Just How Much Value Do New Windows Add to a House in Northern California?

I meet a lot of different types of people in my line of work installing windows all throughout Northern California, but the one thing I think they all have in common is that they love living here. Some folks like the proximity to world-class destinations like Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe. Others like the laid-back attitudes you’ll find with most folks—and some just like all of our wonderful trees.

Recently, I guess the word has gotten out about how great it is to live in Northern California because our population has been growing, and so too has the value of our homes. The fact that so many folks want to live in our neck of the woods has caused real estate values here to surge—a great thing for anyone who owns a home in the Sacramento Valley.

Now is a great time to take advantage of the rising home prices in Northern California by investing in new windows for your home. It’s an investment that will net you a better quality of life, lower energy bills, and, perhaps most importantly, increased real estate value. More isn’t always better, but it certainly is when it comes to the worth of your home. So, let’s dig into a common question around here: Just how much value do new windows add to a house in Northern California?

Calculating How Much Value Windows Add to Your House

New windows are one of the top upgrades for increasing the value of a home. That’s certainly nothing to scoff at. While the exact dollar amount varies depending on the individual house, all home worth experts agree that new windows will drive value upward. According to Isoldmyhouse.com, a $10,000 investment in windows generally bumps the value of a house up by $8,500, providing an immediate 85 percent return on investment. There are, however, additional factors to consider when evaluating just how much value windows add to your home.

A local professional window installer can also help you find rebates on new window installation and energy efficient upgrades, saving you even more in upfront costs and adding exponentially to the worth of your investment.

Energy efficiency is something you can’t overlook when talking about whether windows provide a worthwhile investment. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that investing in energy-efficient windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by about $500 annually, a total that may be higher throughout Northern California where warm temperatures require above average AC use in the summer. A local professional window installer can also help you find rebates on new window installation and energy efficient upgrades, saving you even more in upfront costs and adding exponentially to the worth of your investment.

Which Windows Add the Most Value in Northern California?

New windows is a pretty broad term. There are many different types of windows that fit in that category, all with a different effect on exactly how much value said new windows add to your Northern California home. It’s especially important to take into account that we have what is known as a Mediterranean climate, which accounts for our hot, dry summers and wet, mildly cold winters.

With that in mind, the question to ask then becomes: What are the best replacement windows for a Mediterranean climate? I’ve talked about this at length in the past, but it’s my belief that double-pane windows are generally the best choice for our region, in terms of both value and efficiency (although, I do also recommend having an experienced window installation professional evaluate your unique situation).

Some of the key reasons I recommend double-pane windows are:

• Added insulation: One of the key reasons that replacement windows add so much value to a home is that having two panes of glass mean they do a much better job at insulating your home. Since less air passes through them, the cool air from your AC in the summer stays inside, while the warm air from your furnace in the winter does the same, all of which results in lowering your HVAC bills—often significantly.

• Noise reduction: Double-pane windows prevent noise saturation from the outside. As I mentioned above, air temperature can’t pass as easily through these windows and neither can sound. Prospective homebuyers will love knowing that they’re guaranteed a measure of peace and quiet, driving up the value of your home.
• Mold and moisture reduction: This year our Northern California drought finally ended, and in a big way. We had rain like we haven’t seen in many years. For windows that don’t have decent insulation, this means that the increased moisture level from outdoors can seep indoors as well, leading to the growth of mold on the drywall and other areas near the window, damaging your home and even causing some health concerns for you and your family. Double-pane windows, however, act as a barrier to mold-growing moisture.

So, yes, Northern California is a wonderful place to live, and because of this real estate prices are booming across the board. A new set of windows can be just the thing to capitalize on this boom, adding value to your house and giving you more flexibility if you want to upgrade or sell. With an 85 percent instant return on investment, and an expert-verified annual energy savings, there are few investments in home value that are as safe as new windows. How much value do new windows add to a house? Enough to quickly and easily recoup costs, plus all of the added lifestyle benefits of comfort and safety for your family.

How much value do new windows add to a house? Enough to quickly and easily recoup costs, plus all of the added lifestyle benefits of comfort and safety for your family.

With guidance and advice from a skilled and experienced window installation professional, you can ensure that you’re making a choice that is perfect for your unique home. And since you’re fortunate enough to live in Northern California, you’ll be able to look out those new windows at a great view, friendly neighbors, or our world-famous trees. Are you ready to take a look?

Find out exactly how much value new windows add to your home. Contact the trained installation professionals at Bell Brothers and get more information about new windows today.

Image courtesy Unsplash user Eduard Militaru