In the South Shore, keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer can be a major expense. Your home windows have a major role to play in controlling that expense – energy industry experts consistently find that as much as 40% of a home’s heat can be lost through old or leaky windows. This year, we’ve seen a lot of hype about window film, and it’s purported ability to help homeowners save money. Let’s talk about that, and how window film compares to the best replacement windows.
Window film is a thin plastic film that is applied to the exterior of your home’s windows. The purpose of this film is to filter out solar energy, which can fade your carpets and furniture as well as impacting the interior temperature of the home. Window film doesn’t prevent cold breezes or moisture from penetrating the home, so if you’ve been dealing with drafts or ice forming on the inside of your windows, window film will not fix this problem.
According to Angie’s List, window film can improve the energy efficiency of a home – although not to the point one achieves by having high quality vinyl replacement windows installed. Window film costs approximately 20% of typical replacement window costs. Window film is only a temporary solution, with many manufacturers being willing to warranty their product for only five years. Five years is not very long! Typical warranties on replacement windows last for decades and the best replacement window warranties offer lifetime coverage.
It’s important to understand that homeowner satisfaction with window film depends directly on the quality of the film installation. Installing window film isn’t as simple as applying a sticker. Professional installation is required. Film must go on perfectly, or it will bubble, split, and peel. If window film installation isn’t flawless, your view can be obscured.
The bottom line is that window film is a bargain solution to the challenge of keeping your home warmer. It doesn’t work as well as replacement windows, it doesn’t last nearly as long, and the product requires very skilled installation to deliver acceptable results. The best replacement windows boost home energy efficiency, last much, much longer, and increase the curb appeal and value of your South Shore home.