When your window is broken, damaged, or more than 20 years old, you may be considering replacement. However, you might not have considered that there are a few different ways to replace your windows depending on what kind of damage you’re facing. While many less serious issues can be easily fixed by window repair or a partial replacement, full-frame replacement is a great way to take care of a number of issues for a base cost. If you’re dealing with unpleasant drafts, condensation build-up and dirt in hard-to-clean areas of your window frame, or anything else that’s compromising the ability of your window to protect your home, you may want to consider full-frame replacement sooner rather than later. Whether you’re considering Renewal by Andersen brand patio doors or any other large window replacements, here are a few things to know before you get started.
Replacing Your Windows Can Protect Your Home
If your home’s windows aren’t keeping out enough air, they’re compromising your home’s safety. Even if your windows are new and in peak shape, the presence of leaks and the possibility of moisture infiltration can create huge issues for your home down the line. When it comes to bigger problems like a broken frame or an out-of-line frame after a heavy storm, full-frame window replacement will be the obvious choice. But what about protecting your home from more subtle, insidious issues like cracks, leaks, and wood rot? The best way to tell whether or not you need a full-frame replacement is to see if installing storm windows or tightly weatherproofing your windows helps with air leaks. If you’ve done all you can on your own and you’re still encountering an unpleasant draft with a ton of inner condensation building up on your window, it’s time to consider full-frame window replacement.
It Can Also Change the Shape of Your Window
A full-frame replacement doesn’t always have to be a preventative or last-resort option. It can also be a huge help for homeowners who are looking to change the aesthetic of their home and gain a bit more natural light in the process. For instance, homes with irregularly-shaped windows, or windows that simply can’t be replaced easily, full-frame replacement offers a perfect solution. Even if you’re trying to create a more functional window for a certain, vulnerable area of your home, getting a full new window installed can open up a lot of new possibilities for the look of your home. For darker rooms where the windows are too small or rooms with windows that don’t catch or optimize incoming sunlight, a full-frame replacement is an ideal choice.
Investing in a Full-Frame Replacement Can Enhance Curb Value
In many cases, a partial-frame window replacement provides a quick fix to a much larger problem. Even if you’re looking for a way to save money in the short term, investing in a full-frame window can actually add to the value of your home in the long run, turning your home into a much more viable investment. This goes double if you’re looking to use your window replacement as a way to improve the look and efficiency of your home. Many homes with older windows will allow for a lot more air leakage, creating a potentially damaged structure and a lot of unpleasant problems like mold, rot, and general energy inefficiency. Even investing in one full-frame replacement window can prevent you from having to do a ton of home repairs later on. If you’re looking to sell, you won’t want to risk leaving your home open to expensive problems down the line. Even if you’re planning on staying in your home for a while, neglecting to properly repair your window could make your heating and cooling bills skyrocket over time while exposing your home to harmful moisture buildup and structural issues.
Don’t Wait Too Late to Purchase a Replacement Frame
If you’re thinking about buying a full-frame replacement, the key is not to wait until the 11th hour to do so. Whether you’re trying to boost energy efficiency in your home or you’re fixing a cracked or broken window, leaving the area vulnerable to weather damage could have a serious impact on your home in the long run, especially if you’re looking to sell. The longer your home is exposed to a leak or crack in your window, the greater the potential will be for internal damage. If you wait too long, you won’t just have to deal a broken window; you’ll be looking at repairs to your home’s structure and a vastly diminished curb appeal. If you’re looking to get ahead of these problems, replace your window at the first sign of damage.
