We really need new windows (ours are ancient and drafty as heck), but the quotes we've gotten are pretty steep. Financing seems tempting, but I'm worried about getting stuck with regret later. Anyone been down this road before?
We went through something similar last year—our windows were practically antiques, and winters were brutal. Got a few quotes, and yeah, the sticker shock was real. Financing seemed like the easy way out at first, but I had that nagging feeling about paying interest on something like windows.
Ended up biting the bullet and financing anyway because we just couldn't swing the lump sum. Honestly, it's been mixed feelings ever since. On one hand, our heating bills dropped noticeably, and the house is way more comfortable. But on the other hand, every month when that payment comes out, I cringe a little thinking about how much extra we're paying in interest over time.
One thing I'd suggest is checking out if there are any local rebates or tax credits available. We found out after the fact that our utility company offered a rebate program for energy-efficient upgrades—could've saved us a chunk of change if we'd known sooner.
Also, have you looked into maybe doing it in phases? Like replacing just the worst windows first and spreading out the cost? Might be less painful financially, even if it's not as convenient.
Curious if anyone here has done partial replacements—did it actually help with drafts and energy savings, or did it feel like throwing money away?