My New Blog

Yesterday I had new windows put in my house.  I have been in this house for three years.  When I bought the home I noticed that several of the windows were cloudy and needed replacement.  The seller gave me some money toward that effort in the request to remedy, but since I didn't have it done before moving in, I just left it for later.  Later never came until today. 

Since I didn't plan to live here very long, I couldn't justify having the windows replaced.  Last winter and this summer changed my thinking on that. The windows are more than 20 years old....installed when the house was built and so I knew they were probably inefficient.  But when I moved my desk to right in front of the window in my office I realized how totally inefficient they were. No amouunt of padding at the bottom could keep that cold air from spilling into the room. It was subtle, but real.  This summer I realized the inefficiency even more when the neighbor kids walked by my window to their favorite fishing spot, and I could hear them talking as if they were in the room with me.

Still, how long did I intend to stay here?  Could the improvement be recouped in the sale of the home?  What about energy savings?  After some figuring, I decided three things.  One, I like to see outside through clear glass.  Two, I would realize considerable savings in energy costs and third, I would probably stay in the house at least two more years, making it worth my time and money.

Installation was a bit frightening when they took the old windows out and put the new windows in. I wasn't at all sure how the process would end, but today I am very happy with the results. But the church bells did not awaken me this morning.  I couldn't hear them.  I couldn't hear the train that rolls through not far from here, either.  In fact, I can't really even hear much when cars pass by on the street. I can't hear the kids or neighbors making noises either. So nice. And I sure can see the day outside much more clearly.

But now I must go to buy all new mini blinds.  My two inch plantation blinds will no longer fit in the opening because the windows are much thicker than the old ones.

Ah the wonders of home ownership.