When to DIY & When to Hire a Window Installer

As a handy homeowner, it’s normal to want to contribute your own time and skills to maintain and enhance your residential space from time to time. After all, regular upkeep and upgrades—such as replacing your windows—are key to preserving, or even increasing, the long-term value of your home in Northern Virginia or the D.C. metro area.

However, not all home improvements make for good DIY projects, and there are certain cases where installing new windows at your house should be left to the professionals.

When Should You Replace Home Windows?

It’s easy to go years living in your home without giving your windows a second thought. They more or less blend into a background unless you encounter an obvious issue. There are actually a variety of reasons to consider installing new windows in Northern Virginia, though. Some indicators that it’s time for a window replacement include:

• Air is leaking through the frame and causing a draft.

• Excessive condensation on the pane or moisture buildup between double panes.

• Your utility bills are increasing as a result of energy inefficient or drafty windows

• Your older Washington D.C. or Northern Virginia home still has single-pane windows.

• The windows aren’t operating properly because the frame is damaged or warped.

• Too much outside noise is leaking into your home.

• Your windows are stylistically outdated, and you want to improve the appearance of your home interior and exterior.

• Your windows are damaged in an accident or act of nature.

Should You Install Your Own Windows?

Once you have decided it’s time for new windows, the questions remains whether a DIY window installation or calling in the pros is the right way to go. 

Initially it may seem like installing your own windows would be more cost-effective because you don’t have to pay for labor. It’s not too difficult to source your own materials for a window replacement, especially if you already have a connection with a vendor or you buy used. Plus there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from accomplishing your own home improvements. 

On the other hand, window installation is not particularly easy and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up causing more damage or not repairing your windows properly. Even small issues or imperfections can undermine the visual appeal of your home and create a distraction in an otherwise lovely interior. Either way, you’ll need to hire new window installers to help fix the problem. It’s better to save yourself the time, trouble and potential headache by collaborating with professionals from the get-go. This also gives you the ability to finish the project in the most cost-effective way.

What Do Window Installation Professionals Offer?

First off, professional window installers have plenty of experience that they can contribute to your job. They know what issues have the potential to arise based on the size, style and condition of your home, and they can take steps to prevent or mitigate those problems. Additionally, window replacement is a complex process that requires specific tools. If you try to get by with what you already have on hand, it will be difficult to do the job accurately. Professionals, on the other hand, possess all the right tools and equipment for proper window installation. 

It’s also good to keep in mind that energy efficiency and superior design quality have as much to do with installation practices as the materials themselves. You must create a building envelope and ensure the window is properly nested within it to prevent drafts and ensure you aren’t throwing away money on energy bills for years to come. With professional window installation, you are more likely to see a worthwhile return on investment (ROI) for your project by improving the long-term energy efficiency of your home in the Washington, D.C., area. 

Finally, experienced window installers have an eye for design and a familiarity with products that most homeowners lack. They know how and where to source different types of windows and may have access to certain vendors that can create products designed specifically for your family.

A professional team will guide you in exploring your options based on your project priorities. Plus, if you’re trying to accomplish a specific design style, they can point you in the right direction. There may be a variety of window shapes and features you’ve never heard of that could be the perfect fit for your house. 

If you want to contribute in a hands-on way to the project, you can do so by adding the finishing touches or installing your new window treatments to complement your upgraded windows.

Professional Window Installation in Northern Virginia

Installing new windows at your home in Northern Virginia or the DC metro area requires time, patience, and the right set of skills and equipment. If you have a background in construction, you may feel confident replacing your damaged or outdated windows as a weekend DIY project. For many busy homeowners, however, attempting a new window installation isn’t a worthwhile investment of either time or money. By partnering with our team at Window and Door Showplace, you get more than quality craftsmanship and proper installation. Our innovative window solutions provide you access to a wide range of style options and the ability to mix and match across different product lines, enabling your new windows to balance increased performance with exceptional aesthetics.