Buying a New Home? Here’s What to Look for in Windows & Doors

If you’re in the market for a new home, you may have a full checklist of items to keep an eye out for. Whether it’s checking the cabinets or the air ventilation, there are a number of things to check when buying a house! But don’t forget the importance of your potential new house’s windows and doors when making that checklist. No matter what kind of home you are looking for, whether it be brand-new or a fixer-upper, here are some window and door factors to be mindful of when you’re attending a showing.

What to Check For in Windows and Doors When Buying a House

Ease of Use

As you walk into the home you’re checking out, listen to the door and pay attention to how it swings. Does it creak? Did the realtor have to put their shoulder into opening the door? Can you open the windows easily or do they require elbow grease? Test out all the windows and doors in the house as you walk through, so you’ll know which may need to be repaired or replaced later. It’s better to be prepared for potential additional expenses in the form of replacement windows or replacement doors before you buy than a few months down the road.

Energy Efficiency

One of the best gifts you can give yourself over time in terms of cost savings for your home is energy-efficient products. Energy efficiency is not only a term used for appliances; your doors, windows and walls can all have an impact on your home’s energy performance. This is one of the key things to look for when buying a house. 

Doors and windows made with energy-efficient materials better keep cool air in during the heat of summer and warm air in during the winter. Over time, energy-efficient windows and doors can aid in increasing your overall cost savings on energy bills. Additionally, you can feel good about your choice since energy efficiency products help reduce your carbon footprint! 

Window World’s doors and windows are constructed using low-E glass, which filters out more UV light to keep your home comfortable year-round, and vinyl framing, which is an excellent thermal insulator. Factors like these will add onto your overall cost savings. 

Durability

If it’s a cold or particularly humid day when you’re at the house, take a close look at the windows and doors. Do you see any condensation buildup inside the glass? That’s a sign the insulation is not holding up well in the windows or doors, and a sign you’ll likely have to replace them sooner rather than later. Double-paned glass windows are ideal for insulation purposes. Single-paned windows offer very little insulation against the elements and add to your energy bills through lost heat and cooling from your HVAC system. 

Do you feel a draft coming from doors or windows? That’s something to note as well. If heat or cool air from outside is getting past doors and windows, you’ll definitely feel that after you’ve moved in — and your utility bills will feel it, too, in the form of higher costs. Drafts mean the insulation isn’t effective, and that leads to replacement. 

One last durability note, and possibly the most important: if the doors and windows in the house are wooden, you will need to replace them in the next few years if not sooner. Warping leads to compromised insulation and is the material most susceptible to rot and termites. It’s part of why Window World products are made with durable vinyl, which does not warp and is made to last. 

Window World of Kansas City is Here to Help

Love that home you’ve just toured, but know the windows and doors may need some TLC in the next few years? Window World of Kansas City offers beautiful custom-built doors and windows that are made to last, and a lifetime warranty in the event you need them replaced even farther down the line. Whenever you need us, we’ll be here ready to help add energy efficiency and curb appeal to your new home.