Buying new windows and doors for your San Diego home is a big purchase! It represents a substantial investment in your home, and should therefore be a project that is well researched.
Many homeowners have someone in their lives whom they trust to help them make major home improvement decisions in areas with which they are not familiar. It may be an older friend or relative who has owned a home for many years, an acquaintance who works in the home improvement industry, or a trusted neighbor who has made similar upgrades to the ones you are considering. But what if you don’t know anyone with expertise in home improvements in general, or window and door replacement in particular? Read on, and we will give you some helpful advice on what NOT to do when shopping for new windows and doors in San Diego.
Assume All Windows and Doors in San Diego Are Pretty Much the Same
On the surface, most replacement windows and doors in San Diego look pretty similar. Most have white vinyl frames surrounding two panes of glass. However, you shouldn’t make the mistake of assuming that every brand sells basically the same thing.
There are different qualities of vinyl, as well as vastly different levels of technology built into various window units. A very basic dual pane window with cheap vinyl frames will do very little to keep out heat, cold, and outside noise. The frames may also start to look weathered shortly after they are installed. In contrast, windows with insulating technology built into them will help keep your home cooler on hot days and warmer on cold nights. They can also reduce the amount of outside noise that enters your home.
Learn how to read the standardized energy performance labels on the different brands of windows sold in San Diego, so you can accurately compare them.
Go with the Cheapest Windows and Doors in San Diego You Can Find
If you care about the quality and performance of your windows and doors, don’t go with the cheapest windows and doors you can find in San Diego. Just like with most things, you get what you pay for! That being said, there are some lesser-known brands that are very well priced in comparison to the brands you’ve probably heard of. Windows from companies like Anlin and Monte Verde offer great performance for prices that are typically less than windows made by the larger window companies.
Work with a Person or Company that Doesn’t Specialize in Replacement Windows and Doors
The final thing you don’t want to do when shopping for windows and doors in San Diego is work with someone who is not a window and door specialist. This means you probably shouldn’t go with a general contractor or purchase from the home services counter at your local home improvement warehouse. These people probably only have a very basic understanding of replacement windows and doors, and are likely not specialists in their installation.
Instead, you want to work with a company that specializes in replacement windows and doors for San Diego homes. From the beginning of the process, they will be able to guide you in product selection and then, once your new windows and doors arrive, can provide you with expert installation services. The good news is that a specialty replacement window company is typically not any more expensive than working with a general contractor or a home improvement store.
