Are All High-Quality Windows Created Equal?

Not all high-quality windows have the same characteristics, nor are they all equally right for you. So, how can you decide which manufacturers and models are appropriate for you?

High-Quality Windows Created Equal

When we talk about the quality of windows, we refer to the window’s energy efficiency but that is not the only characteristic necessary for a great window product. Choosing the best models for you requires careful consideration of all these factors.

What Are High-Quality Windows?

One of the first factors that most consumers think of when they hear this phrase is price. After all, you get what you pay for, right?

Yes, the better the quality of the product, the higher the cost is likely to be. However, when we talk about windows, higher quality truly means increased energy efficiency, exceptional durability and minimal maintenance requirements.

Some products excel at saving energy. You can evaluate the ratings provided by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), found on a sticker affixed to the glass.

Some manufacturers focus on interior appearance and exterior curb appeal. Others boast hundreds or thousands of different finish choices, allowing you to choose exactly the look you want. Still others focus on minimizing or virtually eliminating the need for maintenance.

Some manufacturers manage to achieve some of all of these goals – and those are the products that have the highest quality of all.

Do You Need High-Quality Windows?

Whether you are building a new home or if you plan to renovate your existing home, the answer to this question depends on your goals.

If you’re building a new custom home, you will have to choose your window package. Depending on your budget and your energy savings goals, you will want to choose the best quality windows you can afford. But whether you look first for energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements or appearance is up to you.

If you purchased your home from a builder, you likely have builder-grade windows in your home (unless you paid to have them upgraded during construction). Installing new, high-quality windows can save you hundreds of dollars every year in energy costs. But, more important, you will recover a significant portion of your investment when you sell your house, through an increase in property value.

The National Association of Realtors 2017 Remodeling Impact Report lists replacement windows as the second most valuable exterior improvement, after roof replacement. The report estimates that you will recover 79 percent of your investment at sale if you install new vinyl windows, for example. Remodeling magazine estimates that, in the Mountain region of the U.S., you will recover almost 75 percent of your investment in new vinyl or wood windows.

How Do You Select Your New Windows?

You start by determining what is most important for you and your home.

Whether your priorities are keeping energy use to a minimum, improving the appearance of your home or keeping costs as low as possible, your priorities will help you identify the best products for you.

In Utah, certain types of windows qualify for incentives and rebates, which can reduce the cost of high-quality windows significantly. Incentives are available from local utility companies, and various levels of the government. You can search for all available rebates and incentives in Utah on the ENERGY STAR site.

If you let a local window contractor like Rocky Mountain Window & Door assist you, you can rest assured that you will get the products that best meet your needs, at the most affordable price possible. In Utah, contact us today to learn more about adding high-quality windows to your home.