Landscaping, siding, paint and stone work get all the attention when it comes to a home’s curb appeal. But our poor, neglected windows get so little credit when they can be one of the most seductive aspects of a home. A house’s windows can tell you a lot about it. Whether your windows are in great shape or are old and in poor condition, they are trying to tell you something. Are you listening? You should.

Safety and Security

Each year, homes are broken into through windows because of cracked panes or faulty window locks. In fact, first-floor windows are the entry point in 23% of all break-ins according to the FBI. Cracked windows and broken locks indicate to burglars that your home is an easy target, and it only takes a quick jimmy to find out. Windows that are in good condition tell thieves that your home isn’t an easy target and that any break-in will be loud and noticeable.

windows in great condition look like? The simple answer is that they don’t have cracks in the panes, they fit firmly into the frame, and the locks snap securely in place.  Homeowners should inspect their windows regularly for broken glass and broken locks –especially after rainstorms, because flying debris can crack glass.

Before you leave for a vacation, check your windows for potential security breaches. After you return, do another sweep to make sure no attempts were made to enter. Adding this task to your travel checklist can help prevent thieves from coming into your home while you’re away or staking out your home for later break-in attempts.

Increased Curb Appeal

Your windows are pretty talkative – they not only speak to potential burglars, but also to your neighbors and potential homebuyers. Just one home with windows in poor condition can really bring down the overall impression of the rest of the homes in your neighborhood. If you live in a community managed by a homeowner’s association (HOA), then you can even be fined for not keeping up the appearance of your home.

 

Windows with peeling paint, rotting frames and cracked glass cause the rest of your exterior to look rundown by association, and this can cause resentment among neighbors who try hard to keep the exterior of their homes well maintained. Neighbors trying to sell their home may have a harder time finding a buyer if the surrounding homes aren’t pretty to look at.  In that same vein, if you are trying to sell your home, potential buyers will notice windows in poor condition and will see it as an additional expense if you don’t cover the costs. Regardless if it is a seller’s or buyer’s market, increasing a buyer’s out-of-pocket expenses may make them run the other way.

Increase the curb appeal of your home and neighborhood in these easy ways:

  • Fix broken glass as soon as possible.
  • Clean the windows every spring to help them look brighter inside and out.
  • Freshen up the paint around the frames every few years and choose a paint that can withstand heavy weather conditions and sunlight.
  • Choose a window that complements the exterior and architecture of your home.

Lower Energy Costs

The final characteristic of a window in good condition is that it helps lower your energy bills. Every new window comes with a rating label on the side that can help homeowners make the most of their savings. All windows are not created equal. Homeowners should assess how much sunshine a window will receive, as well as the types of weather it will encounter, because windows need to have special characteristics to do their jobs correctly in given conditions. Homeowners should take time to read about U-factor, visible transmittance, and solar heat gain coefficient before they pick the window that’s right for them.

 

Homeowners who want to increase their home’s curb appeal, lower their energy bills, and increase their home’s security potential should contact a window replacement professional today. We are experts in window selection based on client needs, and we provide consultation on all of our product offerings. Contact us today to schedule your free quote.