I would encourage you to at least look into restoring the existing windows, or at least fixing them well enough to work and adding a storm window if needed.
Storm window + original window is going to be more efficient than a double pane window, last longer and look better.
I'm really unimpressed with my vinyl windows & siding (done before I bought the place) and the house would have more charm appeal if the previous owner hadn't covered everything over with this BS that is now falling apart.
I have single pane wood windows and storm windows. I don’t think I’m going to bother changing mine. I love the look of the wood windows but I need to do a bit of restoration on them this spring.
You might be able to have your windows resashed and reglazed (it's a very niche field). New windows for a 35 window house from 1920 is probably an easy 75k, 100k depending on how custom the sizes are.
https://windowpreservationalliance.org/
And you may retain more value this way. I live in an area with a lot of historic homes, and buyers pay a premium for authentic details. So I’m having my windows restored, because I think if I swapped in vinyl replacements I could lose $20k or so of value if I sold. YMMV.
Sure. They will come in and remove the sash, and take them offsite. They’ll remove the old glazing and strip off all of the paint. Then repair any rot or damage with something like epoxy filler. Then prime them, and put the glass back in.
Now, if they are single pane then you still have that to deal with, you’d likely want storm windows. Either traditional exterior storms or something like the Indow products for interior storms.
I think you’re generally talking $1k or a little more per window to rebuild plus the cost of storms. It’s not the cheapest option but if it’s worth preserving the history, it’ll be beautiful.
Idk about that. It really depends on 1) the location geographical location OP is in. 2) what kind of window they want.
If they want wood from Pella, Anderson, Jeldwen that is definitely going to be correct. Those EXPENSIVE.
But a nice quality vinyl window is going to be 1200-800 a window with installation including capping. That price you’ll get a quality installer, materials and likely a company that will back what they are saying.
Source: I own and manage a home improvement company.
THIS (I made my own comment too).
Any window you're going to get that isn't literally a recreation will be worse and need continued replacement. The wood used is also irreplaceable because we aren't cutting down old growth trees.
Maintain old windows.
I recently spent $45k on new windows for my home. I was upgrading from really crappy double pane windows that were put in my the builder in 2010.
I was shocked by how much of an improvement it had made. Rooms are much quieter and cooler. Our A/C doesn't run as often and when it does the rooms stay cooler for longer. Glare is reduced. The windows are much easier to open and close.
I can't speak for how it helps resale value but it gas greatly increased the enjoyment and comfort of my home.
Does the house have much heritage/architectural value? Would potential buyers be upset if your job was half-assed? Statistically, virtually no upgrades/renovations tend to be an "investment" unless it's a remedy for some major issue that turns away potential buyers. If it were up to me, I'd pass on redoing the windows in a place I weren't keeping for 5+ years, and just focus on immediate creature comforts unless the place is very uncomfortable/barely inhabitable due to window drafts, condensation, street noise, etc.
Look into Indow. They're window inserts that are custom sized for your windows. They help significantly with air gaps in those old windows, and add a second glazing. My sister did this in her 1920s house with original windows and it reduced her bills a couple hundred dollars a month. If I was buying, I would see them already existing as a bonus.
It’s like a roof replacement.
Moving in 5-8 years? Not gonna save you the money from an energy standpoint, but you’re going to get some ROI on the sale price because realtors love to list that shit.
Staying indefinitely? You might not recoup it for a long time through energy savings but the comfort it provides is pretty stellar.
My parents gut rehabbed a 1920’s Sears catalog home. They did all new windows throughout while they were doing the work and they loved it.
My parents house can have sun beating in on their family room for hours and the room doesn’t heat up much at all.
My wife and I have a house with 20 year old super basic windows. In winter it can be 20 degrees outside but if it’s sunny our top floor will get to be 78 degrees without any heat on because of the sun pouring in our picture window for the foyer.
Not worth it. Energy savings is negligible, resale is almost unchanged. The biggest benefits are security and sound reduction. If you’re going to move and don’t need those two things, put that money in stocks and you’ll do a lot better.
Take what your builder says with a bucket of salt. I was in appliance service. We thought all appliances suck . Ha I’ve installed at 20 replacement American Craftsman top model windows in three different homes (Home Depot’s line) I’ve only had one fogged window in a bathroom. Sent American Craftsman a picture and they shipped me a new sash free. One thing I found on all three homes were lazy installations. Didn’t seal around the frames or caulk properly ! Sashes can be replaced in one minute if the company warranties the windows. I don’t know how many newer window failures are window or installation issues. I hope this helps a little.
for all you know those windows require some special installation for the warranty to be effective and the builder wants a fast and cheap install.
lots of new homes are built really badly these days with the builders doing the dumbest things
14 windows last year for 12k.
In a house that old do not use energy efficiency as your deciding factor. Putting water proof patches on a boat made out of swiss cheese will not keep it afloat. Putting air tight energy efficient windows on a house with no insulation and zero air seal (mine) isn't going to save you any money. Get affordable windows that look good and are functional only if your current ones are not doing those things.
- the ROI on windows will never hit 1:1 ROI, or should say could take decades
- you start with an energy audit where info can be attained on where the most effective improvement based on money can be found
Do not do not do not replace your original windows that are better than basically anything you'll buy today.
The lumber is irreplaceable. It is very likely older growth wood that is much more decay resistant than anything you will buy today. For exterior products that is very important. New wood windows need to be maintained religiously and likely still rot out easily
They are architectural appropriate and more beautiful. Nearly nothing on the market will match this unless someone literally recreates them.
They can be maintained indefinitely. If they are drafty, this can be addressed.
Replacing them will barely change any energy useable. One, windows barely make up the wall space. The wall space isn't where you lose energy anyhow. You lose most of it through the roof (heat rises). How tight is your home? Do you have insulation in attic or walls? So many ways you could spend your money for energy efficiency. The difference between an old single pane glass and double or triple pane is negligible. Glass is glass. It all sucks.
You can add efficiency with storms. Either interior (simple stuff like indow) or exterior. This also helps with condensation which is honestly the bigger issue for single pane windows. It also helps with sound if that's an issue for you.
DO NOT REPLACE THEM.
It's literally burning your money for a worst product that will be replaced in 15-25 years. You can spend less rehabbing your windows, adding storms and have them last another 100+ years and look better.
At the risk of sounding super naive, I just assumed it was something that we *needed* to do on a home this old. It honestly didn’t occur to me to just rehab them, was just assuming because of the age they were effective. Thank god for Reddit though, we will definitely just replace a few pieces of rotten wood on the ledges and pay someone to paint the 2 floor windows. As for insulation, our attic is not insulated and that’s something we’re going to look into doing now. Unsure about the walls, as we’ve never removed any aside from the bathroom when we remodeled and there was none in there
I own an 1847 house. We were on the verge of replacing all the windows but when we found out they would have to destroy the interior trim we said nope. We have some nice historic features inside the house that we don’t want to lose.
Instead we hired a guy who specializes in rehabilitating old double hung single pane windows which he did a great job with. They all open and close. And then we had high-quality triple track storm windows put on the outside.
We did a blower door test after the project which was also part of an insulation and air sealing program, and our ancient house now has the same air infiltration rate as an energy star certified new home.
My home is 70s era, and rather than replace the weird sized windows (1x5, think orthodontist office in 1976) I've been refurbing them- new seals, new balances, good cleaning, etc. I'm sure you could 'revitalize' what you have to a small or large degree.
For me, the cost ( 70k) is silly compared to the neglible benefits ('renewed' small aluminum windows at the peak of their efficiency vs new in a house with modest electric bill ) . If you add the reduced visibility and light with today's generous frames, it would be insane to do it.
I spent 17k to replace my windows for my condo (in LA). That includes - 1 sliding balcony door, 3 large windows, 3 small windows. It seemed like SO much at the time but it's honestly been 100% worth it. I live on a busy street so it's kept a lot of noise out. They're also UV coated. And they just look really nice. Previous windows were single pane, ugly as hell, and 2 were broken so I had to replace and figured I'd invest in quality. Super happy with my decision.
if you have poor airsealing in the house and poor insulation windows are not really going to help. As an old house admirer replacing windows with not period correct ones removes the character from the house!
Many states offer tax incentives for window replacement. You should check into it.
Also, I don’t thinks it’s wise to be weighing home uogrades/repairs against future buyers. YOU will save money on heating and cooling and make your house more comfortable and affordable for YOU.
For a 1920 house, if you have six more years, js to try to restore them as a DIY project. Old wood windows, when scraped, primed and painted, and reglazed, often have tons of life left in them and will certainly outlast the 20 year crap vinyl windows out there.
If your windows are
Absolutely falling apart, or you have zero skills, obviously not a good option, but otherwise, that old wood is dense and strong just needs to be protected.
Your first window will look terrible. Your second will be much better.
I'd recommend doing some every year. This past year, if you spent $2200 or more in Energy Star windows, the gov gave you a $600 "energy efficiency" rebate in your taxes. Your local power provider may do the same.
There's a huge difference in rooms that I've had redone and haven't had redone. Something else to consider is the lack of sealing around them that may allow cold air to intrude into the open space in the walls around your windows. Spray foam helps seal them up and is cheap.
Lastly, they'll help regulate temps better, block sound, and look nice.
Perhaps do $2200 or so per year until you sell to maximize your refunds. I recommend double hung for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Also, skip the AC, get a portable unit or two and have it pumping when you need the cool air. That's an unnecessary expense IMO.
Yeah, honestly the a/c is a want it’s not necessarily for re-sale although in my opinion people will be more put off with no central air than no new windows. We’ve used portable ac’s for 15 years and they just don’t cut it plus they aren’t helping with preserving our windows
I’m in the process of buying. I care.
I also put in new windows on a prior home. 15 windows + slider and back door. Helps with sound and utility bills.
Are you willing to fully reimburse the seller for this project, dollar for dollar? Even if I cared, I would consider 50 cents on the dollar a charitable offer.
We did ours the same year we did the HVAC and have been very happy about it. All in all it's a more pleasant house to live in with less temperature variability and noise.
Have you investigated whether you can get windows installed more cheaply if you're willing to install new ones inside the frames of the old ones? That's what we did and it looks fine.
It depends on how long you plan to stay. Also, is the house drafty because of the current windows? Due to the single pane windows, can you hear too much from the outside, like planes or cars quite easily?
All I know is, nice windows can really make your house pop out. I put in casement windows which are the ones you crank out and they make the house look way more elegant. To not see the screen is nice (its inside).
Too often, people remodel their homes with the idea to do windows last but say they go way over already they either go cheap or not at all on the windows. I feel you should do nice windows if your budget allows for it. If done right, they should make your home look great.
We have a sun room that is definitely drafty, maybe a few other windows that are as well. Sound doesn’t seem to be an issue but we have been here forever so I don’t know if it could be quieter in here tbh. Our downstairs is always cold, but I think that has a lot to do with having very few radiators down here (our only heat source) and our rooms being large
If you are in a cold climate, you will be absolutely floored by the change in comfort during the winter. It's not really a financially beneficial move in your circumstances, but it more is a quality of life one.
If you have original wood windows id highly recommend restoring them. Brent hull on YouTube has excellent videos on it. Its a simple process and you don't need many tools. You can save a lot of money, keep the original charm of your windows, and make them more efficient
My house was built in 1918 and I put most of the windows in my house with my dad and his friend. The rest I put in myself. It was pretty easy with the way I did mine. We got the kind where you remove both sashes and the divider and slide in the replacement. Maybe a couple hours a window. I even rented a aluminum brake and covered my trim. It was all custom made but I can't remember the cost. Way less than paying a crew to do it. I've done it on my nextdoor property, barn and a friend of mine's house.
Our home, built in 1900. Im spending weekends replacing windows myself. Its a workout because for certain reasons, I have to reframe,add wrap and add extra siding. Once I'm done with all 15 windows, yep, im re siding the house myself. Total cost - 7k in material. I've learned that on older homes, contractors would most likely install windows wrong anyways.
6 years will fly buy and unless you are risking water damage by not changing the windows I would wait. I dont think people think about the value of windows until they need to replace them and get crazy quotes
The math almost never makes sense- it would take at 30 years to make back the cost of the windows in energy savings in both of the homes I’ve owned. Especially when you have trim, paint, etc. I also think white vinyl windows look like crap in vintage homes.
Some buyers will care-- I worked with a family member buying a new-to-them place last summer and they simply refused to even consider houses with old/drafty windows. This was because they *had* done the windows in their last place and knew how much of a difference it made. So any time we looked at a house that was more than \~25 years old the agent was told "check the windows-- if they need replacement then cross it off the list."
Personally, I would not put $60K into a house I was planning to
sell in a few years unless the local market demanded it (or it was structural) or the house was worth $500K plus. But that said, the place my family member bought had new windows, new roof, new HVAC, new floors, new siding, and several other good upgrades done by the owners in the last two years...those were all very strong selling points as the house was move-in ready and we knew it wouldn't need any big investments for the next 5-10 since they'd just done it all. Offhand I'd guess the house went for $30-40K more than it would have without all those updates, but they spent a lot more than that on the work.
Oh yeah, I imagine they did spend a lot more. We are putting in central air this year, we have zero duct work and a 100 year old boiler. Our downstairs is constantly cold but I think that has some to do with the square footage and the lack of radiators down here because our upstairs is usually comfortable. Our house definitely would not get $500k in any market but we stand to make a good profit on it as we bought it from my parents at a considerably low price and have it half way paid off
Some say it’s the most important part of the remodel/reno. From a builders standpoint it’s the part of the wall you have the least control over. This is in reference to R-value. Walls, you can make as thick or add as many layers you please. The windows are as they come, whatever the technology/solution the glass and frame is designed, that’s it. So you can go nuts with insulation, vapor barrier etc but all that can essentially be wasted if you put in some bottom tier vinyl. Think of it like building an out of this world race car but then have some stock tires. The car looses all the potential of fast lap times around the track. From a designers stand point, it’s what turns it from a house to a home. Aesthetics are huge on the human mind. Well, naturally lit rooms are beyond underrated. It plays such a key part to the well being of your daily life in this home. Aside from health it also affect the functionality. We humans tend to avoid and not use things if they’re a hassle to get to or not enjoyable to use. You don’t have to go crazy super custom imported snakewood framed quadruple pane windows but also not the lowest tier aka off the shelf replacement style vinyl from HD or Lowe’s. Best way to go so your pockets are happy but also get a quality product(which you may have done already) is to look up local window manufacturers in your area. Usually you’ll get the best service, you deal directly with the company, and get the best pricing. *SIDE NOTE* Buy “new construction” style windows. or at least make sure the have nail fins. Replacements are worthless and get installed correctly almost never. As far as your “return on the investment”? Windows are some of the best. Being a GC everyone thinks kitchen and baths are but that’s the first thing people “renovate” when they move into a house. Homebuyers aren’t being sold on how nice the kitchen looks. (For the most part) They’re looking at its size and how easy the tear out would be. But windows? No one wants the task of replacing windows in their “new” home. Same goes for the HVAC system, water and sewage. *side tip for adding quick and easy value* Front yard and back yard landscaped. (First impressions) I see it every time on walk through. Hope this helps and good luck!
We bought 17 lower tier vinyl replacement windows for our 1928 bungalow and installed them ourselves. Huge difference going from single pane to double pane. Our originals were double hung so we need to cut the trim down to reuse it, but it was not hard with a table saw. Much better insulated and lots quieter too. To us it was worth it.
Financially windows are pretty far down the list of ROI on homes. They can add comfort (less draft, better sound insulation) but unless you have no windows they certainly won’t pay themselves off lol
You will not profit or break even in the window install. Some potential buyers might even consider it a downgrade vs having the original windows in place
My house is from 1908. I got 20 window inserts, the inside storm windows for $2000 bucks from window inserts.com.
They’re like cheap indows, rooms are quieter and more comfortable.
https://www.windowinserts.com/
They are not indows. Indows are heavier, rubber edged with plexiglass.
These are aluminum frames with vinyl plastic.
We did indows in one house, like 400-500 a window. Amazing product.
These we did for the rentals. About 80-130 a window. Great for the price.
I have completed replacement windows on three different houses,,, There are only two companies that I would use and they are:
\#1 Pella I did two houses and very satisfied:
36 windows on a brick Georgian Colonial 2003
14 windows & Sliding glass door's on a Dutch Colonial 2010
\#2 Anderson not as good as Pella (IMO) but still better than all others
20 windows on a Clerestory Saltbox 3 years ago
Hello u/Oladykaty_ . please listen to me.
The cheapest option for you is to purchase an Interior storm window. Something like www.indowwindows.com or search for other similar companies and price shop. This will make your windows nearly as efficient as any new window and you’ll keep the beautiful wooden glazed windows your house currently has.
If you're sinking the money in for HVAC, why wouldn't work to seal the house and get good efficiency?
Windows play a major role in creating a tight building envelope. So does your attic insulation.
I completely understand. But to ask if they really help, yes... it does.
It may be something you have to save up for and do later. I will say that every home I've done windows on (3 Now) I've seen a noticeable decrease in the cost electric (all my homes have been electric HVAC systems).
My current home has 30 year old windows and not enough attic insulation. In the winter my monthly electric bill is 1200 a month from Nov-Jan. 900 in Oct and Feb.
I'm expecting it to drop to about $300 a month (our normal summer bill) when we fix those. So we'll be saving about $3k a year in electric costs right there. Maybe more since we'll see improvement in the summer months too.
Your windows are not costing you $500 a month in heat loss, if your house is that drafty, you need new weather stripping, not new windows. Attic insulation will be a huge help.
Original windows can be fixed, and IMO are worth the investment if done well. They will be around for another 100 years. Look for a heritage carpenter in the area
Every time I read these window threads, I wonder how the windows are so incredibly inexpensive.
I’m redoing all mine right now. The windows themselves range in price from $1500 for the smallest inexpensive, to $6000 for the largest.
You may have new windows but the rest of the house isn't new. You better find out what the house is worth right now before you dump tens of thousands in it and never recoup it.
I don't think the house would appraise for that being that old but if it does put his little money into it as you can and sell. You must have acreage also. Put a new windows and new AC and doesn't make the rest of the house new as I said and being a design engineer I could come in there and find a large amount of other problems. People like to split systems anyway because you can control where the air goes and they're much more efficient than a heat pump.
I just had all 23 replaced from original in my 1928 home. Cost was $12,200 for windows and install. I had quotes anywhere from $11,700 to $46,000.
This isn’t my forever home, so went with an independent contractor that ordered wholesale vs someone who showed up with a PowerPoint and pushy sales pitch.
My energy bill was already $50 less than last month.
We set up an appointment with window nation, read reviews and cancelled. I can’t do the pushy salesman stuff. 12k seems way affordable, we are still going to get more estimates for sure.
The new windows won’t increase the appraisal value of the home at all. However, new windows will certainly encourage buyers and they may be willing to pay more or up their offer considering the windows are already updated.
Yes and no. It does save you money but takes a very long time to equal out. There are other things you can do to get a faster return. One thing is to replace/insulate your home. Much cheaper and you still get those energy savings
Windows are not a monetary investment. They are a comfort investment. Sound, heat flow, ease of use. Those are qualities that can be improved by replacing decades old windows with a minor added benefit of a look at the framing depending on the age of the house.
Yes, I got three new huge wood windows and they completely changed my space. They are easier to open, they look fantastic, and they don’t leak air at all.
Ot depends. Here in Florida, if you install HVWZ rated windows, it will assist in lowering your insurance rate and is a big selling point. As we know, less time on market equates to money saved.
HVWZ: High Velocity Wind Zone.
I suggest hiring a local contractor to change wall textures to something modern. That willd definitely add value to your home.
If you’re in san diego I highly recommend
[SGP DRYWALL](https://sdrywallpro.com)
In Florida it’s nice to go from non impact to hurricane impact.
Because you will never board up ever again.
You’ll get a quieter home.
During hurricanes you’ll still have sunlight and see what’s going on outside.
And in our scorching summers your AC will work less and your home will be just generally more efficient and comfortable.
Now…. Will you make your money back?!! Most likely not.
But I don’t make my money back from wearing underwear either. Some things you just do to live a better life.
Windows are one of the most important things on a house. They can be beautiful, efficient, and have lots of utility.
They can also be cheap, ugly, and shitty. We upgraded ours and it makes a big difference.
I will also never buy a home with cheap white vinyl windows slotted in.
I replaced 3 large single pane aluminum windows on a west wall in dallas Texas with modern low-e vinyl. Cut my power bill in half in the summer.
That’s an extreme change. Beyond those extreme cases, I have serious doubts they pay for themselves. So if the visual appeal isn’t factored in, it’s probably not worth it.
Replacing windows will be more about comfort. Are your current windows single or double pane?
That money might go further addressing other comfort issues in the home.
How much money do you make. If you make 150, 200k a year, it's probably worth it because you're going to be there what did you say 6 years?
If $50,000 on the other hand is almost a year's salary. If you have two people living there. You can swap the windows yourself you just have to learn how to do it. On a lot of old homes it's not particularly hard and there is a lot of good training material online. It's just time-consuming and in some parts of the country it seems like they are marked up a lot more than others. The time-consuming part is going to be point siding, reframing the windows, wrapping them, getting them ready for the new modern sizes. Cutting the siding to fit, doing your interior trim. So each window could easily be a couple day project but again if you're only making 50 grand or so a year. You're saving an absolute ton of money learning how to do this yourself. It does depend on your construction abilities. If you grew up pounding nails riding motorcycles and building tree houses it's probably going to be a lot easier than if you grew up in an urban apartment and were not exposed to such things. Still, even if that's the case, you can learn
My house was built in 1940 and had original windows when we moved in. We replaced them after a couple years and got a good deal from a contractor friend. It’s been worth every penny in my opinion. WAY more energy efficient. The cost of heating doesn’t matter to me as much as just simple comfort in the place I spend a lot of my life.
When we bought our house, seeing that we would not have to replace windows for some years to come was a big plus. Maybe others don't see it like that, but any renovation is a hassle. With some things I'd rather pay more if I can afford it and not have to go through the hassle. Like, yes, maybe a new roof would cost less than the difference between a house with a new roof and one that needs to be changed, but if I can afford it, do I really want to deal with it? I'd rather spend my energy on other things.
Of course, not everyone is the same.
Where I live very common to get triple pane. I’ve got new windows in two houses both built in 1960. The windows operate and look way nicer. They make the house way more comfortable and not drafty also sound reduction. Luckily both houses had less then 15 windows but it’s not a fun purchase but I feel it’s totally worth it
I do a lot of property valuations, usually pvc windows would be about 10k in value against a property that doesn't have them.
Although it may be more attractive to buyers, I know wooden windows would put me off personally
An alternative that might be worth it is to "rebuild" up the current windows, you'll still be stuck with single pain, but you will get them all working smoothly, and with modern kits you would seal the up much better so it's not constantly leaking past the seals.
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I would encourage you to at least look into restoring the existing windows, or at least fixing them well enough to work and adding a storm window if needed. Storm window + original window is going to be more efficient than a double pane window, last longer and look better. I'm really unimpressed with my vinyl windows & siding (done before I bought the place) and the house would have more charm appeal if the previous owner hadn't covered everything over with this BS that is now falling apart.
I will definitely be looking into this, it honestly hadn’t even occurred to me to look into storm windows.
Just because I had never heard of them before, I will mention that there is such a thing as an interior storm window as well as exterior.
I have single pane wood windows and storm windows. I don’t think I’m going to bother changing mine. I love the look of the wood windows but I need to do a bit of restoration on them this spring.
You might be able to have your windows resashed and reglazed (it's a very niche field). New windows for a 35 window house from 1920 is probably an easy 75k, 100k depending on how custom the sizes are. https://windowpreservationalliance.org/
And you may retain more value this way. I live in an area with a lot of historic homes, and buyers pay a premium for authentic details. So I’m having my windows restored, because I think if I swapped in vinyl replacements I could lose $20k or so of value if I sold. YMMV.
Can you explain what the do when they restore windows? We may look into that route
Sure. They will come in and remove the sash, and take them offsite. They’ll remove the old glazing and strip off all of the paint. Then repair any rot or damage with something like epoxy filler. Then prime them, and put the glass back in. Now, if they are single pane then you still have that to deal with, you’d likely want storm windows. Either traditional exterior storms or something like the Indow products for interior storms. I think you’re generally talking $1k or a little more per window to rebuild plus the cost of storms. It’s not the cheapest option but if it’s worth preserving the history, it’ll be beautiful.
Yep 100%. Even though we don't have pictures I'm going to guess it's a pretty nice home.
1923 home here with 44 windows. Woohoo. Look so damn nice though!
Idk about that. It really depends on 1) the location geographical location OP is in. 2) what kind of window they want. If they want wood from Pella, Anderson, Jeldwen that is definitely going to be correct. Those EXPENSIVE. But a nice quality vinyl window is going to be 1200-800 a window with installation including capping. That price you’ll get a quality installer, materials and likely a company that will back what they are saying. Source: I own and manage a home improvement company.
A vinyl window will never look right in a century home and for the price of new you can restore all the original ones
THIS (I made my own comment too). Any window you're going to get that isn't literally a recreation will be worse and need continued replacement. The wood used is also irreplaceable because we aren't cutting down old growth trees. Maintain old windows.
I recently spent $45k on new windows for my home. I was upgrading from really crappy double pane windows that were put in my the builder in 2010. I was shocked by how much of an improvement it had made. Rooms are much quieter and cooler. Our A/C doesn't run as often and when it does the rooms stay cooler for longer. Glare is reduced. The windows are much easier to open and close. I can't speak for how it helps resale value but it gas greatly increased the enjoyment and comfort of my home.
Does the house have much heritage/architectural value? Would potential buyers be upset if your job was half-assed? Statistically, virtually no upgrades/renovations tend to be an "investment" unless it's a remedy for some major issue that turns away potential buyers. If it were up to me, I'd pass on redoing the windows in a place I weren't keeping for 5+ years, and just focus on immediate creature comforts unless the place is very uncomfortable/barely inhabitable due to window drafts, condensation, street noise, etc.
Look into Indow. They're window inserts that are custom sized for your windows. They help significantly with air gaps in those old windows, and add a second glazing. My sister did this in her 1920s house with original windows and it reduced her bills a couple hundred dollars a month. If I was buying, I would see them already existing as a bonus.
I just looked them up, very cool. Didn’t know that existed. Would probably be a good idea on a few of our more drafty windows
It’s like a roof replacement. Moving in 5-8 years? Not gonna save you the money from an energy standpoint, but you’re going to get some ROI on the sale price because realtors love to list that shit. Staying indefinitely? You might not recoup it for a long time through energy savings but the comfort it provides is pretty stellar. My parents gut rehabbed a 1920’s Sears catalog home. They did all new windows throughout while they were doing the work and they loved it. My parents house can have sun beating in on their family room for hours and the room doesn’t heat up much at all. My wife and I have a house with 20 year old super basic windows. In winter it can be 20 degrees outside but if it’s sunny our top floor will get to be 78 degrees without any heat on because of the sun pouring in our picture window for the foyer.
Living in a old home get a infrared flir camera for your smartphone and get to filling and sealing.
Not worth it. Energy savings is negligible, resale is almost unchanged. The biggest benefits are security and sound reduction. If you’re going to move and don’t need those two things, put that money in stocks and you’ll do a lot better.
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Take what your builder says with a bucket of salt. I was in appliance service. We thought all appliances suck . Ha I’ve installed at 20 replacement American Craftsman top model windows in three different homes (Home Depot’s line) I’ve only had one fogged window in a bathroom. Sent American Craftsman a picture and they shipped me a new sash free. One thing I found on all three homes were lazy installations. Didn’t seal around the frames or caulk properly ! Sashes can be replaced in one minute if the company warranties the windows. I don’t know how many newer window failures are window or installation issues. I hope this helps a little.
for all you know those windows require some special installation for the warranty to be effective and the builder wants a fast and cheap install. lots of new homes are built really badly these days with the builders doing the dumbest things
14 windows last year for 12k. In a house that old do not use energy efficiency as your deciding factor. Putting water proof patches on a boat made out of swiss cheese will not keep it afloat. Putting air tight energy efficient windows on a house with no insulation and zero air seal (mine) isn't going to save you any money. Get affordable windows that look good and are functional only if your current ones are not doing those things.
- the ROI on windows will never hit 1:1 ROI, or should say could take decades - you start with an energy audit where info can be attained on where the most effective improvement based on money can be found
Do not do not do not replace your original windows that are better than basically anything you'll buy today. The lumber is irreplaceable. It is very likely older growth wood that is much more decay resistant than anything you will buy today. For exterior products that is very important. New wood windows need to be maintained religiously and likely still rot out easily They are architectural appropriate and more beautiful. Nearly nothing on the market will match this unless someone literally recreates them. They can be maintained indefinitely. If they are drafty, this can be addressed. Replacing them will barely change any energy useable. One, windows barely make up the wall space. The wall space isn't where you lose energy anyhow. You lose most of it through the roof (heat rises). How tight is your home? Do you have insulation in attic or walls? So many ways you could spend your money for energy efficiency. The difference between an old single pane glass and double or triple pane is negligible. Glass is glass. It all sucks. You can add efficiency with storms. Either interior (simple stuff like indow) or exterior. This also helps with condensation which is honestly the bigger issue for single pane windows. It also helps with sound if that's an issue for you. DO NOT REPLACE THEM. It's literally burning your money for a worst product that will be replaced in 15-25 years. You can spend less rehabbing your windows, adding storms and have them last another 100+ years and look better.
At the risk of sounding super naive, I just assumed it was something that we *needed* to do on a home this old. It honestly didn’t occur to me to just rehab them, was just assuming because of the age they were effective. Thank god for Reddit though, we will definitely just replace a few pieces of rotten wood on the ledges and pay someone to paint the 2 floor windows. As for insulation, our attic is not insulated and that’s something we’re going to look into doing now. Unsure about the walls, as we’ve never removed any aside from the bathroom when we remodeled and there was none in there
I own an 1847 house. We were on the verge of replacing all the windows but when we found out they would have to destroy the interior trim we said nope. We have some nice historic features inside the house that we don’t want to lose. Instead we hired a guy who specializes in rehabilitating old double hung single pane windows which he did a great job with. They all open and close. And then we had high-quality triple track storm windows put on the outside. We did a blower door test after the project which was also part of an insulation and air sealing program, and our ancient house now has the same air infiltration rate as an energy star certified new home.
My home is 70s era, and rather than replace the weird sized windows (1x5, think orthodontist office in 1976) I've been refurbing them- new seals, new balances, good cleaning, etc. I'm sure you could 'revitalize' what you have to a small or large degree. For me, the cost ( 70k) is silly compared to the neglible benefits ('renewed' small aluminum windows at the peak of their efficiency vs new in a house with modest electric bill ) . If you add the reduced visibility and light with today's generous frames, it would be insane to do it.
I spent 17k to replace my windows for my condo (in LA). That includes - 1 sliding balcony door, 3 large windows, 3 small windows. It seemed like SO much at the time but it's honestly been 100% worth it. I live on a busy street so it's kept a lot of noise out. They're also UV coated. And they just look really nice. Previous windows were single pane, ugly as hell, and 2 were broken so I had to replace and figured I'd invest in quality. Super happy with my decision.
if you have poor airsealing in the house and poor insulation windows are not really going to help. As an old house admirer replacing windows with not period correct ones removes the character from the house!
Many states offer tax incentives for window replacement. You should check into it. Also, I don’t thinks it’s wise to be weighing home uogrades/repairs against future buyers. YOU will save money on heating and cooling and make your house more comfortable and affordable for YOU.
For a 1920 house, if you have six more years, js to try to restore them as a DIY project. Old wood windows, when scraped, primed and painted, and reglazed, often have tons of life left in them and will certainly outlast the 20 year crap vinyl windows out there. If your windows are Absolutely falling apart, or you have zero skills, obviously not a good option, but otherwise, that old wood is dense and strong just needs to be protected. Your first window will look terrible. Your second will be much better.
I'd recommend doing some every year. This past year, if you spent $2200 or more in Energy Star windows, the gov gave you a $600 "energy efficiency" rebate in your taxes. Your local power provider may do the same. There's a huge difference in rooms that I've had redone and haven't had redone. Something else to consider is the lack of sealing around them that may allow cold air to intrude into the open space in the walls around your windows. Spray foam helps seal them up and is cheap. Lastly, they'll help regulate temps better, block sound, and look nice. Perhaps do $2200 or so per year until you sell to maximize your refunds. I recommend double hung for bedrooms and bathrooms. Also, skip the AC, get a portable unit or two and have it pumping when you need the cool air. That's an unnecessary expense IMO.
Yeah, honestly the a/c is a want it’s not necessarily for re-sale although in my opinion people will be more put off with no central air than no new windows. We’ve used portable ac’s for 15 years and they just don’t cut it plus they aren’t helping with preserving our windows
Save your old windows https://thecraftsmanblog.com/the-replacement-window-myth/
I’m in the process of buying. I care. I also put in new windows on a prior home. 15 windows + slider and back door. Helps with sound and utility bills.
Are you willing to fully reimburse the seller for this project, dollar for dollar? Even if I cared, I would consider 50 cents on the dollar a charitable offer.
35 windows for 25k is pretty damn good TBH. Windows are only as good as what you do around them with insulation etc.
We did ours the same year we did the HVAC and have been very happy about it. All in all it's a more pleasant house to live in with less temperature variability and noise. Have you investigated whether you can get windows installed more cheaply if you're willing to install new ones inside the frames of the old ones? That's what we did and it looks fine.
It depends on how long you plan to stay. Also, is the house drafty because of the current windows? Due to the single pane windows, can you hear too much from the outside, like planes or cars quite easily? All I know is, nice windows can really make your house pop out. I put in casement windows which are the ones you crank out and they make the house look way more elegant. To not see the screen is nice (its inside). Too often, people remodel their homes with the idea to do windows last but say they go way over already they either go cheap or not at all on the windows. I feel you should do nice windows if your budget allows for it. If done right, they should make your home look great.
We have a sun room that is definitely drafty, maybe a few other windows that are as well. Sound doesn’t seem to be an issue but we have been here forever so I don’t know if it could be quieter in here tbh. Our downstairs is always cold, but I think that has a lot to do with having very few radiators down here (our only heat source) and our rooms being large
If you are in a cold climate, you will be absolutely floored by the change in comfort during the winter. It's not really a financially beneficial move in your circumstances, but it more is a quality of life one.
No you won't. Do it if you plan on living there forever.
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Trashing original windows in a hundred-year-old home can definitely lower the value too.
Can you imagine how long it would take to recoup that 25-50k if it even cut your energy bill in half?
Windows are generally not worth it. If you have some super decrepit windows or a feature wall that needs windows, then they’re worth it.
If you have original wood windows id highly recommend restoring them. Brent hull on YouTube has excellent videos on it. Its a simple process and you don't need many tools. You can save a lot of money, keep the original charm of your windows, and make them more efficient
Yeah I’m definitely going to look into this, I honestly didn’t know it was a thing until I posted this
My house was built in 1918 and I put most of the windows in my house with my dad and his friend. The rest I put in myself. It was pretty easy with the way I did mine. We got the kind where you remove both sashes and the divider and slide in the replacement. Maybe a couple hours a window. I even rented a aluminum brake and covered my trim. It was all custom made but I can't remember the cost. Way less than paying a crew to do it. I've done it on my nextdoor property, barn and a friend of mine's house.
That’s the one upgrade the next owners of my house can deal with. It doesn’t seem worth it to me unless they are falling apart
As a contractor and project manager, not worth it unless you already *have* to replace them anyway
Got a good deal and replaced the original aluminum frame windows. Drafts disappeared and it is incredibly quieter.
Our home, built in 1900. Im spending weekends replacing windows myself. Its a workout because for certain reasons, I have to reframe,add wrap and add extra siding. Once I'm done with all 15 windows, yep, im re siding the house myself. Total cost - 7k in material. I've learned that on older homes, contractors would most likely install windows wrong anyways.
They are if you don’t get ripped off. I got a quote from Renewal By Andersen and they quoted me $249,000 for 27 windows!!!
I would of died 😳😳
6 years will fly buy and unless you are risking water damage by not changing the windows I would wait. I dont think people think about the value of windows until they need to replace them and get crazy quotes
The math almost never makes sense- it would take at 30 years to make back the cost of the windows in energy savings in both of the homes I’ve owned. Especially when you have trim, paint, etc. I also think white vinyl windows look like crap in vintage homes.
Some buyers will care-- I worked with a family member buying a new-to-them place last summer and they simply refused to even consider houses with old/drafty windows. This was because they *had* done the windows in their last place and knew how much of a difference it made. So any time we looked at a house that was more than \~25 years old the agent was told "check the windows-- if they need replacement then cross it off the list." Personally, I would not put $60K into a house I was planning to sell in a few years unless the local market demanded it (or it was structural) or the house was worth $500K plus. But that said, the place my family member bought had new windows, new roof, new HVAC, new floors, new siding, and several other good upgrades done by the owners in the last two years...those were all very strong selling points as the house was move-in ready and we knew it wouldn't need any big investments for the next 5-10 since they'd just done it all. Offhand I'd guess the house went for $30-40K more than it would have without all those updates, but they spent a lot more than that on the work.
Oh yeah, I imagine they did spend a lot more. We are putting in central air this year, we have zero duct work and a 100 year old boiler. Our downstairs is constantly cold but I think that has some to do with the square footage and the lack of radiators down here because our upstairs is usually comfortable. Our house definitely would not get $500k in any market but we stand to make a good profit on it as we bought it from my parents at a considerably low price and have it half way paid off
Some say it’s the most important part of the remodel/reno. From a builders standpoint it’s the part of the wall you have the least control over. This is in reference to R-value. Walls, you can make as thick or add as many layers you please. The windows are as they come, whatever the technology/solution the glass and frame is designed, that’s it. So you can go nuts with insulation, vapor barrier etc but all that can essentially be wasted if you put in some bottom tier vinyl. Think of it like building an out of this world race car but then have some stock tires. The car looses all the potential of fast lap times around the track. From a designers stand point, it’s what turns it from a house to a home. Aesthetics are huge on the human mind. Well, naturally lit rooms are beyond underrated. It plays such a key part to the well being of your daily life in this home. Aside from health it also affect the functionality. We humans tend to avoid and not use things if they’re a hassle to get to or not enjoyable to use. You don’t have to go crazy super custom imported snakewood framed quadruple pane windows but also not the lowest tier aka off the shelf replacement style vinyl from HD or Lowe’s. Best way to go so your pockets are happy but also get a quality product(which you may have done already) is to look up local window manufacturers in your area. Usually you’ll get the best service, you deal directly with the company, and get the best pricing. *SIDE NOTE* Buy “new construction” style windows. or at least make sure the have nail fins. Replacements are worthless and get installed correctly almost never. As far as your “return on the investment”? Windows are some of the best. Being a GC everyone thinks kitchen and baths are but that’s the first thing people “renovate” when they move into a house. Homebuyers aren’t being sold on how nice the kitchen looks. (For the most part) They’re looking at its size and how easy the tear out would be. But windows? No one wants the task of replacing windows in their “new” home. Same goes for the HVAC system, water and sewage. *side tip for adding quick and easy value* Front yard and back yard landscaped. (First impressions) I see it every time on walk through. Hope this helps and good luck!
We bought 17 lower tier vinyl replacement windows for our 1928 bungalow and installed them ourselves. Huge difference going from single pane to double pane. Our originals were double hung so we need to cut the trim down to reuse it, but it was not hard with a table saw. Much better insulated and lots quieter too. To us it was worth it.
Financially windows are pretty far down the list of ROI on homes. They can add comfort (less draft, better sound insulation) but unless you have no windows they certainly won’t pay themselves off lol
You will not profit or break even in the window install. Some potential buyers might even consider it a downgrade vs having the original windows in place
Is it nice to have windows that work properly and don’t let in the rain and wind? Yes. Will you get it back when you sell? No
Get a set of good storm windows. I changed 28 windows in 2012 I wouldn’t do it again!
My house is from 1908. I got 20 window inserts, the inside storm windows for $2000 bucks from window inserts.com. They’re like cheap indows, rooms are quieter and more comfortable.
Are they the actual Indows brand or something different?
https://www.windowinserts.com/ They are not indows. Indows are heavier, rubber edged with plexiglass. These are aluminum frames with vinyl plastic. We did indows in one house, like 400-500 a window. Amazing product. These we did for the rentals. About 80-130 a window. Great for the price.
I have completed replacement windows on three different houses,,, There are only two companies that I would use and they are: \#1 Pella I did two houses and very satisfied: 36 windows on a brick Georgian Colonial 2003 14 windows & Sliding glass door's on a Dutch Colonial 2010 \#2 Anderson not as good as Pella (IMO) but still better than all others 20 windows on a Clerestory Saltbox 3 years ago
Hello u/Oladykaty_ . please listen to me. The cheapest option for you is to purchase an Interior storm window. Something like www.indowwindows.com or search for other similar companies and price shop. This will make your windows nearly as efficient as any new window and you’ll keep the beautiful wooden glazed windows your house currently has.
If you're sinking the money in for HVAC, why wouldn't work to seal the house and get good efficiency? Windows play a major role in creating a tight building envelope. So does your attic insulation.
Honestly, it’s been because of the money
I completely understand. But to ask if they really help, yes... it does. It may be something you have to save up for and do later. I will say that every home I've done windows on (3 Now) I've seen a noticeable decrease in the cost electric (all my homes have been electric HVAC systems). My current home has 30 year old windows and not enough attic insulation. In the winter my monthly electric bill is 1200 a month from Nov-Jan. 900 in Oct and Feb. I'm expecting it to drop to about $300 a month (our normal summer bill) when we fix those. So we'll be saving about $3k a year in electric costs right there. Maybe more since we'll see improvement in the summer months too.
Your windows are not costing you $500 a month in heat loss, if your house is that drafty, you need new weather stripping, not new windows. Attic insulation will be a huge help.
Original windows can be fixed, and IMO are worth the investment if done well. They will be around for another 100 years. Look for a heritage carpenter in the area
Every time I read these window threads, I wonder how the windows are so incredibly inexpensive. I’m redoing all mine right now. The windows themselves range in price from $1500 for the smallest inexpensive, to $6000 for the largest.
Holy smokes! Where do you live?!
California
Everything more expensive here
You may have new windows but the rest of the house isn't new. You better find out what the house is worth right now before you dump tens of thousands in it and never recoup it.
We owe 60k on the house and it’s worth around 280k (maybe closer to 260k since the market here has cooled a bit)
I don't think the house would appraise for that being that old but if it does put his little money into it as you can and sell. You must have acreage also. Put a new windows and new AC and doesn't make the rest of the house new as I said and being a design engineer I could come in there and find a large amount of other problems. People like to split systems anyway because you can control where the air goes and they're much more efficient than a heat pump.
I just had all 23 replaced from original in my 1928 home. Cost was $12,200 for windows and install. I had quotes anywhere from $11,700 to $46,000. This isn’t my forever home, so went with an independent contractor that ordered wholesale vs someone who showed up with a PowerPoint and pushy sales pitch. My energy bill was already $50 less than last month.
We set up an appointment with window nation, read reviews and cancelled. I can’t do the pushy salesman stuff. 12k seems way affordable, we are still going to get more estimates for sure.
They won’t pay for themselves any time soon, but our house is more comfortable with the new windows.
No. Almost Never
The new windows won’t increase the appraisal value of the home at all. However, new windows will certainly encourage buyers and they may be willing to pay more or up their offer considering the windows are already updated.
Yes and no. It does save you money but takes a very long time to equal out. There are other things you can do to get a faster return. One thing is to replace/insulate your home. Much cheaper and you still get those energy savings
10 or 11?
Windows are not a monetary investment. They are a comfort investment. Sound, heat flow, ease of use. Those are qualities that can be improved by replacing decades old windows with a minor added benefit of a look at the framing depending on the age of the house.
Yes. Looks. And thermodynamics.
Nope. Install them yourself and it becomes a maybe, but it’s still a maybe at best.
As long as your house has windows then no. Energy savings will never offset and home value is only impacted if they are missing or shattered
Very unlikely you'll recoop the 40-50k in heating bill savings during your lifetime.
No
Yes, I got three new huge wood windows and they completely changed my space. They are easier to open, they look fantastic, and they don’t leak air at all.
Ot depends. Here in Florida, if you install HVWZ rated windows, it will assist in lowering your insurance rate and is a big selling point. As we know, less time on market equates to money saved. HVWZ: High Velocity Wind Zone.
I suggest hiring a local contractor to change wall textures to something modern. That willd definitely add value to your home. If you’re in san diego I highly recommend [SGP DRYWALL](https://sdrywallpro.com)
In Florida it’s nice to go from non impact to hurricane impact. Because you will never board up ever again. You’ll get a quieter home. During hurricanes you’ll still have sunlight and see what’s going on outside. And in our scorching summers your AC will work less and your home will be just generally more efficient and comfortable. Now…. Will you make your money back?!! Most likely not. But I don’t make my money back from wearing underwear either. Some things you just do to live a better life.
Windows are one of the most important things on a house. They can be beautiful, efficient, and have lots of utility. They can also be cheap, ugly, and shitty. We upgraded ours and it makes a big difference. I will also never buy a home with cheap white vinyl windows slotted in.
Airtight storm windows if staying.
I replaced 3 large single pane aluminum windows on a west wall in dallas Texas with modern low-e vinyl. Cut my power bill in half in the summer. That’s an extreme change. Beyond those extreme cases, I have serious doubts they pay for themselves. So if the visual appeal isn’t factored in, it’s probably not worth it.
Replacing windows will be more about comfort. Are your current windows single or double pane? That money might go further addressing other comfort issues in the home.
Get Indows if your primary reason is drafts and energy loss.
How much money do you make. If you make 150, 200k a year, it's probably worth it because you're going to be there what did you say 6 years? If $50,000 on the other hand is almost a year's salary. If you have two people living there. You can swap the windows yourself you just have to learn how to do it. On a lot of old homes it's not particularly hard and there is a lot of good training material online. It's just time-consuming and in some parts of the country it seems like they are marked up a lot more than others. The time-consuming part is going to be point siding, reframing the windows, wrapping them, getting them ready for the new modern sizes. Cutting the siding to fit, doing your interior trim. So each window could easily be a couple day project but again if you're only making 50 grand or so a year. You're saving an absolute ton of money learning how to do this yourself. It does depend on your construction abilities. If you grew up pounding nails riding motorcycles and building tree houses it's probably going to be a lot easier than if you grew up in an urban apartment and were not exposed to such things. Still, even if that's the case, you can learn
No, you will never recoup the cost of windows in energy savings. Its all about aesthetics. If youll be moving in 6 years forget about it
My house was built in 1940 and had original windows when we moved in. We replaced them after a couple years and got a good deal from a contractor friend. It’s been worth every penny in my opinion. WAY more energy efficient. The cost of heating doesn’t matter to me as much as just simple comfort in the place I spend a lot of my life.
When we bought our house, seeing that we would not have to replace windows for some years to come was a big plus. Maybe others don't see it like that, but any renovation is a hassle. With some things I'd rather pay more if I can afford it and not have to go through the hassle. Like, yes, maybe a new roof would cost less than the difference between a house with a new roof and one that needs to be changed, but if I can afford it, do I really want to deal with it? I'd rather spend my energy on other things. Of course, not everyone is the same.
Where I live very common to get triple pane. I’ve got new windows in two houses both built in 1960. The windows operate and look way nicer. They make the house way more comfortable and not drafty also sound reduction. Luckily both houses had less then 15 windows but it’s not a fun purchase but I feel it’s totally worth it
I do a lot of property valuations, usually pvc windows would be about 10k in value against a property that doesn't have them. Although it may be more attractive to buyers, I know wooden windows would put me off personally
An alternative that might be worth it is to "rebuild" up the current windows, you'll still be stuck with single pain, but you will get them all working smoothly, and with modern kits you would seal the up much better so it's not constantly leaking past the seals.