The Bottom Line on Window Replacement

How to Get Real Value from Replacement Windows

You’ll see a lot of numbers floating around when you peer into the world of replacement windows. For example, the widely cited 2015 Remodeling/Realtor Cost vs. Value Survey reports that for a mid-range vinyl window replacement project, a homeowner is likely to spend $11,198 to upgrade their windows, recovering $8,937—or 72.9% of the investment—upon resale of the home. 

For a similar project with wood windows, the owner is likely to spend $11,341 and recover 78.8% on resale. Taking fluctuations among local markets into account, an owner who invests in replacement windows should earn back between 65% and 85% of the outlay on resale.

The Potential Energy Payback

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average household spends between $1,500 and $2,500 annually on energy bills, and attributes about 45% of the expense to heating and cooling. With a window replacement project, selecting the right windows can have significant impact not only on the price of the project, but also on the potential for cutting energy expenses, which is especially important for those who intend to remain in their homes for years after the project is completed.  

But when it comes to replacement windows, one size does not fit all. Homeowners need expert guidance to select products that offer the best value for their budget, climate, and the orientation of their home with respect to sun and shade. They should also be careful to contract only with installers who are well trained, efficient, and guarantee their work.

Are Replacement Windows the Right Choice?

It’s important to first determine what type of window project is best for your home. Technically speaking, replacement windows are designed to fit inside an existing window frame so that the siding and trim needn’t be disturbed or replaced.

New-construction units have nailing fins and are designed for installation in a rough opening.

Installation of prime windows requires removal of siding and trim around the window, then restoration of the finishes once the window is in place.

If an existing window frame is relatively square and free of rot and other defects, replacement windows can work well and save lots of time and money. But if an existing window has shifted out of square or there are signs of moisture infiltration in the surrounding wall, the old window and surrounding finishes should be removed. This gives the installer a chance to inspect the framing, find and flash the infiltration source, add insulation where necessary, and seal the opening against water and air leakage.

Replacement Window Material Choices

VinylVinyl replacement windows are a popular choice due to their affordable cost and low transmission of heat and cold air through the frames. They require little or no maintenance, which should always be factored into the value proposition.

There’s wide variation in the quality of vinyl frames and sashes in the market. More dimensionally stable vinyl frames are extruded with matrices of reinforcing cells for greater strength, and have joints that are welded. These features improve the potential for weather-tightness, energy performance, and lasting attractiveness.

One note: Residents of historic districts and certain homeowners’ associations should be advised that vinyl replacement windows may be prohibited and should check with authorities before installing them.

WoodWood replacement windows are more expensive than vinyl but offer comparable heat/cold transmission ratings. Wood is a good choice for older, traditional homes and in districts where vinyl and metal are prohibited by code. Though wood frames require routine maintenance, the extra expense can usually be avoided with approved metal or vinyl cladding applied at the time of installation.

Composition or FiberglassFiberglass replacement windows are comparable in price to wood windows, and they boast better dimensional stability than vinyl. They have inherently good heat/cold transmission resistance that can be augmented with foam insulation applied within voids in the extrusions. Fiberglass windows are available in an array of factory-applied colors that require no maintenance.

AluminumAluminum replacement windows are relatively inexpensive but have poor thermal transmission characteristics, especially when frames are constructed without a thermal break. However, they may offer decent value with the right glazing in warm climates. Factory-applied finishes need no maintenance.

Glazing Choices

Along with selecting a frame and sash with high resistance to thermal transfer, the right glazing can have an enormous impact on a replacement window’s energy-saving performance and, therefore, its long-term value. Glass by itself is not a particularly good insulator, but most replacement window suppliers offer a number of glazing options that can double or triple energy performance, in comparison to single glazing. Some of the typical options are shown in the table below, along with their overall heat-transmission coefficients (U-value), and their resistance to heat flow (R-value).  Lower U-values and higher R-values are indicative of better energy performance.

In addition to U-values and R-values, the solar heat-gain coefficient (SHGC) of glazing is an important indicator of a window’s energy-saving potential in both cold and warm climates. Higher SHGC ratings indicate that a window admits relatively more solar energy (heat) into the home—desirable in cold-winter climates for reducing heating loads—whereas lower SHGC ratings are desirable in warmer climates.

Selecting Replacement Windows Based on Orientation

ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s program to help consumers and businesses conserve energy, makes some very specific recommendations for window U-value and SHGC ratings with respect to their orientation toward the sun:

In cold climates:

• South-facing walls: Shaded windows should have a higher SHCG for more passive heat gain in winter and lower U-values to reduce heat loss. Unshaded south-facing windows should have lower SHGC to prevent excessive heat gain in summer.
• East- and west-facing windows should have lower SHGC ratings.
• North-facing windows should have the lowest U-value possible; SHGC ratings are unimportant.

In warm climates:

• East-, west- and south-facing windows should have low SHGC and should be shaded to prevent excessive heat gain.
• All windows should have low U-values to minimize heat loss and reduce air-conditioning loads.

Go by the Numbers

For guidance in selecting the best values in replacement windows, analyze and compare the ratings found on the NFRC/ENERGY STAR labels on the products offered within your budget range.

• Look for the U-values and SHGC ratings suited to the climate and orientation of your home.
• Most building codes require air-leakage ratings of 0.3 or lower—lower is better for energy savings and comfort.
• The condensation rating indicates the likelihood that moisture will condense on the inner surface of a windowpane—the higher the number, the more condensation-resistant the window. Three different systems are used to determine condensation resistance:  the AAMA CRF, NFRC CR, and the CSA Condensation Rating.  So, if it’s important to you when comparing windows, try to determine whether the condensation ratings listed were all reached by the same method. Keep in mind that condensation rarely forms on windows with insulating glass.

The best values in replacement windows can be achieved by understanding the numbers and considering their likely impact in specific installation scenarios. It’s important not to jump to false conclusions, such as assuming that if a new window’s U-value is half that of an existing window, the home’s heating and cooling bills will be cut in half.  Be sure to research dealer/installers’ claims regarding energy-cost reduction.

There are too many variables—such as the fluctuating price of energy, and anomalies in weather patterns—to predict energy savings with precision. But be confident that if you select products based on U-values and SHGC ratings that are appropriate for climate and orientation—and the installer can guarantee that he’ll address existing defects and weather-tight installation—you will certainly get the best possible value out of your replacement windows.