Tips for Replacing Your Vinyl Windows
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As local window experts, we pride ourselves on providing customers with the best products to complement their styles and budgets. So, of course, when the topic of window replacement arises, many people will ask us for our recommendations.
We're only too happy to oblige! In fact, we'd love to sit with you and discuss your window replacement needs and help you find the right products to protect your home and improve its curb appeal.
In this guide, we wanted to highlight a particular window replacement option that, although popular, leaves many folks with many questions, including:
Are replacement vinyl windows more energy efficient?
Are they cheaper than other materials?
How long do they last?
Are they available in more than one style?
Can they improve my property value?
Before we dive into these questions, let's first discuss what vinyl windows are and how they work.
What Are Vinyl Windows?
Vinyl window frames consist of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a durable thermoplastic material found in many household products, such as doors and siding. And due to its immense strength and resistance to fire and water, PVC is also installed on many roofing systems.
In addition, vinyl window frames feature ultraviolet light (UV) stabilizers that help block sunlight and reduce heat transfer. They also have hollow cavities, which you can fill with insulation to help save on utilities, making them a powerful energy-saving solution for your home!
Average Costs
As mentioned, replacement vinyl windows are popular among homeowners, as they provide an energy-efficient, durable solution that looks great! But did you know that replacement vinyl windows cost less than wood, aluminum, and fiberglass?
They're also low maintenance, so you don't need to worry about repainting or staining your window frame to ensure they look pristine. And unlike other frame materials like wood, vinyl windows won't chip, warp, or crack over time.
How Long Do Vinyl Windows Last?
Glad you asked! On average, good-quality vinyl windows have a lifespan of up to 30 years, depending on where you live and the amount of sun exposure you receive. The good news is that vinyl windows are ideal for our Midwest climate.
What Are My Style Options?
Want some other great news? When it comes to vinyl windows, your style options are endless.
Vinyl window styles include:
Double Hung Windows
Casement & Awning Windows
Bay & Bow Windows
And More!
You can also choose various colors and finishes to match the aesthetics of your home or even mimic the look of wood frames.
Okay, at this point, you're probably wondering if there are any downsides to replacement vinyl windows.
The truth is...not really. But buyers beware because the real difference between great vinyl windows and poor quality ones boils down to the manufacturer and installer of the product.
So when choosing vinyl windows, it’s best to go with a reputable, high-quality home improvement company who only uses high-quality products made by reputable manufacturers. It's a win win.
Pssst! If you need help with that, we know a good one! Hint: his name is Steve!
Before you go, let's review one last question we often receive that keeps customers from taking the leap and getting those old windows replaced.
Do I Have To Do All My Windows At Once?
Nope! Honestly, hardly anyone does that anymore, so we don’t think it’s weird! Let me tell you a quick story of a customer. Let’s call her Alice.
Alice and her boyfriend bought a great little house in South Minneapolis with the oldest windows ever. We're talking single pane windows, ropes and pulleys, missing screens—you get the idea.
She desperately wanted to replace every window in the house before the harsh winter set in. But she didn’t think she could swing it.
You know how it is, right? You buy a new house, and you feel like all the money you had left after closing went to Target in the first few weeks of living there. So before you know it, you are happy in your brand new house, and you feel the poorest you have ever felt in your whole life.
That was Alice.
Still, she was hopeful. She called us and scheduled a free, no-obligation estimate.
Steve stopped at her home and discussed the cost of the entire project. Next, they broke up the windows into a few different projects for her to consider. She considered the whole front of the house for curb appeal or the entire 2nd level for energy savings, but she ultimately chose to replace the windows of the rooms she will spend the most time in all winter; her bedroom and the living/dining room. Smart!
Bottom line: it's normal to replace your windows in stages.
It happens every day, and no one thinks it's weird. It's actually cost efficient. Of course, with our financing programs, you can afford more than you think.
Looking for the Best Vinyl Window for the Money?
Give us a call, so we can hear more about your window project and schedule a time for our team to come to your home and discuss your options.
We recommend that both homeowners are there, so we can find the best solutions that work to help improve your home's curb appeal, protect you from outside elements, and save you big on utilities.
To get started, contact us today!
Steve the Window Guy for Universal Windows Direct is a full exterior remodeling company focusing on replacing windows, siding and roofing. Steve and his team of are experts in working with people just like you to create a plan for the most cost efficient way to complete your exterior remodeling project. We are part of a national dealer network that has catupulted to the 10th largest* remodeling company in the nation. Locally we have an A+ rating with the BBB with zero complaints. Steve has been recognized by Universal Windows Direct as National Dealer of the Year three times for his hard work and dedication to getting things right. We are locally owned and operated in Bloomington, MN and work throughtout the Twin Cities Metro. Updating your home can be easy.
We believe Steve the Window, Siding and Roofing Guy was just too long of a name.
*Source: Qualified Remodelers Top 500 List, Published September 2019.
