How to Install Energy-Efficient Windows
Learn what Energy Star ratings mean, what special license your contractor should have, whether permits are required and more
Christine Tusher
July 12, 2014
Houzz Contributor
Whether it’s buying a hybrid car or unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use, these days everyone seems to be looking for ways to reduce energy costs along with their carbon footprints. When it comes to your home, old, single-pane windows can be a major energy suck.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing Energy Star–qualified windows can save you up to $465 a year on your electric bills while shrinking your home’s carbon footprint. and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Star–rated windows must meet strict requirements tailored to main climate regions in the United States. Pay attention to the label, which includes additional information on two important factors:
- U-factor: In most climates this is the most important thing to consider when buying energy efficient windows. It measures the insulation capability of the entire window, not just the glass. Windows with lower U-factors conduct less heat, keeping a home warmer in the winter.
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): This measures how much heat from sunlight is transmitted through the windows. If you live in an especially sunny locale — such as Florida or Arizona — this will be the most important factor to consider. Once again, the lower the number, the cooler you’ll be on hot, sunny days.
Who to hire: Replacing windows isn’t as simple as popping the old ones out and sliding new ones in. The way your new windows will be installed depends on the materials your home is made of. For example, wood-framed windows on a stucco home should be installed differently than aluminum-framed windows on a wood-sided home. And the way custom-made windows are installed is even more crucial to the way in which they function.
It’s for this reason that Chris Spilly, cofounder of American Home Renewal in San Rafael, California, recommends making sure that the contractor you hire has a specific license for windows, called a glazing license. The person should also be certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) to ensure that everyone on the crew has a high level of training.
He also recommends against putting money down up front, “Once you release money, you release leverage,” says Spilly. “Our industry is second in consumer dissatisfaction after mail order, so don’t pay them anything until the company performs.”
Cost range: Costs vary based on region and window size, starting at around $300 per window installed and rising from there.
Typical project length: It should take three to four days to replace all the windows on an average-size home.
Find window specialists on Houzz
It’s for this reason that Chris Spilly, cofounder of American Home Renewal in San Rafael, California, recommends making sure that the contractor you hire has a specific license for windows, called a glazing license. The person should also be certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) to ensure that everyone on the crew has a high level of training.
He also recommends against putting money down up front, “Once you release money, you release leverage,” says Spilly. “Our industry is second in consumer dissatisfaction after mail order, so don’t pay them anything until the company performs.”
Cost range: Costs vary based on region and window size, starting at around $300 per window installed and rising from there.
Typical project length: It should take three to four days to replace all the windows on an average-size home.
Find window specialists on Houzz
Permits: Your contractor will need to get a building permit for this job. Building codes vary depending on municipality and can include specifications for fire glass, height, size and any number of other variables. Permits also ensure that your home will be up to code when it’s time to sell, so you won’t find yourself having to do any last-minute upgrades.
Best time to do this project: While it’s ideal to replace windows during the warmest, driest season, Spilly says you can replace your windows at any time of year unless your installer needs to cut new openings or there’s a lot of exposure or height.
Shopping tip: When it comes to picking an actual window, don’t get attached to brand names. “There’s really not a best window. It really depends on who we’re talking to and what kind of property we’re talking about, “ says Spilly.
Many firms — like Spilly’s — will send a consultant out first to help guide you toward the right decisions for your home.
Best time to do this project: While it’s ideal to replace windows during the warmest, driest season, Spilly says you can replace your windows at any time of year unless your installer needs to cut new openings or there’s a lot of exposure or height.
Shopping tip: When it comes to picking an actual window, don’t get attached to brand names. “There’s really not a best window. It really depends on who we’re talking to and what kind of property we’re talking about, “ says Spilly.
Many firms — like Spilly’s — will send a consultant out first to help guide you toward the right decisions for your home.
First steps: Installation is done primarily from the inside, so your home will temporarily be a construction zone; your surfaces will be protected, and the blinds, shutters and window dressings will be removed.
“The firm should be doing the heavy lifting,” says Spilly. This also includes conforming with any laws regarding lead paint removal.
Once the interior is prepared, your old windows will start coming out and the new ones will start going in.
More: What Type of Window Is Right for Your House?
“The firm should be doing the heavy lifting,” says Spilly. This also includes conforming with any laws regarding lead paint removal.
Once the interior is prepared, your old windows will start coming out and the new ones will start going in.
More: What Type of Window Is Right for Your House?
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I started off doing full-frame installations, that is, ripping everything out, insulating the cavity, building a buck frame (these are block walls with a brick exterior), fastening the window to the buck, putting up new exterior brickmoulding, and then new interior trim (including stools). The amount of carpentry in this is extensive, and any price I saw in the 3-figures-per-window range would not cover all that work.
I then moved on to "insert windows", which is what every company wanted to sell me. I special ordered Anderson Woodrights from the big Orange box, and let me tell you, it is a whole new world. Assuming you've measured correctly, you're setting the window in place, adding some caulking and weatherstripping, shimming, foaming, adding their exterior stop covers, replacing your interior stops, and then painting everything. All work is done from the inside with the exception of caulking and painting the exterior. The only tool you might not own is a table saw to rip the stop covers, but that could be done with a circular saw or jigsaw. Assuming it's in decent condition, all trim is reused. You'll need a couple of tubes of caulk, a can of foam, and paint. They even include in the foam caulk-saver and shims.
80% of the time I've spent is rehabbing the existing trim (scraping paint, removing hardened / cracked caulk, fixing any wood rot) and making it look new again. But with an insert window, you're not messing with the building envelope, and I'm confident that most homeowners that know how to use a level could get a professional result.
fins? rain cap? metal appropriate for the climate? caulk appropriate for the climate....and window type?
Very good article! It is really a good investment for the long run. My contractor, Exterior Transformations knows very much about windows replacement. After they made an In-Home-Consultation they helped me installed new sliding glass doors towards the backyard.