Window replacement may not be flashy, but it can help boost curb appeal and give you an 81% ROI at resale. To find the best windows, you’ll want to keep in mind both the interior and exterior of the house. Windows can have a drastic effect on the appearance from both the inside and outside.
If you’re considering getting new windows, then here are ten tips for how to find the best windows to suit your home:
1. Look at Energy Efficiency
Old windows can lead to between 25% to 30% heating and cooling energy use. This is due to excessive heat gain and heat loss.
If you need your residential windows replaced, then consider going with energy-efficient windows. These can help you save big on utility bills.
2. Reflect the Home’s Architecture
Every home has an architectural design to it. Some windows will look better on certain homes than others. While shopping around, you’ll want to focus on matching the design and aesthetic of the windows to your home.
3. Know the Purpose
Windows often serve to have a double function, such as being a sliding glass doorway to the backyard. Other times, the window might be fixed, like a skylight in the living room. Another option is a stained glass window that’s ornamental and meant to add color and decoration to a room.
Whatever your needs, knowing the purpose of the windows you want will help in your selection.
4. Accent Colors for the Frames
Based on the color and style of your home, you might want to have the frames of the window painted a bright color. You should be sure to match the accent color of the frame to the trim color on your home.
From wood to metal frames, oftentimes you can find frames that already have color infused into them. Speak with a professional to help you decide which accent colors and type of frame would suit your home best.
5. Consider What Amount of Ventilation Is Needed
Windows do more than just allow light in. They also help with ventilation. A professional window replacement company will be able to help you pick out operable windows that can offer good ventilation.
Keep in mind that a fixed window cannot open. So, while a stained glass window might add aesthetic value to a room, you won’t be able to open it for airflow. Another consideration is that an operable window not only helps with ventilation but adds safety in case of a fire.
6. Compliment the Exterior
Curb appeal takes into account multiple factors. From the landscaping to the paint on the house to new windows, it all affects curb appeal.
When looking at new ones, you should consider how they will match the exterior of the home and the front door. When in doubt, ask the window company you’re working with for help on picking out windows that can work in harmony with the outer appearance of your house.
7. Enhance Interior Style
New ones can have a dramatic change on the interior look of any home. From allowing more light into a bathroom to creating more privacy in a room, the right window selection can affect it all.
Look at the room where you’re replacing the windows and decide what you want to accomplish. Do you want to have large windows that allow for expansive, picturesque scenery to be viewed while indoors? Or maybe you have a room where you want windows set up high to allow light in, but maintain maximum privacy?
Knowing the shape, style, and goal you want your windows to accomplish will assist you in selecting the right windows for your home.
8. Look at the Sun’s Orientation
Don’t forget about the sun during your window selection. You’ll need to keep in mind the position of rooms in relation to the rising and setting of the sun.
Do you have indoor plants that need to get plenty of sun? Then you’ll want to choose windows on the appropriate wall to allow maximum sunlight.
Does your family enjoy watching television in the afternoon? If so, you’ll want to avoid placing the window at any angles that could allow too much evening sun in.
9. Decide the Mode of Operation
There are many different styles of windows out there and they can all open in a variety of ways. Windows can slide up, down, sideways, inwards, or outwards. You’ll want to decide what your preferred method of operation is while choosing.
You will also want to take into account what room the window is going into. For example, if the window needs to double as a doorway, then you’ll want a large glass window that can slide sideways into the frame.
Beyond that, other modes of operation might require an extra addition to your home to help protect both the window and the home from the elements. Windows that open inward or slide down sometimes have an awning hanging over them from the outside. This helps to prevent water from seeping in and damaging the house itself.
10. Create a Focal Point
Do you live somewhere that offers a scenic view from within your home? If so, then choosing the right type of window can help build off this. Combine different window styles, shapes, and colors to help enhance the natural scenery found outside.
If you don’t live somewhere picturesque like the mountains but still want your windows to serve as a focal point, don’t worry. Bay windows are popular for adding either floor space or a sitting nook.
Finding the Best Windows Made Easy
Picking out the best windows for your home is made all the easier with Forde Windows & Remodeling, Inc. Founded in 1987, we are dedicated to helping our customers with their window and home remodeling projects.
We’ll start with an initial discovery meeting to help us understand what type of window installation you want. We’ll ask about your budget so that we are sure to work within its confines.
Contact us today for a free estimate!