Forbes Article Says: “Don’t Buy Replacement Windows”

“…[C]ontrary to what you may have heard from the building and remodeling industries, new windows will not function better. They will not save you buckets of money in energy costs. They may not even last until you have finished paying for them.” This is a statement from a popular Forbes article by author Regina Cole.

As people who have been a part of the replacement window industry for many years, we find this statement is incredibly misleading. Let’s start with the first portion: “…new windows will not function better.” If you have a home with old windows, you know all about windows that don’t function well. You probably have sliders that don’t open smoothly (or at all), single hung window sashes that don’t stay up when raised, and window locks that are broken. The single panes in your windows do very little to keep out the noise from outside, and you may have visible gaps that let in hot and cold air and make it difficult to keep your home at the optimal temperature.

Some of the problems mentioned above can be remedied, but most cannot, and the only way to have properly functioning windows again is to have them replaced. With new replacement windows, you can open and close your windows with ease, allowing you take advantage of the great San Diego weather. You can make your home more airtight, keep out unwanted noise, and by locking your windows at night, you can also help keep your family safe. So, in all aspects, new windows function better than old windows.

The second statement about replacement windows says, “[Replacement windows] will not save you buckets of money in energy costs.” We don’t know of anyone who claims new windows will save homeowners “buckets” of money. We’ve certainly never claimed that. But new windows will save you some money on your monthly energy bills, and for most people, it’s a noticeable amount of money. For many of the homeowners we work with, the energy savings is just one of several factors that convinces them to replace their windows. They’re not expecting to make back the entire amount of money that they pay for their new windows, but the money they do save every month is a nice bonus and helps to offset the purchase cost.

Finally, the author claims that, “[Replacement windows] may not even last until you have finished paying for them.” This is just simply not true, at least when it comes to the types of replacement windows we sell at BM Windows. Our windows are built to last a lifetime, so even if you finance them for a lengthy term, they will last long after you’ve finished paying them off. They are made with quality materials and are well constructed. On the off chance that anything does go wrong with the windows you purchase from us, we will repair or replace them at no cost to you—for as long as you own your home!

Are there instances in which you should not replace your home’s windows? Sure. If you have an historic home with wood windows, you might want to consider having them restored, rather than replaced, to maintain the historic quality of your home. However, the vast majority of homes in San Diego do not fall into the “historic” category. They have windows with either aluminum frames, old vinyl frames, or poorly maintained wood frames that no longer look good nor function well. In these cases, it makes sense to have them replaced.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of replacement windows or get a quote on the cost of new windows for your home, contact us at BM Windows.