As the Indianapolis weather warms up, it’s a perfect time to consider how well your home’s windows are performing. If your windows aren’t functioning as well as you’d like, a window replacement project may be in order. And since new windows typically yield a 70-80 percent return on a home sale, the investment is a sound one.
Of course, there are a lot of windows on the market. The options may seem endless—but choosing the right option for your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve prepared a handy, practical checklist to help you navigate the choices and arrive at a window replacement option that makes your home sparkle and shine for years to come.
Envision what you want
When choosing the right replacement windows, start by getting a clear picture in mind of what you want and need. Here are some things to consider:
Look at home beautification sites and magazines to see examples of how different windows can look when installed.
Consider the purposes that new windows will serve, and ask which matter most to you:
- Is there a specific style you need to match?
- Are there materials you prefer to use or avoid (wood, vinyl, etc.)?
- What features do you want your windows to have? (Look below for more help on this!)
Consider the latest features and options
Today’s windows offer many fabulous features to consider before you make an investment. Here are some of the most popular and useful window features that today’s top brands (including Pella® windows, our preferred choice) offer to Indianapolis homeowners:
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient windows offer great advantages to savings-minded homeowners:
- Offer increased insulation
- Eliminate hot spots and cold drafts
- Help decrease utility bills
- Reduce wear and tear on your heating and air conditioning units
- Keep your home’s temperature comfortable and pleasant
We find that Pella windows offer many energy-saving features, including:
- Low-E technology
— allows sunlight to enter your home without impeding the window’s insulating properties - HurricaneShield®
— this impact-resistant glass performs well in stormy weather, resisting flying debris - Obscure insulating glass
— brings sunlight in, but prevents people outside the home from seeing in, enhancing privacy - Tinted glass
— helps block the sun’s rays to keep rooms cooler - Laminated and tempered glass
— durable and hard to shatter, which increases a home’s security
Other Windows Features To Consider
- Ease of Cleaning
—In decades past, cleaning windows usually meant climbing a ladder and risking a fall. But today’s innovations eliminate that need. - Glass coatings
— when applied to large windows that would otherwise be hard to clean, specialty coatings prevent a film of dirt from forming on the glass - Tilt-in and pivoting sashes
— enable homeowners to tilt the window pane for easy cleaning from inside the home - Impact Resistance
— Whether you have children playing ball in your backyard or are concerned about the stormy potential of Indianapolis weather fronts, the reality is that glass can break. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for replacement windows that offer impact-resistant glass. - Universal Design Features
— For those who have physical challenges or need enhanced accessibility in their home, such as those who are aging in place, look for windows that offer features such as:- Cranks
— levers that eliminate the need to push/pull windows open and closed - Electrical controls
— these allow windows to be operated with the push of a button - Specialty locks
— locks that are designed to be easy to operate
- Cranks
- Blinds or Shades Inside the Glass
Windows with blinds and shades inserted between the panes of glass are practical for several reasons:- Allergy prevention
— Dust quickly gathers on blinds and shades exposed to the air. Tucking them behind the glass means they can’t attract dust, which helps to reduce allergens in your home. - Easy to maintain
— No more struggling to wash and clean blinds or shades!
- Allergy prevention
- Many varieties to choose from
— Pella’s Designer Series® products offer a great selection of windows that come with this feature.
Other Pella Specialty Features
If you have unique needs or concerns, today’s windows can often solve them. For example:
- Window opening controls
— These restrict how much a window can open, limiting the risk of falls by small children or pets - Double and triple pane glass
— Helps reduce outdoor noise such as traffic, machinery and barking dogs from penetrating your home - High-transparency screens
— Pella’s Vivid View® products allow in more light and give you a better view out your window, without sacrificing insect protection - Retractable screens
— Pella’s Rolscreen® retractable screens roll up and down with ease - Pre-painted windows
— To ease maintenance, many windows come pre-painted or pre-stained in a variety of color choices - Art glass
— Stained glass and other artistic style options allow homeowners a creative, personalized style
Why we prefer Pella Windows
Our team of window installation experts prefer Pella windows because:
- They offer superior, reliable, long-lasting performance for the Indianapolis area homeowners we serve.
- They’re available in attractive, adaptable materials including wood, fiberglass, and vinyl.
- Pella gives homeowners great results that make their homes look stunning.Pella windows are rated by the EPA as an Energy Star® certified product — meaning they save on energy usage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help decrease utility costs.
- They come in a variety of styles, materials, and features that allow you to customize your home.
JD Hostetter: a Pella certified window installation contractor
To get top performance from your new windows, look for a skilled window installation contractor with strong ratings and reliable service.
JD Hostetter & Associates are a Pella Certified Contractor. Our team is specifically and thoroughly trained, certified, and experienced with installing Pella windows to ensure that homeowners get the most out of their windows. You can rest assured that as a Pella Certified Contractor, we’ll do the installation right from start to finish, ensuring you get the full benefits of the Pella Windows warranty and enjoy beautiful windows that make you proud.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation to learn more about what we do and to get a detailed price and timeline for installing Pella windows in your home.
