You want gorgeous home windows that are durable, stylish, and low-maintenance. Maybe your current windows are starting to look tired or need too much upkeep. Perhaps you’re on a quest to make your home more energy-efficient by replacing your windows with a reputable window contractor. And, you don’t want to break the bank to do it.
The answer to all these requests?
Your windows play a crucial role in the structural integrity of your home. If they are installed improperly, they can let in moisture, animals, and insects that can wreak havoc on the materials that keep your home sound. And outdated windows can leave your home looking behind the times.
With affordable, new vinyl windows and expert installation, you can rest easy knowing your home looks great and is well protected from Michigan weather and wildlife. Since vinyl windows last for 20 to 40 years or more, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is taken care of. It can be a simple, painless process.
There are a few key decisions you need to make, and a few things you need to know first. At John McCarter Construction, we’re here to make this process an easy one. Here’s what you need to know about replacement vinyl windows.
Can You Repair Your Home Windows or is it Time for a Window Replacement?
Can your home windows be spared, or do they need to be replaced? Some windows can be mended, but when you are talking about your home’s external line of defense, you don’t want to risk anything to chance.
The answer to this question rests with where the problems with your windows lie. If the glass, window sashes, or frames appear to be damaged in any way, it might be an indicator that it’s time for new windows.
How do you know when it’s time for a window replacement? Some telltale signs indicate that your home windows are past their prime.
Here’s what you should look for:
- You notice a draft near your windows
- Your windows don’t open or close easily
- Your windows show signs of moisture damage or wood rot
- You see a steep increase in your energy bills
- Your windows are yellowing or aging, or they are outdated
- You notice moisture creeping in after a storm
You may start to notice some issues in your windows or in your home itself:
- You notice fog or condensation between the window panes
- You don’t have low-emissive windows and your carpet, drapes, or furniture are fading
Even vinyl windows (which have a long lifespan compared to other window materials) might start to look tired. They can’t really be painted; it might be time for a window replacement.
What Are the Benefits of Vinyl Windows?
Whether it’s for your home’s enclosed patio or your front elevation, you need to find the right material to match your aesthetic and your lifestyle. There are many window materials on the market today — how do you know what kinds of home windows are the right choice for you?
Vinyl windows offer all kinds of perks that homeowners find appealing when choosing new home windows. Why select vinyl over another material like fiberglass? What are the benefits of vinyl windows?
- Weather-Resistant: Vinyl is resistant to heat, water, and the sun’s UV rays, and won’t rot or warp because of weather.
- Energy-Efficient: Vinyl is an excellent, energy-efficient insulator which means it can prevent the heat and cold from entering your home and will lower your energy bills.
- Durable: Vinyl windows can last for several decades, which makes them a solid investment in your home to withstand harsh Michigan winters, pests, and other challenges.
- Easy to Maintain: Vinyl windows are easy to clean. All you need is a mild detergent soap and a microfiber cloth. They don’t require intense upkeep like wood or other window materials.
- Soundproof: Not only is vinyl a great insulator of hot and cold air, but it also can dampen outside noise. You’ll enjoy a quieter home and a more tranquil space, especially if you currently have older home windows.
- Affordable: Vinyl windows are made to last, and they also are one of the most affordable options on the market, while still being a sound investment in your home.
- Recyclable: Homeowners looking for an eco-friendly option will be pleased to know that vinyl windows are made from PVC, which is an entirely recyclable material. They need to be recycled appropriately, but PVC can be recycled many times over.
- Improve Your Home’s Value: Vinyl windows can boost your home’s value considerably. In fact, you can see an 85 percent return on your investment.
Popular Window Styles for Your Michigan Home
You’ve chosen vinyl as the material for your new replacement windows, but what style will you select? Vinyl windows come in a wide array of styles that can match and even enhance your home’s exterior.
Whether you prefer a traditional look for your home or a more modern one, there are so many styles to suit your home from Tudor to Victorian, Greek Revival to Cape Cod.
What kind of window options can you choose from for your window replacement? What styles are available to match your Michigan home?
- Double-hung windows: Double-hung windows open at the top and bottom, so air can flow through your home. These windows are also easy to clean, making them a strong choice for second-story windows.
- Casement windows: These windows use a hand crank to open to the outside like a door on a hinge. They have large, uninterrupted panes of glass that let in a lot of natural light, and they provide great airflow. They are a perfect option for kitchens or anywhere you want a lot of light.
- Picture windows: Picture windows can accentuate a beautiful landscape and get their name because they frame the outdoors like a gorgeous picture hanging on your wall. They take up a large portion of your wall and offer a lot of light. They don’t open, but they pair great views with lots of natural light.
- Awning windows: Awning windows hinge at the top and open to the outside. They are a great way to accentuate above a door or picture window and allow air to flow inside.
- Slider windows: Slider windows open just like a sliding glass door, moving horizontally along a track. They are great providers of ventilation with easy operation to open and close.
- Stationary windows: These windows don’t open, but they can be a great accent piece for your home, and can even be tailor-made to provide gorgeous design and work well in just about any area of your home.
- Bay windows: Also called bow windows, bay windows extend beyond the exterior of your home in three or more angles with large sills that are great to feature plants or even seating. They let in a great deal of light, and provide excellent views of the outdoors.
Your house might be a Craftsman style or a Queen Ann, a ranch, or a multi-level home. No matter where you live, John McCarter Construction has the vinyl windows to match and accentuate what you love most about your house.
Is your home ready for a facelift?
Our “Michigan Homeowner’s Exterior Remodeling Guide” can help.
Read the Guide
Are Vinyl Windows Energy-Efficient?
Michigan is known for its intense, snowy winters and sunny, humid summers. You need windows that can keep up any time of year. When replacing your home windows, it’s an opportunity to choose energy-efficient windows to protect the environment and lower your heating and cooling bills.
Vinyl windows can provide strong thermal insulation, but what else makes a window energy-efficient? Maybe you’ve seen Energy Star-rated windows before, but what factors into that rating?
- Visible light transmittance: How much light passes through your windows? Natural light lowers the need for electric lighting during the daytime.
- U-Factor: The U-Factor refers to how much heat flows through the panes. A low U-Factor means that your windows are more resistant to heat transfer between the inside and outside of your home.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: Do the sun’s hot rays penetrate your windows easily? A low number will mean the window transfers less heat.
- Structural Design Pressure: Some windows allow wind to pass through the seams, but energy-efficient windows resist this and insulate your home better.
To earn an Energy Star rating, windows must meet the qualifications put forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, and they must demonstrate a better energy savings rate than 75 percent or more of its competitors.
Thin glass lets heat and cold transfer between your home’s interior and the outside easily. Even if you have large windows with lots of light pouring in for a bright, airy atmosphere, you still have the option to choose energy-efficient windows that will conserve resources, protect the environment, and lower your heating and cooling costs.
The Window Installation Process
When you select a window company to install your new windows, what does that process look like?
Your window installation process is an easy one for you when you work with John McCarter Construction. Once you choose the right windows for your home, you can leave the rest to us. We’ll ensure that your window installation is a peaceful process.
Once we take measurements and find the right window for you, we’ll carefully remove it and prep the area for a new window, replacing any damaged areas and weatherproofing the opening before we set and level your window. We’ll secure it so that moisture, animals, and pests can’t get in, leaving you with beautiful new windows.
Window installation is all about choosing the right contractor. At John McCarter Construction, we are Pella Certified Contractors, which means we will work diligently to install your windows safely and correctly to protect your warranty so your windows last for decades to come. We’ve been in the business of replacing and installing windows for nearly 30 years, and we always have the integrity of your home at heart.
Vinyl Windows Are an Affordable Option for Your Home Windows
When you have new home windows installed, what should you be prepared to pay for these windows? The cost of replacement windows can vary depending on the size of your home and your windows, as well as the kinds of windows you choose.
One thing to know? Vinyl windows are incredibly affordable, especially compared to other window materials. You will want to factor in both the vinyl window cost per window as well as the cost of labor.
What Affects the Cost of Your Vinyl Windows
The cost truly does vary by style. Single-hung and double-hung windows will typically be the least expensive option, while more complex windows like bow and bay windows can climb in price.
What else will affect the cost of your windows? If there is any moisture or pest damage to the wood surrounding your window that needs to be repaired or replaced, this will take additional time and resources, which will impact the cost of replacement windows. If your old window frames are particularly hard to remove, this could also increase your price.
The cost of windows varies greatly depending on your project. You can find a reasonable estimate here, but you can also talk with one of our knowledgeable team members to get a better estimate of your specific costs.
Why We Recommend Pella Windows
At John McCarter Construction, we have great trust in Pella Windows—so much so that we are Certified Pella Contractors. Why do we recommend this brand so much for Michigan homeowners looking for new replacement windows?
Pella vinyl windows pair form and function beautifully. They are expertly crafted to cancel out exterior noise, they are energy-efficient, impact-resistant, and are designed to hold up against Michigan weather any time of year. They’re affordable, easy to care for, and never need painting or staining. And, they look really great installed in our clients’ homes.
As a Pella Platinum Elite Certified Contractor, your vinyl windows are installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and backed by one of the strongest manufacturer warranties in the window industry.
You deserve exceptional vinyl windows installed by reputable contractors who will protect your house and boost your home’s curb appeal. Don’t deal with aging windows or inaccurate estimates.
At John McCarter Construction, we’ll be open and honest, and ensure you’re proud of your home again. Ready to learn more about what we can do? Get a free quote today!
