Buying a home requires certain due diligence to determine if it’s a good deal. While potential buyers are willing to splash out on the cost of interior renovations, few people inspect the windows to see if they need replacing. Is buying a home with old windows a good idea? Or will you end up paying a fortune to replace the existing windows? If the older windows are damaged, outdated, or drafty, you’ll need to replace them, which can add to renovation costs.
Is Buying a Home with Old Windows a Good Idea?
Replacing the windows is necessary to ensure efficient insulation of your home, especially in colder climates like Omaha, Nebraska. Newer windows also have the benefit of adding more curb appeal to a property, but you can expect these characteristics to be reflected in the final sale price.
When inspecting the windows around the property, look for the following issues.
- Pay attention to the design and see if it seems outdated compared to other homes in the area.
- Do you feel drafts coming from the window when you’re inside the house?
- Are the panes single or double-glazed?
- Do the window frames show any sign of damage or rot?
If you’re buying a home with old windows and looking to replace them yourself, you’re liable for the costs, which can significantly add to your renovation expenses. If you decide to take on this home improvement project after purchasing the home, you’ll need to account for the costs of replacing the windows and the property’s current price.
Ensure you’re buying below market value if you must incur the cost of replacing the windows.
Should You Replace Windows Before Selling Your Home?
Replacing the windows with new, energy-efficient home windows will improve the home’s Energy Star rating, leading to significant energy savings. When you choose to install energy-efficient windows to improve the energy efficiency of your home, it is also a great investment as your property value increases. In short, the return on investment (ROI) of replacing windows before selling is oftentimes worth the trouble.
A report looking into the cost versus reward of fitting new windows to homes shows that homeowners can recoup the costs of replacing windows by adding it to the purchase price.
What are Your Options for New Windows?
If you decide to buy the home and replace the windows, you have plenty of design options. Ensure you choose the right type of window to complement the design of your home. While it may be an older house, installing modern replacement windows may create a pleasing visual aesthetic.
Getting recommendations from a trusted window company near you and reviewing their top window frame models before settling on the right styling for your home is a good idea. It’s a good idea to consider what other window designs are prevalent in your area. Take a look at the neighbor’s windows and purchase something similar.
Install insulated glass that keeps the heat out of the house in the summer and locks it in during the winter. There are several pane designs, including those with inert gas fillings, to improve insulative qualities.
What Does It Cost to Install New Windows?
It’s challenging to accurately estimate the costs of installing new windows in your home. The window installation costs depend on the size and number of windows involved in the project. The styling, quality, and materials used in the new windows typically play a role in the price tag and the installation costs.
Usually, we find window frames made from vinyl or wood. Vinyl frames are ideal for longevity, and they’re easy to clean. However, some homeowners might not like the look and prefer wooden window frames for their property.
However, wooden frames require more maintenance, and they’re more expensive. Homeowners must regularly maintain wooden window frames to prevent paint from peeling and rotting.
You can expect to pay between $450 to $600 for a standard double-hung, double-pane vinyl window. The same window frame in wood materials can cost between $800 to $1,000, depending on the type of wood. You can expect to add $75 to $100 per installation if the window frame must be removed from the studs.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha – Window Replacement Company
At Discount Window and Door of Omaha, we are committed to providing the best quality doors and replacement windows. We employ the most skilled installers to ensure the highest standard of quality service. Our Omaha door and window installers are highly trained, certified industry professionals with years of experience, including some second and third-generation employees.