Ready to replace those old windows? Whether your windows are showing signs of wear and tear or you’ve decided you need better insulation, there’s no better time to look into window replacement. Putting in new windows has many different benefits, but you want to be certain those windows are put in correctly. Using a professional replacement window installation service is a must for most people. Even if you’ve completed a few DIY projects yourself, removing old windows and putting in new ones is a task on another level. Here are the benefits of using professionals to install your new windows and why taking a DIY approach is a bad idea.
Your Replacement Window Installation is Done Right
Installing a glass window isn’t a simple process. You will need to remove the trim around the window on the inside and outside, then remove the actual window. The new replacement window has to be the exact right size. Otherwise, there will be gaps that let air in. Once installed, the window has to be sealed correctly before the window trim is put back in place. If anything isn’t done correctly, it’s going to allow air in and out of your home. It may also leave a gap for insects to get in and out. You need to have your windows professionally installed so everything is sealed like it should be.
While watching online video tutorials can be very helpful in some situations, those tutorials also tend to be fairly basic. You might find a video that shows how to install a window on a home with siding, but then when you try it on your brick home, you might find that you don’t have the right tools or come up against something the video doesn’t cover. There’s also always the risk that the person who made the video didn’t fully know what they were doing. Few, if any, of these online videos are reviewed for accuracy or quality of the content. It’s very likely some of the people who made them didn’t install their windows the right way. If you follow those tutorials, you’ll likely end up making the same mistakes the creator did.
They Know What Materials You Need
If you’re trying to install your replacement windows yourself, you may not know exactly what materials you need other than the windows. There are spacers, rails, interlocking sashes, and more that go into putting in glass windows. If you don’t have these parts, don’t know where to get them, and don’t fully understand the purpose of each one, you may end up with windows that don’t fit properly or aren’t sealed right. Again, this can cause air leaks that result in your utility bills doubling or tripling. Professionals know what parts you need and where to get them.
They also understand the different types of windows and the various brands that offer them. For example, they’re familiar with Simonton Windows. They know where to order them, how long it’s likely to take to get them, and how to quickly install them. Working with a professional who has this understanding will ensure that you get the right windows for your home.
They Know Windows
These experts can also help you select the right windows for your home. They can help you determine if you need a garden window in your kitchen or if an awning window would fit your needs better than a single hung window. They can explain how Simonton Verona windows differ from their Madeira and DaylightMax lines. You can simply ask these experts and get an answer right away, whereas doing it yourself may result in several hours or more of research.
They Can Save You Money
Many people think that installing windows themselves is the way to save money. However, often it’s the opposite. Professional window replacement can save you money in a couple of different ways. First, professionals often have long-lasting working relationships with suppliers. They can get materials at cost or with a very low mark-up. Buying these items yourself from a home supply store may result in paying much more. Contractors also often buy basic materials in bulk, allowing them to save money. You wouldn’t have any need to do so, so you end up paying more for a small amount of the same material.
Having your replacement windows put in by an expert also saves you money because the job is done correctly the first time. If you put in a window and then realized it wasn’t done correctly, you’ll have to take it off. This takes time, plus you may have damaged parts of the new window or the frame of the house. Windows are also heavier than you might think, and if you drop one and it breaks, that’s several hundred dollars or more you’ve just lost. You could also cut yourself on the broken glass, resulting in ER costs and potentially days of recovery. Professionals have installed Simonton Windows and other types of windows so often that they can do the entire process from start to finish without any problems.
Finally, using a professional saves you money on repairs to your home. It’s possible you may damage other parts of the house during a DIY window installation. You could mess up the drywall inside your home or damage the siding outside. Professionals with experience in installing windows won’t make these errors. They will leave your home in perfect condition and with brand new energy efficient windows in place.
They Have the Correct Tools and Skills
It takes more than a hammer and nails to install new glass windows. You’ll need power tools, caulking tools, shims, sealants, and much more. You may not have the right tools to fully install windows without damaging them or the home. Professionals also have experience with mitering joints, applying dry glazing, and other techniques that are necessary to put in windows. Without these tools and skills, you’ll likely have difficulty installing your window replacements.
While you could go and purchase the tools you need, think about the cost. Are you buying tools you’ll never use again? If you buy these tools plus all of the materials, are you spending more than if you’d simply worked with a professional? Often, that’s the case. Don’t forget to factor in your time as well. Is it really worth spending hours trying to put in windows?
They Can Do the Job Much Faster
Professional window installation of a standard window takes an hour or so for those who have done it many times. If you’re a first-timer, it may take you two or three hours just to get one window in. If you’ve got a dozen windows to replace, you’re looking at a project that’s likely going to take several weekends to complete. That’s assuming everything goes fairly smoothly with each window.
Professionals, on the other hand, can complete a job like that very quickly. If they have two teams installing windows, they can complete the task in a day. Even if it’s just one team, they can finish it off in a few days. With a DIY installation, you may end up with a few windows done before giving up. Then you’ll have to hire someone to do the rest and, most likely, correct anything that went wrong with the ones you did install.
Experts Understand Building Codes
Every home must meet specific building codes for safety, and that includes windows. Do you know what these codes are? It’s one thing to know that a bedroom must have an egress window, but do you know what qualifies as one of these windows? If you don’t, you may install a window that doesn’t meet these specifications. Trying to understand some building codes can be a headache, especially since these codes can vary from city to city and state to state. If you fail to follow these codes, not only could you be fined or required to pay to have your windows replaced again, but your home may also be unsafe. Selling your home will be very difficult with windows that are not up to code as well.
D&D Glassworks Provides Professional Window Replacement in California
If you need to have Simonton replacement windows installed in your home, you don’t just want to work with a professional—you want to work with the best. You want to partner with a company that has years of experience in installing Simonton Windows in California and has an understanding of how the weather in the state affects homes.
We can help you with more than just installing energy efficient windows in California. Our team offers glass patio door installation, and glass and screen repair. We also install glass bathtub and shower enclosures, mirrored wardrobe doors, glass shelving, and tabletop glass. We provide free, no-obligation estimates on all of our services, plus we can schedule you for evening or weekend appointments if that’s a more convenient time for you.
Whether you need a single window repaired or want to put new Simonton Windows throughout your home, D&D Glassworks is ready to help. Contact us today at 707-536-9183.