Important Points To Consider Before You Buy New Home Windows | Oahu, HI
Whether you are building a new home in Oahu, HI, or looking to replace the windows on your existing one, buying new home windows is not as simple as browsing through a department store. In order to choose the perfect home windows, there are certain things you should keep in mind. Weighing in all of these important factors will lead you to increase the value of your Oahu, HI home, make its appearance even more beautiful, and increase its overall energy efficiency. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you should consider when selecting new home windows.
1. Your Budget
This is probably the first thing you should keep in mind when you are looking to install new home windows. New windows can cost a pretty penny, especially when you want them to have a unique custom design, and other features. Because of this, before you start shopping around for the perfect windows, you must first give some thought to the amount you want to spend, and figure out how you are going to pay for it. At this point, it is worth looking into financing options that could work together with any amount of money you have saved up for your new windows. This may allow for the inclusion of some of the more advanced features you would otherwise have to give up on.
2. Your Home’s Architecture
It is important, in order to keep a consistent look to your home, that your new home windows be designed according to your home’s architecture. In some areas, just changing the design of your windows to something more modern, rather than follow the traditional setting, can cause your home to lose value, so always make sure your windows match your home, so you can maximize this feature and increase its market price.
3. The Frames
Another important factor to consider is the makeup of the frames, whether you have decided to keep the old ones, or are looking into installing new ones. There are a variety of materials that can be used to construct window frames, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass, all of which have a number of advantages and disadvantages that should factor into the equation, especially when you are on a tight budget. For example, even though vinyl is the least expensive of all window frame materials, it is durable and energy efficient. On the other hand, even though aluminum also comes with a low price tag, it is possibly the worst material you can choose because it isn’t energy efficient at all. Wood is the most popular among window frame materials, and is preferred for its high energy efficiency and easy customization characteristics, although its maintenance can be more demanding than that of other materials. Regardless of which material you select, always make sure it is properly installed and any cracks or open spaces are properly sealed in order to get the maximum insulating effect within your home.
4. How Safe Are They
When you choose new home windows, one of your most important considerations when looking at the wide range of available designs, is how safe they actually are. There are two reasons for this. On the one hand, if you have, or will be having, young children, you want something that won’t open easily from the inside, in order to prevent accidental falls. On the other hand, home windows are supposed to act as a barrier that prevents people from getting into your home, which means that you should make sure your new windows don’t provide easy access to burglars or peering eyes.
5. How Easy They Are to Use
This factor should go hand in hand with the design of your new windows. Keep in mind where they will be placed and ask yourself whether they are easy to reach and operate, or you will end up climbing up a ladder to be able to open them.
6. Do They Come with a Warranty?
Warranties are always important, especially when it comes to new windows. Make sure you understand exactly what the warranty includes, and verify whether they cover the glass and hardware, or only the glass. It is also very important to know how long your new windows will be covered by the warranty. Keep in mind that a “lifetime” warranty will never last forever, and in some cases can be as short as 3, or as long as 25 years. If there is something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask the seller, and don’t forget that if the written warranty doesn’t include certain concepts, even if you are promised it does, when the time comes, they may not be covered.
7. Are They Easy to Clean and Maintain?
Very large picture windows can add a world of beauty to your home, but are you willing to put in the effort to clean them often? If not, you may not want to install such large windows. Another factor to consider is how much maintenance your new windows will require. This is another reference to the frame materials. Steel and wood window frames require more constant maintenance, in the form of varnishing or painting, than frames made out of other materials.
Ultimately, the choice of which windows you purchase is entirely up to you and your budget, but don’t forget about these important features, which can help provide joy and beauty to your family for a very long time, or can turn the excitement of your new windows into a drudge when they turn out to be something you didn’t want or expect.
When you are looking for new home windows in Oahu, HI, Sunburst Windows has everything you could ever want, coupled with knowledgeable and professional employees who are always happy to help you choose what you need. So, whether you are just starting to build your new home, or are looking to replace your current home windows, do not hesitate any longer, and give Sunburst Windows a call for information right away!
