Many people try to save money when purchasing new windows. However, it is necessary to take into account that saving on the profile, fittings, and installation itself can bring unpleasant consequences in the future. So, when choosing windows and choosing a window installation company, it is important to follow the recommendations that you will learn about in this article. At the same time, you can predict the cost of window installation in advance using the window replacement cost calculator on MyHomeQuote, since the average cost of this service is about $430 – $1,450.
What You Shouldn’t Save on When Choosing Windows
When choosing a window manufacturer and window material, it is important to remember that some things are definitely not worth saving on. The consequences can be expressed in such troubles as the passage of cold, wind, and rain.
Window Profile
When choosing windows, you need to understand what a profile is. This is the base of the structure into which the glass is inserted. In other words, this is the frame, the sashes, the window itself. As a result, these important elements will determine the properties of the window (thermal insulation, sound insulation, etc.) and its external characteristics.
In order not to worry about the reliability and durability of the window, in particular, that all the original characteristics will remain unchanged, we recommend choosing reliable manufacturers, such as Andersen, Pella, or Marven. For example, Andersen window installation costs average around $380 – $4,100, Pella brand windows cost $480 – $3,285, and Marvin brand windows cost $800 – $2,000.
High-Quality Installation
Not a single profile, even the most expensive and high-quality one, will save you from drafts and cold if installed poorly. Therefore, buying a profile is only half the battle; you still need to install it correctly.
Since, in addition to the advantages of the window design itself, qualified installation is no less important. It is recommended that you find a company that provides the highest quality services for installing windows made from different materials and sizes.
For example, the national window replacement cost, including material and labor, is about $430 – $1,450. At the same time, the cost of installing aluminum windows varies from $300 – $850, vinyl windows – from $580 to $1,830, and wood windows – from $647 to $1,620.
Window Fittings
Window fittings are complex mechanisms that ensure the closing, opening, and tilting of the sashes, and also ensure that the sash is tightly pressed against the window frame, thereby achieving high tightness of the entire structure. When choosing windows, you should not skimp on fittings.
The fittings also include hinges and handles. Thus, window fittings are an important part of the window, without which the number of double-glazed windows and profiles would have no meaning.
The very definition of window fittings contains a list of different components and small parts that form a single system for the full functioning of window sashes. Reliable operation and quality of window fittings in many cases depend on the performance characteristics of the structures themselves because most mechanical loads fall on the fittings.
At this stage, high demands are placed on window designs, because modern windows must certainly be resistant to wind loads, rainfall, and be burglar-resistant. They should also be clear and easy to use. And the quality of the fittings plays an important role in this.
For example, the cost of installing a floor-to-ceiling window is about $1,000 – $2,650, and the cost of installing a storm window is from $170 – $1,380.
What Time of Year Is Best to Replace Windows?
The service life of window structures is affected not only by the quality of materials but also by the quality of installation. Perhaps the most important factor to consider when installing windows is weather conditions. Extreme heat or cold, stormy winds, and thunderstorms are absolutely prohibited times for installation. Such conditions are not safe for the craftsmen, as well as the people around them. Wind can damage the structure and cause it to fall on passersby.
Temperature changes are also harmful to the profile. During installation, it may not completely fit into the opening. You will feel the consequences in winter – constant drafts, freezing of the structure, and, as a result, the low heat efficiency of the window structure. In severe frosts, the profile can be fragile, so the risk of damaging the sash or frame during installation increases. If a crack appears, the only solution is to completely replace the parts.
Installing a window in conditions of high humidity can result in the formation of condensation between the panes. Constant moisture on the windows is not only unsightly from an aesthetic point of view. Drops of water on the windowsill, frames, and slopes lead to the appearance of mold and fungi. We advise you to choose a time of year for installation when the air temperature is within a comfortable range – 20-22°C, and the weather is dry, without rain.
So, the ideal period for installing windows is summer or the end of spring.
What Determines the Cost of Installing a Window?
The complexity of window installation is the main factor determining the cost of the service, which also consists of:
- Difficulties in dismantling. Working with new windows in a newly built house is much cheaper than dismantling a dilapidated structure in an old building. The height of the floor will also have an effect.
- Size and shape of the opening. The standard size of a structure rarely creates difficulties, but working with a profile of non-standard dimensions or shapes will require a larger budget.
- Additional features. It is recommended to insulate slopes on windows with a northern orientation; without this measure, the glass may freeze.
- Window configurations. Installation of blind sashes is less labor-intensive than tilt-and-turn sashes.
- Number of mounting elements. The weight of the window can reach 220 pounds. To securely install a double-leaf structure, a minimum of 14 fasteners are required. Saving on this expense item can lead to window sagging, sash distortion, and the appearance of microcracks in installation seams.
- Additional elements – window sills, slopes, ebbs.
Of particular importance at the installation stage are the qualifications of craftsmen and adherence to technology. If specialists do a mediocre job, spending on a quality product will not be worth it.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing windows is an important task since the comfort of the home depends on it. We recommend that you do not skimp on choosing and installing windows; in particular, pay attention to the fittings, profile, and quality of installation. On average, the national window replacement cost is about $430 – $1,450; for a more detailed calculation, we recommend contacting MyHomeQuote.