When it comes to home improvement projects, the list can seem endless and even overwhelming. Often, homeowners consider the kitchen or bathrooms when prioritizing renovation projects, but totally forget about the windows. Replacing the windows in your home, especially prior to listing your home for sale, can make a major impact in terms of aesthetics and energy efficiency. New windows can also help make your home look more attractive to potential buyers.

Should I Replace the Windows Before Selling my Home?

It’s a good idea to consider replacing the windows prior to selling your home if the windows are older and may raise some red flags during an inspection.

Signs that your windows need replacing include:

• Inoperable windows that have broken glass, latches, locks or springs.
• Windows that are drafty and poorly designed.
• Inefficient windows that don’t block UV rays as well as newer windows, letting heat escape into the house much more easily.
• Signs of warping or visible discoloration in your window sashes or frames. This type of damage is usually caused by moisture getting into places it shouldn’t be.

Will Replacing the Windows Add Value to Your Home?

Replacing your windows will boost your home’s value and is consistently listed as one of the top ten home improvement projects that increases a home’s resale value. This is why window replacement should be viewed as an investment with ROI (return on investment). New windows have a high return value and the better the windows, the higher the return.

In order to get the full value of new windows, you’ll need to do an upscale upgrade since minor upgrades don’t produce as much of a high return.  An upscale vinyl window replacement has a return of 73.4% and an upscale wood replacement has a return of 70%.

The return on new replacement windows is actually quite a bit higher than the returns for other costly home renovations. For example, a midrange kitchen renovation only brings in a 62% return, along with an upscale kitchen remodel which comes in at 59.7% which is still lower than the ROI for new windows.

What Does an Average Window Replacement cost?

The average cost of new windows varies, and is based on multiple factors such as the number of windows you purchase and the size and type of materials you choose. However, the average cost for a window replacement is approximately $650 per window, with an average range of $300-1,000, not including labor or installation fees which can cost an average of $100-300 per window.

In terms of materials, aluminum windows are the cheapest, followed by vinyl, composite, wood, and fiberglass. The price for custom, ornate windows will run you 25-50% more than buying windows with standard materials.

When budgeting your renovation project, it’s important to keep in mind that in order to get the most value in terms of your ROI, you need to upgrade to windows with the same material or better than the windows you’re replacing. If you choose a less valuable material than what you currently have it could end up having the opposite effect, which can result in a loss in the value of your home despite spending a good amount of money on new windows.

Replacing the windows in your home is a smart investment and offers a strong return as well as improving the look and efficiency of your home. Contact Armorvue Home Exteriors today for a virtual in-home estimate so we can explore your options! With over 75 years of local experience, we can help you make an informed decision on which windows will work best in your home.