W hen we moved in here we were lucky in the fact that the majority of the windows had been recently replaced (well within the last five years). This was a huge cost saving but also a little annoying as I had really been hoping for somewhere where we could add new windows and have modern anthracite grey frames.
That said there were still a couple of windows we had to replace in the bathroom, hallway and on the top floor! I had initially thought this would be pretty straight forward. But as with everything in a home renovation, the process took a lot longer than expected due to the sheer number of options available. I’ve written this post as a guide for anyone considering buying new windows in the hope that it will make your decision-making a little more straight forward.
6 Things to Consider when Choosing New Windows
Choosing new windows is often something you’ll only ever do once in a lifetime and the right type of windows can totally change the mood of your home and even make small spaces appear larger so it’s important to get it right. Here are my top six things to consider when choosing new windows;
- Design and Colour: If like me, you might have your heart set on modern grey windows that give your house a bit of an edge, it’s worth nothing that this type of window doesn’t suit all properties. If your house is a quaint little cottage in the rolling English countryside, chances are modern aluminium windows in anthracite grey aren’t going to look right. The same goes for houses with really warm orange brick work. Take all of these things into account when picking out the styles you like and if you start a Pinterest Board is probably worth looking for houses that are similar to your own.
- Light: Another key consideration should be light. Is your house north facing? Are there any obstacles outside that will restrict light entering your home (e.g. tall trees or walls). If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you need to choose a style that is as clear possible in order to maximise the light entering your home. Things you might want to avoid are additional details such as lead strips and stained glass. For UPVC windows its a good idea to choose frames that are as thin as possible;
- Material: You can get windows in lots of materials but generally speaking UPVC, aluminium and wood are the most popular options. UPVC is extremely durable, but the frames tend to be chunkier than wood and aluminium. Aluminium is stronger than UPVC but it is often a lot more expensive. If you are in a Conservation Area or live in a Listed Building then wooden windows might be your only option so have these things in mind when choosing a window company;
- Design: Design features such as they way the window opens may not be something you have ever considered, but practical design can make life a whole lot easier. Lots of windows enable you to spin them round from the inside making window cleaning on upper floors really simple. If you have a tall house or are in a flat then this is definitely something to consider as you are going to be stuck with them for a long time if the design is something which ends up annoying you;
- Budget: Unless your planning on staying in your home for a very long time, choosing new windows is probably something you’ll only really need to do once which is lucky because they aint cheap! Luckily a number of companies offer funding options to help you spread the cost over a number of years. Make sure you talk this through with the company and weigh it up against the interest charged on a home improvement loan to see which option works best for you;
- Energy Efficiency: The Window Energy Rating system tells you how energy-efficient a window is. Windows are given an energy rating on a scale of G to A+, with A+ windows being the most energy-efficient. If saving money on energy bills is important to you and you want a warmer home then it goes without saying that you should try to buy the most energy-efficient windows you can afford.
And there you have it, my top six things to consider when choosing new windows. If you can think of any more to add to the list, please do drop me a line in the comments below.
This is a collaborative post
