Why Should I Get More Than One Window?

California Energy Consultant Service, as a window contractor, is available for replacing windows in and around your home with higher quality, more energy efficient options.

As window specialists, we often get calls from people that want to install a single window, often to replace an older window that they dislike. While we can – and often do – make single window replacements, we typically recommend that people get more than one window completed at once.

But why?

There are actually many reasons why replacing a single window is not an ideal option, and why it is often better to replace at least most of your windows, if not all of them, assuming they’re all eventually going to be in need of replacement.

Some of the reasons for this include:

• Lower Cost Per Window – On a per-window basis, it is less costly to install multiple windows at once than to install one window at a time. This is due to many factors, including labor costs, transportation, shipping, and sometimes the windows themselves. If you expect to need windows in the future, it makes more sense to do it all at once.
• No Energy Efficiency Benefits – Replacing one window is unlikely to provide many benefits for your energy efficiency. Technically, every window will help a little, but for older homes with older windows the difference is likely to be fairly immeasurable unless the one window happens to be large and the only one facing the sun.
• New Construction Installation Difficulties – Retrofit windows do not have this problem, but new construction windows (also known as full frame windows) require tearing down siding (among other installation requirements) which can look worse and be more difficult if not all completed at once.
• Window Costs Go Up – Windows have been increasing in price every year, sometimes more than once in a year. There is no indication that it will ever go back down. That means that the cost of windows now is likely to be the best price that you’ll be able to get both now and in the future.
• Windows Might Look Odd – Old windows might look very strange if they’re placed next to new windows. The differences can be stark, and can really detract form the look of your home. This is true with all replacement windows, but especially true if you’re replacing single pain windows that typically have a thin aluminum frame compared to the much larger frames of today.

Windows can be installed one at a time as needed, but there are so many reasons to consider installing multiple, if not all, your windows at once.

Why Should You ONLY Do One Window?

We’ve presented all the reasons to install more than one window at a time, ideally replacing all the windows in your home at once if you can. But what are the reasons to install only one window?

• New Window Broke – If you already have brand new windows, and one of your windows just happened to break, then it makes sense to only install one window and replace only the window that is broken.
• Can’t Afford It – Of course, windows can be expensive. If you need only one window replaced and you can only afford one window, it makes sense to consider a single window replacement. It may not be ideal for a long term budget, but in the short term it can be very helpful.
• Feel Uncommitted – If you are replacing windows to a new style and you’re not sure that you’re going to love that style yet (for example, you’re considering black window frames but are not sure if you like the look) then it may make sense to wait before you’ve invested too much into windows.

If price is a factor, remember there are many very, very good financing opportunities available. For example, it is possible to still, even in today’s high interest rate environment, get a loan from a credit union that has a rate as low as 3.75% depending on credit and terms. If your plan was to save for windows consistently, this low interest rate option may be a better choice.

Call Cal Energy for More Information

No matter what you choose, calling California Energy Consultant Service is a great way to get amazingly affordable pricing on your windows, and get expert installation that you can trust. Contact California Energy Consultant Service today for an estimate.