Replacement window prices are a critical consideration when you’re planning to upgrade your home’s windows. Sure, you want to have all the benefits replacement windows offer: the energy efficiency, the improved appearance, the enhanced security, sound buffering and more — but how much is it going to cost you?
When you start comparing vinyl replacement window prices, fiberglass replacement window prices, and wood replacement window prices, you soon discover that there’s a wide range of replacement window prices. Additionally, there are discount replacement windows, available at most home improvement centers. These windows are often markedly cheaper than the prices of replacement windows available from replacement window specialists.
What explains these differences? How do you select the best replacement window? Does price indicate quality? Is there really a difference between the discount replacement windows you get at the home improvement store and the vinyl replacement windows, fiberglass home replacement windows, or wood replacement windows you purchase from a replacement window specialist?
Let’s hit that first question: what explains the price difference between different types of home replacement windows? There are two ways to consider this question: there’s price differences between different types of home replacement windows and then, within window types, tremendous price fluctuation also occurs.
Wood replacement windows are the high-end, most expensive replacement window option. Available from manufacturers like Harvey, Pella and Champion, wood replacement windows are attractive, durable, and energy efficient. Due to the materials used in the construction of wood replacement windows — namely quality hardwoods — and the substantial marketing and advertising campaigns tied to these products, wood replacement windows have high prices.
Compare this to vinyl home replacement windows and fiberglass home replacement windows, and you’ll see a substantial price difference. Both vinyl and fiberglass home replacement windows are far more affordable options than wood replacement windows. The difference can be hundreds of dollars per window — multiply this by the number of windows you’re planning to replace, and you’ll have a idea of the total savings you can enjoy by opting for vinyl home replacement windows or fiberglass home replacement windows.
Lower cost by no means lower quality. The lower cost of materials used in production is the primary reason these windows are more affordable, not to mention a more streamlined manufacturing process. The energy efficiency of vinyl home replacement windows and fiberglass home replacement windows is equal to and in some cases surpasses that of wood replacement windows. Advances in window technology have contributed to superb thermal window construction: triple pane glass, pockets of insulating gas, low E coatings and more.
Price variation within category, however, can often be attributed to quality. The discounted replacement windows that one can purchase at a home improvement center are good windows, often from top manufacturers. However, they’re really a one-size-fits-all solution to what is a very individualized problem. When you factor in the additional construction, retrofitting and labor that’s required to make standard discount replacement windows fit into your home, it often works out to be very near in price of a custom replacement window — for a fraction of the stress and aggravation!
I’d have to make a deal with you here. Which is not something I typically do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!