Windows are great for comfort and noise, but unless the rest of your house is up to snuff, they’re not the magic bullet everyone hopes for.
That’s been my reality too. I swapped out every window for triple panes, expecting a dramatic drop in bills—no dice. The real culprit was ancient attic insulation (or lack thereof). Once I dealt with that, things improved. Has anyone here actually seen a big ROI from windows alone, or is it always about the “weakest link” in the envelope?
Has anyone here actually seen a big ROI from windows alone, or is it always about the “weakest link” in the envelope?
I’ve wondered the same thing. We did triple panes in our 1980s ranch, and honestly, the biggest change was less street noise—not so much on the heating bill. Like you, once we beefed up attic insulation and sealed some sketchy gaps around doors, that’s when the bills finally budged. Windows are nice, but yeah, if your attic’s leaking air like a sieve... doesn’t matter how fancy the glass is.
Totally relate to what you’re saying. We swapped out our old single panes for triple pane last winter, hoping for a dramatic drop in heating costs... but the numbers barely moved. The peace and quiet was a nice bonus, though. Once we tackled the drafty attic and those ridiculous door gaps, that’s when we finally saw real savings. Windows are flashy, but if your insulation is a mess, it’s like putting a fancy hat on a leaky boat.