House renovation projects are becoming more popular each day. Their popularity especially increased when realtors started pointing out how new renovations can increase home value. So before you sell, the smartest thing to do is upgrade your home.

When to Replace?

Window replacement is one of the projects with high ROI, this is why lots of homeowners do it right before they sell. But besides replacing your windows before house viewing day, you should also mind these situations:

– Moving In – One of the first things you should when moving into a new home is to check the conditions of your windows. You don’t know how the previous owners treated the home and when a window doesn’t get enough maintenance, its lifespan cuts in half. Additionally, old homes usually have older windows. So it’s nice to know the age of your window and the lifespan for each material, which will be more discussed below.

– Severe Storms – If your windows survived a severe storm, they are most probably damaged. Even the windows with the highest quality break when faced with extreme weather conditions. This is because, quality windows do their best to protect your home from the storm, giving all their strengths and literally sacrificing themselves.

– Cracks & Leaks – Another situation which indicated immediate window replacement is having cracks, leaks, mold, and rot. Especially in wooden windows, these culprits can do severe damage to the window and insulation quality. If you notice some of these signs, schedule free consultations with a windows and doors company and check if your windows need repair or replacement.

Age & Durability

Each window material has different characteristics. The type of window isn’t such a large factor as the framing and sash material. The most common ones are fiberglass, wood, aluminum, and vinyl. According to their characteristics, make a decision whether to replace your windows. Check your warranties to see how old your windows are since when they push age limits they completely lose functionality. Here is what you should know about window materials:

– Vinyl – The most popular product on the market today, vinyl offers many benefits for homeowners. From a lifespan of over 40 years to high energy efficiency, this material requires much less maintenance and care, providing maximum comfort. However, it has certain limitations in style and it isn’t as much aesthetically pleasing as wood.

– Wood – The oldest material on the market is wood and it is still popular to this day. This material requires much more maintenance since it is vulnerable to rot, termites and mold. However, its lifespan is large, reaching a maximum of 25 years. Wood is also an amazing insulator, providing high energy efficiency for homeowners. The aesthetic of wood cannot be replaced, but it can be imitated by other materials like fiberglass.

– Fiberglass – The most expensive material on the market, fiberglass has a lifespan reaching over 50 years. The advantages it offers are amazing since most vulnerabilities of vinyl and wood don’t apply to this modern material. High resistance to storms and isolation efficiency are the reasons why buyers opt for this option. Fiberglass has a wider span of styles and colors than vinyl, making it the best product on the market today.

– Aluminum – This material is highly efficient and practical. But its competition has better characteristics. Aluminum lasts only 15 years, but it is much cheaper than others. Recommended for owners who are living in dry climates and don’t want to spend a long time in a home.