One renovation that can have a big impact, and take quite a bit of planning is updating your windows. It’s not a cheap exercise, and the essential question is whether it’s a good investment.
Payback can come in a couple of ways – an improvement in the value of your home and a reduction in energy bills due to the efficiency of modern-day windows. New windows may also help reduce noise.
As experienced local agents, we’d also point out that there’s another, albeit intangible, benefit of enhancing the street appeal of your home.
The downside is just as dramatic. Old windows are often clogged and jammed from repainting over decades. This can make your home hot in summer and cold in winter. Plus they are a turn-off for buyers not interested in buying new windows after they’ve purchased a property because of the hassle of replacing them.
Here’s six great reasons why we think you should open up to the idea of new windows.
Value equation
If your home has cheap or worse, broken windows, buyers will notice. When it comes down to negotiating a deal with a perceptive buyer, you can expect the issue of replacing the windows to come up, quickly followed by a discount conversation.
Dated home
Those 70s-style aluminium windows, so common in brick veneers homes of that period, make your home look dated, and also have limited functionality when it comes to airflow. If you’re thinking of rendering or painting your home, upgrading the windows at the same time makes a huge impact.
Form and function
Many new window installations feature a cross-ventilation strategy designed to reduce the temperature in your home when the cooling afternoon winds blow through. This will reduce the running costs of airconditioning.
Investment
New windows are a solid investment, especially if you’re going to live in the property for a while longer. Their efficiency will cut your heating and cooling bills. Just as significantly, buyers will view your home more favourably when the time comes to sell. Make sure your agent cites the windows and their brand during viewings.
Design
Modern windows are constantly changing in design and technology. Worn latches and old school turning mechanisms date your home.
Curb appeal
First impressions are essential when you’re trying to sell your home. If you have a detached house, you’ll find that windows are an influencing factor in your street appeal. Small windows can make a house feel dark and mean. Make sure your garden lets you showcase your windows to full effect.