Planning your replacement
The material you choose for your windows and patio doors can have a big impact on the cost of your project. It's not as simple as going with the cheapest option. Some materials come with a higher price tag than vinyl or certain woods. However, opting for a material with increased durability and lower maintenance can reduce costs over time.
DIY installation can cut down on external labor costs, but homeowners have to weigh the cost vs. benefit of this approach as with all DIY projects. A professional will ensure the right product is ordered and installation is done properly — the first time.
It's no surprise the more windows you install, the higher your costs, but your budget can also be impacted by the style and size of the windows you choose. Intricate styles and larger sizes can be more expensive on their own, but they're also more complicated and costly to install.
Your windows and doors can be customized with higher end finishes, hardware, design details, glass options, and functionality. All of which affect the cost of your project.
Window and door replacement is a project you only want to pay for once. Evaluate both product and installation warranties to ensure any future issues will be covered.
Ultrex® Fiberglass Material
A proprietary material from Marvin, Ultrex fiberglass stands up to extreme climates, maintains a leak-proof fit, and protects the integrity of your home. It's exceptional strength that amplifies the beauty, comfort, and value of your home in a way other materials can't.
8x stronger than vinyl, Ultrex resists the warping and shifting that can make it difficult to open and close your windows and patio doors. While vinyl may be more inexpensive up front, it tends to expand and contract, leading to problems down the road.
While the cost of wood and fiberglass is comparable, fiberglass only requires occasional cleaning while wood requires more intensive upkeep like scraping, painting, or staining. These maintenance costs can add up over the life of your windows and doors.
Made with 100% fiberglass strands, Ultrex is 3x stronger than Fibrex vinyl/wood composite. So while fiberglass may lend itself to higher initial replacement costs, it's built to last.
Between the painting and the replacing of the windows, it probably cost us less to replace the windows than it did the last 20 years’ worth of all of the maintenance on the previous windows."
Vince
Georgia Homeowner
Budget Tips
Fully customizable replacement windows and doors give you a lot of options when it comes to managing your budget. Choose higher end finishes, more complex shapes, and stylized details for high visibility spaces and scale down in other areas.
Discuss potential financing options or special offers with your consulting partner. Many are happy to help you spread your costs out over time, so you can afford the project.
Phasing out your project starting with high-traffic areas and moving to lower priority spaces later on can give you the opportunity to save in stages while improving the beauty and comfort of your home.
A Return on investment
Replacing windows and doors with options that reduce drafts, minimize heat conductivity, or meet ENERGY STAR® requirements* can keep your HVAC systems from working overtime.
Opting for low-maintenance fade-, chip-, and dent-resistant finishes can drastically reduce annual maintenance costs. Some are even guaranteed not to fade for at least 10 years.
On average, new windows and doors deliver a 68-72% return on investment when selling your home. This is higher than most interior renovations.
Once the windows were installed, I was amazed because it was summertime. I always had to keep [the air conditioning] really low, but it was freezing and I couldn’t figure out why I was so cold... and then I realized it was the new windows! I was able to turn the air conditioning up and still be nice and comfortable in my home."
Christine D.,
Ohio Homeowner
Fibrex® is a registered trademark of Andersen Corporation. *ENERGY STAR at energystar.gov Savings reflects installing ENERGY STAR certified products compared to non-certified when replacing single pane windows based on the average savings among homes in modeled cities. Actual savings will vary by product type, location, method of installation, individual home characteristics, local climate and conditions, utility rates and other factors.