Getting Replacement Windows One At A Time—Why Not?

Posted on December 21, 2020 by admin

When you need replacement windows in Plano, TX, you might start the process, choose the details you want in the windows, and then figure that you will replace them on your home one at a time, as your budget allows. But that’s not really a very good solution if you can help it. Here are a few reasons why that might not be the right approach for your situation.

It’s Inconvenient

If you have one window replaced at a time, you have to have the installers come over and over again. The installation fees will rack up a lot faster and you have to take time away from work or the other things in your life for the installation process. Plus, installing windows is a dusty mess and you have to deal with that over and over again as well. It’s much more convenient to get all of the windows installed at once so there’s one installation and one mess.

Benefits Are Lower

When you replace just one window now, another window in a few months, and so on, you aren’t really reaping the full benefits of the windows. One window will make a very small difference in your home’s efficiency, but a whole house full will make a huge difference. You are adding benefits slowly, but it will be a while before you get energy savings.

Higher Costs Overall

You might think that replacing one window at a time will lower your costs because the bottom line on each mini-project is lower. But overall, the costs will actually be quite a bit higher. Per window, getting just one window at a time will cost more than getting them all at once. Plus, you have to pay multiple installation fees instead of just one. The costs, when placed side by side, are much lower when you do everything at once.

Unequal Window Ages

When you have one window that’s a few months older than another window, which is older than the third window and so on, the house will wear unevenly. Your windows will start to fail one at a time and it can cause complications down the road. Instead of saying that your windows are 15 years old, you’d have to say that this window is 15 and that one is 14 and the one in between is 14 and a half, and so on. It’s just a mess and much easier when they are all the same age and can support each other through a longer lifespan.

While your budget may not say that you can get all of your windows replaced at the same time, it’s definitely easier to do just that. Instead of putting one window in now and another in next month, save all of your money so you can do it all at once. Or, finance the replacement windows in Plano, TX or take out a loan and then pay yourself back with the large energy savings the new windows will bring.

Replacement Windows In The Playroom

Posted on December 14, 2020 by admin

You want every space in your house to be livable and comfortable, but certain rooms have different needs than others. You might want the bedroom to be nice and dark for sleep, but the living room to be open and bright. If you are lucky enough to have a dedicated room in the house for your children to play, you will also want to consider what you want in terms of replacement windows in Richardson, TX for that space. Here are a few things to consider:

Natural Light

Natural lighting is going to brighten any room and make it feel larger and more welcoming. You really want that in a playroom. You want to be able to reduce artificial lighting and use the light of the sun. While you might want your child to be outside most of the time they are playing, when it’s too hot or too cold or raining, it’s nice that they can have natural lighting in their playroom. There are so many benefits of natural sunlight that it’s what you want them to have, even when they are inside.

Less Heat

If you want as much sun as possible in that space, you want to make sure you don’t bring in too much heat. Operating in Texas means when there’s sun, there’s heat. But that doesn’t have to be the case inside. You might consider a low-E glass coating on the playroom windows, so you don’t have to worry about the heat and UV rays coming in with the natural light. You can leave the windows open to the sun, but bring in none of the heat.

Safety For Children

Depending on the age of your child, you might want to be able to leave him or her alone in the playroom for short periods of time. That means making sure everything in the room, including the windows, is as safe as possible. IF the playroom is on the second floor, double hung windows might be the better option. You can have the top portion open, but leave the bottom portion closed so they don’t have an accident. You also want to keep a close eye on any window coverings you get so there aren’t any dangly cords that might entice them to play and cause them to get tangled.

When you are looking into replacement windows in Richardson, TX, it’s important to take a look at each individual room and get what you need for that space. The playroom is going to have different needs than the bathroom, the living room, and the bedroom. The professionals at Southwest Door & Window are here to help you with those needs so you can get your goals met in every space within the home. It makes sense to look at each room on an individual basis and figure out the needs and then get the windows that suit those needs. You can meet goals in any space if you think about it enough and move in the right direction.

Making Rooms Look Larger

Posted on December 7, 2020 by admin

Not everyone is happy with the amount of size they have in their homes. While you may not be able to do much to make the room actually bigger without making a major mess and knocking down walls, you can make the room at least appear larger with certain changes inside. One larger project that can make a big difference is getting replacement windows in Plano, TX. Here are some other ideas to help you make the room look larger without knocking out any walls.

Paint Light Colors

If there are any darker colors in the room, that is going to make the room look smaller and more closed in. Choosing a lighter color for both the walls and the ceiling can make the room appear much larger and more open. You can stick with something neutral or soft or bright pastel to make the room expand before your eyes.

Add Mirrors

Mirrors reflect things in the room, even the light. Adding mirrors to one or more walls will make the room look like it goes on farther and it also reflects light, which does a lot to make the room look larger as well. You will increase the perceived square footage of space in the room, which might make it feel more open and larger at the same time.

Declutter

You can make even the smallest rooms look larger when you declutter the space. Remove any unnecessary items from the floors, shelves, and everywhere in between to use the space you have available. You might want to consider removing some furniture as well to make the space open up and appear larger. Rooms with too much in them are going to look much smaller.

Add More Windows

Natural light is going to work wonders for any room. Adding more windows will give you more natural light and allow you a better view of the outside world. It’ll make your room look much more open and welcoming.

Get Replacement Windows

Even if you don’t add windows, getting new windows can make a world of difference in the rooms as a whole. New windows have smaller frames and larger glass spaces, which will bring in more light automatically. The more light you have, the larger it feels. There are other things you can do with colors and styles on the new windows that can make the rooms look and feel bigger as well.

There are lots of reasons to get replacement windows in Plano, TX and while you might not get them just to make your rooms look larger, that’s a great side effect that you can look forward to and plan for when you are looking towards that project. The professionals at Southwest Door & Window are here to talk through all of the options with you from start to finish. We want you to get the energy efficiency you need for your home along with a perceived larger space that can help you have the dream home before you in no time.

The Important Energy Ratings On Replacement Windows

Posted on November 23, 2020 by admin

One of the most important things you will want to concentrate on when you are getting replacement windows in Frisco, TX is the ratings labels on those windows. You can tell a lot about the windows based on the labels. In fact, everything you need to know about their efficiency and how they perform will be placed on that label. The National Fenestration Rating Council came up with a way for consumers to figure out just how well each window performs so they can meet their needs in whatever climate they have around them. Here are a few things you will want to understand about the ratings, so you are able to get what you need.

The U-Factor

This rating is one of the most important ones on the label. It measures the thermal transmission on the material or the heat transfer. The ratings usually fall between 0.2 and 1.2 and you will want to see a lower number because that means it is more efficient. You will be able to compare the labels to one another by looking at that number first. If you see one with a high number and another with a low number, the lower one is the better product.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

This is similar to the U-factor and ranged from 0 to 1. The lower the number, again, the better the window. This rating measures the solar heat that comes through the windows. Higher ratings aren’t always bad, though, because, in cooler climates, some homeowners like to have the heat of the sun come in so they can save on heating costs.

Visible Transmittance

This number will show you how much natural light will come through the windows. Windows that insulate well sometimes block more light, or at least they did in the past. The ratings here are between 0 and 1 as well and the higher the number, the more light will come through. Even if there is more light, it doesn’t mean you will have more heat in the home.

Air Leakage

This rating is pretty obvious in meaning. It means how much air will pass through the window. You want it to be very little, but every window is going to let at least some air through. You will see numbers from 0.1 to 0.3. If you live in a windy area, having a low air leakage rating is even more important.

There are other things that are going to go into your decision for replacement windows in Frisco, TX, like your budget, the styles, and other needs. If you have a certain cost parameter in mind and other details you want to include, it’s important to tell the professionals at Southwest Door & Window so they can help you line everything up and get just what you want for your project. We’re here to give you a free consultation any time you want and help you figure out the details that will be the best for your home.

Reasons Why Vinyl Replacement Windows May Fit Better

Posted on November 16, 2020 by admin

There are lots of materials from which to choose on the frames of replacement windows in Richardson, TX, but if you’ve never gotten new windows before, you may not know which material is right for you. There are no wrong materials as many of them on the market are high in quality and have good insulating qualities. But the most popular material today is vinyl. There are many reasons why vinyl might be the best fit for you, too. Here are a few to consider:

Reason 1: Vinyl Costs The Least

You may have heard the phrase ‘you get what you pay for,’ and in many industries, that can be true. When you are looking at windows, however, when it comes to materials, this low-cost material is actually the highest in quality. You can get everything you need from this material, and you can pay the least for it. One of the reasons homeowners often go for it is because it costs less than other options. But you also don’t have to forfeit quality—not in the least.

Reason 2: Vinyl Windows Last And Last

Most new window materials are going to hold up well, buy vinyl even more so than others. It isn’t as susceptible to hot and cold weather and it doesn’t warp and rot over time like something like wood will. It makes homeowners feel good about the investment. Not only does it cost the least, but it can last the longest.

Reason 3: Vinyl Brings No Maintenance With It

It’s good when new windows go onto a house because everything is new so there won’t be any repairs or maintenance things to go along with them. When you choose vinyl, however, you also don’t have maintenance down the road. You don’t have to paint them or scrap them next year, the year after that, or ten years down the road. That is one chore you can cross off your list for good.

Reason 4: Vinyl Windows Are Valuable

You will likely sell your house in the future, even if it’s a long time for now. Whenever that might be, your house will be worth more with vinyl replacement windows on it. Potential buyers who want to look at homes will appreciate vinyl windows. They know they are efficient and lack the maintenance of other windows, too, and they are willing to pay more for them. You can put a higher price on your house because of it and get it…possibly faster than you would have sold the house otherwise.

When you are looking into replacement windows in Richardson, TX, there are lots of different materials to consider, but there are also lots of reasons why vinyl windows are the most popular. When you are ready to discuss the options, or if you want to hear more about vinyl specifically, contact the professionals at Southwest Door & Window. We’re here to help you from start to finish and we want to customize things for you.

Quarantine Savings To Put Toward Replacement Windows

Posted on November 9, 2020 by admin

2020 has been one of the strangest years in recent history. While you may have enjoyed the extra time with your family when things shut down and you stayed home more often, there are other benefits of that time period as well. Perhaps you saved money on things you normally do but just didn’t at that time. Now, you have some extra fund saved up and perhaps you can get replacement windows in Richardson, TX. Here are some quarantine savings to look towards to help you cover the new window project you want to take on.

Movie Theater Closures/At Home Movies

Movie theaters shut down for a good while and even after they opened up, you may not have felt comfortable taking your family out in public. Instead, you streamed movies at home. That was either free, depending on what streaming services you had or cost just a few dollars. You bought your own snacks at the store as well for a fraction of the cost of what they would have been at the theater. How many times did you have a movie night? Add those savings up and you may have quite a little nest egg already.

Savings From Eating Out

At first, there weren’t many restaurants, if any, open. Then, you were able to drive through some places and simply not go in at all. Now, more is open, but you still may not be partaking as much or as often as you did before, if at all. You could get some takeout meals, which is a nice change from cooking, but you are likely saving quite a bit of eating out. You can make your own burgers cheaper than you can buy them already cooked and bundled on the bun from a restaurant. So, how much do you figure you’ve saved there? Add it up!

Fancy Coffees

A lot of people had kids at home, doing school online, and they were also doing their best to work at home. Working at home meant you didn’t have to take your normal drive to the office—past the fancy coffee shop. You had to make coffee at home…sigh. And while it might not have been as good, it certainly costs you less and that cost can add up fast.

School And Work Commutes

How many miles a day did you usually put on your vehicle? You might have to take the kids to and from school and multiple practices as well as yourself to and from work and so on. That all stopped during quarantine and you didn’t put gas in your car for weeks. That’s a lot of savings that can now go into your windows.

So, how much do you figure you saved when you were holed up at home with your family? You might have enough to at least start the process of replacement windows in Richardson, TX and the professionals at Southwest Door & Window can help you with budgeting and finding the right fit.

A Fall Staycation To Save For Window Replacement

Posted on November 2, 2020 by admin

Perhaps you didn’t go anywhere this summer for a vacation because traveling was a bit harder than usual and the things you wanted to see and do weren’t open or were so restricted it wouldn’t have been fun any longer. The good part of that is that you were able to save money that you normally would have spent on that vacation. Now that fall is on the horizon, you’re itching to do something, but traveling is still tough. Plus, if you keep saving, you will have the funds you need for replacement windows in Plano, TX in no time. Here are a few ideas for fall staycations that won’t cost you much and can allow you to save even more for home projects.

Camping In Your Yard

Texas generally has beautiful fall weather. You could set up a tent in your backyard, have a bonfire, complete with smores, tell scary stories, and enjoy as much of nature as you can from the comforts of your own home. The benefits are, that the bathroom and running water is close by and set up a tent (though it can be complicated) is absolutely free! You can save the money you would have spent on gas and lodging and spend it on windows instead.

Having A Drive-In Movie At Home

If you have a white sheet, hang it on the side of the house. Set up a projector (which you can borrow from someone else if you don’t have one) and plan a movie from one of your streaming services. You can set out lawn chairs, have the kids decorate large boxes into cars, or lay out some blankets picnic style. Grab some freshly popped popcorn and enjoy a movie under the stars. Wear some bug spray and it should be a good time. Plus, it’s way cheaper than going to the theaters—and safer, too.

Set Up Some Obstacle Courses

Gather the sprinklers, hula hoops, balls, chairs, and other assorted things and take turns setting up obstacle courses for the kids. Let them set up courses, too, and perhaps even run a few yourself to really get into the spirit. IT could be enough to keep them entertained for a whole afternoon and the memories will last a lifetime while the price tag will be non-existent.

You might not get away from your house with a fall staycation, but you will have a good time with your family, and that’s what’s most important. Plus, you can take your vacation budget and put it towards something that’s highly important for your home replacement windows in Plano, TX. Since you are staying at home anyway, you can call Southwest Door & Window and have them pop by for a free in-home consultation. You can go over details, possible costs, and other things while you get advice from experts on how to proceed with the project with as much ease as possible. Don’t cut back on family fun, but you can cut back on how much it costs.

Paying Close Attention To Front Replacement Windows

Posted on October 26, 2020 by admin

It’s smart to have a budget in mind for your replacement windows in Frisco, TX and when you start looking at the project, remember that you can break that budget up in a number of different ways. While it would be nice to have the absolute best windows in every window hole in your home, perhaps you don’t have enough funds for that. But you could get some of the best on the market for the front windows on your home and put more standard models into other areas. Here are a few reasons why you will want to pay close attention to the replacement windows you put in front of your house.

Curb Appeal

When you look at your home from the curb, it’s important to have a nice-looking home, especially if you sell the house someday. While you want all of your windows to look nice, if you can’t see the side and back windows from the front, there’s nothing wrong with getting something more standard and less aesthetic. Concentrate on efficiency all the way around and get something that looks fancier just on the front.

Safety Aspects

If someone were to be casing your home, they would look at the front first, right? When they see windows that look sturdy and new, they might not even bother with your home. It’s more likely that they would try to break into the back, but if they assume the windows are all the same based on what they see upfront, you’re safer all the way around. Front windows give that security to your home and deter possible intruders.

Functionality Options

You want the front windows of your home to function well and what you need from them might be different than what you need from windows on the back of the house. For example, there could be landscaping out front or a front path and you don’t want your windows hanging over that, in the way. But in the back, it doesn’t matter as much to you. The functionality options are important in the front of the house.

Suitable Style

If you have a certain style of home, you want the windows that show the most to fit into that style. You might put double-hung windows in to make the home look like it works well together in its older style. In the back, though, anything goes, and the style doesn’t have to match as well since it won’t be seen nearly as often. You can then go with something that functions the way you want over thinking about style.

There are lots of things to consider when you are getting replacement windows in Frisco, TX and you will want to pay special attention to the front of your home to get things just right. The professionals at Southwest Door & Window are here to help you figure out all of the details for every side of the home, so you end up with the best options.

Places To Add Window Replacement Options

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Brandon Devore

Getting replacement windows in Frisco, TX for your home is not only a good move for your efficiency, but it’s also a great opportunity to make changes. While some people change window style, material, or color, there are chances to add windows as well. There might be certain areas in your house that could really use a window. Here are a few places you might consider adding a window as you look ahead to the project.

The Bathroom

Now, the bathroom is one room in the house that demands privacy. You may not want a window in there to be in the way of that. But windows don’t have to bring the privacy levels down. Instead, you can place a window in the bathroom for natural light and ventilation. Put a fog on the glass and you still have privacy. Or, place the window high up on the wall so no one can see in. It might be a great place for natural light and a window can help with that for sure.

A Dark Hallway

Hallways are often interior spaces that don’t feature windows, but when they can have a window, it’s a nice addition. You don’t always have to turn the hall light on to see when you walk down it if there’s a window in place bringing some light in. A skylight is also a nice option for a hallway if the hall is an interior hall that doesn’t have walls that go to the outside. You can get some light in that way and still keep privacy.

The Entry Way

You want your entryway to look nice and spacious and exude warmth and welcome to your guests. When you add a window above or perhaps beside the door, you can let in more light and add some interest to the home from the outside as well. It’s a nice way to see who’s at the door and give yourself other perks.

The Kitchen

Not every kitchen has space for a window, but if you do, it is a nice addition. Kitchens can get hot and humid with cooking and opening a window for fresh air to circulate can be very nice. It’s especially handy if someone overcooks something and you want to get that burned small out as soon as you can.

There are lots of other places in a home where you might add windows as you get replacement windows in Frisco, TX for the rest of the home. If you are thinking of additions, or want advice on where might be best to place windows, the professionals at Southwest Door & Window are here to help. We can come to your home for a free consultation and we can talk over all of the details you are considering so you can start thinking about the options and make a decision at your leisure. We want you to end up with additional windows everywhere you want them to make the best impact.

Preparing For Replacement Window Installation

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Brandon Devore

Once you put effort into choosing the right replacement windows in Frisco, TX, and you have spent a good amount of money as well, you just have to get through the installation process. While the installation is the final piece of the project, it’s a very important piece. Here are a few ways you can prepare for the process to make it as simple as possible for everyone involved.

Ask Questions Along The Way

As you are choosing your replacement windows, you have the attention of the professionals who are there to help you every step of the way. When you have questions about how installation works, ask them. The professionals are there to help you and it’s always a good time to look ahead. If you don’t ask anything until after the windows are ordered, that’s okay too. They are still there to answer your questions whenever they arise.

Make A List

Before the installation, the window professionals might provide you with a list of things to prepare. If they don’t, you can make one of your own based on what they’ve said to you over the phone, what their website says, or the questions you have asked. Having a list will help you ensure that everything gets done on time. There doesn’t have to be much on it, but it’s very important. You will need to take down the window coverings and any pictures on the walls with windows as well. You will want to make sure there is a clear path to the windows, and you will want to allow access to electrical outlets. You may want to cover furniture and flooring, though many installers do that as well.

Figure Out What You Will Do

It’s best that you are home when the installation takes place, though it’s not absolutely required. It’s just nice for you to be around in case the installers have any questions or need to show you anything. You have to have someone available to open the door for them, but if you intend to stay at home while they are there, it’s good to think about what you will do while they are there. It’s not a good idea to plant o bake that day, but you can arrange files, work on your laptop, and other such things. If you have a pet in the house, you may also want to spend extra time reassuring them or maybe taking them outside for walks frequently to work off the nerves of the noise.

When you are ready for the installation process of replacement windows in Frisco, TX, it’s very exciting. You are at the final step and it’s nice to know that soon, all of the benefits you have wanted are going to be a reality. The professionals at Southwest Door & Window can work with you from the beginning to the end of your project. We’ll help you get the windows you want, but we’ll also install them for you. We’ll make sure you know what you need to do before we arrive.