If you’re considering upgrading your windows and doors, you might be surprised to learn that doing so can increase the value of your home.
While some renovations are necessary for the proper function of a home and others are mostly aesthetic, window and door replacement have aesthetic, practical and financial benefits.
Return on investment (ROI) matters when it comes to extensive and costly home improvement projects. Knowing which renovations pay off in the resale market is important, especially if you’re planning on selling your home in a few years.
How Much Value Do New Windows and Doors Add?
Window and door replacement is consistently deemed a wise investment and listed as one of the top 10 home improvement projects that increase home resale value. The ROI depends on factors such as the type and number of windows or door you purchase and where you live.
Different industry sources report a different ROI for replacement windows:
- According to HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights Survey for Q1 2020, top real estate agents in the U.S. estimate that homeowners recoup more than 80% of their window replacement investments at resale.
- Remodeling magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value Report puts the ROI for a vinyl window replacement in cold weather areas at 72.3%, meaning that a $15,000 project will bring in a return of $10,845.
- The latest Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows new vinyl windows as second (behind roofing) on the list of exterior home improvement projects with the biggest impact on home resale values and also second in terms of appeal to buyers.
Front Doors
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform the exterior of your home and add curb appeal is with a new front door. Depending on the type of door you choose, you may recoup 70% to 90% of the cost when you sell your home.
According to NAR’s survey, a new $2,000 steel front door has an ROI of 75% ($1,500), while a new $2,700 fiberglass front door has an ROI of 74% ($2,000).
Interior doors add aesthetic appeal and represent another selling point in your favor.
Garage Doors
Another door to consider replacing for increasing your home’s value is a new garage door. A garage door takes up a large portion of your home’s facade. It shouldn’t be neglected when evaluating the curb appeal and considering value-adding projects. According to the NAR’s report, has an ROI of 95%.
Energy Efficiency and Impact Resistance Add Value
New windows and doors add value in more ways than one, if you buy the right ones. The prospect of higher comfort and lower energy bills is irresistible to many buyers. Modern, aesthetically pleasing, energy efficient windows and doors can help your home stand out in a crowded real estate market and get you a higher selling price.
Energy savings vary according to window type and location. For example, single-pane windows result in higher energy savings than double-pane windows, and homeowners in the South and South-Central zones of the U.S. mainland see higher savings (31%) than those in the North (22%) and North-Central (20%) zones, according to Energy Star.
The performance of energy efficient windows stems from a combination of features, including high-quality frames, multi-paned glass, gas-filled panes, low-e glass (special coating) and warm edge spacers.
Another added value of energy efficient windows is potential savings resulting from reduced wear and tear of heating and cooling equipment.
Impact resistant windows are another attractive selling point for prospective buyers. A house that can protect your family, home and property against severe weather events (such as hurricanes), home invasions and accidents (shattered glass) is more attractive than one that can’t.
Don’t Forget About Curb Appeal
First impressions can either thrill buyers or dishearten them.
When buyers and their real estate agents first see your home, the windows and doors are among of the first things they notice. These external elements can be an indication of how much work the house needs and how much money it will cost.
Inside the house, windows and doors affect your home’s interior design, lighting and energy efficiency, which further influence buyers’ opinion of your home.
Long-Term Benefits
Some renovations fade within a few years (paint) or need ongoing maintenance (landscaping). High-quality windows and doors continue to provide benefits and value for many years.
Bottom Line
New windows and doors can increase the value of your home, by how much depends on the products you choose the current windows and doors you have, and the economics of your local housing market. On average, you stand to recoup 70% to 80% of their cost when you sell your home.
At Air Master Windows and Doors we proudly design, manufacture and install the highest quality windows and doors in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and in the U.S., including a wonderful collection of value-boosting windows and high-performing energy efficient products. To learn more about our products and obtain a quote, contact us or call 787-999-0717.
