If we ask you to picture that window or door you’ve hated from the moment you moved into your house, one probably immediately comes to mind: you know, that one window that lets in all the hot air in the summer, that door that constantly sticks to its door jamb, or that large dark wall that would really work better with some natural light streaming in.
You know you want to improve your space, but where to start?
Don’t worry. At SoCo Wood & Windows, we understand how overwhelming the initial process can be in beginning your home project. That’s why we’ve not only created a guide for you, “10 Things to Consider When You’re Thinking About New Windows and Doors,” but we’re also breaking some of those 10 things down for you in this current blog series.
Today, we want to dig deeper into #2: thinking through the purpose of your new windows and doors.
At this point, you may be rolling your eyes because you think you know the purpose of a window and door. However, we’d argue that when choosing a new window or door, there is so much more to its purpose than simply providing a covered hole in your wall.
To discover this deeper purpose of your new window or door, it’s important to first think through what reason you have for choosing your new fixture. Then, it’s essential to consider what end result you want from this home project.
The Reason For Your New Windows and Doors
Please don’t read “reason” as “justification”–we’re not asking you to prove that you deserve this new window or door. We already know that you do!
However, we believe that even more than that, you deserve a home that you love to live in. There are so many window and door options out there, and not all are created equally. We want to make sure you get exactly what you need to complete your dream home. Knowing the reason for your new window or door will help make that happen.
So, what’s your reason? Common reasons for replacing an old window or door are:
- Improving the exterior appearance of your home.
- Enhancing the interior design of your home.
- Selecting high-quality windows or doors that will last for years to come because the old ones have worn out or do not perform well.
- Replacing drafty doors or windows with energy-efficient ones to save the environment and your monthly budget.
- Increasing the safety of your home.
While many types of windows and doors will answer more than one of these reasons, it’s rare to find a product that will meet all of them. Additionally, some brands or designs perform much better than others in individual categories.
Knowing your main reason for choosing a new window or door will help you prioritize your options while you are making this decision. Additionally, choosing and sticking to your main reason can help mitigate any disagreements about which product to choose between the decision-makers in the household.
The End Result You Want From Your New Window or Door
Once you know your main reason for choosing new windows or doors, you’ll want to also consider what end result is most important to you. Knowing your desired end result will allow you to feel confident and happy with your new doors and windows once they are installed and will protect you from any buyer’s remorse.
So, how do you determine your desired end result? Simply fill in the blanks in the following statement: “The reason I am buying new doors or windows is because (your main reason). I will feel happy with my new windows or doors when they are installed because (your end result).”
For example:
- “The reason I am buying new doors or windows is because I want to improve the exterior appearance of my home. I will feel happy when they are installed because all of my windows match the style of my home.” Once you know matching styles is your most important end result, you can talk to your contractor or supplier about the styles they provide that match the style of your home.
- “The reason I am buying new doors or windows is because I want to enhance the interior design of my home. I will feel happy with my new windows or doors when they are installed because I will have more natural light in my rooms.” Once you know natural light is your most important end result, you can talk to your contractor or supplier about what windows or doors they offer that allow for an abundance of natural light, and if they have specific glass coatings that will block harmful UV rays.
- “The reason I am buying new doors or windows is because my old ones have worn out or do not perform well. I will feel happy with my new ones when they are installed because it will be easy for me to open and close them, especially when I need to clean them.” Once you know easy-to-maneuver windows or doors are your most important end result, you can talk to your contractor or supplier about what windows or doors they offer that are easy to open and clean.
- “The reason I am buying new doors or windows is because I need to replace my drafty old ones with energy-efficient ones. I will feel happy with my new windows or doors when they are installed because I will see significant savings on my monthly utility bills.” Once you know utility savings are your most important end result, you can talk to your contractor or supplier about what windows or doors they offer that have excellent energy efficiency ratings.
- “The reason I am buying new doors or windows is because I need to increase the safety of my home. I will feel happy with them when they are installed because I can sleep well at night, feeling safe and secure in my home.” Once you know feeling safe is your most important end result, you can talk to your contractor or supplier about what windows or doors they offer that have excellent safety and security features.
Finally, if you’re like many of our customers, no matter what your main reason for buying new doors or windows, you will only feel happy with your end result if you have paid a price that seems fair and within your budget. That’s very normal and acceptable. For tips and tricks on creating and sticking to a windows and doors project budget, check out our blog, “How to Create a Budget and Timeline for Your Window and Door Installation.”
Additionally, you find that you need more ideas and examples as you consider your main reason and your key end result for buying new windows and doors. You can find all of this and more in our free eBook, “10 Things to Consider When You’re Thinking About New Windows and Doors.”
And don’t forget–it’s always a good idea to consult an expert. We’ve got several on hand who’d be happy to talk with you. Although we don’t do installations, we can help you make sure you’re asking your installer the right questions. (And that they’re giving you the right answers!) Schedule a call today.
