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Seven Benefits of Replacement Windows


By Gates Dearen

Replacing the windows is not always the highest priority on a homeowner’s to do list, even when it’s clear that the windows need to be replaced. The windows could be sticking. Wooden window sills could be rotting. There could be consistent drafts.
Still, if the windows aren’t actually broken, replacing them can be put off. The reasoning is that replacing windows costs money. However, there’s also a price to pay for not replacing old windows. If you’ve been looking at your windows and thinking that you need to do something about them, here are a few of the most popular reasons to move forward.
Energy Efficiency
Some older windows are OK at keeping the rain out, but are not very good at all when it comes keeping cold or hot air out. When windows get old, they can allow air in and out like a vent. They may leak around the frames where the caulking and sealants have deteriorated. They can also leak around the glass panes if those have become loose within the frames.
In terms of energy efficiency, windows have come a long way in the past few decades. To provide better insulation, many windows now come with two panes of glass. The air between the panes provides insulation from the environment outside. This is why some windows come with argon gas between the panes. This provides even better insulation than ordinary air. Some windows even come with special glazing, such as Low-e coating, to make the windows even more energy efficient.  
Energy efficient windows make it easier to control the environment within a home. The big payoff is that the AC unit doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the home comfortable. It runs less, and it consumes less energy. Also, due to the reduced hours of use, it has a longer life before it needs to be replaced.  
Replacing your windows can greatly improve the comfort of your home. In the winter, new windows will help keep the cold air out of your home and the heat in your home. In the summer months, new windows can help keep your house cooler and drier.
Improved Appearance and Curb Appeal
Old windows can make a home look run-down. Looking at a house from the street, the windows and the landscaping generally have the greatest visual impact. Modern replacement windows can significantly improve the appearance and curb appeal of a home. Beautiful windows provide a focal point to a home.
Ease of Operation
When windows are difficult to open and close, people tend not to use them. Why would anyone want to open and close a window that is difficult to operate? Old windows sometimes stick. Some windows feel like something is about to break when you open and close them. In Northeast Florida, some of the older windows open and close with a crank. Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in the cranking mechanism, making them difficult to turn. Some of those old-fashioned windows feel like you have to use all your might to get them to open or close.
New windows are much easier to open and close than sticky old windows. In Northeast Florida, it’s nice in the Spring and in the Fall to open the windows and allow a breeze to come through the house. However, some people never get to enjoy that breeze due to the fact that their windows are so difficult to operate it isn’t worth the effort. If your windows have become difficult to operate, you should look into replacement windows.
Security
Modern replacement windows provide added home security. Older windows may be difficult to shut all the way and to lock. If they don’t close all the way, they can be impossible to lock. Modern replacement windows will close all the way, and they will lock properly for decades to come.
Also, building codes now require that windows in Northeast Florida be able to withstand storm force winds. Older windows are not likely to be “up to code”. Replacement windows will provide greater protection to you and your family when a serious storm next hits Jacksonville.
Light
Modern replacement windows frequently have smaller frames and a larger glass surface. This allows more natural light into the home. Although, it’s nice to have all that light in the home, UV rays from sunlight can be damaging to floors, carpets, fabrics, and furnishings. Replacement windows can filter out UV rays, protecting artwork, Persian rugs, and other valuables you may have in areas which absorb sunlight.
Noise
High quality replacement windows that have been properly sized and installed, reduce noise from the outside. For some homeowners who replace their windows, this is a very pleasant surprise. Sound from the outside is reduced and sound from the inside doesn’t get out. With modern windows, homeowners hear less street noise and enjoy greater privacy.
Easy Maintenance
In addition to improvements in energy efficiency, advancements in window design and manufacturing have also resulted in windows that are more durable and easier to take care of. Vinyl windows are available which will never, ever, need to be painted. Also, many windows now come with a tilt in feature that enables people to clean the outside of the lower sash (window) from the inside. That means there’s no need to remove screens.
Testimonial
In this article, I’ve written about seven benefits of getting modern replacement windows. These include energy-efficiency, curb appeal, noise reduction, ease of operation, security, and ease of maintenance.
For information about HomeRite’s energy efficient line of windows and doors, call 296-2515 or visit their showroom at 4801 Executive Park Court, Building 200, Suite 207, Jacksonville; FL 32216.
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HomeRite is a window and door dealer that specializes in energy efficient, quality windows and doors with warranties and service to match. The company has been in business since 2005. HomeRite has partnered with a manufacturer that has been producing high quality products and providing excellent customer service for over 60 years. Windows and doors from HomeRite are some of the highest quality, most thermally efficient windows and doors on the market.
HomeRite products add substantial value to their clients’ properties. HomeRite is a member of the United States Green Building Council, a non-profit organization comprised of leaders across the industry working to advance environmentally responsible buildings.
Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. He and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 30 years. They strive to match homeowners with the right windows and doors for their homes and budgets. They make the home improvement process pleasant with first-rate, energy-efficient products, affordable pricing, and award-wining installers who employ the best practices and who always treat customers and their property with the utmost respect.

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