Common Window Replacement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that some windows can last up to 40 years? This age, however, is not often reached by most windows. This is because windows, depending on their material and how well they’re maintained, tend to need replacing early on in their lifespans.

If you think it’s time to replace your windows, you’ll first need to consider what kind of window replacement mistakes you need to avoid.

If you try to go about replacing old windows without doing any research beforehand, you’ll likely find yourself dealing with more problems than solutions. First, consider one of the most common mistakes people make when installing new windows: choosing the wrong window company.

Choosing the Wrong Window Company

There’s nothing worse than choosing the wrong company when replacing windows for homes. Why might this be, you ask? Because if you choose the wrong company for your windows, the result is never going to be what you were hoping for.

In this case, the mistake that many people make is choosing a window company that is not very experienced or simply bad at replacing and installing windows. You can avoid this problem by doing some research on window companies in your area beforehand. Don’t let the word “research” intimidate you.

The research you will need to do will include reading through online customer reviews and browsing company websites. Customer reviews are especially important because they can tell you a lot about the quality of a company’s work. For example, if you find a company that has a large number of negative reviews and unhappy customers, it’s safe to assume that you shouldn’t provide that company with your business.

On the other hand, if you find a company that is overflowing with positive reviews and satisfied customers, you’re likely to be much better off. Customer reviews will also give you an idea of what a window company might be good or bad at when it comes to their work. Some window companies may have certain areas of expertise while others do not.

Reading online customer reviews will also give you the information you might not find when browsing a given company’s website. For example, a window company would never admit that its windows are cheaply made, but an honest review could do this instead. So, before you hire a window replacement company, be sure to scrounge around for plenty of customer reviews. We’ve also written a comprehensive guide you might want to check out on how to choose the best replacement windows.

Forgetting about Your Home’s Security

Many people get so caught up in residential window designs and styles that they forget that windows can be a weak point in your home’s security. No matter where your home is, security is always important. However, the concept of security may be of particular importance to you, depending on what kind of neighborhood you live in.

The security of your home also extends beyond the crime level in your area. For example, your neighborhood might instead be very safe but very busy. Instead of someone breaking in through your window, someone might accidentally knock a baseball through it.

Whatever the case, you should always remember to consider the security of your windows. Compared to the rest of your home, windows are very fragile. Some cheap windows might even shatter if a strong wind blows against them for too long.

If you live in a cramped neighborhood, your windows may not give you the feeling of security since people might be able to peek in if the curtains aren’t drawn. You can fix these issues in multiple ways. For example, when you get your windows replaced, opt for particularly strong windows.

Certain glazes can make windows stronger than others. Stronger windows mean that it will be harder for intruders to enter and harder for your windows to break in general. You could also search around for tinted windows.

By tinting your windows, you won’t have to worry too much about people outside peeking inside your home. This is especially beneficial since you could open your curtains and let the light inside your home without worrying about what people might see from the outside. And, of course, for the best security, you should always have sturdy locks for your new windows.

Forgetting about the Appearance of Your Windows

After you get any security concerns out of the way regarding your replacement windows, you’ll need to keep the appearance of your windows in mind. You might be surprised to know that the look of your windows can completely transform the style of your home. If you find the appearance of your home to be very important, you’ll want to be careful about how your new windows look.

If your home has a modern or rustic look, you’ll want to try to choose windows that match the style of your home. Otherwise, your home will end up looking very strange if the entire exterior is very modern except for very old-fashioned and rustic windows. Even if you don’t care personally about the appearance of your house, you should keep in mind that your home’s appearance can be very important if you ever decide to sell your home.

The appearance of your windows might also have functional implications. For example, certain window styles might be difficult to open. For that reason, you might start to regret your choice of windows if you struggle to open them every day just to get some fresh air.

Other windows may be small or shaped strangely and not let in a lot of light. Other windows may have certain benefits such as certain coatings that prevent smudges and grime from showing up. Try to never be completely swayed by a window’s appearance alone.

While a window may be exactly what you’re looking for aesthetically, it may be the wrong choice functionally. In some cases, the opposite may also be true. So, keep this in mind if you want to avoid some major replacement window mistakes.

Focusing Too Much on the Price

It’s always important to have a budget, but there is such a thing as focusing too much on your budget. When you give your budget too much attention, you risk not paying enough attention to what you’re actually buying. Many people make the mistake of buying cheap windows because they believe that they’re saving money.

However, if you buy cheap windows, you might actually end up spending even more money in the long run. This is because cheap windows are the price they are because they are made cheaply. This means they will never be able to stand up to the wear and tear that higher-quality windows can handle.

For this reason, you will need to end up replacing cheap windows far more frequently than more expensive and sturdier windows. So, it’s often best to stick with the more expensive windows in the first place. However, don’t take this advice as an invitation to forget all about your budget and buy the most expensive windows you can find.

Instead, you should try to find the fine balance between affordable and high-quality windows. You should also try to find windows that meet all of your expectations. Do you want especially strong or tinted windows?

While those aspects may cost extra, they will be worth the cost if you really need them. If you buy cheap windows to save a few dollars, you will never be happy with them because they will never be able to meet your expectations.

Don’t Try to Replace Your Windows Yourself

Many people are confident enough that they insist that they can replace their own windows. However, this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Why might this be, you ask?

Even if you have replaced windows before, you should avoid doing the task yourself at all costs. This is because you will never have the skill or the right tools that professionals have on hand. Only if you yourself were once a professional window installer should you attempt to replace your own windows.

If you don’t know a thing about replacing windows and intend to rely on online guides, your replacement windows will be a disaster. When you try to install windows on your own, you are likely to encounter issues with the window’s alignment, its seal, and so on. When you hire a professional, you won’t have to worry about any of these problems.

You’ll also have plenty of free time since you won’t need to spend hours trying to install windows in vain. Even if hiring professionals might cost you extra, it’s always preferred compared to replacing your own windows.

Window Replacement Mistakes to Avoid

If you were ever wondering what window replacement mistakes you need to avoid, now you should know all about them. From choosing the wrong window company to trying to replace your windows yourself, there are plenty of things you should keep yourself from doing when it comes to your windows.

To learn more, contact us here.

Michael Cynar On   /   Replacement Windows   /   1 Comment