As time passes, the need for new, better windows quickly appears, especially if you are a Des Moines area resident, as here the climate does tend to change quite often, as you already know. Replacing windows will provide you with a wide range of benefits, from saving money on your energy bills to making your home more attractive and removing the noise that usually appears within your home. Moreover, replacement windows can remove draft and they don’t require you to undergo stressful painting jobs. Moreover, new windows are easier to clean than the old ones, and will actually help you remove the carbon footprint, so adding replacement windows for your home is a great idea in this regard. In this article we are going to focus on some of the best tips that you can use in order to find the best replacement windows for your home.
Price doesn’t show the performance
You might think that high prices bring you a great performance but that is far from being true. Try to focus on features, size and materials used instead of the price. Wooden windows might be expensive, but there are situations in which vinyl windows might bring you better results and a more affordable price. Consult an expert to get a professional opinion on this matter.
Match your windows to the climate
Iowa climate changes quite often, so it’s a good idea to match the windows to the medium temperature that can be found in our region. Also, depending on where your home is situated, you might encounter things such as high winds or cold temperatures, so take this into account, as in such a situation you will need durable, wind and cold resistant windows.
Don’t add that many options
Most of the time, the base package will do the trick, so focus only on those features that bring you the most value. Low-E coatings might be very helpful in most homes, but things such as triple glazing might not be the best idea unless you know that you want to protect yourself against extremely cold temperatures. Other options allow more light inside your home, others make cleaning easier, so it’s up to you to select the features you need.
Know the best value
The best U factor value can be found between 0.20 and 1.20, so keep this in mind. Also, purchase windows with solar heat gain between 0 and 1, while taking into account that the lower the number, the better the value that your window brings in. If you do opt for windows that are stopping light to get inside, get those that have a visible transmittance between 0 and 1. The lower the number here, the darker the result. There are many factors you have to take into account when you purchase replacement windows for your Des Moines area home. Remember that pricing doesn’t always reflect quality or quality of installation for that matter. Try to opt for features that make sense for your home, your trust and your pocketbook. Keep these in mind, and you will get amazing replacement windows that will help take your home to the next level!
We’re a Roofer, but we also do much more like windows, siding, remodels, carpentry and handyman work! We service all of Iowa, primarily central Iowa and the Des Moines communities of Johnston, Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, West Des Moines, Waukee, Grimes – give us call for your free inspection. You won’t be disappointed with our quality and price!
I never would have thought that not adding options might actually make the process better overall. Usually it’s easy to get caught up seeing what all the best options are, but then you lose the idea of what is bringing the most value. I’m looking at getting some windows replaced and now I have a great idea where to start. Thanks for posting!
This is some really helpful information for anyone looking to replace their windows. I especially liked your point about price not being a great indicator of performance, which is beyond true. And options aren’t always the most valuable part of the window. Thanks so much for writing!
These are great tips on choosing the right kind of replacement windows. My wife and I are in an old house with old windows that are in need of some attention. I think it is time to replace them, but we just want to understand all of our options. We have been looking into vinyl windows, which seem like a good match for what we need. I appreciate all your advice!
I liked that the first thing you talked about is how price doesn’t always mean you will get a good quality. High or low cost doesn’t mean that the job will be done well. It seems like if you need a window replaced it would be smart to do some research on companies that do good work first. Then narrow down which of those companies has the best fit for your budget.
Our windows in our house are really ugly. They do the job fine but my wife hates the appearance of them. I think I will take your tip and make sure that I get windows based on reviews and not just on the price.
Great read, thanks a lot for posting! You’re section on “price not matching performance” was spot on. Just because a replacement window is expensive, doesn’t mean it has the highest performance ratings. Especially when comparing (expensive but inefficient) wood windows to (relatively inexpensive but much more energy-efficient) vinyl windows.
Thank you for the help. I am going to start a remodeling project and will need to replace a couple of windows. I had not heard to match them with the climate. If I do this properly, will it help maximize the efficiency of my home?
I like that you mention to match the windows to the climate. I wouldn’t have thought of that! I live in a place where it is super cold most of the year and I get super cold even when it is warm! I would love to get cold resistant windows. I will definitely be looking into that for my new place.