Fixing Up Windows (Buyers)

Increase your home's value

When buying or owning a home, it is always important to think about its resale value. A home's resale value has a lot more to do with generally real-estate prices in the area than with what the homeowner has done to improve the house. Of course home improvement can increase the value of the house, but it usually doesn't turn a profit. Some home improvement, such as kitchen remodeling, can often pay for itself.

Why window replacement pays off

Window replacement, however, usually only garners 68% to 74% of the cost of replacement.

For this reason, those selling their homes would be smarter to just spruce up their older windows a bit before investing in completely new ones. Here are a few simple ways to make your windows presentable to potential buyers.

Fill any cracks with putty and caulk window edges.
To restore spots that are not badly damaged, take a screwdriver and clean out any rotted wood.
Soak window frames with wood preservative, allow to dry, then sand smooth, prime, and paint.
To protect a particularly vulnerable sill, you can cover it with a sheet of aluminum and paint it to match the wood. This is actually a very easy project and offers excellent protection.
Scrub both vinyl and aluminum windows with a natural bristle brush and detergent solution. If you have anodized aluminum frames, restore their luster by polishing them with fine steel wool then coating them with paste wax.
Clean weather stripping. Brush off loose dirt and clean the surfaces around it. Wipe weather stripping with a soapy sponge and rinse with clean water.
Patch any small holes or tears in your screens. This will extend their life and is much cheaper than screen replacement.