Window frames used to be made from wood. Although these were suitable for a short term basis, they do begin to rot and warp over time and continued exposure to the elements. The sealant, known as caulking, around the windows begins to flake away, making gaps where air and moisture can get in and accelerating the rate at which the original frames deteriorate. In addition to this affecting the insulation of your home, and increasing your energy costs, it is also not pleasing to they eye. This is a particular problem if you are thinking of selling your home as it makes prospective buyers think they have to spend time and money replacing the windows after they’ve bought the house and most people want to buy a home and move in without having to do any work to it. As such you may find that your home does not attract a buyer.
Vinyl windows are a great solution to this problem. These windows are not hugely expensive and are an investment worth making whether you would like a quick sale for your home or if you just wish to improve the energy efficiency or appearance of your home. These windows will never rot or warp and because there is no painting of frames required you will never need to touch it up due to flaking paint! These windows are efficient, easy to clean, virtually maintenance free and visually appealing.
If cost is an issue to you then you will be pleased to learn that it is possible to install vinyl windows yourself, cutting down on the cost quite significantly. Although a little bit of research is required, the process itself is actually relatively simple, provided that the measurements are taken correctly. Put simply you merely need to remove all traces of the original caulking seal and with the help of another person gently push the window out. Once the window has been removed you need to clean the area thoroughly before inserting the new window. If the old window had become lopsided you can correct it now by inserting shams then seal it in with another, new line of silicone caulking. That is the basics, although I recommend doing further research before undertaking the work yourself.
