Northern Utah Glass

formerly Andrew's Glass

(801) 528-2800

northernutahglass@gmail.com

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9 Signs Your Home Needs New Windows

Have you been thinking about getting new windows? You can have any number of reasons for wanting to upgrade your windows. Some of the most common reasons are:

  • Your windows are cracked.

  • Your windows don’t shut properly.

  • Your windows have mold in them or around them.

  • Your energy bill is high.

  • Your house feels drafty.

  • Your windows get condensation inside

  • Current windows are not keeping out the noise.

  • Existing windows leak during storms.

  • You want to change styles.

Whatever your reasons are, here is why you should consider replacing your windows.

1.Your Window is Cracked

Maybe your window is broken due to storm damage, or your kid didn’t aim the soccer ball well enough. Whatever caused the window to crack is all in the past.

As attractive as packing tape or duct tape looks on your window, you’re not doing yourself any favors in putting off getting your window replaced. Damaged windows can be potentially harmful to you and your family. Plus, they’re not very energy efficient. 

You can ignore other reasons to replace a window, but when there’s physical damage, you can’t ignore replacing it forever.

2.The Windows Don’t Close Properly

You don’t know when it became so hard to open and close your windows, but now your windows are either stuck or don’t close completely.

You can put off repairing your windows by trying to fill the gap between the window and windowsill with something to keep the warm air in and cold air out or vice versa, but nothing is going to be as effective as a functioning window. 

The need to replace your window isn’t as urgent as it is with a cracked or broken window that can cause you or others in the home physical harm, but it is still pressing enough to consider a total window replacement in the near future. 

3.Your Windows Have Mold in or Around Them

Yes, mold can grow in your windows. Most homes have double-paned windows for better insulation. However, mold between the window panes leads to the seal being broken, and moisture may seep into the window.

Similarly, mold growing around your window could be a sign that the seal keeping your window in place has been compromised. Again, mold can cause you harm and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Replacing your windows, in this case, is a matter of health as much as practicality. 

4.Your Energy Bill is High

Our windows have a lot to do with the energy efficiency of our homes. Good windows can reduce your energy bills. This is one of the simplest ways to increase your home’s value while saving yourself money in the long run.

Glass, by itself, is one of the worst insulating materials. The standard home has at least two layers of glass separating the house from the outside because of this. Only having a single layer increases the amount of energy transferred from your home to the outdoors or vice versa.

Adding more layers of glass with sealed chambers of argon or similar insulating gasses between the panes decreases the amount of energy that can be transferred between the two sides.

Generally, the more layers of glass your windows are made from, the more insulation it will provide. Advancements in window technology allow for the manufacturing of triple-pane windows for increased insulation. Upgrading your home to more insulated windows can help save you energy costs. 

5.The House Feels Drafty

Do you feel like there’s always a cold breeze running through your home when the temperature drops? You may not be imagining things at all. 

A draft forms when at least two doors or windows are opened or become breached. Two open points to the outside allow air to flow in a circuit. Outside air will seep into your home at one end of the circuit, and inside air will disperse outside at the other end. You may feel a slight breeze between the two as the air moves.

Upgrading your windows can help limit energy loss due to drafts, allowing your home to feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. 

6.Condensation Forms in Your Windows

You may wonder why your window manufacturer allowed room for condensation to build up inside, but the truth is that they don’t. If there is condensation between your window panes, that means the seal on your window has been broken. 

While condensation in your window is harmless, the fact that it is there means your windows are no longer as energy efficient as they were when you bought them. You also risk allowing mold to grow in your window. This, too, is mainly harmless but is not what would be considered a trendy look. 

7.Outside Noise is Too Loud

Besides limiting the amount of energy transferred between the outside and your home, windows also add a layer of privacy. If you begin to notice common sounds like rustling plants, barking dogs, or driving cars, it may be a sign your windows are no longer dampening sound or offer privacy as they did.

8.Windows Let Storms In

There are things you want to keep out of your home. Rainwater is one of them. As windows age, they become less capable of keeping out the elements. So when it rains, it pours, and it floods. 

The cost of keeping leaky windows is more than just lousy energy costs, it could also cost you water damage around your window. 

9.You Want to Upgrade Your Style

Do you feel like your home could use a little facelift? Upgrading your windows can increase your home’s street appeal. Your home will look better from the outside. But more than looking good for your neighbors to gawk at, your home will be a place you enjoy coming home to. 

Upgrade Your Windows with Northern Utah Glass

Are you ready to replace your home’s windows? Here at Northern Utah Glass, we can help you find the right style that helps you meet your design goals. In addition to providing windows, we also help install new windows, so you don’t need to worry about any backbreaking work.

Contact us today or visit our website to see your options.

Filed Under: Glass Windows, Windows Tagged With: Glass Windows, New Windows

New Windows: Will They Increase My Home's Value?

Are you considering new windows for your home? As a homeowner, the list of renovations you want to make to your home can get pretty long, but which ones will give you the most bang for your buck? That depends on a couple of things; however, investing in new windows is generally wise.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding if it’s time to get new windows for your home. 

Energy Efficiency

New windows means increased energy efficiency. Did you know that 25 to 30% of heating and cooling energy costs are due to the heat lost or gained through windows? This makes your windows a crucial aspect of your home, especially if you want to save on your utilities.

There are ways to improve the efficiency of your current windows, like adding energy-efficient coverings such as solar control film, caulking or weatherstripping, or adding storm windows. These can help keep heat out in the summer and heat inside in the winter, but may not be as effective or long-lasting as installing new windows.

The best solution for the future value of your home is to replace windows with new materials marked with a sticker that certifies the product is energy efficient–either Energy-Star or an NFRC sticker. Just because a window is approved with an Energy-Star does not mean that product is the best choice for your home in your climate. 

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) sticker provides a detailed summary of how a material performs in multiple categories of energy efficiency:

U-Factor

The lower this number is, the better this product can keep heat from escaping through the window. This is an important number to consider if you are in a climate that gets colder and you use energy to heat your home at some point during the year. 

Visible Transmittance

This measures how well the material is designed to help light your home with natural lighting. The higher the number, the more natural light is let in through the window, and the less energy is needed to light your home artificially.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

This number is extremely important if you live in a warmer climate and measures how well a product or material can withstand or resist heat gain. You want to look for a lower number in this case. 

Air Leakage

As the name suggests, this measures how much air can enter through a product. The lower the number, the fewer drafts will occur through the window. 

This NFRC summary can give a more detailed view of a product and help you decide which products are best for your home. Not only can this improve the value of the windows and your home, but it will also help save money on heating and cooling costs. 

Energy efficiency is a tremendous detail that potential home buyers consider when searching for a new home, so knowing the NFRC ratings can be a great way to boost the value of your home. 

As a side note on energy efficiency, it is just as important to ensure that energy-efficient windows are installed to function properly and as efficiently as possible. You don’t want to purchase the best high-quality windows to save money on your energy bill, only to have the installation be sub-par and lead to wasted energy and increased energy costs. 

Aesthetics

Some home improvement projects can be done bit by bit, but renovating windows is not necessarily one of those jobs. If windows are replaced at different times with different suppliers or installations, it usually results in a very hodge-podge appearance that is less than desirable. 

For a cleaner and more congruous appearance, replace your home’s windows at the same time with the same team of professionals who can ensure correct fitting and installation. Having matching or coordinating windows can add balance to the exterior appearance of your home and the way natural light impacts the interior spaces. 

New windows can add an updated, fresh look to your home’s interior and exterior. There are many styles of windows to choose from that will improve your home’s curb appeal and the functionality of the window spaces inside. 

Whatever your style, some windows can match the aesthetic of your home. Many modern styles can make older homes feel more contemporary, or traditional styles give a more classic or vintage appearance to homes of any age. 

No matter what style you choose, new windows are a great way to freshen up your home with a new and improved look. 

Return on Investment

Very few home renovations have a high return on investment (ROI) as installing new windows. On average, replacing vinyl windows can yield an 80% ROI. For comparison, this is about the same return percentage as a major kitchen remodel. 

The ROI can vary based on different materials and installations. For instance, custom wood windows will have a different cost-benefit ratio than standard size vinyl windows. Additionally, installation costs can vary depending on many different factors. 

Considering the average home renovation yields a 70% ROI, replacing your home’s windows is a pretty sound financial investment to increase the value of your home. 

Professional Window Replacement from Northern Utah Glass

Northern Utah Glass has over 15 years of experience providing quality window replacement services. We are locally owned and operated with a team of skilled technicians ready to help you improve your home’s value, appearance, and functionality. 

With a wide variety of styles and materials, Northern Utah Glass can help you through the window replacement process from beginning to end with professionalism, timeliness, affordability, and quality. We are dedicated to providing customer satisfaction throughout Davis, Weber, and Salt Lake counties in Utah. 

If you are considering home renovations that include window replacements or installations, call (801) 528-2800 or contact us today for more information. 

Filed Under: Glass Windows Tagged With: Glass Windows, Home Windows

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