Are Name-Brand, Professionally Installed Windows Really Worth It?
If you need new windows on your home and start looking into options, you may initially be taken aback by the estimates given to you by professional installers who use high-end, big-name windows. If you can buy a window for about $100 at a home improvement store and install it yourself, why would you pay $300 for a professionally installed one? Well, as it turns out, there is a huge difference between a big box window that you install yourself and a professionally installed, brand-name window. In most cases, paying for the professional job is worth it, and here's why.
A window needs to be installed just right to prevent leaks.
As a DIYer, you might be able to get the window into the wall, but doing so properly is a lot harder than you might assume. You have to make sure the window is level and that there are no large gaps on either side, and this often means making small adjustments with shims on either side of the window. This is a skill that takes practice, and without a lot of experience, you're unlikely to get it just right. Nobody wants a leaky window, and if you rely on professionals, your risk of leaks is a lot lower.
Big-name windows really are better.
Professional installers choose the brands they work with for a reason. The brands they pick really are better than those you see in the big box stores. Professionally installed windows tend to have better features, like low-e glass, and are just more durable in general.
Professional installation typically comes with a warranty.
Your window from the big box store may come with a warranty, but do you know what doesn't come with a warranty? Your own installation efforts! If the installer makes a mistake that results in your window failing, their warranty will typically cover it. They'll fix the issue free of charge.
DIY installation takes a long time.
Many people underestimate just how much time installing a window actually takes. Between placing it in the frame, adjusting the fit, and caulking everything in, you can spend half a day on just one window. Professionals work in teams and have the experience needed to install windows much faster. They save you from spending an entire month's worth of weekends on your windows.
Professionally installed, brand-name window do cost more, but that's because you get more and also have to do less! This is definitely preferred to a DIY approach. Contact a company that sells products like Marvin windows to learn more.