Why replace everything at once
Replacing every window in a house in one project has practical advantages. The windows match: same frame color, same sightlines, same hardware. The contractor measures and orders once, sets up once, and can plan the work room by room. If the old windows are all the same age and all failing, it can make sense to deal with them together rather than piecemeal. It's also a big project, so it deserves careful planning.
Start with what's wrong
Before talking about new windows, list what you want to fix. Drafts, condensation, rot, rooms that overheat, windows that won't open or lock, noise, appearance. Different problems point to different choices. A south- or west-facing room that overheats may call for glass that blocks more solar heat. A bedroom that's too noisy may call for different glass. A rotted frame calls for a different installation method from a sound one.
Choosing frames and glass
- Frame material. Vinyl is common and low-maintenance. Wood looks traditional and needs upkeep. Fiberglass and composite frames are strong and stable. Aluminum is slim and strong but conducts heat more than the others unless it has a thermal break. See energy-efficient vinyl windows for more.
- Glass. Most replacement windows today are double-pane, often with a low-emissivity (low-E) coating and sometimes a gas fill between the panes. Triple-pane glass is available for colder climates or noise. Different low-E coatings handle sunlight differently.
- Window style. Double-hung, single-hung, sliders, casements, awnings and fixed picture windows open and seal differently. Casements and awnings usually seal tightly when closed; sliders are easy to use in wide openings.
Room by room
A whole-house proposal should treat rooms differently where it makes sense. Bedrooms need windows that meet the building code's emergency escape requirements. Bathrooms and windows near doors or close to the floor may need tempered safety glass. Kitchens may need a style that's easy to open over a counter. Ask the contractor to go through the house room by room with you.
Installation day
A whole-house job may take one day or several, depending on the number of windows and the installation method. Usually the crew removes and replaces a few windows at a time so the house isn't left open. Ask how many windows they'll do per day, how they'll protect floors and furniture, and how they'll handle a window opening that turns out to have hidden damage.
Permits
Many local building departments require a permit for window replacement, especially when the size of an opening changes or the work involves structural repair. Ask who will pull any permit and schedule inspections.
Older homes
Houses built before 1978 may have lead-based paint on window frames and trim. Window replacement disturbs exactly those surfaces, and renovation that disturbs lead paint in pre-1978 homes falls under the federal Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. Ask how the contractor will work safely and clean up.
Questions to ask
- What would you recommend for each room, and why?
- Which frame material, glass package and window style do you propose?
- Will you do full-frame or insert installation, and why for my house?
- How many windows will you replace per day, and how will you protect the house?
- What happens if you find rot or damage when you remove a window?
- Who pulls the permit, and what does the written warranty cover?