A short guide to buying and replacing windows
Buying and replacing windows isn't a particularly glamorous job as far as home improvement jobs go. However, it can prove to be an effective energy and money saving project, and is therefore well worth the time required.
Even so, it can be a big project, so here are a few tips that should help you to avoid any pitfalls when you get to work.
1) Know when to buy €" Late spring and early fall are the best times to replace your windows. This is because these months are usually the mildest. This is the obvious choice when you begin to consider the implications of having no windows for the duration of the work. It would, after all, not be a good idea to expose your home to the elements during the winter months. Naturally you will want to protect the interior of your home from exposure to hot, cold, or rainy periods as much as possible, although you can always hang plastic bags in each area if push comes to shove.
2) Create a project budget €" Establishing a replacement window budget is an essential point. Although none of us really like having to think about how much money these things are going to cost it is inevitable so it's better to get it done sooner rather than later. Consider what you can afford to spend on your replacement windows; this will in turn determine the quality. Nowadays there are a variety of products available, from the very economical to the high-end and expensive, but there's bound to be a balance that's right for you. It is important to decide what your aim is, how fancy do you want to go, and how much can you afford? In addition to this you must also be thinking about how many windows will need replacing. Is it just one, or a whole house? Are all the windows the same sizes and shapes? Details such as construction should not be overlooked, try to determine how your original windows were installed, this information will help you determine if there will be any problems with the install preparation.
3) Buying and Installing €" By the time you reach this step you should be asking yourself €Can I do this alone?' If you're not a dab hand at DIY then it is a good idea to look for a replacement window contractor, something that will have to be factored into your budget. Once you have established the general needs of your project it is time to start ringing around to get some estimates on the installation. Doing this yourself will obviously save money, but if you make mistakes you can easily end up paying the price when repairing them.
Even so, it can be a big project, so here are a few tips that should help you to avoid any pitfalls when you get to work.
1) Know when to buy €" Late spring and early fall are the best times to replace your windows. This is because these months are usually the mildest. This is the obvious choice when you begin to consider the implications of having no windows for the duration of the work. It would, after all, not be a good idea to expose your home to the elements during the winter months. Naturally you will want to protect the interior of your home from exposure to hot, cold, or rainy periods as much as possible, although you can always hang plastic bags in each area if push comes to shove.
2) Create a project budget €" Establishing a replacement window budget is an essential point. Although none of us really like having to think about how much money these things are going to cost it is inevitable so it's better to get it done sooner rather than later. Consider what you can afford to spend on your replacement windows; this will in turn determine the quality. Nowadays there are a variety of products available, from the very economical to the high-end and expensive, but there's bound to be a balance that's right for you. It is important to decide what your aim is, how fancy do you want to go, and how much can you afford? In addition to this you must also be thinking about how many windows will need replacing. Is it just one, or a whole house? Are all the windows the same sizes and shapes? Details such as construction should not be overlooked, try to determine how your original windows were installed, this information will help you determine if there will be any problems with the install preparation.
3) Buying and Installing €" By the time you reach this step you should be asking yourself €Can I do this alone?' If you're not a dab hand at DIY then it is a good idea to look for a replacement window contractor, something that will have to be factored into your budget. Once you have established the general needs of your project it is time to start ringing around to get some estimates on the installation. Doing this yourself will obviously save money, but if you make mistakes you can easily end up paying the price when repairing them.
