# The Best Replacement Windows Buying Guide for New England Homes

- Link: https://mycoastalwindows.com/best-replacement-windows-buying-guide-for-new-england-homes/
- Published: 2024-06-06T09:00:35-04:00
- Author: Jeremy Wood

Browsing online to get a free estimate from a window contractor? You might find 
that there are a plethora of options to leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed.
If this sounds like you, this best replacement windows buying guide can help you
make the best choice for your New England home.

![best replacement windows buying guide](https://mycoastalwindows.com/wp-content/
uploads/2025/01/replacementwindowsbuyingguide.webp)

## Do You Need New Replacement Windows?

Before asking _what type of windows __I should buy, _you need to determine whether
you need new windows in your home.

Sometimes the signs of failing windows are easy to see. Other times they take a 
professional window contractor to determine if replacement is necessary.

### Overall, these are the signs that your windows need replacement:

**+ It feels drafty when you sit next to your windows**: [Drafty windows](https://mycoastalwindows.com/drafty-windows/)
can account for up to [30% of a home’s energy loss](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/windows-doors-and-skylights/update-or-replace-windows#:~:text=Heat%20gain%20and%20heat%20loss,work%20best%20in%20your%20climate.).
You can feel drafts all year long, but they are most prominent in the summer and
winter. You can read more about the impact of air infiltration here.

**+ Your windows are tough to open and close**: If your windows are difficult to
open or close, this is a sign that dirt is building up, but more than likely it’s
from stripped screws or a broken window frame.

**+ The windows won’t lock**: Window frames that won’t lock are a security risk 
as well as a performance risk. The locks create a tight seal against drafts and 
the elements.

**+ Your window sills are rotted, warped, or moldy**: Rotting around the frame is
typically a good indicator that you should get a free estimate for replacement windows.
Replacement is

**+ The glass panes are cracked or foggy: **Dealing with foggy windows? This is 
a sign of seal failure.

**+ Light shines through the window frames**: If you see sunlight through the windows,
this is a sign that significant energy is being lost and the windows need immediate
attention.

+ **Your heating and cooling bills are excessively high**: Keep an eye on the cost
trend of your energy bills. Large unexplainable spikes may point to inefficient 
windows.

+ **It is unusually noisy in your home**: Did you know that [new windows](https://mycoastalwindows.com/windows/)
can help reduce outdoor sound? Excessive sound in your home even while the windows
are closed can point to replacement.

**+ Your windows rattle**: This is a sign that the windows are not properly fitted
within the frame. + **You install new storm windows every winter**: Storm windows
should not be used as a permanent solution to keep indoor temperatures comfortable.

Next on this replacement windows buying guide is considering window frame material.

## What Kind of Replacement Windows Should I Buy?

You determined that you need new windows, so the first component to consider is 
frame material.

![danvers ma siding and window installation](https://mycoastalwindows.com/wp-content/
uploads/2025/01/insulated-t6-crane-board-siding-renovation-danvers-1.webp "siding
and window installation")

### What to Consider with Wood Windows

Beware of installing wood windows in your home. These windows will cause issues 
such as:

+ Wood rot around the window frames. Wood windows cannot handle excessive exposure
to moisture. This is especially the case if they are old and untreated.

+ Susceptible to termite damage. Bugs can use your windows as food and chew right
through the frame. According to Orkin, people spend [$3,000 on average to repair termite damage](https://www.orkin.com/termites/facts/statistics).

+ May promote energy loss if the wood is old and worn.

## Why Vinyl Windows are the Best Value

Vinyl window frames may look the same but the truth is that not all are created 
equal. The [Cost vs Value report](https://mycoastalwindows.com/best-home-remodeling-return-on-investment-2024-new-england/)
specifically states to invest in quality vinyl replacement windows—but what counts
as high quality?

+ Choose windows with virgin vinyl frames. This means the windows are made with 
100% vinyl and not a mixture of materials. A mixture can downgrade the quality of
the frames and lead to another replacement project.

+ Quality vinyl replacement windows will last you for life. This is because vinyl
is a highly durable, water-resistant, non-porous material that doesn’t degrade from
moisture. It can withstand New England’s variable climate, including dramatic temperature
changes and freeze/thaw cycles.

+ The best vinyl windows also are entirely maintenance-free. Imagine enjoying beautiful
summer weather while your neighbor sands and paints their old wood windows, sweating
in the sun. This will never be you because you don’t scrape, sand, paint, or stain
vinyl windows—ever!

## Dual or Triple Pane Glass?

In New England, some homes may still have very old single-pane windows. These are
problematic windows of the past for many reasons. Today’s dual and triple-pane window
options are ideal for the following reasons:

 * The extra pane of glass helps to prevent heat transfer. This is especially true
   when combined with argon and krypton gases. They’re insulating and keep your 
   home incredibly comfortable no matter the season.
 * Low-e is also essential to indoor comfort and energy bills. In the summertime,
   it reflects the intense sun rays away from your home to keep it cool. During 
   the winter, the sun naturally heats your home. This leads to year-round energy
   savings!
 * Vinyl frames filled with foam provide an extra layer of insulation. This ensures
   that you’ll experience total indoor comfort no matter the season.

## Meeting (or Exceeding) Energy Star 7.0 Requirements

Do you know the new Energy Star 7.0 Requirements for New England windows? If you’re
looking for energy-efficient windows, we have great news. Working with a professional
window contractor, you can enjoy ratings that are even lower than the new Energy
Star 7.0 requirements, including a U-factor that is as low as .15.

But there’s more! The air tightness of our windows is eye-popping. In fact, they
are 23 times more airtight than competitors with a .01 CFM rating. They are close
to being 100% airtight against the harsh winter weather, second only to a solid 
wall! So, what does this mean for you? When you want energy-efficient windows, Coastal
has your back with this home improvement project.

Read more details about the [Energy Star 7.0 requirements](https://mycoastalwindows.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-energy-star-7-0-requirements/).

![james hardie siding project](https://mycoastalwindows.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/
01/santa-monica-pier-jameshardie-scaled-2.webp "james hardie siding project")

## Get a Free Home Improvement Estimate for Replacement Windows

This replacement window buying guide will start you off in the right direction for
new windows. We can help explain the installation process and other important components
of new window replacement. For questions about the window buying guide or to schedule
an estimate, [contact us now to get a free quote](https://mycoastalwindows.com/contact-us/).

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