Poorly insulated windows dramatically affect the energy efficiency of homes and commercial spaces. In fact, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension, twenty times as much heat escapes through a single-pane window as the same surface area on an adjacent wall. To combat the inefficiencies of older windows, many home and business owners consider window replacement. But does window replacement yield a positive return on investment? Is there an alternative method for improving your windows’ insulation with a faster payback period?
You can expect to pay between $200 – $1,200 per window replaced. Factors such as glass and frame type, window accessibility, and size contribute to the material and labor costs of window replacement. With an expected energy savings of 15% when replacing single-pane windows with double-pane, you can calculate the amount of time required to see a positive return on your investment. For more expensive window installations, recouping the cost can take well over a decade.
In addition to the monetary investment of replacing your windows, there is the convenience factor to consider. Home window replacement requires installers to be underfoot for hours or even days, depending on the number of windows. Replacing the windows at your office or storefront likely means significant downtime of operations. This disruption can result in decreased employee productivity and lost revenue.
For those seeking a less disruptive and less costly alternative to window replacement, window film presents an appealing solution. 3M Thinsulate Climate Control Window Film provides an insulating layer to your windows to improve heat retention by up to 40%. Window film can enhance the insulating qualities of single-pane windows to perform comparably to double-pane windows. Similarly, window film can elevate double-pane windows’ heat retention capabilities to offer similar energy efficiency as triple-pane windows.
Comparable performance paired with lower installation costs results in a faster payback period with window film than window replacement. Furthermore, window film installation introduces minimal disruption to your home or business. 3M Authorized Window Film Dealers can complete an installation in a fraction of the time it takes to replace windows. The window film installation process also produces less waste and dust than window replacement.
Business owners appreciate that window film installation allows for continuity of operations. Rather than temporarily displacing employees or closing your doors for business, window film installers can easily work around your daily operations. As a result, employee productivity is not diminished, and you aren’t missing out on potential sales.
If you’re pondering whether to choose window replacement or window film for your energy efficiency needs, consider cost, ROI, effectiveness, and convenience. Window film matches or beats out window replacement in each of those categories. For more information on how window film can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals, contact the window tinting experts at Solar Film.
Locally owned and operated in Richmond, Virginia, for over 35 years, Solar Film helps homeowners throughout central Virginia, Williamsburg, and the Northern Neck find their ideal window tinting solution. We use premium quality 3M
materials for temperature control, glare reduction, UV protection, privacy, and security window film solutions. As a 3MAuthorized Dealer and a member of the Prestige Dealer Network, we offer the highest quality window film products on the market. Get in touch with us today for a free quote!
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