How to Increase Your Home Value
Your home is more than just a home; it is an investment in your future. Thus, many of our clients ask what the best way to increase the value of your home is. It is a bit of a tricky question to answer. Still, as one of the top window installation companies in the region, we know that excellent quality windows and doors that can wow, are one of the tried and tested ways to increase your home's value no matter what the market is doing. Simply put, there are three main ways that you can increase the value of your home with the best windows and doors with ease. First is through beauty, second, you can add energy efficiency to your home, and last but certainly not least, you can add new technology to your home. So, let us start with beauty; it might seem simple, but find that perfect window or door can be a process that Big City Windows and Doors has perfected over the years.
Add Beauty
When it comes to adding value to your home through windows and doors, one of the best ways to do it is by adding beauty. Whether a gorgeous window or a unique door, the value-add is second to none in home improvement. Let us first start with windows.
Windows:
Windows have long been the boring cousin of the home improvement scene. Yes, they are necessary, but not very many people can get excited at a casement window at the end of the day. When it comes to adding to the value of your home, two types of windows hit it out of the park.
Bay Windows
Bay windows are worth the price of admission when it comes to upgrading your home value. Generally, bay windows consist of three sets of windows set at 30 degrees or 45 degrees models to provide an architectural detail that will allow your home to pop. The best part of bay windows is providing additional living space without adding any square footage to your home. You can choose to decorate your bay window with photos, make it a reading nook or even make it a feature of your room. Whatever you have in mind, a bay window is an excellent update over a traditional casement window, and this style of the replacement window will add value to your home when and if you are thinking of selling.
Awning windows
If the look you want is a little more seamless than what a bay window offers, then you might want to consider an awning window for your upgrade. Awning windows have hinges on the top of the window and allow the window to swing from the top to open. Due to this feature, awning windows have quickly become one of the go-to replacement windows in Ottawa. Instead of your classic casement or single hung window, awning windows will enable you to get much-needed light and air without the need for much space to open. Plus, if you are worried about rain during one of our infamous Ottawa thunderstorms, awning windows are perfect as they would deflect the rain when open rather than letting it in. From a design standpoint, awning windows offer a new touch to the exterior that will catch a prospective buyer's eye. We offer all of the awning windows for replacement windows open up to 45 degrees and are fully customizable vinyl windows.
Doors
Next, we move on to something that everyone notices. Your door is the entry point to your home, and when it comes to adding value to your home, there might not be a better bang for your buck. Probably all real estate agents and mortgage brokers agree that a new door in Ottawa will provide excellent energy efficiency and spruce up your entry or patio with a clean and aesthetically looking door. So, let us start with entry doors.
Entry doors
Otherwise called front doors, entry doors separated you and the other homes on the other houses on the street. Whether you are looking for a classic looking door or something a little modern, a new front door is a great way to add value to your home with ease. When it comes to front doors in Ottawa, it is hard to find a better-suited company to work with than Big City Windows and Doors. As a windows company, we also do front door glass inserts to ensure you get natural light and a great looking door. Our exterior door collection has everything from metal to wood, and with our custom options, we can find that perfect aesthetic and price point that will allow you to fall in love with your entry once again.
Patio doors
Another great spot to add value to your home is via patio door replacement. We are proud to offer great custom Ottawa doors to our clients, and that includes patio doors. We offer a wide range of sliding and traditional doors for the patio and will ensure that you get the right fit for your look. With our patio doors, you will enjoy energy-efficient glass, top of the line hardware, and a set-up that will ensure that your patio doors last generations. Simply put, if you are looking for a great way to add some value to your home, an upgraded patio door might do the trick.
Add Energy Efficiency
As one of the leading providers of energy-efficient windows in Ottawa, the team at Big City Windows and Doors are proud to carry and install some of the best windows in the country. When it comes to energy efficiency, there are a few things that you need to consider.
First and foremost, an energy-efficient window will include the Energy Star logo the window. Energy Star ensures that the window meets EPA and Natural Resources Canada testing requirements regarding U factor and heat transfer gain.
Second, you should consider the other metrics which are provided in the window. These metrics do not reflect the Energy Star logo, but rather, they are bonus features. This includes air transfer rating, natural light rating, and condensation ratings. These are essential factors, especially in a climate like Ottawa, due to the massive temperature swings we experience in winter and summer.
Third, you should consider the Low-E coatings that the windows have on them. Here in Canada, you generally want to see a Low-E coating on the inside of the window because you want to avoid heat loss in the winter. However, in warmer climates, that coating will be placed outside the window to prevent heat gain. Most top-rated windows have Low-E coatings, and it is worth ensuring that your new window also includes.
Finally, when looking at your windows, make sure to pay attention if you are looking at the double or triple-paned glass. Insulated glass is not a new technology, but it will undoubtedly assist with heat transfer loss in the winter and heat transfer gain in the summer. In these windows, the panes of glass are separated by foam or metal separators, and the gaps are then filled with gas. That gas could be argon, krypton, or something else, but the gas and panes help lower the possibility of heat escaping or getting in.
Add New Technology
Big City Windows and Doors know that it is not enough to have energy-efficient windows; to succeed, you need to bring new and exciting technology to the forefront. That is why we are so proud to offer our clients our revolutionary LOCKTIGHT windows. LOCKTIGHT is a technology that is native to us and provides our clients with a better overall window for years to come. The technology ensures that your windows Ottawa have excellent condensation, ozone, UV, light, and oxidation resistance. It also allows our windows to have enhanced environmental comfort near the window and a pleasing aesthetic appearance on the outside. LOCKTIGHT will enable you to enjoy optimized energy savings and long-term durability to outlast those harsh Ottawa winters on your wallet. Long story short, LOCKTIGHT is the best thing to happen to windows in the last generation.
Whether you are looking to spruce up your home, or are preparing for a sale, one of the best ways to increase the value of your home is to invest in doors and windows. When looking for windows Ottawa, make sure to review the types of windows and their energy efficiency. A bay window is generally regarded as the top upgrade in terms of dollars, but other smaller or traditional windows will also add significant value to your home. It all comes down to the design on the door side and what you are looking for in your door. Steel is considered the best in energy efficiency, but we are also proud to carry fibreglass and wood options. If you are looking to have some questions answered or would like a free quote for new windows or doors, then give the team at Big City Windows and Doors a call. We would be happy to walk you through our process and provide you with a no-pressure quote on the work!