Many rental property owners wonder if they should replace the windows in their rental assets. We’ll go over a few details about this question. We’ll look at the benefits of new or replacement windows and think about if the cost is worth it. New windows can be a big expense but if the time is right and the current windows are bad it might be a good idea to upgrade all the windows. When we work with high-level rental property teams like Keyrenter Premier and others we try to recommend the best option to bring them the best ROI.
Benefits of replacement windows
There are many benefits to replacement windows. Better climate control inside of the house, lower energy bills as well as more soundproofing. New windows will also be more visually pleasing, they will increase the value of the house or rental income as well. There is no doubt the new windows would be a benefit in those areas but the question being is it worth it financially.
The Cost of new windows
The cost of new windows or sliding patio doors will vary a lot by window type as well as the company doing the installation. There are some big companies that produce and install new windows and patio doors. Companies like Renewal By Anderson. These companies will handle the whole project for you but will charge at least double what a small window contractor might charge. The benefit of the big company is there is a better chance the warranty will be valid longer and there shouldn’t be much for you to do. Smaller companies might charge less but leave you having to hire painters, drywall or stucco companies to fix the areas around the replacement windows. Even still the price can be cheaper but it’s more work for the homeowner or rental agency to deal with.
Types of replacement windows for rental properties
When it comes to the type of replacement windows that can adjust the price as well. The most common window material we see is vinyl, aluminum and wood. Vinyl windows last a long time and are cost-effective. Aluminum windows are also long-lasting and might be a little more expensive than vinyl. Wood windows are the most expensive and usually, we only see them in custom homes. The type of installation you have can also affect the price. To do a full rip out of the old windows and install new nail fin windows will require more construction than say retro-fit windows. Retrofit windows use the existing window frame, the old window vents are removed and the new window is built around the existing nail fin frame. This is less expensive but also lowers the visible light that enters. In many cases, retrofit windows will be the right choice but depending on the situation these decisions will have to be made.
Replacing just the glass in windows
Another option for property managers wanting to upgrade the windows is to change out just the glass and use the existing frames. In this case you could change our from clear dual-pane glass to Low-E energy efficient glass. This will be a lot cheaper than replacing all the windows. This is a good option if the current glass is foggy or has water or sun damage. Before replacing all the windows you should definitely get a quote for glass replacement as well if your frames are in good condition.