All homeowners know that adding Redmond replacement windows to their homes is not only inevitable, but is also a necessity. However, many homeowners complain about one main thing after they install new replacement windows: a loss of glass viewing area. How does this problem come about, and what can be done about it?
When you install new replacement windows in your home, you don’t completely remove the entire old window. When replacing double hung windows (the most common window type), both sashes as well as the screen track are removed, while the old window’s frame is left behind. The new replacement window is then installed inside the old frame. This is the most common way replacement windows are installed, even though the practice can leave you with a noticeable loss of glass viewing area.
But don’t lose hope, because there are ways to get around this loss of glass viewing area problem, such as getting a replacement window that is designed to maximize glass area, or asking your window dealer to do a full frame replacement. Full frame replacements replace the entire window, from the glass all the way down to the original opening. Though this method can be a bit more expensive, and certain personal factors can influence its efficacy, it causes the least amount of viewing area loss, and offers other benefits like:
- Maintenance free new window material from the inside of your home to the outside
- More thorough installation of new insulation around the original window opening
- Sometimes even more glass viewing area than you started with
Using the full window replacement method can help you enjoy your full glass viewing area, as well as other window replacement benefits such as:
- Increased Home Value—Replacement windows are very desirable these days, as they stay strong and visually appealing for many years. They are great investments that can increase your home’s value. Potential buyers, and appraisers, look for the types of benefits that replacement windows provide, making them a great option if you might sell down the road.
- Energy Efficiency – Modern replacement windows are made from great materials that are tough insulators. They will keep the hot or cold outside air from affecting your conditioned air inside your home. This effective insulation not only keeps your home heated or cooled to your desired comfort level, but also lowers your energy use to stay green and keep your bills down.
- Low Maintenance - One of the best things about most replacement windows is their almost nonexistent maintenance requirements. Some are built with integrated colors in the sashes and frames, and therefore never need to be repainted or refinished, and some frames are also built to stand the test of time, resisting rust, stains, and warping.
To learn more about replacement windows in Kirkland, WA and your options, please reach out to Puget Sound Window & Door. You can visit us at 445 E Main Ave Puyallup, WA 98372, or give us a call at (253) 904-8658 for more information on what we can do for you.