Everything You Need to Know About Whole-House Window Replacement

Do your windows not look as good as they used to? Perhaps they’re simply not functioning properly anymore. In that case, you may want to consider changing out your old windows for new ones. 

Contrary to popular belief, changing your windows every now and then is a necessity, not a luxury. However, if this is your first time doing a whole-house window replacement, then you’ll benefit from asking yourself the following questions. 

With 44+ years of experience in the industry, we’ve seen every type of situation possible when it comes to residential glass. Demers is an Arizona family-owned and operated company that prides itself on authenticity and service. Read everything you need to know about whole-house window replacement below.

Let’s jump into it!

While windows are listed as part of the house, repairing one or two of them in a residential property is hardly going to increase the value of the home. An improvement lengthens the life of a property and it can also help prepare it to serve a different purpose. 

A repair, on the other hand, is done just to keep the property running for the time being so that energy and resources aren’t wasted. Replacing all your windows is considered a big deal and can thus be classified as a capital improvement.

Window replacement is a technical procedure, you either have to be well-experienced or you should at least have a knack for handiwork. While the idea of a DIY project may sound enticing, you need to think about the time and effort you’d be sacrificing towards that end. 

It takes time and skill to replace windows, and you’ve got to have the right tools. It also helps if you have an installation guarantee to put you at ease.

Depending on the make of the windows you’re dealing with, replacement may be harder or easier. Windows made from old wooden frames are going to be easier to detach than those with aluminum frames, for example. Windows over 40 years old won’t give you any trouble when it’s time to remove or replace them either. 

If you’re concerned about warming up your house or cooling it down, then energy-efficient windows are as good as a necessity. Tinting your windows or replacing them with insulated glass is a great way to ensure that they tick all the energy efficiency boxes. 

And if you were hoping for a tax deduction on this project, you’ll have to qualify for it by going for energy-efficient windows. 

For those with their eyes on resale value, the Return on Investment is huge. Plus, legislation is increasingly leaning towards eco-friendly products, and so efficient windows will soon be the standard.

When it comes to residential renovation projects, window replacement ranks exceptionally well, with a return of more than 80% of the investment. Not many houses have new windows, so when they do have them, it helps differentiate your house from other ones in the market. Window replacement increases the value of the home so that you can sell it for a higher price.   

Each home is different, and that means sizing requirements will be different and even the style of windows varies from home to home. This translates to a more complex manufacturing process, which then results in costs shooting up. 

You may need to replace the framing and install an interior trim as well. Installation can produce a lot of waste, so there’ll be a lot of cleaning involved and old windows will need to be disposed of. 

Basically, there’s generally a lot involved and it’s not as easy as just pulling out old windows and sticking in new ones. The windows must be picked up from the warehouse and delivered to the house and unboxed. Protective floor coverings must be set in place. There’s leveling and squaring, trimming of the exterior, insulation, and caulking. Each step in the process represents an added cost.

Everybody wants to live in a comfortable home with minimal noise entering from outside and a dust-free environment. New windows can help you achieve just that while improving the appearance of the home as well. Comfort and curb appeal aside, a home is meant to be secure, and that’s what happens when you replace your windows.

You can bump up the value of the house and make the space more energy-efficient as well. You can even end up with a less demanding maintenance regime. There are just too many benefits of replacing the windows in your home for you to pass it up. That’s why if you can do it, you should do it, and the sooner the better.

Home Depot is huge and its products and services are famously affordable. Be that as it may, it might not be the best idea to have them install windows into your home. 

Since they’ve got so much business coming in, the job might be outsourced to a team from another company, and that team might not be sufficiently briefed on the project. If the installers mess something up, fixing their mistake could take a lot of time, effort, and resources; which is something you don’t want.

We all know how it is with big corporations, they don’t have that personal approach. A local installer will be able to pay more attention to detail. With big stores like Home Depot occasionally contracting installers based on who’s free at the time, you just don’t have the guarantee that every job will be as good as the next.

It’s important to get a team that has intimate knowledge of your location because geography matters in this regard. There may even be municipal laws that the installer will need to be familiar with. 

The bigger the business, the more room for error, it’s as simple as that. National chains don’t have good customer service and it’s better for the economy if you bring business to mom-and-pop installers instead.  

It’s never a one-size-fits-all when putting a price on window replacement. Big windows won’t cost as much as small ones. Some houses may need more windows than others. There are different frames and styles to choose from. There are different materials and different kinds of glass available, some with more functionality than others.

If we’re talking about a standard-size window, you’re likely to pay just under or over $800. For wooden-clad ones, you’re looking at nearly $1,200. Usually, homeowners can expect to invest $5000-$15,000 on replacing all the windows in their homes. If you go about it the right way though, you can get more than half of that money back from the resale value and energy savings.

With the right team on your side, 12-15 windows can be installed in as little as a day. Each window can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the difficulty of the job. When it comes to doors, exterior ones take longer to install than doors inside the house. Exterior doors will call for two to four hours of your time while interior doors can be installed in half that time.

Replacing window glass isn’t much of a problem. If you get the right size glass, you’re good to go. If you’re having the whole window done, there’ll be more effort involved. Any handyman or anyone skilled with their hands can install a window. What sets a good installation apart is the quality of the job. 

It’s not just about getting it done, it’s about how you get it done. You need someone that will account for unforeseen issues, someone with an intimate knowledge of the process.  

Depending on the placement of a window, you can have an easy installation or a difficult one. For windows on higher floors, extra caution is needed and if a ladder is required, safety must be prioritized. Poor installation can result in drafty windows, window damage, and operational challenges; among other things. 

The installer has to make sure that the windows are even, fitting perfectly into the frame with no problem at all. It’s also important for you to be clear on the specific requirements of your home. If you’re not clear on that, you could spend a lot of money and waste a lot of time. Figuring out if a full-frame replacement or a retrofit is best will be key to a successful and stress-free whole-house window replacement.

Now that whole-house window replacement makes more sense to you, you might as well start preparing for the big day. You’ll want to remove shades and blinds, anything that will restrict access to the windows. 

Clearing the way is also important because the installers need to be able to get in and out of the house with ease. If you’ve got kids in the house or a little cat or dog running around, make sure they steer clear of the job site.

Cover your furniture or any household items that might get exposed to dust or debris. If the windows are hooked up to an alarm system, you’ll want to have that disconnected. If vegetation like vines or shrubs are in the way, have them removed so it’s easier for installers to get to where they need to be. You can literally cut down installation time by making your home maneuverable.  

Your paperwork has to be on point and it’s in your best interests to find out if the whole project is covered with insurance. You’ll want to make a backup plan in case it rains or during extreme weather and it’ll help to find out how your installers deal with rainy days. Still, scheduling the installation properly can help avoid any weather-related issues.

And just like that, you and your home are ready for a whole house window facelift. Take everything mentioned into consideration. Replacing all the windows in your home is no small task, so the more you know your story, the better.

Got a Hankering for More Awesome Demers Glass content? Check out our piece on Pella vs Andersen Windows here.