When purchasing new windows for your home renovation project, it's often vague as to which units homeowners should choose – custom or stock?
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Of course, you can just come to the store and choose the first items that you like if they fit your rough openings, but in fact there is much more to analyze when deciding on new windows for your home. That's why we turned to Ecoline, custom window types Experts, so they share some of the latest insights into choosing the best windows for your home and which units are best for your home – custom or stock. Interested? Continue reading!
Custom vs. Standard Windows Explained
Well, the importance of stock windows is obvious. In principle, storage units are manufactured according to the usual raw opening dimensions and you can easily buy these windows from your local specialist dealer.
With custom windows, everything is different. They cannot be bought outright and should be discussed, ordered, manufactured and supplied with your local window company. As a rule, it takes about 7-8 weeks for a manufacturer to construct windows according to your wishes and deliver the ready-to-install elements. But what's so special about custom windows? The answer is simple – they can be made with attention to every little detail and perfectly match your home design and personal preferences.
sizes and dimensions
Very often, Canadian homeowners order custom windows when they want to change the type of windows they have in certain rooms. But of course changing the window style also requires changing the rough opening, for example to make it wider. Storage units come with predefined sizes to fit the most popular replacement projects, but custom windows are your best bet when you want something unique to complement your home.
glass options
This is another very important point to keep in mind. Normally storage units come with double glazing as this is the most popular option with homeowners considering the return on investment in installing new energy efficient windows. But if you live in a region with harsh weather or your home's overall thermal performance isn't that great, consider triple glazing Low-E coating and other aspects of energy efficiency is a must. This is where custom windows come in handy, as you can easily choose the type of glazing, spacers and frame for maximum energy savings.
A combination of Windows
If you have a specific home design and want to complement it with a combination of windows like bay or bow features, it is imperative that you consult the experts and order custom windows that meet your expectations. Installing these windows is usually challenging and the manufacturing process can take longer than usual.
Hardware, livery and other custom features
Of course, when ordering special windows, you have the choice of how you want to paint your new windows and which fittings are to be installed. When purchasing storage units, you should opt for the standard hardware and color options, which may not always suit your preferences.
Custom vs. mass-produced windows – which to choose?
After reading the above information, you might feel that getting custom windows should be your only solution. Still, it really depends on what you want to achieve with your home improvement project.
Choose custom windows if:
- You are trying to install a non-default window style;
- You are really looking for unique paintwork, frames and hardware to match your home;
- You want to reduce annual energy costs by purchasing windows that offer the best thermal performance components – glazing, gas and other window treatments;
- You want to increase the value of your property.
Buy and install stock windows if:
- You know what you intend to do in terms of size and window appearance and all of these are available in the market;
- You don't have to wait for the custom windows to be made;
- You're on a tight budget and paying a lot for custom units isn't an option for you.
However, whether you're going for custom or mass-produced units, don't forget to only buy Energy Star-certified windows. energy star Label ensures that the windows are of high quality and will serve you for many years.
In addition, it is important to deal with a reliable window company to install your new windows. Even the best equipment will go out of service if poorly installed or maintained, so make sure you find experienced local installers to do the job for you.
The final result
Buying new windows can be a real challenge, especially if this is your first time and not sure what will work best for your home. Getting custom windows would definitely be the right choice as they fit your home perfectly. But if you are not willing to pay a lot for your renovation project or for a rental property, for example, storage units can still be an excellent option for you due to their availability and economy.
