The Added Value of New Windows: Is It Worth It?

Renovations are often expensive, but they don’t all add the same amount of value to your home. For that reason, many homeowners tend to focus on the most valuable home improvements—such as exterior upgrades, kitchen remodels, and bathroom remodels. But what about new windows? Adding new windows to your home can make a major impact in terms of both aesthetics and energy efficiency, and can also make your home more appealing to buyers if you’re looking to sell. But how does the added value of new windows compare to the value add you get from other big renovations, and is it worth it? Let’s dig in to the details.

Repairing Windows vs. Replacing Windows

Most homeowners don’t replace their home’s windows unless they really have to. The cost of new windows adds up fast when you factor in all the rooms in your house, and taking a piecemeal approach means dealing with an incongruous look until you finish the job. So when deciding whether you should spring for new windows, it helps to first determine whether new windows are even really needed, or whether a less costly repair would be sufficient.

The primary reasons that people decide to get new windows for their home include:

    • Updating the appearance of the home, especially older homes
    • Wanting to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs
    • In response to damage after a storm or accident, or in response to normal wear and tear

    If you’re considering replacing your windows for aesthetic reasons, then a repair won’t get you the results you’re looking for. But there are ways to improve the energy efficiency of your windows and to respond to damage that don’t require a full replacement. To figure out whether you need new windows or if a repair will suffice, bring in a professional to assess the situation and determine what your best—and most cost efficient—course of action is.

    How Much Do New Windows Cost?

    The cost for new windows varies widely depending on the type of windows that you purchase, the size of the windows, and how many you need. Other cost factors include energy efficient upgrades, as well as if you need any custom features. In addition to these costs, you will also need to factor in the cost of professional installation.

    According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for a window replacement is $650 per window, with a standard range of about $300 to $1,000. In terms of labor, you can expect to spend an additional $100 to $300 per window. All told, for a standard three bedroom home that’s about $3,000 to $10,000 to replace all of the windows, and $4,000 to $13,000 if you add in installation fees. The same renovation on a larger home will likely run closer to $20,000 and above.

    In terms of materials, aluminum windows are the cheapest to purchase, followed by vinyl, composite, wood, and then fiberglass. Adds HomeAdvisor, custom and ornate windows will cost about 25% to 50% more than the cost of windows with standard materials.

    When budgeting out your renovation project, keep in mind that to get the most added value of new windows you want to upgrade with the same materials or better as the windows that you’re replacing. Choosing a less valuable material could have the opposite effect, which means you’ll actually lose value while still spending a lot of money.

    Added Value of New Windows

    Here’s some good news: new windows have a high return rate, and you can boost that return even higher by choosing windows with better energy efficiency. To get the full added value of new windows, however, you’ll have to do an upscale upgrade, since minor upgrades don’t have as high of a return.

    According to the most recent Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine, an upscale vinyl window replacement has a return of 73.4% ($16,802 spent on the job brings in a return of $12,332) and an upscale wood window replacement has a return of 70.8% ($20,526 spent on the job brings in a return of $14,530).

    The return on new windows is actually quite a bit higher than the returns for other high-cost home renovations, such as midrange kitchen remodels (62.1% return), upscale kitchen remodels (59.7% return), and composite deck additions (69.1% return).

    As for where the added value of new windows fall short, you won’t get quite as good of a return on them as you would for things like an upscale garage door replacement (97.5% return), midrange minor kitchen remodel (80.5% return), or midrange manufactured stone veneer on your home’s exterior (94.9% return).

    Get More Value Gains with Energy Efficiency

    You can increase the added value of new windows by choosing energy efficient options. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that windows are responsible for 25% to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling use. By upgrading to energy efficient windows, you can save $125 to $340 a year on energy costs says Energy Star, which is a considerable gain—especially over time.

    There are a few different ways that manufacturers create more energy efficient windows, and you may see a variety of these features at once:

      • High-quality frames
      • Multi-paned glass
      • Gas infused panes
      • Low-e glass (a type of glass with a special coating to reflect infrared lights)
      • Warm edge spacers

      These features provide more insulation to windows, in turn making them more capable when it comes to keeping outside temperatures from seeping in to your home.

      How to Choose Your New Windows

      There is a lot to think about when choosing the windows that will add the most value to your home.

      Style. Just as important as choosing a style that you love is choosing a style that compliments the style of your home. Look for styles that offer a modern take on what you previously had while still looking like they fit in with the exterior.

      Materials. As previously stated, to get the most added value out of new windows you’re going to want to choose a material for the frame that is at least as nice as what you previously had.

      Efficiency. Energy efficiency is usually the way to go with new windows. Do compare different manufacturer options however to ensure that you pick energy efficient features that are most in line with your budget and climate.

      Single pane vs. double pane. Single pane windows, which feature just a single pane of glass in between the interior and exterior of your home, are cheaper to purchase and install than double pane windows. Most windows today though are double pane, which feature two panes separated by air (or gas) that traps air from outside and blocks either heat or cold from entering your home. If you’re considering single pane windows to save money, be sure to learn as much as you can about their performance. What you save in initial costs you may end up spending later on in energy bills.

      We recommend that you get quotes from at least three different window companies so that you can price compare and get the most added value for your money.

      The Verdict: Are New Windows Worth It?

      Yes! Replacing the windows in your home is a good investment, and offers a strong return for what you spend. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable home improvements you can make. Do plenty of research on both the materials of the windows and the company you hire to install them so that you can stretch your dollar as far as it will go.