Many Houston-Area home owners are facing the struggle of knowing what to do when it’s time to replace their home windows. Houston’s own Kathy Brock, owner at Superior Window Company has the following tips to help save you money and headaches.
#1 Know How to Choose the right Houston Window Companies
Not every contractor is 100% reliable. Today, there are several Houston window companies coming out of the woodwork, no pun intended! They’re a dime a dozen. Some of them lack the experience they claim, or don’t offer proper installation of energy efficient windows. Some are actually localized advertising for national franchises, who may not have the right working knowledge of the local climate to offer you the ideal installation for your home. Of course, many companies offer high-quality and professional installation service as well. The question is, how do you tell them apart?
- Talk to a salesperson. Do they show enthusiasm about their work? Do they display a sense of pride for past job? It may sound trite, but replacement windows save homeowners thousands of dollars; this is a high-quality service, like any craft or trade, and the truly professional practitioners show a sense of pride in their work that tends to be contagious.
- Does the company have a home window warranty? Any professional tradesman who takes a sense of pride in their work will offer a warranty by way of attracting additional customers. After all, it makes sense from a marketing standpoint; if the contractor’s work rarely requires any fixes, there’s no cost to them in offering them for free within set terms.
- Find out beforehand whether or not the company for which your contractor is working is insured. There is absolutely nothing unprofessional or presumptuous about this. It’s for your safety, and proper insurance is a point of pride that most legitimate companies will present upfront.
#2 Choose Windows that Fit Their Surroundings
When you’re replacing windows in your home, you need to keep your home’s curb value in mind. Your windows should match the exterior of your house, both in color and in style. At the same time, whatever windows you choose should be a good fit for your home’s interior: they should suit the functionality and appearance of whatever room they’re in. The latter is less of a concern for areas like an attic or a basement, where energy efficiency is one of the few real concerns regarding function, but it’s a much larger concern for parts of the house set aside for dining and entertainment.
#3 Choose Replacement Windows with Function in Mind
Where are your new windows going to be located? Are they on a side of your house which gets a lot of sun? If so, you might want large windows with a lot of glass. You can shade them during the hotter months of the year, but there’s no help for small windows with regard to saving money on heating during the wintertime. If a window is located in a bathroom, you may want something that’s mostly opaque, allowing in the light but keeping anyone on the outside from getting a clear view within. Give some thought to what you’re looking for before you make any solid investments!
#4 Will Your New Windows be Energy Efficient?
In association with the previous point about function, your replacement windows need to be chosen with an eye for the latest standards in energy efficiency. The average homeowner may save hundreds of dollars in energy costs per year through nothing more than the proper installation of new, energy-efficient windows. These windows can let in sunlight to help warm your home during the wintertime, while making sure that cool, conditioned air doesn’t leak out during the hot summer months. Proper positioning will allow you to take advantage of time of day, warming your house when it is most needed while avoiding overheating during the day’s warmest hours. Reliable window companies will have information on hand with regard to the latest in energy-efficient windows and their installation procedures.
