Replacing the windows in your house is a big deal with many laudable benefits like increased energy efficiency, better sound insulation, increased curb appeal and increased home value to name just a few. Some homeowners, however, seem to get stuck with enormous bills in the wake of their replacement window installation, often much larger than they were anticipating or budgeted for. So what happened?
Avoid These Window Replacement Budget Busters
What happened was that, in their enthusiasm to give their Toronto home every aesthetic and practical advantage they allowed themselves to be talked into things they didn’t originally plan on purchasing and which they didn’t really need. Either that or they discovered that rock bottom prices don’t always extend to things like installation. Here are some common mistakes people make that jack up the price of their window replacement efforts.
- Buying Triple Pane Windows – There is virtually no difference in energy efficiency between double pane and triple pane. The main difference is in the price. Unless you live on the Arctic tundra, double pane windows should do you just fine.
- Buying Fiberglass When Vinyl Will Do – For most homes in most areas vinyl windows are an affordable, energy efficient replacement window choice. They add immediate and significant curb appeal and cut energy costs substantially. Yet some get talked into purchasing very expensive fiberglass windows whose advantages are often difficult to quantify.
- Replacing Your Window Frames When You Don’t Have to – If your existing frames are in good condition there is no reason to have them replaced. As long as the frames are not rotting or out of square, consider window replacement inserts that will fit neatly into your existing frames and save you as much as 50%.
- Piling on the Upgrades – Do you really need the hardware to be oil-rubbed bronze? Are Simulated Divided Light grilles really going to make a big difference? Why would you need impact resistant glass if you don’t live in a hurricane zone? Every additional feature adds to the bottom line.
- Saving Money by Purchasing Fixed Pane Windows – Some folks like the idea of saving money by purchasing fixed pane windows. This often seems like a good idea until the warm weather comes and you want to open a window but can’t. Also you may have to hire a professional to clean the outside of fixed pane windows on upper floors, negating any savings.
- Buying from a Big Box – The thinking here is that you’ll save money by purchasing from the big box and having them install the windows. But while you may pay a rock bottom price for the windows themselves, big box stores have been known to charge exorbitant fees for installation. Something a lot of homeowners don’t realize until they get the bill. Get the entire cost up front (including the cost of installation) before buying anything.
When contemplating window replacement you should always remember that if you’re not careful, costs can spiral out of control and leave you in a tight spot. Before buying windows, do a comprehensive examination of your current windows to check on the state of the frames and when you order your new windows “beware the upgrades.”
Get Your Widow Replacement Today Without Paying Over the Odds
Toronto Doors and Windows helps homeowners in the GTA get the most value from their home by making sound choices and installing quality products. If you are considering replacing your current windows, give us a call on 647-932-3667 and talk to one of our window replacement specialists. They’ll help you choose the replacement windows that are right for your home without pressuring you into purchasing things you don’t need.
