Are your windows letting in a draft of cold air in the winter and allowing precious air conditioning to escape outside in the summer? Old, broken and drafty windows can be a serious drawback to potential homebuyers who are scared off by the hefty price tag of installing new windows. But do new windows increase home value? Is it worth it to pay for all new windows before putting your home on the market?
When Should you Replace Old Windows
When choosing what updates to make to your home before selling, considering your windows is a good place to start. Windows are immediately noticeable from the street and if you have any visibly broken or cracked windows then those repairs should definitely be made before you list your home.
The quality of your windows is also something that will be covered in a home inspection report. The inspector will be looking for windows that are stuck, can’t open, or are warped and discolored. If you are noticing sticky windows that are hard to budge, or discolored windows along the frame then that is a sign that moisture has been seeping in. When moisture gets in then you’re now looking at another problem with rot and decay inside your home around your windows. This will be a big red flag for a home inspector.
Windows have a lifespan of 15-30 years — that’s a pretty big span of time to consider and your 15 year old windows may just have 15 more years of life in them. If your windows are over 30 years old though then odds are good that the time has come to update and replace the windows in your home.
If your energy bills are on the high end and you can feel a draft coming from your closed windows then your windows are not energy efficient and are costing you more money. These factors all indicate that it’s time to consider replacing the windows in your home before selling your house.
The Cost of Installing New Windows
Replacing the windows in your home is not a cheap update. There is no simple set price to window replacement since there are many different types of windows that affect the price and the window frame material affects the cost as well.
Across the board considering all the materials and types of windows, a ballpark figure of the average cost of replacing a window is more than $600 per window. A 3-bedroom house then could have enough windows to cost anywhere from $3,000-$10,000 depending your materials.
Types of Windows
The types of windows have different benefits and different price tags to go with them. Here are the types of windows you can choose from:
Awning, Casement and Hopper
Awning windows have hinges and open similar to a book. With awning the hinge is on top, casements have hinges on the side and hoppers have hinges on the bottom. This style of window has a low rate of letting in drafts compared to sliding windows.
Fixed
This type of window does not open and will not let in any drafts.
Single or Double Hung
These windows slide open vertically. While very common, these types of windows are prone to leakage.
Single or Double Sliding
This type of window slides open horizontally and is also prone to air leak problems.
Energy Efficient
Energy efficient windows are highly sought after by new home buyers. An energy efficient window comes with an energy performance rating so you can know how well the window performs and how much money it should save you on energy bills.
Window Frames
The frame of the window is another factor that will affect the cost:
Aluminum
Aluminum is the most affordable of your frame options. They don’e require much maintenance but they are the least energy efficient of the window frame choices.
Wood
Wooden windows are energy efficient and durable. The only downside to wooden frames is that they are more vulnerable to bugs and bad weather than some other materials.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is durable and long-lasting. One major benefit of this material is it is resistant to bending, rusting, warping, rotting or cracking and it’s also highly energy efficient. The only downside is the high cost.
Vinyl
Vinyl window frames are very popular, they have all the strengths of fiberglass frames but without the extra cost. Vinyl comes in a lot of styles making it easy to match the design of your home.
Return of Investment on New Windows
If you have broken or cracked windows then the return of investment of replacing at least those windows will be high. A broken window hurts curb appeal and creates a negative perception about the state of your entire home.
If a home inspection report revealed that you have warped and leaking windows then updating all the windows in your home could reap a good return on investment, especially if the new windows are energy efficient.
The average return on investment for new windows is about 72% if you install energy efficient windows. According to CNBC, paying $10,000 for new vinyl windows could mean $8,500 in increased home sale price and a reduction of $450 per year in energy bills for the new home owner.
Can’t Afford New Windows?
If having an extra $10,000 to spend on outfitting your home with new windows sounds like an impossible dream then you are not alone! The large costs of updating your home and making improvements to help the results of a home inspection report are out of reach for a lot of homeowners preparing to sell.
If you are in a home with old drafty windows or broken windows and you don’t have the cash to sell then consider selling to a non-traditional homebuyer like Gary with Gary Buys Houses. Gary is a real estate investor with years of experience helping homeowners like you in the state of Utah. He can give you a cash offer for your home so you can sell your home as-is, no expensive repairs required. Contact Gary for a custom quote today.