Buying a new house is exciting and something that you’ll remember for years and years. That’s exactly why you need to take the time to really look closely at that house, or you could end up with years of repairs and upgrades that you simply missed. This is especially true if you’re drawn to older or historic homes, like the ones in the Loring Park area of Minneapolis or the older parts of Stillwater. And one of the elements of a house you need to really scrutinize is the condition of the windows.
It’s easy to notice things like the space, the yard and the overall finish of the house, but the quality of the windows is very easy to overlook. That’s why you need to consciously think about opening and closing windows as you examine the home, to make sure you won’t be replacing them in a year or two after making that purchase. Here’s a quick guide on how to look over the windows to make sure they are what you’re going for.
And by the way, these tips apply whether the home you’re buying is brand-new construction or just new to you.
Always check the windows around the house for how smoothly they open and close. Sometimes windows won’t open at all because they were painted shut, but many won’t open because the frames are warped or possibly improper installation.
In older homes especially, you need to verify that the windows open smoothly, or you’ll be dealing with serious ventilation issues after moving in and will likely have to make some costly replacements in the process. But you should also do this even if the home is new.
A cracked window might not seem like a serious issue when looking at a home, especially if it still functions properly, but when you have a crack you’re either losing money in heat and cooling every month, or you’ll pay to have the window replaced after you move in. Consider every cracked window as an added expense.
Single pane windows are common in older homes. They will cost you a fortune in energy bills over time, and you should plan on having to pay to replace them or have storm windows installed if the windows themselves are in good condition.
Try to look at the home in the winter with the heat on. This will help you get an idea if the home is drafty in any specific areas or not. Feel around the windows for any moving air, and stand near them to find out whether the room is colder near the windows. Drafts are often signs the windows need to be replaced. If there is no draft but it’s simply colder near the windows, it could be a single pane glass or insulation issue.
Make sure that you keep all these considerations in mind when you are looking at the windows in a home you’re thinking about purchasing. Overlooking a couple of poor quality windows might not seem like such a big deal initially, but once you have to handle those repairs later on you’ll be kicking yourself for not paying more attention during the walk-through. If you can identify the need to replace the windows, it could be a bargaining chip during price negotiations.
If you do end up with windows that need replacing, always hire a professional replacement window company to do the job. That’s the only way to ensure that you’re going to get windows that function properly, and that save you as much as possible on your heating and cooling costs.
Replacement window indow installation should also be something that is done with the highest quality. Here at Window Outfitters we like to think we’re about the best replacement window company in the Minneapolis area. We are a licensed Minnesota home improvement contractor based in Savage, and we specialize in replacement window installation, especially for older and historic homes.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
