When you buy a home, whether it’s your first house, or one in a line of many you’ve owned, you’re making an investment. As with any investment you may make, you want to take care of it and not only make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, but also making money on it when possible. This is why maintaining your home is so important - a well-maintained or updated home can not only help you to make back your money when you decide to sell, but it sometimes can increase the value of the home too.Especially in a city like Colorado Springs where there are wet winters, high altitude, rough winds and dry summers, the maintenance of your home is important because it can prevent further damage and more costs. Making timely home improvements can lower your energy costs, beautify your home and increase its resale value, but it is important that you search out the best quality materials. For projects like replacing siding or windows, it’s best to talk to a Colorado Springs window contractor to not only get a professional’s opinion, but to learn up front about the various grades of windows and how to know you’ve found a quality material. One home improvement that can get you a good bang for your buck is investing in vinyl windows. Shopping Tips for Vinyl Windows Even if you’re an expert on upkeep with a house, it’s always good to go to an expert when it comes to something as important as windows. Vinyl Windows are so popular these days because they are an energy efficient solution that works well in almost any home needing a facelift, but there are dramatic differences between windows. They are low-maintenance and usually a top choice when replacing a leaky or rotting wood window, but there are still some issues to get past when picking vinyl windows. Over time, white vinyl can yellow, colors can fade, and the material can even crack. Usually you can tell the difference in the types of vinyl windows because they are labeled. This shows the different AAMA certifications on the frames of their windows. In order to get the most bang for your buck and keep from having to replace your vinyl windows constantly, there are a few ways to really take into consideration what windows you’re getting. One of the most important things to think about when buying vinyl windows is to aim for the best quality windows you can get. Yes, sometimes other windows may be more affordable, but the better the vinyl, the more likely your windows will be protected against fading, yellowing and even becoming brittle or splinter-like. The extrusions on the sash and frame should have well welded corners, as well as well-made internal air chambers. Because of the variable climate of Colorado Springs, you want to pick windows with the best quality PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) and with the greatest number of chambers, too. Both of these play a factor in efficiency during the colder months. You should also be ready to assess the glass in the window. A good quality window has spacers between the double panes to minimize heat loss. Certain coatings can help your windows to reflect heat in the summer and keep out cold in the winter. They also help to keep furniture or photos in the house protected from fading due to sunshine. As with any home project or investment, you really need to take the time to study the warranty and read the fine print. Make sure the warranty covers any potential problems and that it can be transferred to a new homeowner if you sell the home. Also be sure to read that the windows are Energy Star qualified, and that it has been verified by the National Fenestration Rating Council, which will let you know that you can depend on the window’s efficiency and airtightness. Although choosing a color is more of a fun part of buying vinyl windows, it is still important when it comes to how you’ll care for and maintain your new windows. Colors can fade or go out of style, so keep this in mind when picking what you want. You can order colors to match your exterior paint or to contrast like a trim would. Yellowing can sometimes occur in sunny areas, so if that is something you want to avoid, a white trim facing the sun may not be a good plan. As always, a Colorado Springs window contractor can help you to determine that. Talk to your window contractor No matter how much research you may do on your own, it never hurts to seek the help of an expert. If you feel comfortable, ask a few contractors what they’d recommend and sort through the quotes before making a firm decision. Talk to them about how you’ll have to care for your new vinyl windows, if there’s anything you shouldn’t do, and if they could recommend businesses in the area to clean your windows if you decide you’d rather that happen. Your Colorado Springs vinyl windows contractor should be able to answer all of your questions, as well as give you any resources to help you in the future.