This blog post originally appeared on the Pella Blog and was written by Nicolle Picray.
You’ve decided it’s time for new windows. You envision how great they’ll look. You imagine how comfortable your family will be. And you anticipate how good you’ll feel about staying on top of your home’s maintenance.
There’s just one thing standing in your way — the shopping process. Ugh.
Fear not. Even if you’ve never purchased new windows before (and let’s face it, most of us haven’t), the process can actually be very smooth. Start with these simple, straightforward steps to narrow your choices and speed up the process.
- Consider your lifestyle. Think about the people, places and things in your life. Will you need to keep blinds and shades out of reach of little hands or paws? Do you redecorate frequently? Is there a particular view you’d like to preserve or create? And what about regional considerations — does your area see extreme temperatures?
- Gather inspiration. Visit sites like Houzz and Pinterest for photos, ideas and tips that can help inspire your next great space. This will help you determine what you want the finished product to look like, both inside and out.
- Do your research. Stop by a window and door manufacturer's showroom, home improvement store or a home show to see the different window styles up close. Don’t worry about comparing every single detail of each window. At this point, focus on a few key features like style, operation and energy efficiency.
- Set a budget. New windows are an investment. Prioritizing the features and options that matter most to you can help narrow your search for the products that suit your budget. You’ll also want to consider other factors that could affect the cost of your new windows, including installation and location.
- Work with an expert. Regardless of whether you'll do the job on your own or hire a professional, it helps to talk with an expert that specializes in windows and doors.
As with any big project, breaking up the window shopping process into manageable steps is a smart move. If you want to dive deeper into any of the steps listed above, these resources will help. You can also look for our next post on decoding the label to learn more about energy efficiency rankings.
Stop by one of our five showrooms and let us answer your questions and assist with your selection.
