Avoid These Common Mistakes When Buying New Home Windows

New home windows can easily improve the look of your home, both inside and out, and larger windows will open up the view to the outside while letting in more sunlight, making the interior of your home feel more welcoming. When shopping for new windows, you want to ensure you take your time to compare all your options so those windows fit your home's overall appearance and are easy to manage and maintain. Note a few common and simple mistakes homeowners often make when buying new windows so you can avoid them yourself and know your home improvement budget is being spent wisely.

Not shopping enough styles

Single hung windows are the norm in many houses; these have two sections, and the bottom section slides up to open the window. While these windows may be popular, they also offer the least amount of fresh air circulation, and there is no easy way to clean the outside of the glass.

Other window styles may be a better option for many reasons; for example, casement windows are one solid pane, so there is no middle bar to interrupt your view, and they open on the side with a hinge, like a door. This means more air circulation in the home. Tilt-in windows are easier to clean, as the glass tilts into the home so you can reach the outside of the pane. These window styles, and many others, may offer more comfort and convenience than standard single hung windows, so take your time to shop around.

Not considering maintenance

When choosing the frame for your new windows, you may shy away from PVC or vinyl, thinking that they look a bit artificial. However, they're also virtually maintenance-free, whereas wood frames will need consistent repainting and fresh sealant. Keep in mind the time, hassle and cost of long-term maintenance of your windows when making your choice for the frame material.

Overspending on the glass

Your home's windows should be thick and help to insulate the home's interior and should also be strong enough to resist flying gravel, hail and the like. This doesn't mean that triple-glazed windows and the thickest glass are the best choices; in many cases, double-glazed, laminated glass of a moderate thickness, with moderate insulating properties, are perfectly sufficient for residential homes. Unless you need to block out loud traffic nearby, or live directly across from a golf course and the home is consistently hit by stray golf balls, anything else will probably be a waste of your home improvement dollars.


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