You’ve been putting off replacing your old windows because you know new ones will be expensive. You’re fairly handy with basic tasks, and HGTV makes most renovation projects look easy. When you go to the hardware store for light-bulbs, you see they’re having a sale on windows. Some online sources make it sound like you can install windows yourself with a few basic tools and skills. You wonder if you should pick up those cheap windows and try putting them in yourself. Here’s why that’s a bad idea.
Replacement Windows Can Be Hard to Find
Most of the time, you can’t just drive to the hardware store and find the right size to replace every window in your home. Unless every single window is a standard size, what the hardware store sells can be a poor fit or just completely wrong.
If windows are the wrong size, it’s impossible to get them to properly seal. Part of the reason you’re replacing your windows is to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Windows that allow air and moisture to leak have the opposite effect.
Mistakes Jeopardize Your Home
Window installation isn’t the place to learn a new skill. Even if you’re pretty handy, most homeowners will only replace windows once in a lifetime. Professional installers do it every day. They have both the knowledge and the equipment to get the job done right.
Homeowners might not know which windows are best for each part of the house. If a window doesn’t open and close correctly, family members could be trapped if there’s a fire. If a latch doesn’t work right, your home is more vulnerable to intruders.
Improper installation might leave your home open to the elements. When water comes in it can damage structural supports, sheetrock and paint.
Poor Installation Costs Money
Any home improvement project often costs more than expected. Think of the last time you tackled a big job. How many times did you have to run back to the store to purchase something you missed? How many tools did your instructions forget to mention? How much is your time and frustration worth?
Poor installation doesn’t just cost you during the installation process, but every day after that for as long as you own your home. If hot and cold air escape through the windows, your HVAC system has to work harder to keep up. You pay more in utilities and have to replace units more frequently.
Cheap windows also cost you money. Choose products backed by the Energy Star seal of approval that have double-paned, argon-filled gas, energy-efficient insulated frames and fusion-welded edges.
Professionals Get It Done Quickly
Once you remove a window, your home is open to the outdoors. If you encounter a problem that takes days to figure out, you have a hole in your home. The experts at Able Roof can finish most jobs in a day, so your home is safe and secure by evening.
Avoid the frustration, mess and added expense of trying to install windows yourself. See how affordable it is to have it done by a professional when you contact Able Roof today.