Think Replacement Window ROI During National Home Improvement

Think Replacement Window ROI During National Home Improvement Month

April 20, 2012

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Although springtime weather conditions came early to most of the country this year, May is the official time to work on home projects during National Home Improvement Month. Before you invest your "sweat equity" with home upgrades, spend time determining which improvement tasks around the house will provide you with the most return-on-investment in the long run.

According to the Remodeling 2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report* (www.costvsvalue.com), the replacement of older, inefficient windows with upscale vinyl replacement windows is one of the ten most popular projects with payback for homeowners. The study reports that a vinyl replacement window project has a higher projected return-on-investment than several other popular home upgrade projects, including a bathroom remodel or addition, a major kitchen remodel, the addition of a master suite or the replacement of the roof.

Adding energy-efficient, low-maintenance vinyl windows to the home can have an average payback of 69.1 percent according to the Cost vs. Value Report. The same study shows that the average cost for such a replacement (involving 10 double-hung 3-by-5 vinyl windows with Low-E glass and simulated woodgrain trim) is $14,328.

"According to this study, the cost recouped at the time of selling the home with these new windows would be about $9,898," says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing for Simonton Windows. "Even more importantly, homeowners investing in this type of remodeling project can save energy costs every single day once the new windows are installed."

Homes Built Before 1978

For many homeowners, a window replacement project can be especially important if their homes were built prior to 1978. That's when lead-based paint stopped being used in homes. For homes constructed before 1978 there's a very real possibility that the paint surrounding the windows is producing dangerous lead dust that can harm family members.

"The potential dangers of lead dust poisoning from window frames in homes built prior to 1978 is frightening - especially for households with small children and pregnant women," says Pember. "Just the normal opening and closing of windows in these homes can disturb microscopic lead dust that can be extremely dangerous to the health of those living in the home."

According to information released recently by the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) it's more sensible for health-conscious families to replace their older windows than repair them. The new study (reported at http://nchh.org/tabid/139/default.aspx?ContentID=142) compares window replacement to window repair as a strategy for reducing lead paint hazards in the home.

The study evaluated homes that either replaced or repaired windows 12 years ago to determine which strategy resulted in lower dust lead levels on the floor and window sills --- key areas where children can come in contact with lead dust. Study results show a significantly lower amount of lead dust in homes where all the windows were replaced --- 41% lower floor dust levels and 51% lower window sill dust levels --- compared to homes where windows had been repaired.

Simonton Windows fully supports the education of homeowners related to lead safety issues. The company's www.simonton.com/leadsafe microsite and informative YouTube video (available at http://www.youtube.com/simontonwindows) are available free for homeowners to gain additional information on this important safety issue.

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR? qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. Simonton ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and Doors, Two Years in a Row" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010-2011 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Studies SM.

Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best In Class Awards administered by LBM Journal Research Institute.

Founded in 1946, Simonton's hallmark has been to deliver the industry's shortest, most dependable lead-times. Part of Fortune Brand Home & Security (NYSE: FBHS), Simonton delivers award-recognized products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States. Simonton is a founding sponsor of The Weather Museum and a supporter of Homes for Our Troops. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: Contact Kathy Ziprik at kziprik@aol.com ?

SIMONTON ON-LINE NEWS ROOM: http://news.simonton.com/

Simonton Windows received the highest numerical score among window and door manufacturers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010-2011 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction StudiesSM. 2011 study based on responses from 2,605 consumers measuring 11 brands and measures opinions of consumers who purchased new windows or patio doors in the previous 12 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in March-April 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

* For more information on the study, visit www.HousingZone.com/windowsurvey
ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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