Replacement Window Buying Guide

Signs You Need Replacement Windows

Windows are a great way to keep moisture, heat and cold out of your home—until they aren’t. Improperly installed or old windows create vulnerabilities in your home’s exterior that need to be addressed right away. Even windows that aren’t very old can start to cause common problems like water damage and rot.

Omaha gets an average of 31 inches of snow each year with an average low temperature of 13 degrees Fahrenheit. You need windows that can withstand the snow, ice and frigid temperatures

The signs that you need replacement windows may not be as easy to see as major window damage, but chances are if you look closely, you can tell if it’s time for a window replacement.

Here are the warning signs that you need to replace your old home windows with new ones:

• There’s a draft near the window
• You’ve noticed higher costs in energy bills
• You have single-pane windows
• You have dysfunctional windows that don’t open and close easily
• The locks don’t work like they should
• You frequently see condensation on your windows or moisture building up between the panes
• The windows don’t do much to cancel out outdoor noise
• The window frames show signs of moisture, mold, decay or rot
• Your windows look outdated or don’t add to the beauty of your home
• There are visible signs of weather and damage like cloudy or foggy-looking glass

New windows can solve the majority of these problems. It’s time to take a close look and see if your windows are telling you it’s time for a window replacement.

The Biggest Advantages of High-Performance Replacement Windows

If your windows are starting to look like they are past their prime, it can be time for new windows. There are all kinds of advantages of new home windows to enjoy. Not only will you enjoy the appearance of your new windows, but you’ll also find the following replacement window benefits after your new window installation:

Many windows today are designed to be environmentally friendly. You’ll cut down on heat loss in the winter and reduce heat gain in the winter with double- or triple-pane windows that are engineered to improve your home’s heating and cooling efforts. Also, if you have especially outdated windows, you won’t believe how easily you can open, close and lock your new replacement windows on a beautiful Omaha spring day to let a fresh breeze in.

New windows are a great way to update an older home, and with the right windows, you’ll really enhance your home’s curb appeal for the best-looking home (and windows) on the block.

Save Money With Energy-Efficient Windows

Heat gain and heat loss account for 25 to 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy usage. Whether you’re looking to reduce your monthly energy bill or you just want to implement more environmentally friendly elements in your home, you definitely can save money with energy-efficient windows.

Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows

What are the perks of choosing energy-efficient windows for your replacement windows?

• Save money on energy bills.
• Use less energy, and limit your greenhouse gas emissions.
• Limit drafts and overheated spaces.
• Reduce ultraviolet (UV) sun damage to floors, furniture, carpets and belongings.

Just what kind of changes will you see in your energy bill? If you are replacing single-pane windows, you can expect to save between $101 and $583 per year in energy costs, saving between 1,006 and 6,205 pounds of carbon dioxide. To replace your double-pane windows, you’ll likely save between $27 and $197 per year, or 246 to 2,001 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

How Energy-Efficient Windows Work (And What to Look For)

There are a few factors at play in making energy-efficient windows, and they’re all based on what these windows are made from and how they are put together.

Here’s how these windows prevent heat loss and heat gain, saving you money in the long run:

• Multiple panes of glass: Energy-efficient windows are made up of two or three panes of glass. They are “sandwiched” together with spacers to prevent heat transfer, creating air pockets between the panes of glass. These pockets are sealed shut and filled with gases to insulate and boost energy efficiency.
• Better window frame materials: Aluminum window frames are notorious for energy leaks. Energy-efficient window frames are made from more energy-efficient materials like wood, clad wood, composite, vinyl or fiberglass EnerLux windows for better insulation.
• Low-e coatings: Low-emissivity, or low-e, glass coatings coat window panes so that the heat from the sun cannot pass through the window while still allowing light to pass through.
• Gases: Gases like argon and krypton are pumped into the spaces between panes of glass to insulate your windows better. These gases are colorless, odorless and nontoxic.

So how can you find energy-efficient windows? You always should look for the government-issued Energy Star rating on your window model, which will tell you how well the window keeps heat from escaping, how well the window prevents against solar heat gain, and how well the window will effectively light your home. You want to choose windows with high ratings for letting light into your home and low numbers for heat loss and heat gain.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Omaha Replacement Windows

Windows come in all shapes and sizes, but they also come in various materials. You should know about what differentiates between kinds of replacement window materials before choosing your replacement windows so you select the right kind of window for your home. What kind of maintenance do they need? How much do they cost? Is there a warranty?

Selecting Styles and Designs for Your Home Replacement Windows

Choosing the materials for your windows is only the first step. There are all kinds of replacement window styles and designs from which to choose, and you should be informed about the differences so you can make the right choice for your Omaha home.

Estimating the Cost and Understanding the Installation Process for Your Home Windows

This is the question most homeowners dread asking, so at Tevelde and Co., we carefully walk our clients through the pricing process to ensure we always are working within your budget.

The answer to your question about the cost of home installation is as follows: It all depends.

Your costs can vary based on the style and materials of the windows you choose. For example, installation costs for fiberglass windows tend to be a little higher than the installation costs for vinyl windows because they are more rigid than flexible vinyl. Your costs also will vary based on the size of the window, the type of glass and the hardware involved.

All of our Tevelde and Co. windows come with a 10-year Workmanship Warranty, and our EnerLux windows offer all the market advantages you can imagine, including a lifetime limited warranty. These warranties can help offset the cost of your windows. Also, if you’re planning to sell your home at any point, replacement windows can return as much as 77.5 percent of your initial home window cost when you sell your home!

Why is this?

There are three main reasons:

• They increase curb appeal.
• They add value.
• They improve energy efficiency.

At Tevelde and Co., we take a family approach to window replacements, which means your installation process is a fairly easy one. We take the necessary steps to ensure the integrity of your home, like removing all the old window trim and following manufacturer’s instructions to protect your warranty, like spraying foam around your windows. We even hand deliver a gift card to your neighbors in advance so they know about our work, and clean up your entire yard at the end of each day.

What does our installation process look like?

1. Consult with us on everything from your budget to your style. We’ll take measurements and answer any questions you may have.
2. We’ll provide you with designs and an estimate and do a walk through before we purchase any materials.
3. You can enjoy a smooth installation process with our friendly, qualified, Omaha-local contractors.

Article Updated: 5/19/24 | Published: 7/17/20

About The Author: Todd Tevelde

Todd Tevelde wrote this helpful Buying Guide For Replacement Windows to help educate homeowners about their window options. Todd is an expert in home exterior renovations and the founder of Tevelde and Co. With over 10 years of experience helping homeowners, Tevelde and Co. has become one of the most trusted contractors in the greater Omaha area. For more information contact Tevelde and Co. today!