If you own an old house you are the prime demographic for the replacement windows industry. They would love to convince you to remove all your home’s original windows and replace them with new energy efficient windows. I can hear them beginning to salivate right now. (I have excellent hearing)
The replacement windows industry is out to sell a product and sell it often. I won’t hide my bias here. I am not a fan of replacement windows.
It’s nothing personal. They are clear about their intentions. They want everyone to get rid of their historic windows and install new replacement windows. But I am especially upset with the way they are misleadingly marketing to homeowners.
I have no problem with someone believing in a product and promoting it, but these window manufacturers make extraordinary, and often unfounded, claims about their products. In fact, several replacement window companies were sued by the FTC for making false and misleading claims about how “efficient” their products really are. Read more here.
You see the commercials claiming MASSIVE energy savings, but don’t hear the news coverage about the lawsuits for false and misleading claims so the public continues to believe the lie.
These companies know that if they can get you to bite on the first sale then they will have a customer for life. Once you replace your home’s original windows you are now stuck in a constant cycle of having to replace windows every couple decades.
Don’t fall for the hype: “They are called replacement windows because you have to continually replace them.” <—Click to Tweet this!
Replacement Window Warranties
Don’t believe me? Let the facts speak for themselves. Here is a breakdown of the warranties offered by four of the largest replacement window manufacturers in the country. These are in their own words from their own websites.
Anderson (Source: Anderson Windows & Doors)
- 20 yrs on glass
- 10 year on non-glass parts
Jeld-Wen (Source: Jeld-Wen, Inc.)
- Wood & Clad Windows: 20 yrs.
- Vinyl Windows: As long as you own AND occupy your residence, otherwise 10 years (not transferrable after 10 years).
Marvin (Source: Marvin Windows)
- 20 years on glass
- 10 years on non-glass parts
Pella (Source: Pella Corporation)
- 20 years on glass
- 10 years on non-glass parts
These are not exactly stunning warranties from the Big-4 manufacturers. A 20 year warranty on glass? Since when does glass wear out?
Historic Windows
If you’ve spent more than 5 minutes on this site you’ll know that I am a HUGE proponent of saving original windows. Whether they are wood or steel the original windows are a vastly superior product to anything on the market today (despite what the commercials say).
If you’re wondering what makes them better read my earlier post: 9 Reasons to Keep Your Old Windows
Are replacement windows more energy efficient than un-restored original wood windows? Probably. That’s right, single-paned wood windows that have been neglected for decades are not terribly efficient. But that’s not the end of the story.
What if you restore your original windows? Learn how here: How To: Repair Old Wood Windows
Add simple weatherstripping? Learn how here: How To: Weatherstrip Wood Windows
Add Interior Storm Windows? Learn more here: Indow Windows
In that case, you have an original wood or steel window that has better energy efficiency than a replacement double-paned window.
The best part of the whole thing is that your home’s original windows, once restored, can last another century with minimal maintenance other than occasional painting!
Am I biased because I own a historic restoration company? No, I own a historic restoration company because I know the truth and the truth has set me free, as my favorite book says.
The Math Behind Window Replacement
Do replacement windows make good financial sense? Let’s do some math and find out.
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost vs Value Report, replacement windows have a 81% ROI, meaning that for every $1,000 you spend on replacement windows you will recoup $810 in value. I don’t know about you, but I hate to give someone $1,000 in exchange for $810. That’s just not smart math.
What about energy savings? You will get a marked improvement in energy usage if you replace old windows with new initially. Of course, you’ll get the same, if not better, energy savings by restoring, weatherstripping, and adding storms, but let’s focus on the replacement windows right now.
Say you have 15 windows that you plan to replace at $500 each, which comes to a total of $7,500. Since most studies show that windows can account for about 20% of heating and cooling costs (not total utility costs) lets assume that you will save about 10% on your heating and cooling costs with the new windows, which would mean that the new windows have cut those costs in half. That’s a huge improvement!
I’m not sure about your energy costs, but I’ll use my monthly bill and add around 40% percent since we are pretty frugal at my house. Here’s the math below:
- $7,500 windows costs
- Monthly utility bill $265
- 10% reduction = $26.50 in monthly utility savings
- $7,500 ÷ $26.50 = 283 months
- 283 months ÷ 12 months in a year = 23.5 years
So, my replacement windows will pay for themselves in approximately 23.5 years. Remember that’s more than 13 years after their warranty is up and they’ll be ready for replacement again.
This math just does not make sense.
The Final Verdict
In the end it’s not just about the math. To me and many others, a home’s original windows are something beautiful. They were custom made by excellent craftsman from fantastic materials. There were built to last. And if you will let them…last they will.
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
I love old houses, working with my hands, and teaching others the excitment of doing it yourself! Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance.
Excellent read! keep up the good work with the blogs and content!
I bought my windows few years ago from Dako and they still hold pretty well. Maybe it will help somebody.
Was hoping the author would respond to the comment about lead dangers because I had the same question. There is a long overdue growing awareness of the dangers of lead-paint that still is not understood by enough people. Opening and closing old windows often creates dangerous lead dust. Restoring these windows to be lead-free can be costly and I’m curious what the ROI on that is. The 81% ROI of replacing windows only accounts for resale value not your family’s safety and peace of mind.
Rebecca, in my experience restore=ing the windows by removing the paint and repainting, even if it is only done in the friction prone areas, creates a much safer environment for you and your family. The amount of lead dust generated from even a family that opens and closes their windows everyday and then the children lick up all the lead dust is far less than most of us ingested from the environmental lead due to leaded fuel cars up until the 1980s.
If you’r concerned I would get you and your children annual lead blood tests to see where things sit. I find that once people see what their actual exposure is they understand better and the fear is handle in the proper perspective. This is coming from someone who works and lives around lead paint every day and has 3 small children to worry about as well.
I work for a window company and we don’t often replace the older homes with old growth wood, its usually the younger homes that have already started to rot or vinyl windows that have bowed and popped seals. In some cases we’ll do the older homes but it’s usually after they’ve tried repairing or restoring and it couldn’t be done.
I have a craftsman home and the previous owner replaced the original windows with louvered windows. Should I purchase wood replacement windows? How to I return the windows to it’s original glory?
Any advice for a recent purchaser of a “new old” house (built in 2005) with double-hung, 2-over-2 wood replacement windows? The house has 8 or 9 windows, each with a single pane that has fogged because the seal has broken. Since it’s just one pane, I hate to replace the sash. Is it possible just to replace the glass with two plain panes — no IGUs (insulated glass units)? Is a carpenter or a glass replacement company the right contractor for that sort of work?
Try calling the manufacturer and see if they are still in business and if they will fix it. Worth a shot.
Great post! I just bought a 1914 home in Chicago, and need to address my window issues. Could you share your insights on how lead paint considerations affect your opinion of restoration with young kids in the house?
I could happily live with my storm windows and our original windows, but my big concern is lithe lead paint that’s underneath all of the paint on the windows. I also have two young sons, including one who is teething and puts everything in his mouth.
I know that historically, paint with high lead content was considered ‘better’ because it lasted longer and resisted water better. Of all the places in the house, windows typically have the highest lead paint content as a result. My windows and sills and jams all test positive for lead paint and the wood is degrading significantly. Even in Chicago (where this is a known issue), I cant find anyone to do the restoration work in a lead-safe way. The few compliant contractors I can find are far more expensive than even the most expensive full replacement windows.
In this situation, what would you do? I’d appreciate any advice you have!
Thanks so much!
Our house is only 20 years old with double paned vinyl with air rather than gas. Our humidity in the house stays around 75 & we think it’s the builder grade windows failing. We get pretty bad sweating/condensation at times, but you can wipe it off & it’s not in between the panes. Does it sound like we need new windows & in our regular, vinyl siding, non-historic home are the vinyl, double paned with gas “replacement windows” our best option? We plan to be in our house at least another 10-15 years. Thank you!
Yes conservation construction of dallas would be a great options
Hey, In my fifty years old house I want to replace my doors. Will you provide some information about that company who will provide me with this facility in the USA?
Hey, I have purchased an old house. The interior of the house is good but I want to replace my doors. Will you provide me with the best company who provides this facility in the USA?
Hey, I have purchased an old house. The interior of the house is good but I want to replace my windows. Will you provide me with the best company who provides this facility in the USA?
Hello Kylie,
You’ll want to restore your windows, not have them fully replaced. It’s definitely the best option for you. Our best recommendation is to use this directory to find a certified preservationist in your area that can help you! Best of luck! https://thecraftsmanblog.com/directory/
-Alyssa at The Craftsman Blog
There are several advantages to hiring a professional for window replacement projects. They are knowledgeable, efficient, and good at knowing which windows work best for your area. They might also have suggestions which will drastically improve the beauty of your resulting upgrades.
http://northeastwindowsusa.com/
This post cover entire conspiracy created by some greedy windows and doors manufacturers companies to make extra bucks. I hardly see anyone repairing old windows and doors of house instead they really force them to replace. I think it is because it easy to replace than repairing old one. But one got to understand and that some memories are attached with the old structure that you are asking them to get replace. I really want to thanks for clearing the air about the trick companies using to make money and destroying craftsmanship.
Scott, this is a great and timely post! Thank you! We are in the early throes of designing and building a “100 year-old brand new Craftsman bungalow.” Maybe you only restore and do not build, but I’m curious now. Our architect and contractor are dead set on installing premade, metal, double pane glass “off the shelf.” I had no idea about windows until reading your page. It appears we will need about a dozen 7′ windows. What would you charge, approximately of course, or what do you believe the going rate might be for authentic windows? Come to think of it, the off the shelf windows are all 3′ high. Would that be authentic, or if I ask to have windows made should I request a different dimension? Thanks if you get a chance to answer!
Michael, we do build historic replica windows to match any kind you are looking for and the price depends on a lot of things like size, lite pattern, type of window, etc. We’d be happy to give you a quote if you shoot us an email at info@austinhistorical.com
Great post, highly resourceful. I also consulted some of the credible window manufacturers in my town and came across the same stuff as here.
The warranty on glass is not in case the glass wears out, and you certainly should know this. It is for when the seal fails and it gets foggy between the panes. Also, if glass breaks due to manufacturing defect or improper installation, this warranty kicks in. Or maybe you were just kidding around.n?