8 Tips for Picking Replacement Windows for Your Exterior Remodel

There’s no reason to leak heat out of your windows, tolerate cracks and sags in your old windows, or live with less-than-ideal natural light. Get the perfect windows by doing your research and consulting the experts. Smardbuild is here to show you the way!

8 Tips for Picking Replacement Windows for Your Exterior Remodel

SmardBuild works out of Naperville, IL, and takes pride in keeping your home’s exterior looking its best. Our extensive work in exterior remodels in the Chicago area has equipped us with plenty to say about matching you to the perfect windows for your home remodel.

Tips for Perfect Replacement Windows

Your windows significantly contribute to the look your home presents to the world. There are more window options than ever before. Don’t miss out on great opportunities to make your home look fantastic while maximizing your natural light and increasing energy efficiency. Here are our expert tips for picking the perfect replacement windows during your Naperville exterior remodel.

1. Choose the Right Materials

From least to most expensive, windows are commonly made from vinyl, fiberglass, and wood, or aluminum and wood. Fiberglass or aluminum windows are more durable, last longer, and need to be replaced less frequently than vinyl windows. The suitable materials for your windows will depend on the materials you select for the rest of your exterior remodel. If you’re installing vinyl siding, vinyl windows might make sense. If you’re opting for fiber cement or another, more durable medium, fiberglass and wood windows may be the right call.

 

2. Replace Your Windows and Siding Together

Replacing your windows and siding together is efficient and saves time. We first install your windows, allowing us to cap your windows to seal around the frame completely. Once your windows are in place, we can add siding and trim to nestle them into place. If you can afford to take on both windows and siding in one project, you can save a bit on labor while your crew completes one efficient project.

 

3. Move or Expand Your Windows

When you’re replacing windows, you don’t have to swap them out for exactly the same thing. You can add larger windows, move windows to illuminate dark corners or change up the style and shape. This is a rare opportunity to invite natural light into your home.

Tips for Perfect Replacement Windows in Naperville

4. Mix and Match Your Window Styles

You don’t need every window in your home to match. Accent your home with arched windows, windows with mullions, a picture window, or casement windows to capture the breeze. There’s no reason to pick just one or to stick with whatever was there before.

 

5. Add an Egress

Egress windows double as emergency exits. Basement bedrooms, for example, count as bedrooms if egress is available. Egress windows are an important safety feature for peace of mind anywhere in your home.

 

6. Replace Your Windows Before They Fail

Old windows can crack, sag, or break. Don’t let signs of wear and tear snowball before you make plans to replace your windows, as you could end up inviting more structural damage. Vinyl windows need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years, whereas aluminum or fiberglass and wood windows could last as long as 50 years.

Tips for Perfect Replacement Windows for Your Exterior Remodel Naperville

7. The Pane is Worth It

Double and triple-pane windows increase your home’s insulation. Windows with more panes are heavier and more expensive in addition to being more energy-efficient, but the extra quality is often well worth the price tag when your home stays comfortable during extreme temperatures.

 

8. Get Style Points for Great Trim

Trim completes your window’s look, both from the interior and exterior. Don’t miss the opportunity for perfect coordination, expressing your style, or adding an ornamental flair with curated trim for your new windows.

 

How Long Does it Take to Replace Your Windows?

An expert contractor can replace your windows in a few days with a small crew and even quicker with a large one. Custom windows, moving windows, or adding more labor-intensive features like a garden window or picture window may extend the time it takes to install your new windows beyond a single week. Of course, a project with multiple elements takes longer. Your contractor is the best source of information about your remodeling timeline, and can also recommend other exterior upgrades to add value to your home.


What Do New Windows Cost?

The cost of new windows depends on the size and material you select. To give you a general idea, we’ve provided some ranges for the cost of new double-hung windows installed with interior and exterior trim in Naperville.

  • Vinyl - $750-$850 per window
  • Fiberglass/Wood - $1,300 to $1,600 per window
  • Wood/Aluminum - $1,400 to $2,200 per window

What Do New Windows Cost in Addison, IL?

Make a Smart Choice with SmardBuild

SmardBuild is Naperville, IL’s exterior remodeling expert. Our honest, transparent pricing, superior customer service, and time-tested skill make us the smart choice for your new windows, siding, and more. We cannot wait to add you to our long list of happy clients.

Download Our Exterior Remodeling Guide

Here's what customers say...

The high-level craftsmanship and personalized customer experience we deliver are what keep our customers happy and telling their friends about us. We can't wait to help you with your remodeling project. 
quote-right
star
star
star
star
star

Mark and his team did a terrific job and I could not be more pleased with the final work! Throughout whole siding installation process I was kept well informed about the progress and what will be next steps in the process. I'm living in Arlington Heights and anyone who is looking for great siding contractor can stop by my house and check their amazing work. I also plan on hiring them again for another siding project. That would be my parent's home. 🙂

Jessica D.
quote-right
star
star
star
star
star

I researched over 30 companies, and had 5 come out to my house to give me estimates to install new vinyl siding. I ended up going with Smardbuild, and I am very happy that I did. They showed up on time, and finished the entire job within a week. And the quality of the work is the best part. They are perfectionists! I have never seen attention to detail like this. They even went above and beyond the job requirements. They installed aluminum flashing around my sliding glass door to make it look nicer, and that was not even part of the job. And to top it off, they installed 2 new wall lanterns that I bought at Home Depot. 

Tim H.
quote-right
star
star
star
star
star

We used Mark and his Smardbuild team to replace our roof, soffits, fascia, siding, upstairs windows, gutters and front door. All work performed is top notch. We went with Hardie soffits and fascia since we had prior issues with carpenter bees drilling holes in our old, wooden soffits. In my opinion Smardbuild is the best with Hardie products. Everything looks great. It took us a while to finally settle on a color for the siding and Smardbuild was quite patient with our process. After having issues with contractors in the past, it was refreshing to work with such a professional team that actually cares about the quality of their work. Thanks Smardbuild.

Peter P.

Ready to improve your curb appeal?

We're here to deliver remodeling services with higher standards.

Schedule a consultation