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If you are considering replacing some or all the windows in your home, you may be looking for ways to cut costs. While new windows can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and give your home a new look, it is an investment. Before you decide to save money by installing your windows yourself, consider the risks. DIY window installation, especially on older homes, is not as simple as it may seem. Here are some of the pitfalls that can occur with DIY window installations.

Size and Leveling Differences

Houses settle and change over time. If you have a home that is a few or more decades old, it may have been many years since the current windows were installed. You may find that there is a difference in the window size and level of the sill once the old window is removed. This requires expertise to install a new window in an unlevel or different-sized hole.

Leaks and Moisture Damage

If windows are not properly sealed and installed, you have the chance of leaks. These can allow moisture inside your walls that can cause rot and mold. The cost of moisture damage will far outweigh the savings of installing windows yourself versus hiring a knowledgeable contractor.

Lost Energy Efficiency

Many people want new windows installed to improve their home’s energy efficiency. While new windows can help insulate your home better, this is only true if they are installed correctly.

While DIY window installation may be tempting to save money, there are many things that can go wrong. Why take the risk? Hire a quality construction contractor that guarantees their window installations to ensure your new windows are installed correctly.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8^th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Tax refund time is a great opportunity to put money back into your largest investment – your home. If you are like most people, your home is the biggest asset you own and should be a top priority when it comes to maintenance. Whether you plan to live in your home for decades to come or are expecting to sell in a few years, you want to maintain and add to the value. Replacing old windows with the help of your tax refund is a great way to improve your home and bolster this important investment.

Benefits of New Windows

If you have older windows in your home, there are many benefits to replacing them with beautiful, efficient windows. Not only can new windows enhance the curb appeal of your home, they can increase the energy efficiency, saving you money off your energy costs. This improvement can also add value to your home as energy efficiency is a top priority amongst home buyers.

When choosing new windows for your home, you want to ensure that they are rated for energy efficiency and are installed by a qualified contractor. Some specifications to shop for include:

• Double-paned windows for highest efficiency
• Low-Emissive glass (Low-E)
• Argonne filled
• Energy Star qualified

Make your tax refund go farther this year by investing those dollars back into your home with new, energy-efficient windows. Talk to your local home contractor that offers Energy Star window installation and has a stellar reputation for their quality workmanship. New windows can pay for themselves with lower heating and cooling costs, as well as the value they add to your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8^th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Knowing when to replace windows is essential to making sure that a home is as efficient as it should be. Windows older than fifteen years of age, windows that are difficult to open or close, and moisture on windows are definite signs that window replacement is necessary. Over time windows need to be replaced due to settling of the home, natural aging of materials, and home improvement. Determining when it is time to replace windows can help the home retain or increase in value. 

Older homes were built with single-pane glass in the windows. Single-pane glass windows are not energy efficient and let much head and cold in during the year. They are also very susceptible to frost during the winter months, making them more fragile which increases the risk of breakage and damage to the home. 

Many people notice that their curtains, carpet, and/or furniture begin to fade. This is because ultraviolet rays entering through windows and patio doors cause the discoloration of materials inside the home. Having window replacements done to upgrade to more energy efficient windows can potentially reduce fading and extend the life of in home items and materials. 

One telltale sign that windows need replacement and should not be ignored is when windows leak in water and air. Inefficient windows can leak which allows water to come in through windows and can damage the window casing and walls of a home. This water leaking is the number one cause of mold and mildew in the home – both that are dangerous to health. 

If you are in need of window replacement in your home, contact your reputable window manufacturer for quality windows. Your home is probably the largest investment that you will make in your lifetime. Make sure your windows are adding value, not taking it away.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8^th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262