Flip House Progress: New Windows

By Kate Riley May 24, 2017

It’s hard to say with a straight face “new windows are sexy” but you know what is? Major savings, extra money in your pocket, the dough you save on your monthly energy bills when you replace your windows and the value you add to your home when you do, now that (arguably) is sexy.

Today I’m sharing a progress report on the flip house. You’ve seen a peek at the new floors and I’ve shared the hall bathroom and the fireplace makeover. Another major change was an investment in new Simonton windows. I sung the praises of Simonton windows a few years ago when I installed them in my first Vegas investment property. I loved this brand so much I installed them again, this time in the second Vegas house.

For installation, we worked with Home Depot last time and that was fine but this time I had the windows shipped directly and hired the subcontractor installer which saved some cash since the installer’s bid was lower than Home Depot’s bid for installation. Thanks to these new windows and the other improvements being made, the future owners will be able to breathe a sigh of relief that the home won’t require any upgrades because it everything is fresh from floor to ceiling and the home will be move-in ready.

The five great reasons for investing in new windows that I shared here are the same but there is an additional benefit when it comes to this property. Marketing the home for sale with new windows is a huge selling point and when it’s staged for sale this summer, potential buyers will be attracted to the property because of it.

1) Better Looking. From the outside the new vinyl windows look a million times better than the old aluminum ones. The new white frames are modern and fresh with thicker trim. From the inside more light enters the house and the view of the trees and yard are visibly clearer. The new windows are from the Daylight Max line of products that have maximum efficiency and allow more light.

 

 

 

2) Temperature. With my hand on the old windows I could feel the heat from outside penetrating into the house. The new windows have insulating “low E glass with argon gas” which reflects long-wave infrared UV rays so the temperature stays much lower inside. So important in this high heat desert climate!

 

3) Cost Savings. New windows do cost thousands of dollars but they’re a worthy investment for a property you intend to keep or one you intend to sell since the home will have lower heating and cooling bills compared to neighbors who lack new windows, again that’s a major selling point with potential buyers.

 

4) Performance. Compared to the old, the new windows and sliding door are a breeze to open and close. The old ones were a pain to maneuver, the metal was heavier, it would catch and not slide smoothly, now they open and close with the push or pull of a finger.

 

 

5) Added Value. Aluminum windows have inferior insulation qualities and also a dated appearance. New efficient windows can add dollar for dollar value, depending on the the quality and price of the windows of course. Another advantage is that new windows have safety latches built in for greater security and protection.

 

What can you expect with new window installation? It’s not as time consuming or disruptive to your life as you might think!

1) The new windows are measured from the interior of the existing metal framing for both height and width. Once a professional takes the measurements, they are sent to the manufacturer to be customized to fit your home, this process takes anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks.

2) For an average size home (this one is 1,600 square feet) most of the installation can take place in one day and it goes pretty fast. Once all the windows are delivered, they are matched up with their new locations within the home. The installation begins by removing the old window panes.

3) For each window, the existing aluminum frame is left in place and the new custom fix window is set inside the old frame using four screws and silicone adhesive. Any gap is filled with foam insulation and protective caulking is applied to the exterior.

 

Next the trim pieces go on top to give the window it’s new look. The new windows provide such a temperature different that our installer remarked “you sweat when you remove the old windows but not when you install the new ones.”

Installing a sliding door is a completely different process, I’ll share that soon it deserves it’s own post.

More to come on this home’s progress as the renovation moves along, the kitchen cabinets will be installed in two weeks then the countertops, appliances, and backsplash, I’m excited!

*This post in partnership with Simonton Windows, all opinions are my own.

2 comments

  1. Feel free to say new, energy-efficient windows are sexy. ;) The downside to me is that it’s almost impossible to see tilt-and-turn windows with ‘persianas’ outside Spain. Persianas make such a huge impact on bringing the temperature down in the summer. Most homes here in Spain do not have air conditioning. Our energy prices are sick enough already without the added cost of AC. And no, your ‘blinds’ don’t really compare.

    My sister and I co-own two rental flats here in Spain and we like to pay attention to pricey features to replace when considering potential properties, such as windows, boiler, etc. Our renovation efforts are often limited to having some electrical DIY’s fixed by an electrician and the house professionally painted -that makes a huge difference-. We then combine modern-looking, cheap furniture with second-hand finds that look nice and won’t break the bank either. We’ve been really lucky with our tenants so far. I guess when you view a potential rental as a tenant, an apartment that looks nice will always be preferably to granny’s old house.

    Not that buying or rental prices here compare to prices in the US or Canada from what I see on HGTV, for instance.

  2. New windows are always sexy! :) Love how the new flip is coming along! I was wondering if you would write a post about house flipping ”how-tos”. My husband and I are thinking about buying a property but wonder where to begin. Did you use a real estate agent to find the house or did the search and price comparisons yourself? Just wondering,,, Thanks!

Leave a comment!

Keep the conversation going! Your email address will not be published.*

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Lately on Instagram (@centsationalstyle)