Is it always too chilly in your house in the winter for you to be comfortable? Your windows – not the weather – may be to blame. Poorly-constructed windows can create drafts, which is the main reason to consider replacing them. And, while it may be obvious why new windows are helpful in colder months, they are actually advantageous year-round.
Drafty windows force your heating and cooling system to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. A good rule of thumb for replacing windows is to wait until they are 15 years old. Shoddy installation and poorly-manufactured windows are the only exception – they should be replaced right away. Generally speaking, windows that are more than 20-30 years old are the prime candidates for replacement. When you replace your windows with energy-efficient windows, you can save significantly on your monthly utility bills and earn your investment back over time.
Fortunately, Statewide Remodeling is a proud Energy Star partner. According to Energy Star, replacing your old windows with Energy Star-certified products can lower household energy bills by 7-15 percent. Depending on various factors, that translates into $71-$501 in annual savings. Energy-efficient windows lower HVAC costs by reducing the highest levels of both heating and cooling that your system needs to maintain. Furthermore, Energy Star windows reduce the amount of UV sunlight that enters your home, which can fade items like furniture, rugs, and wall art. And finally, energy-efficient windows also have warmer interior glass surfaces that help to reduce frost and condensation that form on other windows and can damage blinds or wood sills.
Vinyl window replacements, offered by Statewide, are a great way to increase energy efficiency while saving money and reducing your carbon footprint. According to the experts at Statewide, wood, aluminum, and composite windows are prone to warping, cracking, leaking, and decay. But vinyl windows, with a polyurethane core and fusion-welded corners, are unparalleled for their strength, longevity, and thermal resistance. The polyurethane insulation in the window frames also increases energy efficiency.
Statewide uses windows from manufacturers that use argon gas, which is inserted into the spaces between the dual panes of glass. The gas works to reduce noise and help heat loss because it doesn’t transfer heat well. Additionally, vinyl windows require no maintenance besides regular cleaning because they never need painting or scraping. Vinyl retains its finish and won’t peel or flake like wood. Vinyl windows are also durable and long lasting. They are customizable and are available in a variety of styles and colors that can complement the décor of your home.
Overall, vinyl windows give you great bang for your buck. Between 1990 and 2005, wood went from accounting for almost half of all windows sold to only about a quarter. That changed in favor of vinyl windows largely because of the cost advantage of vinyl. Vinyl windows are 10% less expensive than wood, not to mention the energy savings later on. According to Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report,” high-quality, energy-efficient replacement windows provide an excellent return on investment. Vinyl doesn’t shrink or swell with changes in humidity, so callback problems are minimized. Add to that a short turnaround time, strong manufacturer warranties, and product consistency, and vinyl windows are an attractive option.
Window replacement can change the entire look and feel of your home. The dependable, experienced window replacement specialists at Statewide Remodeling are proud to offer you fair prices for top-of-the-line products from exclusive manufacturers. In fact, we’re so sure that you’ll be thrilled with our home remodeling solutions that we offer a workmanship guarantee in writing for as long as you own your home and a money-back satisfaction guarantee. For more information, or to view our wide selection of energy efficient vinyl windows, visit our showrooms in Austin, Dallas, or Plano. Our specialists can also bring the showroom to you and provide you with a free estimate. In addition to windows, we offer lots of other home remodeling services in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Carrollton, Flower Mound, Richardson, Trophy Club, Keller, and the surrounding communities. To get your free estimate with us, call 1-800-731-0197.
