In the land of three rivers, where homes can date back to 100 years ago or more, renovation, refurbishing, and replacement of various parts of a house are a necessity. Even if you live in a house built after the great wars, the need to service and replace some parts of your home can be, if not a need, a good idea. In Pittsburgh, window replacement is one of the common projects that owners of homes, both old and new, can opt for to make their property more energy-efficient, and in some cases, more visually appealing, as well.

Benefits of Window Replacement in Pittsburgh
One of the best ways to see the benefits of brand new windows is to have a gander at the drawbacks of older ones. Old windows typically consist of a wooden frame that holds a single piece of glass or multiple pieces of glass in a single layer. This design, though the best available when these windows were produced, has a few flaws. Heat transfer issues are a big concern when dealing with a single layer of glass, as heat can travel readily through it.

Old wood frames are notorious for swelling and contracting because they lack any modern sealant that would protect the wood from moisture. This expanding and contracting over many years can cause gaps between the frame and the wall it is set in as well as between the frame and the glass it holds. This creates loose glass, drafts, and, ultimately, more heat transfer issues. Older windows are also hard to clean and require frequent painting to look good.

New windows solve these problems by using modern sealing materials and techniques, metal and vinyl construction, and multiple paned glass. Today's windows are also much easier to clean by design and often require little-to-no painting to keep up appearances.

In Pittsburgh, window replacement can lead to much less heat transfer, which can in turn lead to lower energy bills in both the winter and summer. Installing new windows will also get rid of uncomfortable drafts and can even reduce the amount of noise that comes in from the outside. In addition to the physical benefits of window replacement, Pittsburgh residents can also raise the market value of their homes by installing new windows, making this project a monetarily beneficial, as well as comfortable, investment.

Pittsburgh Window Replacement Pricing
Probably the biggest drawback to installing new windows is the price tag. When compared to other methods of reducing heat transfer around windows (weather stripping, storm windows, etc.), total window replacement costs significantly more in almost every scenario. The benefits of complete replacement, however, are far greater than simply supplementing your old windows. For complete window replacement, Pittsburgh residents should expect to pay at least $5,000 or $6000.

If you happen to have windows that are considered historic, which is more common in an old city like Pittsburgh, you may not want to replace them. In this case, installing storm windows (around $1,800, give or take) is probably the best way to reduce heat transfer without having to alter the existing structure of the house or losing the antique glass.