Traffic is slower because blinking school zone lights are warning us to slow down, actual work is being pushed so that vital fantasy football research can be done and the Braves are finally able to hide behind the Falcons on the 11:00 news, which can only mean one thing, fall is rapidly approaching.  As the temperatures cool and the air turns drier, it’s time to do a semi-annual readiness check on your home.  We might not be heading into the oblivion that our friends up north are, but still, our winters are nothing to scoff at, and our beautiful North Georgia autumn will allow you plenty of time to prepare.

After running the air conditioning all summer, it’s great to have a reprieve in the fall before having to crank the furnace up.  Are you getting the most from your AC and heater or are you also helping to cool and heat the outdoors?  While energy efficiency is one obvious reason to replace your windows it’s only one of several important factors to consider window replacement this fall.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency sounds almost too obvious to include here.  “Winter’s coming, got to keep the heat in.” It’s a tired line when it comes to offering something with multiple uses. We understand that windows are an investment and not something that you just wake up one day and say “I’m replacing all my windows today.” It’s important to note that if you have older, single pane windows, and you plan on staying in your current home that eventually the windows would pay for themselves in energy savings.

While energy saving windows are ideal, it’s possible that repairing your current windows or looking into better insulation might be more economical until you can feel comfortable with the costs associated with replacing your windows.

ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps individuals protect the climate through energy efficiency, has ratings based on climate, but it doesn’t take into account home designs such as orientation.  Some rooms will be naturally warm based on the sun’s angle.  A professional installer will even take into account the sun’s angle in different seasons rather than just install a pane of glass and tell you you’ll save money.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to replacing windows for energy efficiency. While it’s the most practical reason to replace your windows, let’s face it, practically gets pushed to tomorrow far too often.

But, are your windows…

Aesthetically Unpleasing

Your house is likely your largest investment.  Unlike stocks, bonds and commodities, you have some control over the resale value of your home.  The resale value is only one reason to keep your house looking nice and up to date.  You should be proud of the place you call home.  When strangers walk or drive by or when friends or family visit it feels good to know that they’re pleased with what they see.  Your home is an important part of the urban or suburban landscape even if it is a small part of it.  It should appear as you want to be represented.  Your windows are a huge part of your home.  They are not only how you see out, but likely, the major focal point of your home.

Or, perhaps your windows look great, “Yeah, they’re a little old but I can’t rationalize replacing my windows for aesthetics.  They  look alright after all.”  You can probably rationalize replacing your windows for your…

Family’s Safety

Ask yourself how old your house is. Do you have children? If your house was built before 1978 your window casings were likely painted with lead-based paint.  This causes two hazards, 1) the dust that it creates as the paint microscopically chips contains lead that over time you and your family will breathe and 2) small children tend to chew on things, such as window sills, that are reachable as they’re teething.  The long-term damage can be devastating to the brain and other vital organs.

Do you have a basement window? Is the window large enough to climb out in case of an emergency? Egressed windows, or a window that allows for easy access to the outside from the basement, is required by code in new houses, but many houses do not meet this requirement.  Not only does your basement bedroom not count as a bedroom in the eyes of the National Association of Realtors, but the safety of the occupant of the room is in peril without one. Or, perhaps, you simply have a window that…

Won’t Open

This might not seem like a big problem in the winter and summer, but it should be in the fall and spring. There’s nothing better and more efficient than letting nature climatize your home.  If your windows are painted shut or you can open them but can’t keep them open, you’re missing a great opportunity by not replacing them.

As nice as letting mother nature cool or warm your house is, there’s a much more important reason to make sure your windows open safely.  Windows can provide a quick escape from fire.  If you can’t open a window in your home, you’re putting yourself and everyone in it in danger.  Perhaps you’re thinking, “it’s just one window that won’t open,” now imagine the same thought as you’re standing at that window with smoke fogging the room.  Your tone is likely a little different.

But, your windows open fine.  And, besides a fire, you’d never open them anyways, because this part of the city has a problem with…

Noise

As Atlanta continues to prosper, the city and surrounding areas continue to grow.  Growth is a great thing, home values rise and the area becomes more vibrant. With more people, though, it becomes noisier. New windows will help keep the noise where it belongs; outside.  Glass alone cannot reduce sound, it actually requires damping materials, or materials that will absorb the sound waves.  New windows are specifically made with this in mind.  Just as importantly, they have to be installed correctly.

The decision to replace windows is a big one.  Having a thorough understanding of your needs, budget and process are crucial to a successful project.  Contact us to discuss the process and schedule an assessment of your current situation.  Visit our showroom at your convenience to get an idea of what your home could transform into.  We’ll look forward to getting to know you.  Oh, and be careful driving through the school zones and good luck in fantasy football.