215-709-8793

Free Estimates

WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST: SIDING OR WINDOWS?

Have you looked at your windows lately and decided that it is time to replace them? If you’re looking for a new home window installer in the New Hope area, Window Guardians can help. When it comes to their windows, everyone has their own process, and different methods yield different results. Window Guardians has found in our days of doing single, awning, and casement window replacements in Lower Bucks County and the surrounding areas that there is a disconnect on one issue in particular; siding or windows first? While it is recommended these get done at the same time, there are advantages to prioritizing one over the other.
windows infographic

Can You Replace Windows Before Siding?

As homeowners begin to decide what to do about their windows they have some important questions that need answers before moving forward. The relationship between your windows and your siding helps to define the entire look of your home from the outside. This is why window installers recommend having them replaced at the same time. However, if you want to prioritize one over the other, you can. You can indeed replace your windows before replacing the siding and vice versa. There is a case to be made for both options, and the following infographic provides you with an overview of the benefits of both options:

Windows Before Siding

People that opt for replacing the windows before the siding gain multiple benefits. It is more common for homeowners to elect to get their windows done before replacing their siding. Most window installations include a moisture barrier that lies underneath the window frame. If you do the siding first, chances are you will need to cut through the freshly installed siding to effectively place the moisture barrier. Subsequently, doing your windows first cuts down on labor costs since they can install the needed moisture barriers before the siding. Not only that, but it is more time-effective to get windows done first.

When you replace your windows before your siding, you also cut down on the risk of damage during the process. Siding can get scratched and ruined during the window installation process, which means the siding may have to be done over again anyway. Doing windows first is a safer bet to keep your house presentable. While it may seem like getting the windows done before the siding is the only way to go, the case for siding before windows makes a compelling argument.

Siding Before Windows

While having the siding done before the windows presents a less conventional solution, homeowners do experience some advantages to getting your siding done first. A portion of homeowners and window professionals believe that doing the siding first is a more energy-efficient option. This is especially true if you are getting thermal siding installed for your home. Having the thermal siding installed first ensures that your home remains insulated through the winter as you wait for installation to be completed, resulting in less reliance on your heater, lower energy emissions, and lower heating bills.

If you’re getting brand new windows installed, they will be attached to your exterior wall. If your old siding that needs to be replaced is still there, the wall could be damaged during the installation process. While doing the windows first lowers the chance of damage to the actual window, doing the siding first reduces the possibility of damage to the wall that the window will be installed on your home.

Which Option Is Best For My Situation?

Each situation and homeowner is different and they will install windows and siding in their way. Ultimately, the order of operations you want to go forward with really depends on what elements you prioritize. There are clear benefits to doing your windows both ways; it all depends on personal priorities.

Do you need to get replacement windows installed in the Langhorne area? The team at Window Guardians is happy to assist you regardless of which method you decide! If you are interested in our home window installation services in Bucks County and the surrounding areas, contact us for a free consultation.