Want to know Replacement Window Buying Mistakes? Then read on…
In 2021, UK homeowners spent £21 billion on home renovations. No matter which way you slice it, window replacement is a key component of maintaining a home. But the logistics of replacing and installing a window are often difficult to overcome.
Maybe your windows were there when you bought the house 15 years ago, and it’s well past time to make replacements. Maybe you’re tired of the noises, drafts, and ever-rising energy bills that have been coming your way.
A lot of homeowners don’t realize that there’s a right way and a wrong way to purchase replacement windows. If you make any of the replacement window buying mistakes that we’re about to talk about, you could be setting yourself up for frustration, delays, and vulnerability to theft. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Buying the Exact Same Type of Window
For most people who are in the market for a home, windows typically don’t register in the same way that overgrown lawns or outdated carpets might. However, when it comes to interior decor, windows do a lot to enhance style and encourage natural lighting.
If you’re replacing old windows, it might be tempting to go with the same make and model as before. After all, you know how those windows look alongside the rest of your house.
Even so, however, window technology has made serious advances in recent years. For instance, safety glass can make your window more resistant to slammed doors and wayward footballs. UPVC windows, like the ones we install, are energy efficient.
With so many makes and models on the market, shopping around isn’t just a money-saver — it can modernize your home and increase your property value without much effort on your part.
2. Picking the Wrong Size
Imagine you’ve purchased and started installing your new windows. You’ve got the look you want. And now, you’re totally convinced that you’ve got all the safety features you need.
But as you pull out your tools and start setting up the window, you’re hit with a chilling realization:
Your new window is much smaller than you need it to be.
Or maybe the situation isn’t quite that dire. Maybe the pane width is a touch smaller than that of the other windows in your kitchen.
Pre-made window sets are a time-saver in many regards. However, it’s not unusual for windows from the same company to come with slightly different specs.
If gaps are too large, you may need to spend extra time and money buying new windows to replace the ones you’ve already bought. And even in cases where the window “fits”, you might have to deal with having windows of variable sizes located in your house.
You may be able to live with this situation today and tomorrow. But like a slow-dripping faucet or a series of misaligned paintings, it’s the type of issue that can compromise the quality of your interior decor.
Home improvement experts and enthusiasts have a popular saying:
Cut once and measure twice.
Window selection and installation are no different in this regard.
3. Getting the Cheapest Window
The Guardian observed that the price of glazing glass had gone from 6% to 12%. And between inflation and concerns around job security, everyone wants to save money.
We get it.
But sometimes bargain-hunting can leave you with an inferior window that you’ll have to replace mid-way through its expected lifespan. When it comes to window prices, common reasons for increased pricing include:
- Brand popularity
- Subcontracted window installation
- Imported product
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for savings where you can find them. But it does mean that price should be one of many factors you consider when purchasing your new windows.
4. Not Thinking About the Style
Remember what we said before about replacing your old windows with the exact same model? You don’t have to stick to safety upgrades and features when making your purchases. You can totally transform the look and feel of your home by exploring the different styles for windows that are out there.
For example, double-hung windows are both easy to maintain and safe. Meanwhile, casement windows have a classic style. If you’ve developed a green thumb over the years, glass block windows can ensure that your indoor plants can get the light they need.
When you get right down to it, there’s no shortage of window styles to choose from. Replacing old windows doesn’t have to involve looking for specific features — you can experiment with the look and feel of the home as well.
5. Doing the Replacements Yourself
From measuring to installation, the window replacement process can be complicated. Why? Because there are tricks of the trade that many homeowners aren’t aware of.
For instance, did you know that there are three window installation methods to choose from? Or that you can’t replace casement windows with single-pane ones?
And the list of dos and don’ts goes on.
Here’s the bottom line:
Window replacements are serious business. Even one mistake could lead to broken windows, safety hazards, and more.
A professional window installer will know exactly how to install the windows you’ve purchased. So much so that the new windows will look like they’ve been in your house for years.
You can DIY new jam recipes or try your hand at wood carving. But you’re better off leaving the window installation to the professionals.
6. Hiring the Wrong Installation Company
Of course, not every “professional window installation company” is professional or capable of giving you the window installation you need. Maybe the company offers limited instalment options. Or perhaps the installer just isn’t as experienced as they come across online.
If a company has a reputation for overcharging or doing shoddy work, the last thing you want to do is hire them.
Don’t be an unsuspecting consumer. Go online, read reviews, and ask around. What you uncover might surprise you.
7. Overlooking the Need for Security
Imagine you’re a thief. You find a neighbourhood that seems like the perfect location for your next burglary. And, to your delight, you see two houses in particular with homeowners that appear to be on vacation.
The only difference is the windows.
Assuming you’re following the path of least resistance, which home would you choose to break into? The one with security locks and reduced reflectivity or the one with an open single-pane window?
There are few experiences more violating than being victimized by a burglar or home intruder.
You can lose personal items. Your furniture could be damaged. And, depending on the times, your loved ones may also be at risk.
You can avoid making this devastating mistake by paying close attention to the safety features ta your disposal. If you’re choosing windows for accessible areas, for instance, you’ll want to look for privacy-enhancing tints and secure latches.
8. Using Installation Materials Incorrectly
When you’re replacing a standard window, the idea of choosing the wrong kind of wood might sound a bit ridiculous.
But it happens more often than you think with self-installations.
It all starts with the realization that you have a slightly smaller window than you need. However, maybe the gap isn’t so huge that the window can’t be installed.
So you pick up the spray foam and you start filling in the gaps. After a few minutes, you notice that there’s still open space. And because you want to ensure that no air gets through, you decide to keep spraying.
Except it turns out that although spray foam is undoubtedly useful, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Foam will certainly fill creases. But it will also trap moisture and put your property at risk of sustaining water damage.
It’s a seemingly simple mistake. However, it’s a mistake that can and often does have far-reaching consequences.
9. Not Factoring in Your Location
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had to tell homeowners in warmer states that window reflectors and weather-stripping windows were an essential part of protecting their properties. For most English homeowners, extreme heat isn’t as much of a concern. But moisture buildup from winter and spring could be a realistic possibility.
Your windows are one of your first lines of defence against the elements. As you assess your options for buying windows, you’ll want to take the weather and the geographical features of your property into account.
Don’t Make These Replacement Window Buying Mistakes
When you’ve got windows to replace and renovations to complete, it can be tempting to buy the first windows you see. However, between letting heat escape in the dead of winter and leaving your property open to water damage, replacement window buying mistakes can do more harm to your property and your wallet than you might think.
Most people aren’t window experts. And if you work with us, you don’t have to be.
From environmentally friendly windows to professional installations, we offer a seamless window replacement process. And we offer a 10-year warranty. Request your free quote today.