subject: Winter In Pei Is Almost Here - Is It Time To Replace Your Windows? [print this page] Windows as much as any other feature of a home add to its value at resale as well as providing for the comfort of the family. Winters in PEI, as indeed in most of Canada, feature snow and cold as well as other inclement weather. Having your home well weatherproofed and making quality insulating windows part of that program is sound thinking both for the sake of comfort as well as the economy of heating.
When should you replace your windows? There are many older homes on PEI and while some have been retrofitted with modern windows, some still sport their original wooden windows. Well maintained, these older wood framed windows may form a nice architectural feature to some homes but they are usually heat inefficient and cost money. Replace windows if your heating bills seem above average for a home your size or you feel drafts around your windows, if the windows no longer operate smoothly, if you have only single glazed windows or if the windows are showing age and do not look appropriate to your home or as part of a general renovation to increase the value of your home.
When undertaking to replace windows start by selecting a qualified, reputable contractor in your area. You should be looking for a firm with a stellar reputation and experience in the installation of windows. Be guided by their advice but ensure that you are using a frame material such as vinyl that is known to have a high insulating value. While modern wooden frames are as energy efficient, vinyl is much cheaper and easier to maintain as it doesn"t require painting. Painting window frames represents a large part of the cost of a paint job. You should educate yourself on the window construction such as the number of glazing layers, low E coatings and the NFRC rating system. You should also educate yourself on the construction of different types of windows. As an example you should know that sliding windows are less energy efficient because they must be made looser fitting so that they can easily slide.
Energy efficient options include Low-E glass which has an essentially invisible metallic coating which reflects heat and protects furnishings from damage (fading) due to ultraviolet rays that would otherwise enter the rooms. Some windows sandwich Argon Gas between two panes. Argon is a very efficient insulator and when combined with the Low-E coating insulate twice as well as regular double glazing. In addition to double glazing, there are now windows that boast triple glazing to create a greater barrier between outside and in and reduce heat loss further.
In addition to increased heating efficiency as mentioned new windows can add to the value of your home. Modern homes are often judged when viewed by potential buyers on their lightness and brightness. If you are increasing the efficiency of your windows you might also as part of a general renovation decide to increase the size of your windows as well. Many of the older PEI homes were originally outfitted with small windows as the window represented a large heat loss and people were trying to heat their homes with fires and stoves. Larger windows will add value to your home. In fact you can expect up to a 50% return on investment when selling a home with larger, energy efficient windows.
It is advisable in many cases when renovating PEI real estate to include window replacement as part of that renovation. Check to see if there are any government programs that will help with the cost of windows under the drive to create energy efficient homes.
