What does replacing the windows in a house involve?

In most cases replacing the windows in a house is dictated by the pursuit of better thermal and acoustic insulation and by aesthetic considerations. Contemporary technologies allow the manufacture of exceptionally airtight and practical windows of a new generation, which as a rule replace the double timber windows used in construction several decades ago. This process involves bearing the cost of buying the windows and installing them, and taking a series of decisions connected with organising the undertaking. What exactly must we reckon with when planning and carrying out the replacement of windows in a house?

When should windows be replaced?

It is worth replacing windows on the occasion of a general renovation of the rooms – in this way we will avoid additional cleaning work and having to protect the surroundings from dust again. We must reckon with the fact that replacing windows requires interfering with the structure of the window recesses – adjusting or widening them for the installation of the new window frame. Once the work is finished, the damaged sections of wall will have to be plastered and repainted.

The undertaking of replacing windows is best planned for the warm season – we will then avoid not only chilling the rooms but also a lower quality of installation of the new window frames. For carrying out the work let us choose a day without rain, because moisture present in the air during installation may cause faults in the later operation of the sealing systems. Besides, replacing roof windows requires partial dismantling of the roof covering, and we certainly do not want rainwater to get inside the building.

What to remember at the planning stage?

When planning to replace old windows with energy-efficient windows of a new generation, we must reckon with taking a series of decisions. The most important concern:

• the size of the windows,
• the type of windows,
• the material the new windows will be made of,
• the opening mechanism of the windows (provided we want them to open),
• technical parameters, such as the thermal transmittance,
• the installation of additional elements, such as ventilation systems, blinds and so on.

At the planning stage let us consult a specialist and, if possible, visit a showroom where we will be able to look closely at the individual window models. Taking precise measurements of the window recesses is also very important – thanks to them we will avoid unnecessary and costly additional work.

Why is it worth it?

Replacing windows is an exceptionally profitable investment. In the summer period it allows savings on cooling the rooms with air conditioning, and in winter on heating them. On the occasion of replacing windows, property owners frequently decide to widen the window openings in order to let more light inside and to use the thermal energy produced by the sun’s rays to heat the rooms in winter. Let us remember that work of this kind, interfering significantly with the shape and size of window openings, requires obtaining a permit for the conversion of the building.