Buying new windows and doors for your property can be a great way to transform people’s first impressions of your home. This simple facelift can have a huge effect on how your house looks from the outside, and how it feels on the inside. However, it’s not quite as simple as clicking on the ones you like and buying online – there are a few things to consider first, and luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of things you shouldn’t forget to do to make it easier for you.
1. Consider the costs – save money now on windows and doors, or in the long run?
Given the climate in Toronto, you’re probably going to want to buy energy-efficient windows and doors that not only keep heat inside during the winter but also help to repel heat in the summer. Whilst these models tend to be more expensive, you’re left with one important question – save money now on cheaper ones, or buy better models but run up the bills keeping your home hot or cold? Long term, the latter makes more sense, so you shouldn’t forget to consider this option.
2. Choose a material
As you know, doors come in all manner of different materials, from steel to wood to fiberglass. Steel doors may be cheaper, but you’re rather limited when it comes to a design or pattern. Whilst a wooden window or door may give your home more of a rustic feel, it tends to require more maintenance and care than the other options. Some fiberglass options often have a realistic wooden look, whilst also requiring little maintenance and are good insulators, so don’t rule them out.
3. Don’t forget to think about safety for your doors…
Toronto is many things to many people, but it is a big city with some areas more prone to crime than others. Regardless of where you live, the safety of those inside your city is paramount so you shouldn’t overlook it. There are many things you can do to ensure your home is safer.
For doors, a strong steel or wooden-core door helps to prevent it getting kicked in, and a strong door bolt adds even more security. A windowless door also prevents the windows being broken and burglars having access to anything in the immediate vicinity, or even reaching around and unlocking the door itself.
4. …and for your windows
For windows, make sure they also have a strong lock so would-be burglars can’t pry them open or that they have reinforced glass. More extreme options include window grilles and bars, but these aren’t always necessary.
5. Don’t get pressured into buying what you don’t need
We all know how effective salesmen can be. One minute you’re looking around a showroom, the next you’re walking home with a bunch of windows and doors that you’re not even sure you need. It’s a big, important investment for you home, so make sure you take your own time to research and rethink what it is exactly that you need. Remember – a good salesman walks you to the edge of the pool for you to jump in yourself; a bad salesman pushes you in.
In Conclusion
As you’ve read, there are many things to consider when it comes to buying windows and doors for your property. They can help you to feel cooler, warmer and safer in your home, whilst also be helping you to save on your heating bills. They’re not just the pretty face of the house, and so you shouldn’t forget to consider all of these facts when picking new ones for your home.
