Should You Replace All Your Windows at Once?

Katie and Dan loved their home. Their historic bungalow was dripping with character and nestled in a quiet neighborhood filled with mature live oaks. The yard was perfect for the kids. The kitchen was upgraded to meet Katie’s culinary needs. And the den was the perfect man cave for Dan. There were, however, a few issues that the couple couldn’t ignore. The garden window in the kitchen was constantly fogging up. The window frames in Dan’s den were rotted. And the windows in the living room wouldn’t open.

Katie and Dan knew they would have to replace their windows, but they didn’t know whether they should do everything at once or in stages. They were concerned about the cost and the disruption of one big project, but they also knew there were certain advantages to that strategy.

Then one day, they were driving past The Window Depot showroom in Palm Harbor and decided to drop in. One of our sales staff was happy to sit down with the couple and answer all their questions, the primary one being: Should you replace all your windows at once? Here’s what they learned:

There’s No Right Answer

Every home improvement project is unique. Different circumstances will dictate which strategy will work best for you. In Katie and Dan’s case, they wanted the kitchen window replaced sooner rather than later since it looked out on the backyard and the condensation made it difficult to keep an eye on the kids when they were playing outside. Replacing just one window, however, is not the most economical option, especially if it’s only the beginning of a larger project. There are several reasons why this is so.

Labor Costs

The total price you pay for replacement windows is a combination of the cost of the window(s) and the cost of labor. Although the price of a window is usually fixed, labor costs will vary depending on how many units are installed. With a single window replacement, labor will cost as much, if not more, than the window itself. Replacing six or more windows, on the other hand, will lower the labor-to-materials cost ratio, and the labor side of that equation will continue to drop as more windows are installed.

Mismatched Windows

Another factor to consider is appearance. Your new windows will not look like your old windows, even if they’re of the same general style and color. Modern windows are far more advanced than those from decades ago. They’re also made of different materials. Even wood-frame windows feature innovations such as between-the-glass grids that will make them stand out from what’s currently on your home. If you’re not going to replace all the windows at once, we highly recommend at least replacing the windows on one side of the house at the same time.

Disruptions

Although our highly skilled installation team will keep disruptions to your home to an absolute minimum throughout the project, window replacement still requires some commotion as old windows are removed and their replacements installed. By completing the project in one session rather than several, you won’t have to deal with repeated visits over several months or years. It also reduces the overall time spent on the project, since every individual session requires initial preparatory visits to take measurements and reconfirm window selections if those were made at an earlier time.

Financing Options

Cost is the major concern most homeowners mention when deciding whether to replace all their windows at once. While a whole-house project obviously costs more than swapping out a few windows, financing options may make a one-and-done project more feasible than you realize. It will certainly be less expensive than two or more smaller projects. Another financial factor to consider is reduced energy costs. The sooner you replace old, drafty windows, the sooner you may see smaller utility bills. There’s also a risk that the cost of the windows themselves will increase between projects.

Dan and Katie’s Solution

In the end, Dan and Katie decided to replace their windows in two stages of eight windows each. We were able to help them choose the perfect windows for their needs and budget, and provide convenient financing to make their project as affordable as possible. If you’re ready for a window upgrade and are wondering if you should replace all your windows at once, reach out to The Window Depot today to schedule a complimentary in-home meeting. Or do what Dan and Katie did and visit our spacious showroom in Palm Harbor, FL.