When it comes to installing windows for your home, you have to make an important decision: replacement windows vs new windows.
Except in some rare scenarios, these two kinds of windows are mutually exclusive. The decision is clear: new-construction windows or new windows for remodeling and when the window frame is being built, or replacement windows for applications where an existing window must be removed.
Replacement Windows Vs New Windows or New Construction Windows: What is the Difference?
You might assume that replacement and new windows are interchangeable, but that isn’t true.
Replacement windows are installed to replace the windows in an existing property. They were designed to fit the existing window frame. That is why replacement windows are also known as retrofit windows. The old wooden sashes will be removed from the old wooden jambs, and they’ll likely cover the original wood jambs with aluminum and then install a replacement window that doesn’t have an integrated nail fin.
New windows or new construction windows, however, are typically utilized for new homes or home extensions. New windows have a nail-fin frame that allows them to be fastened directly to the house’s framework. When constructing an addition, new windows can help the new addition blend in to appear like it’s a natural extension of the house.
What are Replacement Windows?
Replacement windows replace existing new windows or older replacement windows in a space that has already been built. Replacement windows are very useful when replacing old wooden windows. After the original wood window has been gutted and removed, replacement windows are constructed to fit inside the frame.
When Should You Choose Replacement Windows?
Replacement windows are designed to be put in place of existing home windows. These are the most often utilized windows in the home and window upgrades. Here are situations when replacement windows are recommended instead of new construction windows:
1. When Replacing an Old Window
Installing new windows in older homes can cost more money, effort, and damage than simply replacing a window. All of the wall, frame, window, and siding components are connected. Thus, modifying one of them would affect the others.
Replacement windows offer more advantages because they are designed to slide horizontally while modifying the fewest elements. Older construction windows typically need temporary and minor changes, such as removing body panels. Nonetheless, it can usually be easily replaced if the panel has been removed correctly.
2. When Using Detachable Fin Windows in New Construction
Though not that common, if new construction windows have molded fins and replacement windows do not, you should remove the connected fins on the former and convert them to the latter.
A few new windows contain fins designed to be pulled or snapped off. This provides the most functionality for these windows.
In theory, clipping off the rounded fins of new construction windows that don’t have retractable fins isn’t a good idea. You run the danger of shattering the glass in the pane or damaging the window frame when you cut the fins. Smoothing down the external sides of the window to ensure that it fits firmly and is weather-resistant can also be challenging.
Why Should You Get Replacement Windows?
In many cases, there will be more benefits to installing replacement windows, including the ones listed below.
They are Usually Less Expensive
Because retrofitting windows is a simpler process than adding new construction types, it is less expensive. Although the windows themselves are slightly more expensive, labor costs are usually lower.
They Allow the Exterior Finish to be Preserved
Unlike new construction windows, no major adjustments to existing walls, moldings, or siding are required when replacing windows. It is not only less disruptive and less expensive, but it also eliminates the possibility of a huge change in the façade of your property.
Not only is this advantageous for someone who has meticulously managed their home’s exterior, but it is also beneficial if you own an older property with an old-world charm and character that you do not want to damage.
They Have a Quick Installation Process
Replacement windows installation is faster than new windows when time is of the essence. Busy local window replacement businesses may be able to schedule you for this less time-consuming job sooner than they will for a new construction window installation.
They Enable You to Choose Greater Energy Efficiency
When replacing your windows with more energy-efficient models, retrofitting makes sense. It is a cost-effective and minimally disruptive technique of effecting change when done correctly.
What are New Windows or New-construction Windows?
New-construction windows are designed to fit the largest size window from stud to stud and are fixed to the outer sheathing of your home with an attached nail fin to the window.
If the house already has siding, it must be removed or cut back to allow these new construction windows with nail fins to attach and secure to the sheathing. If the house or addition has not yet been built, new windows are the best option.
The ability or cost to remove the siding is not always prudent. Sometimes it’s the sort of siding, and other times it’s the price. New windows can and will not make sense if your property has a stone or brick exterior.
Ask your dependable window installation company like us at Universal Windows Direct about the best type of installation for your needs. It will most likely depend on the kind of window, the type of exterior, the type of existing window that is being replaced, the amount of your budget, and whether or not you have any present concerns or problems with the existing window.
When Should You Choose New Windows?
A new construction window is installed in newly built residences or extensions to existing dwellings. In contrast to replacement windows, new construction windows must be installed directly on the framing using a nail fin mount. The house’s exterior will not be finished until the installation is completed.
When Constructing a New Home
A new house is an outstanding example of modern architecture that necessitates the usage of new construction windows. With new homes, new construction windows are fitted in all structures.
When Constructing an Addition
Unless you are faced with a really unusual case, you will almost always use a new construction window for the modifications. The only time you should not utilize a new construction window is if your extension incorporates a portion of an existing wall.
When Replacing a Defective Window
The area around a deteriorating window is frequently, though not always, deteriorating as well. Rust, rot, or termites likely damaged elements such as window panes and frames, interior drywall, floor covering, etc.
Why Should You Choose New Construction Windows
The following are some benefits of using full-frame new construction windows.
They Can Be Used in New Construction Projects
Are you constructing a new home, altering an existing room and tearing down the walls to the studs, or adding an extension? Then, you’ll need to install new construction windows.
These windows attach metal nail fin frames to the wall studs, keeping them in place until the surrounding wall is built. Replacement windows, on the other hand, must fit within an existing frame.
You Can Now Install Larger Windows Than You Previously Had
Nothing beats a large window for bringing in plenty of natural light. New windows are the way to go if you want to add a bigger or taller window than you presently have. Because the larger window will require a larger aperture, the elaborate framing will ensure a secure fit.
When the Original Framing is In Poor Condition, You Can Get a Better Fit
When the exterior of an old window begins to corrode, rust, or decay, replacing it with a new window is the best option. Fitting replacement windows into a faulty frame can result in a poor seal and decreased lifetime.
If repairing the problem necessitates extensive work with siding, drywall, studs, or framing, using a new construction window to ensure a secure and airtight fit is likely to be less expensive.
Windows for an Existing Home: Which Should You Choose?
Replacement windows are the best option if you have an existing home and the wooden window frames are still in good shape. Your existing window opening can be measured, and then a replacement window made to that precise size can be ordered.
Replacement windows are also ideal for houses built with brick or stone, stucco, and some cement board siding, because the outside of the building cannot be readily removed, as it is with a standard vinyl siding house.
If your wood window frames are in poor condition, or if you have Vinyl New Construction windows, they must be replaced. This is when using new construction windows in an existing home makes sense.
Replacement Windows vs New Windows: Final Verdict
Replacement windows are typically less expensive than new construction windows. This is because you are replacing the window rather than the frame. You can also avoid building on any adjacent interior or exterior walls.
On the other hand, new construction windows can be readily put in a new home or home extension. New construction windows are significantly better insulated than replacement ones, making it easier to maintain your home’s air barrier.
While the initial purchase and installation costs may be higher, they can save you money in the long run by offering better insulation. They reduce breezes, and high-quality windows can reduce noise from outside traffic. They can also help improve your home’s curb appeal, increasing its value.