Replacement Windows

Replacement windows: No Big Secrets, Some Negative Aspects (Part 2)

by Scott Best

This article is long over due so let’s recap just a bit.  I stated in an earlier article that it’s true that replacement windows save money in energy costs. It’s true that the proper replacement windows, installed properly can add value to your home. It’s true that the cost to replace windows today is by comparison, cheaper then it has ever been.

And I stated that 70% of homes 10 years old or older can benefit from the installation of replacement windows, all true and good.  Then I went on to explain how the determination of the windows and seals leads to energy loss and how to spot it. Then I tried to explain how in some cases replacing windows could cause some heating systems to be less efficient, by virtue of combustible air starvation.  If you need any clarification on this please see the first article, and read about negative air pressure.
 

Now it’s long past time for me to talk about another concern when replacing windows and doors in your home, and that is indoor air pollution.  You might think that the idea of indoor air pollution is, well almost incongruous, but it really isn’t.  In fact indoor air quality under the right (actually wrong) conditions, can be as bad or worse then many major metropolitan cities during a smog alert.  That’s right; the air in a tightly sealed home can be worse then city smog, if not dealt with properly..Read Entire Article Here!

Copyright © 2006 Scott Best: All rights reserved

Windows - a great investment

It may well be that no other single element shapes a room's personality more than the right window. Its doesn’t matter what style you are after, be it classic luxury for a showpiece living room or simple stylish practicality for a view above the kitchen sink, be sure to look for the style and look that fits your taste as well as your budget. Whether your window is installed by a professional or the handy do-it-yourselfer, make sure that it is measured properly. Check out your local building supply store, they often can help you decide which window or windows will complement your home and match your minds eye for style, both inside and out, as well as give you up to date installation information.

Replacement Windows - If you're thinking about replacement windows, why wait any longer? The benefits start immediately. From adding that personal touch inside to make your space reflect you, to adding beauty for everyone to see, replacement windows add so much in so many ways, not to mention they save energy. What's more, they provide one of the best returns on investment of any home improvement project.

An average home may lose 20 to 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through its old inefficient windows. New energy-efficient windows will help put a lid on those escaping energy dollars every month. In this day and age of saving on energy costs, you really can’t go wrong with replacing the windows in your home.

What ever your reason for choosing new replacement windows for your home, spend the time to do it right, you wont be sorry you did, and the pay off in your enjoyment of your home, with your new windows will be well worth the cost. And when you invest in new windows, if you make good choices, your return will begin immediately and last for years and years to come.

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Fuel Prices Soar, Commercial Property Replacement Windows Have More Economic Value Then Ever

With fuel costs on the rise, now more then ever, in a fickled real estate economy, new replacement windows make more sense then ever, for residential as well as commercial properties

The real estate market these days is so complicated.  Almost every day someone adds something new to make it even more confusing.   Everyone thinks or at least tells you that they have the best ideas on when to buy, when to sell, how to market and what the perfect pricing formula is.  With so many experts in the field, so many claming to know all the answers, so many saying that their way is the right one, one thing should stand out, and that is that absolutely everyone can’t be right, right?

With the high speed accessing world we live in today, the information glut is so vast that it’s almost impossible to fathom.  Yet there is one point of contention that 90% or more of all the so called experts will agree on.  No other point in the entire real estate market place is so widely agreed upon among buyers, sellers, analysts, brokers and realty companies, and that is that when selling older properties, like no other single thing, investing in new replacement windows, adds to the value and salability of a property.  Statistics at one time showed that new replacement windows, could add 22% to the value of a property.  Though that figure might be rather inflated today, it’s more in the realm of 10 to 12% in today’s market place.

Beyond that, new replacement windows add inherent value by way of making a property more attractive, from a maintenance stand point, to prospective buyers, and possibly there by decreasing the amount of time it remains on the market.  That can be substantial savings considering interest rates and other costs involved with lengthy selling times.

Let’s think about this for just a moment.  Although the increase in actual dollar value isn’t what it once was, there is still plenty of good reason to consider replacing older windows on both residential and commercial properties.  If 10% of a properties value is spent on replacing windows, (a very common percentage) and a minimum of that same 10% is added  to the properties FMV or Fair Market Value, some might consider that a wash.  But is it really?  Consider the inherent value that replacement windows add in the way of more buyer appeal and less time on the market.  Like was mentioned before, there is a lot to be considered, and the bigger the project the more consideration the project should be given.

Just to throw out some figures to make a small illustration.  If the property were a $500,000 commercial property and the replacement of windows added no actual dollar value upon appraisal, it might still be a win situation, depending on the financial status of the property.  Things to consider would be if it still has money borrowed against it, tax payments and maintenance upkeep, especially if the property is vacant, it may well be a substantial savings in over all costs if the added inherent value of replacement windows makes for a speedy sale.

It could very possibly end up being a 10% or even more savings in costs related to a property, especially commercial property.  Residential properties work much the same but may not realize as much in overall cost savings, but typically see more increase in actually FMV.

One more reason to consider replacement windows is that people are very energy conscience these days, with the price of gas at the pump pushing over $3 a gallon and heating oil , propane and natural gas on the rise.  Replacing old leaky windows with new energy efficient windows makes good economic sense no matter which end of the real estate market a person happens to be dealing from

It might be mindful to mention that there are some dos and don’ts involved with new replacement windows.  For best results, always use quality windows, ones that add to the look or to the functionality of a property, as well as ones that employ money saving energy efficiency. When considering a contractor, check references, and ask to view previous properties where work has been completed.   The best advice, when more then one or two windows are involved, is to seek out a professional, because a job gone bad, can be more costly then what the most expensive contractor might have charged.

Be well informed about the windows you select and never be afraid to ask questions.  At Brand New Windows.Com, all manner of information for any type of window replacement job is available.  Information on the best types of windows for a specific structure, to finding contractors in specific areas, can be obtained at Brand New Windows.Com.   No matter what size or scope, Brand New Windows.Com tries to maintain information specific to only windows, and replacement windows.  Even how to guides are available for the avid do-it-yourselfer. Replacement Window Guide was designed to help.