Spending Your Building Budget Wisely

(HIT)-You say your avocado-green refrigerator and orange Formica countertops are looking a bit dated? What a shame. They matched the orange shag carpet so well. Fads do come and go. Fortunately for you, appliances and carpeting are easily replaced, unlike a home’s infrastructure.

Homes are built just like they’re run—on a budget. That budget can be spent in countless ways. As you peruse home and décor magazines looking for ideas, the choices are mind-boggling. No doubt, it may be more fun—and easier—to splurge on unique hardware for the kitchen, exquisite Italian tile or a fancy bath.

But before you even think about his and her closets or a personalized home theater system, be sure you budget appropriately for the essential structural elements of your home that are difficult or impossible to change in the future. There are three elements that should not be compromised. Foundations, framing/roofing materials, and windows and doors are all essential to the long-term value of your investment. Your contractor plays a significant role when it comes to choosing the right foundation, framing and roofing materials.

When it comes to windows and doors, however, there’s more at stake for the homeowner. Windows and doors provide form and function. They affect how your home looks, feels and operates. They provide natural light that’s essential to our well-being. They can also provide safety, security and energy efficiency. So it’s no wonder that the choices are extensive.

Windows and doors come in many types, shapes and sizes, with varying maintenance requirements, energy efficiency features, and a wide range of materials and prices. You may be tempted to save on window quality to splurge on the latest countertop treatments, but remember that trendy fashions will quickly lose their appeal—and value.

So when it’s time to choose windows and doors, take the time and money necessary to do it right. Weather Shield Windows and Doors, one of the nation’s leading window and door manufacturers offers these tips for window and door selection:

1. Research your options. Do your homework by talking with window dealers, builders and architects to find out the types of windows they recommend. Review manufacturer’s catalogs and Web sites. Learn as much as you can about the options available in your price category.
2. Beware of “bargain” windows. Buy from a brand-name window manufacturer whose name you can trust. There are many “no name” companies producing poor quality windows that are inexpensive. Some of these companies are only in business a short time, and are not available years down the road when maintenance problems may occur. Always research companies you buy from, their reputations and the exact details of their warranty information.
3. Make energy efficiency a priority. By researching and understanding glazing options, you can make smart decisions on the glass in your windows. Consider windows with Insul/Low E or Insul/Low E with argon gas or krypton-filled glass from Weather Shield. This glass can help save in heating and cooling bills by keeping your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Glazing options are available with single, double and triple panes of glass and with Low E-coated surfaces. Remember, money saved buying low-quality windows is quickly lost to increased heating or cooling costs.
4. Select windows that complement your home’s style. All the pieces of your home should come together for a unified look. Work with your architect and builder to select the size, style and shape of windows that complement the look you want to achieve.
5. Determine the level of maintenance you prefer. Window technology continues to advance. You can enjoy the warmth of a wood interior window with the low maintenance of a sturdy extruded aluminum exterior with Weather Shield’s Legacy® and its flagship Weather Shield® brand windows.
   
   Or, you may prefer low maintenance vinyl on the exterior and warm woods on the interior, as in a ProShield® window. Weather Shield also offers optional all-wood windows for historic applications, as well as Visions 2000® all vinyl. Consider your climate and long- term maintenance goals when selecting the window material for your home.
6. Think big. Light plays a major role in the home, and big windows—or combinations of windows—can have a positive impact on your home. One of today’s most popular trends, walls of windows, can be achieved by mixing an array of operable windows and fixed glass. These impressive focal points for the home can reach the ceiling or encompass an entire wall.
7. Decide if you want custom made windows, with lots of options, or more standardized windows. A simple home design can often use standard size windows. However, the options you gain from custom made windows can really set your home apart. True Divided Lites, interior woods and grilles are just some upgrade options that custom window manufacturers can offer you.
8. Make window interiors work for you. Select windows with wood interiors that complement your cabinetry, flooring and accessories. Weather Shield’s Custom Wood Interiors Collection® offers you maple, mahogany, oak, cherry, alder, American fir, knotty and traditional pine interiors for your windows.
9. Plan for your future needs by incorporating universal housing design elements into your windows. People of all ages benefit from making their homes more accessible and easier to maintain. Consider easy-to-turn hand cranks at the bottom of casement windows and low-placed latches to make your windows easier to operate.
10. Research warranties. Your long-term comfort level in the windows you select will come from purchasing products from a reputable company with strong product warranties. Carefully review the warranties for replacement stipulations, ownership transfer details and guarantees against failure of the glass, frame and sash of the window.

“There’s a lot for homeowners to consider when preparing a building budget,” says Jeff Williams, senior brand manager for Weather Shield Windows & Doors. “First, make sure you’re working with a builder who has a solid reputation. Don’t be penny-wise and pound foolish. Invest early in those elements of your home’s construction that cannot easily be changed down the road, namely the foundation, roofing and framing specs and windows and doors. Especially do your homework when it comes to windows and doors. Investing time to research the windows, warranties and manufacturer’s reputation up front can save endless headaches down the road.”

For more information call 1-800-477-6808 or visit www.weathershield.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center