Question: I want to change the look of my windows. What is the best way to start?
Answer: If you’re a visual person, take a ride or walk through your neighborhood and other neighborhoods with homes similar to yours and look for windows that pique your interest.
Take your visual research further and visit a window showroom. The big box stores will have some options, but a retail store dedicated to windows (and usually doors) can simplify the process of shopping for replacement windows — especially when the installer has a wide variety of brands at different price points to choose from. It is much easier to understand product differences when you can see them.
Q: What are the benefits of visiting a window showroom to purchase new windows and doors?
A: There are many benefits, more than you can get just by searching online. You can’t touch an actual window or frame from your computer screen.
DunRite Windows & Doors, a Rosie on the House certified partner, says that a salesperson coming out to your home can bring a few corner-cut samples, which is helpful, but just doesn’t compare to actually walking through products on display, looking at color swatches and hardware and comparing full-size products side-by-side to see how thick the frame is, how easily it operates, the quality of the corner welds and the color of the glass.
The thickness of a window or door frame can vary dramatically by brand, especially for vinyl or composite. Some brands have glass with a green or blue tint. Some brands of aluminum-clad wood windows can be colored on the exterior, with a clear wood stain or secondary color on the interior. A thin aluminum frame can look extremely modern.
Until you glide windows and doors open and closed in a showroom, you can’t possibly know how easily one brand of ceiling-height patio doors, for example, glides versus another brand, signifying the quality of the rollers. The knock on a vinyl door sounds quite different from a knock on a steel, fiberglass or aluminum door, which you find bothersome.
This is why seeing how windows and doors work, feel and sound in person creates a different shopping experience than simply hearing a salesperson describe them. It will transform your shopping experience by giving you more confidence in the product you decide to purchase. It also opens the door (pun intended) to questions you might otherwise not think to ask. It’s also a great way for couples to go through the process together, ensuring they’re both on the same page with design choices and pricing.
Most importantly, visiting the showroom can help prevent misunderstandings, ensuring that you will be happier with your purchase as the years go by.
You will still need to meet a salesperson at your home, of course, so they can measure your windows, confirm that the style choices work with the design of your home and solidify pricing. Go showroom shopping. It is a helpful way to enrich the experience.
If you’ve already decided on the product you want, or you would prefer a more streamlined appointment, skipping the showroom in favor of just the in-home appointment is a great option, too. Just make sure the salesperson provides you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision. By offering products from multiple manufacturers instead of just one, conversations around the pros and cons of each product can be very helpful.
If you live in an HOA, check with them before you buy, as your choices may need to be approved by the board.
Taking your time and doing your research will allow you to buy the windows that best suit your design ideas, needs and budget.
