’s take a breath, walk though what goes into this project, and break down the cost.

A Window Isn’t Just a Window

Clearly we have to consider the windows themselves. Literally, clearly. We usually gaze lovingly through our windows, let’s gaze lovingly at these windows.  Every pretty little part of that window impacts the cost.  If you came to this project to find a deal on energy efficient windows for sale, you’re probably excited to get double or triple-paned glass. The space between the glass lowers heat transfer, especially if it’s filled with argon gas. This comes with a price, and it’s a “pay now, save later” investment. You may also decide that you want that glass coated with heat-absorbing tints or low-emissivity coating. There are glass options that can help reduce street noises, and even ones that can decrease the likelihood of a baseball flying through your picture-perfect window. You have options. The materials surrounding the glass are another consideration. Your most economical choice is a vinyl window. It’s a choice you can feel good about. If you want to go all in, you’ll pay a bit more for all wood windows. They look so pretty — and beauty comes at a price. Did your old windows open from the bottom? A double-hung window will also open from the top, letting in cool cross breezes, but also letting out a bit more cash upfront. Any of your more unusual window openings, like casement windows, can also raise costs. Established brands can bring you peace of mind and dependable warranties. You get what you pay for, after all. Window replacement isn’t the type of job where you can slowly upgrade over time — you make your decisions right at the top, and then enjoy them for the next twenty years plus.

Let’s Not Belabor the Labor 

Deciding on these windows is your kid-in-a-candy-store moment. Now, let’s talk about labor... getting those babies installed. Labor can be as much as 50% of your cost, as any itemized bid will tell you.  You do not want to play around here.  It’s a good idea to hire a company that focuses only on window installation. There are lots of little jobs that need doing around the house, but calling your jack-of-all-trades repair guy for this one isn’t a good call. Improper Installation (or trying to tackle this yourself!) can result in drafty windows, building code violations, and may void your manufacturer’s warranty. If your installation results in water leakage you could also be looking at structural damage to your home. Pay once for labor, and get it done right. Professional Installers are trained to take detailed measurements of your window- even down to 3 millimeters. Your window is then custom-made, which promises a nice snug reliable fit. Window Nation crews are factory trained, and they bring an average of fifteen years experience to the job. You may be hiring them just for a few hours, but they are bringing along years of experience and attention to detail. Using a reputable company means that not just any random person is walking into your home. These are screened professionals. Like a good houseguest, the team from Window Nation is going to leave your house as clean as they found it. They lay down drop cloth while they work, are efficient, and clean up after themselves. You can see how much pride they take in their work when they polish up and wipe down all the fingerprints on your new windows.

The Math Checks Out

Getting your windows replaced is a big project, but the return on investment can be as much as 70%. Any contractor worth their salt will talk you through their quote- and you can ask for that. Once you get the good word of mouth on your window installation team, you can go into this project with your eyes open.