When you are thinking about doing a large project to improve your home, putting in new windows is well worth it. An easy way to lower your energy costs is to replace your windows with energy-efficient ones. You can also choose windows that complement the rest of your home, and this make everything look better.

What follows are some helpful tips to keep in mind when replacing windows.

Quite often when people think about replacing their windows, all they really need to do is to replace the glass. The amount of work, in addition to the overall cost of the job, will be drastically reduced if the glass is all that needs to be replaced. To replace only the glass is quite simple when compared to changing the whole window.

Windows can be as costly as you choose when you upgrade the glass to be either argon gas-filled, or glass with triple panes. Changing the glass only, is dependent on good frames, but if the frames are falling apart then you should spend the extra money and replace the whole window, frame and all.

Unless you are competent at home improvement projects, replacing your windows should be hired out, and you should know what questions to ask. Many companies aren’t above doing underhanded things to get a job, such as replacing windows, so don’t jump to taking a bid without checking it out first.

A reputable company won’t try to sneak things by you, so make sure that you get estimates from companies with an honest reputation. Always check estimates over so you know what you are being charged for, and won’t have any surprise charges pop up later. One reason you hire someone else is to get a warranty, so get it written down for your protection. An honest company will do what they say, even without having anything written down.

When planning your window replacement project, don’t forget about the basement. It doesn’t matter whether you have a finished basement that functions as another room in your house or a basement that’s only used for storage or perhaps doing laundry. Whatever reason you have for replacing the windows of your house, the same reason should apply to the basement. For one thing, if the windows in the basement are in poor condition, it can be a place for drafts to get in and make the whole house colder. Poor quality windows are easier to break into, therefore they are a security risk. Finally, having good windows throughout your house increases its value.

One way to appease the many that want to ease the heavy use of energy; a good start would be to upscale the replacement of the old ineffective windows. This can be a financial gain where your house is concerned and produce a new environment inside your home. If you plan the job carefully, whether it’s a DIY project or one you’ll be hiring someone to do, it will be a decision you won’t regret.