Guide to Replacement Window Options [Infographic]
So you’ve decided it is time to spruce up your home with replacement windows. You have made a great decision for sure. Replacing the windows in your home can easily bring up its overall value to give you a 90 percent return on your investment. Plus, new windows can boost home efficiency and totally renew curb appeal. However, when you take a look at all of the choices you have before you where window options are concerned, you might feel a little overwhelmed with the process of choosing the right ones.
From varying panes to assorted shapes and styles, it can seem like your choices have no end. Take a look at this guide to replacement windows before you make your final decisions and you will feel much more prepared to find the right options for your home.
Casement and Awning Windows
- Windows crank outward either vertically or horizontally for ease of opening and closing.
- Casement windows work well in areas where windows are needed but there is not a lot of space for access, such as above the kitchen sink.
- Easy to clean thanks to the simplistic design.
- The windows offer a healthy amount of natural light and air flow when needed.
- Casement windows offer the convenience of being able to double as an emergency exit route if necessary.
Bow and Bay Windows
- Usually larger in stature for cosmetic appeal and ample natural light inside of the home.
- Windows are angled from 25 to 45 degrees for a bowed shape.
- Window setup most often consists of a fixed center window and two smaller windows on either side that open, but can have multiple frames in one setup with as many as five windows.
- Bowed window designs allow the inner shape to be used as a sitting area or shelf for added architectural appeal.
- Bowed shape protrudes from the exterior of the house to gather more natural breezes than traditional windows that sit flat against the home.
- Excellent feature for family rooms, formal living rooms, dining areas, and other larger spaces in the home.
- Windows can be casement in style or double-hung.
Double Hung Windows
- Considered to be one of the most traditional replacement window types and suitable for pretty much every room in the house.
- Double-hung windows are easy to keep clean with the ability to open both sashes inward from the frame to reach the outside glass.
- Windows have a long lifespan of about 20 years when maintained well and professionally installed.
- Work well in areas where the height is taller than the available width.
Sliding Windows
- Offer a slim, vertical appearance for a streamlined and modern appearance.
- Windows usually feature sturdy locks.
- Excellent choice in areas where only a small window is needed, such as in the bathroom for ventilation and natural light.
- Feature durable sashes that are reinforced with guides for easy sliding motion and offer the ability to tilt inward for cleaning.
- Sliding windows work well in areas where there is more width available than height, and come in an array of size options.
Custom-Shaped Windows
- Shaped in versatile styles to fit in out-of-the-ordinary shaped spaces in the home, such as above a door.
- These windows are fixed in style, which means they do not open.
- Great way to add cosmetic architectural interest in areas that need a little extra natural light.
When you get a little more familiar with the different types of windows available, it will make your task of finding the right ones for your home an easier feat. While many homeowners take the easiest route and choose the same basic window styles for all of the rooms in the house, most come up with a comprehensive list of different window styles that are suitable for specific areas. If you would like more guidance with choosing the right replacement windows for your New Jersey home, contact RWC for more information.
What to Expect During Your Kitchen Renovation
This is part four of a four part series on renovating your kitchen. Learn how to plan your kitchen renovation here.
Now that you have designed your new kitchen, hired a contractor and picked out all of your materials, it’s time to get your kitchen remodel started. Once your kitchen renovation is underway, it is unlikely to go completely as planned. The best advice to follow is to expect the unexpected, and try to roll with any changes that come along. As your kitchen remodel is going on, just remember that it will end and you’ll have the kitchen you have been dreaming of soon.
As Demolition Begins with Your Kitchen Renovation
When demolition starts, you may be surprised at the amount of noise this brings. If you work at home, you may need to find a place you can work far away from your kitchen. If you can’t be out of the house during demolition, try to minimize the impact of the noise by running a fan or white noise machine to block out some of the louder noises. You can also expect that there will be dust in your kitchen, and possibly throughout your home when demolition begins. While you can clean it up each night, you might want to wait until the demolition is complete to avoid frustration.
New Decisions May Need to Be Made
You may need to make changes to the overall design of your kitchen renovation for a number of reasons. As walls are demolished, you may discover a need to change the layout of your kitchen slightly. In addition, the project may start to go over your budget. If this occurs, you might have to make changes to the materials you have chosen for your kitchen remodel. You could also discover that you don’t like a certain aspect of your project, and decide to make changes at the last minute.
You’ll Have Nowhere to Cook
You won’t be able to cook in your kitchen during most of your kitchen remodel. This means that you’ll have to get creative about how you feed yourself and your family for the next month or so. You can try setting up a microwave in a different room in your house to heat up meals. If you can, it will also help to have a small freezer or refrigerator nearby to keep food fresh. If you have the ability, you can cook a bunch of meals ahead of time and freeze them so that you can microwave your meals as necessary.
Expect the Unexpected During Your Kitchen Remodel
Your kitchen renovation can take a wide variety of turns. The more you are able to cope with changes in the schedule, the easier it will be for you to handle your kitchen remodel. Materials can get delayed, problems can arise that weren’t expected, and you may want to make changes to the design once the kitchen renovation has already started.
It isn’t easy to feel displaced while your kitchen is being worked on, and good preparation is essential. As you get ready for your kitchen renovation to start, consider the following:
- pack away any valuables that could get ruined by the dust from your demolition
- prepare food ahead of time so you only have to reheat
- if noise bothers you, get a strong fan or white noise machine
- don’t be afraid to make changes to the design, even if it will delay the project
- know that delays will occur
- the project will end and you’ll have a kitchen that you love
When you are ready to for a kitchen remodel, it’s time to contact RWC Windows, Doors & More at 973-227-7123 and start planning the kitchen of your dreams.
How Long Will Your Kitchen Renovation Take?
This is part three of a four part series on renovating your kitchen. Learn how to plan your kitchen renovation here.
Once you have determined your budget and come up with a kitchen renovation design, you’ll need to start thinking about how long your kitchen renovation is going to take. There are many steps to a kitchen renovation, and delays can come up at any time. If your kitchen remodel is going to be extensive, you’ll have to consider demolition, moving electrical and plumbing work, installing new drywall and more. While a typical kitchen remodel might last up to six weeks, you can expect even longer if there are hidden delays that you come across.
When Demolition Begins
The demolition process means that your kitchen remodel is beginning. The process involves removing old cabinets, taking down walls, and getting rid of counters or appliances that are going to be replaced. Demolition can take a day or two, or even longer if the renovators come across problems when trying to take down materials that will soon be replaced.
New Electrical and Plumbing Work
If your kitchen remodel involves moving any electrical or plumbing work, this is the next step in the process. A plumber and electrician will be necessary, but the actual work shouldn’t take very long. Scheduling professionals to come in and do the work will probably take longer than the actual work itself.
Drywall and Flooring are the Next Step
Once any new electrical work or plumbing has been installed, it will be time to put up new drywall. Building walls usually doesn’t take long for those that are highly skilled, but the length of time this takes will vary depending on how many people are working on the job. The drywall gets cut and put up. The process then involves fixing seams and making sure the walls are all smooth. After the walls are created, the floor is installed. There can be delays at this stage, if there are problems with the drywall and seams not drying correctly.
In addition, if you decide that you want a new type of flooring after several pieces have been put down, you may need to wait until your new materials arrive.
Installing Cabinets in Your New Kitchen
Your kitchen will start to come together when you see your kitchen cabinets get installed. This can be a process that takes several days or more, especially if your cabinets are not already assembled in the factory. While there are still a number of steps to go, you can begin to see how your kitchen is going to look when your cabinets are put up. Once your cabinets are in, your countertops are ready to be installed on top of any new cabinets you have chosen.
The Finer Details of Your Kitchen Remodel
Once you have your walls, cabinets and countertops, the fixtures and backsplash can be put into place. Your appliances will be put in last, as there is nothing that will need to be done to your appliances except to have them properly plugged in. With your appliances in place, your kitchen remodel will be complete.
To better understand your kitchen remodel timeline, you’ll need to understand:
- You may change your mind on certain materials
- There may be delays in the arrival of materials
- Unexpected emergencies for your contractor may arise
- You may run out of money and need to make changes
While an average kitchen remodel should take about six weeks, you can expect that there will be some type of delay. At RWC Windows, Doors and More, our goal is to adhere to a schedule as much as possible. To learn more about renovating your kitchen in West Caldwell, NJ and the surrounding area, call us today at (973) 227-7123 to get an initial quote.
Planning Your Kitchen Renovation
As you get excited about renovating your kitchen, it’s time to start planning. From your budget to the design of your new kitchen, the better you are able to plan for your kitchen renovation, the smoother the process will go. This is a fun time for you to gather ideas, and to think about aspects of kitchen design that you love best. Once you determine what your budget is for the project, you can begin making designs on the type of materials you can use to make your old kitchen into your dream kitchen.
Determining Your Renovation Budget
A basic rule for determining the budget on your kitchen renovation is to first consider the overall value of your home. A reasonable price to pay for a renovation is anywhere from 5-15% of the total value of your home. You’ll want to think about if you are renovating for your own enjoyment, or you are renovating in an attempt to make your home more valuable to potential buyers. If your home is high end, you may lose value if you do your renovation using cheap materials. On the other hand, if your home is in a working class neighborhood and you install granite countertops and expensive appliances, you may not get your money back either.
Find a Contractor in Your Area
If you’ve never worked with a contractor, it’s time to start asking for recommendations from friends and family members. While there may be many contractors available, this is a job where reputation matters. The work you have done on your home will need to be done well, and you will want to work with a contractor you can trust who will get the job done right the first time. Once you begin to get recommendations, you’ll want to do research. Check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed and consider sites that offer reviews of local businesses to see what people are saying such as Houzz or Facebook.
Talk With Your Contractor About the Renovation Timeline
A poorly adhered to timeline can turn a great kitchen renovation into a nightmare. Talk with your contractor about realistic timelines, and ask what you can do to make the process go more smoothly. While you should expect some delays, a good contractor should be able to keep the project on schedule for the most part. If you are doing a complete overhaul of your kitchen, you won’t be able to use the space until the renovation is done. This makes it even more important to talk about the timeline with your contractor and set realistic goals for the entire project.
Your Design Concept for Your New Kitchen
You don’t have to be a kitchen designer to know what you love about a newly designed kitchen. You can talk with your contractor, or meet with a kitchen designer to come up with a blueprint that will work for you and your home. This is where budget can play a significant factor and you may have to make decisions as to what you want to cut from the project and what you can’t live without. Take the time to look at color schemes, appliances, countertops and more to decide what you want in your final kitchen design.
To get ready for your kitchen renovation:
- set a realistic budget
- do your research to find a contractor
- decide on your design ideas
To learn more about options for renovating your kitchen today, contact RWC at 973-227-7123 and talk with one of our kitchen renovation professionals. Together we will discuss your ideas and determine a plan for renovating your kitchen.